Can you take a rental car on a ferry in New Zealand?
Customers travelling between the North and South Island are permitted to take Avis rental vehicles on the Inter-Island ferries across Cook Strait.
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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.
It takes around three hours to go from the North Island to the South Island by ferry. Remember, apart from Apex and GO Rentals, rental providers generally don't allow their vehicles to be taken on the ferry, so you'll need to drop off your vehicle either at Wellington or Picton before boarding.
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.
Taking the ferry as a walk-on passengerTaking 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.
Increased travel in New Zealand's post-COVID world, has led to a shortage of reliable rental vehicles. As New Zealand loosens its COVID rules, the tourism market has seen tremendous growth, resulting in a shortage of reliable rental vehicles.
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.
The cheapest Wellington Picton ferry prices start from $52*. The average price for a foot passenger is $171*. The average price for a Wellington Picton car ferry is $430*.
Getting a rental car in New Zealand is simple. You must be at least 21 and have a valid credit card, just like most everywhere else. Generally, if you're a licensed driver in another country, you won't need to provide anything other than your valid home drivers' license or International Driving Permit (IDP).
You don't need to drive to see New Zealand. Take the bus or train and you can enjoy the same scenery without the responsibility of driving in an unfamiliar environment. In some places you can travel by ferry. Travelling by plane is quick and convenient.
New Zealand's most famous and beautiful ferry route is between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. The journey between the two islands is commonly referred to as 'crossing the Cook Strait'. The sailing time is around 3.5 hours (weather dependent).
Generally speaking, if you want to engage with city culture or explore Maori history, the North Island is for you. If you want to deep-dive into nature, the South Island has plenty of lakes, mountains, fjords, and glaciers to discover.