Hire Car Auckland Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Discover Auckland by Hire Car

“The city of contrasts” is the only way to describe the unmistakable flair of this metropolis on the North Island of New Zealand.

The founding of this city of over a million people dates back to 1840

Einst planned as an English naval base, the small town developed within a few years to the immigration center of the island nation.

Today, about 1.2 million people live here. The Maori, those indigenous people of New Zealand, form the strongest ethnic group of Auckland with about 40%. To really enjoy and explore the city, most tourists take a hire car directly at the airport. An investment that pays off.

Just as the entire island kingdom has new sights around every bend, Auckland also offers countless surprises. We’ve put together a few tips for your hire car trip.

Taking over the hire car

You will find the stations of many hire car companies in the arrival zone on the ground floor of the international airport. You should just make sure that your rental company also has its station directly in the airport.

Because there are also providers whose station is only near the airport. In this case, you have to wait for the shuttle and lose precious travel time.

Take the right car

Since most travellers go to New Zealand with larger luggage, it is advisable to get a larger vehicle in which the suitcases can also be easily stowed.

In New Zealand there is left-hand traffic. Therefore, we recommend renting an automatic car so that you don’t have to search for the gears with your left hand. This way you can concentrate fully on the traffic. Tips on how to deal with automatic vehicles can be found in our special.

Hire car prices

You can book a hire car quite cheaply in Auckland. You can usually get the best deals if you book the hire car well in advance of your trip. Just use the price comparison on our portal.

hire car price comparison Auckland

Insurance

Even on the narrow roads in the hinterland, where it is not uncommon to see deer crossing, an accident can happen quickly.

With a comprehensive insurance without deductible you are on the safe side. With liability, you should pay attention to the amount of coverage.

It should be at least one million euros, because if it comes to personal injury in an accident, it can be very expensive.

Remember the tank regulation

Make sure to book with a rental company where you can pick up the car with a full tank of gas and return it with a full tank of gas. This is the cleanest and most transparent solution.

Don’t underestimate jetlag

Between 11 and 12 hours of time difference between Germany and New Zealand will be hard on your body. Take it easy for the first few days until you have adjusted to the new time zone. You can find more information about jet lag in our special.

The right driver’s license with you?

To hire car in New Zealand, you need an international driver’s license.

age limit

Some rental companies charge additional fees for drivers under 25, so check with your provider before renting the car.

Accessories

Accessories, such as a navigation device or a roof rack, can make your trip easier. Before renting, find out whether your rental company has such items on offer and at what conditions they rent.

Free kilometers

Sure you don’t take the long trip to Auckland just to explore the city and surrounding areas. Therefore, make sure that you are allowed to drive unlimited kilometres in your hire car without incurring any extra charges.

Customer Review Hire Car

There are always complaints about older cars with high mileage. It is best to read the reviews on our portal before renting the car to rent from a rental company with high customer satisfaction.

Safety hire car

Although most hire cars in New Zealand are roadworthy, you should check the lights and brakes before your first drive. Don’t forget brake lights and indicators, too. And check that there’s a first-aid kit on board, too.

Bail

Only book with rental companies that only block the deposit on your credit card and do not deduct it. This way you avoid having to wait longer for the refund after returning the car.

Sights in Auckland

Rangitoto Island: Fantastic views from the volcano

The highlight of your visit should be a visit to the extinct volcanic cone on Rangitoto Island Here, the summit of the volcano offers breathtaking views over the bay and Auckland Harbour.

Here the true New Zealand fan will find peace before heading back to the living city of the city. The contrast of modern and contemporary is evident for all to see here in the heart of Auckland.

New Zealand National Maritime Museum: experience maritime history

Back in the city, head for the harbour. There you will find the New Zealand National Maritime Museum. There you will find an impressive collection on the history of seafaring from spectacular shipwrecks to historic immigrant ships.

The museum is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. Admission costs 17 New Zealand dollars or $29 including a harbour tour on a sailing ship.

K'Road: shop till you drop

A stroll down Karangahape Road, known simply as K'Road by locals, is a fun way to end a first stroll through town. Here there are countless shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes where you can easily strike up a conversation with the locals and pick up tips for the next few days.

Find a good restaurant

In a big city like Aukland, there’s no shortage of good restaurants.

We recommend the One Tree Grill. The name doesn’t promise too much. The grill dishes at the restaurant are excellent and the 600 gram rib eye steak fills even the very hungry.

Discover a good hotel

A pleasing number of good hotels make choosing in Auckland a pain. For a restful night, stay at the Hilton on Quay Street. You’ll enjoy harbour views from many rooms.

Suggestion of a round trip

Whangarei: Lively small town with modern art

Whangarei is a worthwhile destination for a first trip by hire car. There you can observe typical New Zealand small town life.

And the Whangarei Art Museum will introduce you to the island’s modern art. The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.

Russell: Oldest town in the country

It’s only a short drive from Whangarei to Russell. There you can check out Christ Church, built in 1847, the oldest church in New Zealand.

The Russell Museum will then teach you about the history of the oldest place in New Zealand (apart from Maori villages). The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. In January, you can even visit it until 17:00.

Opononi: Adventure Dune Sledding

Before it goes back to Auckland, still another stop in Opononi offers itself. There you’ll experience a fantastic dune landscape, which inspired the locals to create the trendy sport of dune tobogganing. You might even give it a try before heading back to Auckland in your hire car.

Conclusion

Auckland is a lively metropolis whose surroundings can be ideally explored by hire car. And the untouched nature in the south of New Zealand is also worth a trip.

With our practical price comparison you will always find a cheap provider and a hire car that suits you.