Can I take a rental car on the Interislander ferry?
All our tour itineraries are arranged so that you drop one rental car at either Picton or Wellington and collect a replacement car on arrival to the other side. This saves you money as taking a car on the ferry is expensive.
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MULTI ISLAND HIREThe Multi-Island Hire sets up one booking for your entire journey. Customers travelling between the North and South Island are permitted to take Avis rental vehicles on the Inter-Island ferries across Cook Strait.
The price of a ferry from Picton to Wellington can vary between $53 and $337 depending on the operator, season and whether you are travelling with a vehicle. The average price of a foot passenger is $70, prices can range from $53 and $158. The average price with a car is $182.
Taking the ferry without a vehicle is the cheapest - and also the most convenient - way of crossing the strait - and if you book with us you will leave your existing rental vehicle at one end, and pick up a new one at the other.
Cook Strait can also be one of the world's roughest stretches of water. It's part of the westerly wind belt known as the Roaring Forties. As the only gap between the mountainous main islands of the country, the strait acts like a huge wind tunnel.
That said, some ferries sell out, or require you to reserve a spot in advance (especially if you bring a vehicle). Tickets are often more expensive when purchased at the last minute, so by planning ahead and buying your tickets online you can likely save some money.