Christchurch Hire Car Tips, Experiences & Comparison

Discover Christchurch by Hire Car

The city of Christchurch is located on New Zealand’s South Island and is considered the most English city in the state.

This is evident in the many buildings that are very much based on English architecture. Located on the east coast of New Zealand, about 350,000 people currently live in the city.

In addition to agriculture (dairy and livestock), tourism plays an increasingly important economic role.

The temperatures range from 22°C during high summer in January and 5°C during winter, which peaks in the month of July.

Christchurch’s city centre is easy to explore on foot. But for the charming surrounding countryside, a hire car is definitely the best transport option. We’ve put together a few tips for hiring and travelling.

Receiving the hire car

You will find a number of rental companies right in the terminal at Christchurch Airport. However, you should make sure that your rental company is there. There are also providers whose stations are located only near the terminal. In this case, you often have to wait a long time for a shuttle and lose valuable travel time.

Booking the right hire car

The road traffic in New Zealand is thin and the distances are long. You are best advised to go for a larger and more comfortable car to really enjoy the ride. If you want to go into the rugged nature, you are of course best advised with a four-wheel drive vehicle.

In New Zealand there is left-hand traffic. Therefore, you should book an automatic vehicle if possible. Then there is no need to shift gears with your left hand and you can fully concentrate on the journey. You can find more tips on left-hand traffic in our special.

Insuring the car properly

Despite the low traffic volume, an accident can still happen due to the unfamiliar left-hand traffic. With a comprehensive insurance without deductible you are on the safe side.

And with liability insurance, you should make sure that the sum insured is at least one million euros. If people are injured in an accident or several vehicles are involved, it quickly becomes very expensive.

Hire car prices

Hire car in Christchurch is in the mid-price range. You can usually get the best deals if you book the car well in advance of your trip. Also, use our handy hire car price comparison.

hire car price comparison Christchurch

age limit

Many rental companies don’t rent their cars to drivers who are under 21. And some charge extra if the driver is under 25.

Still others don’t rent cars to experienced drivers over 75. Ask about the terms before renting.

Accessories

A sat nav is a handy thing to have when travelling in New Zealand. To make sure your rental company has a sat nav or even a child seat in stock, check before you rent and it’s best to book it now.

Free kilometers

In beautiful New Zealand, you will cover a lot of enjoyable kilometres in your hire car. Make sure you get to drive unlimited kilometres without being asked to pay extra.

Jetlag

Many travellers underestimate the huge time difference of up to 12 hours between Germany and New Zealand. Give your body time to get used to it slowly and drive only short distances in the first days. You can find more information about jet lag in our special.

Customer Review Hire Car

Most customers are satisfied with their hire car service in Christchurch. However, some complain that they had been given quite old cars.

Others complain that the rental station had already closed after a plane delay. Since in such a case it will be difficult to still get a car, you should always plan an overnight stay in Christchurch.

Safety hire car

Even hire cars that have run 200,000 kilometers or more are usually in roadworthy condition. Nevertheless, you should check the lights before your first drive and do a brake test while still in the parking lot.

Bail

Find out how your rental company handles security deposits before you book the car. This is because some actually charge the amount to your credit card account and take their sweet time paying it back after you return the car. It is better if the amount is merely blocked.

Historic buildings in the old town

There are a number of historic buildings in the inner city area of Christchurch, of particular note are the Cathedral, built between 1864 and 1904, the Arts Centre and the University Quarter, with a wide range of cultural facilities.

City tour by tram

Don’t miss a ride on the historic tram that does duty through downtown Christchurch. A ride on the Summit Route offers stunning views of the city and sea at many points.

Romantic shipping

Romantic is a cruise down the Avon River on a traditional New Zealand raft.

Rich destinations in the area

The surrounding areas of Christchurch can be easily and conveniently explored by hire car.

The province of Canterbury offers the New Zealand Alps and Mount Cook, the highest point in New Zealand.

People seeking solitude are in the right place.

Only a few sporadic human settlements remain outside Christchurch, so you’ll find peace and seclusion without much effort.

Suggestion for a round trip

Trimaru: Experience the history of the region
A first trip by hire car could take you to Timaru. In 2 hours you will be there. In Trimaru, you will find the South Canterbury Museum, which will teach you about the history of the region. After the visit, you still have the opportunity to admire over 1,100 different types of roses in the Trevor Griffiths Rose Garden or try your luck with the white ball on one of the golf courses in the region.

Arrowtown: Picturesque gold mining town
Inside the South Island then leads them the way, if you steer the hire car to Arrowtown. The drive takes just under four hours through charming countryside. In Arrowtown the time of the gold diggers becomes alive again. There are numerous historic miners’ houses to discover. And along the Arrow River, digging pans are available for hire, so you can test your gold-digging skills. There’s also a great place to stay near Arrowtown. The Queenstown Resort is located directly at a golf course in beautiful nature and offers a lot of comfort and cordial service.
For the return trip to Christchurch you should plan another almost six hours. But don’t worry, in New Zealand the journey is the destination. The route takes you through impressive wilderness. Only rarely will you encounter another vehicle.

conclusion

For travelers who don’t shy away from long distances, Christchurch and New Zealand’s South Island is a wonderful hire car destination. The unspoiled nature also makes globetrotters go into raptures. And with our handy rental price comparison, you’ll always find a cheap vehicle to suit your needs.