Car rental in New Plymouth, New Zealand

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Choose from 9 pickup spots

Find cheap car rentals in New Plymouth

These are the cheapest New Plymouth car rental prices we found over the next 30 days and are subject to change.

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There are 9 car rental providers in New Plymouth. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pickup spot.

The most popular car rental companies in New Plymouth

Renting a car in New Plymouth: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car rental companyEzi-Rent Car Hire
Most popular carCompact, 4-5 doors
Average daily price$111
Best time to book3 weeks before

How to book the best car rental deals in New Plymouth

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car rental rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your New Plymouth car rental search.

How to find a cheap car rental deal in New Plymouth

  • Grab a cheap rental car in New Plymouth and get going for around $111 a day. From solo adventures to group travel, we'll help you find the right rental for your plans.

  • The cheapest daily rental price in New Plymouth is $72.

  • Staying on a bit longer? Pick up a weekly rental from $269 and explore beyond the usual highlights.

  • Timing can make all the difference when it comes to finding the best price on a New Plymouth car hire. Try booking around one week before your departure date.

  • Browse the offers available with Ezi, Avis and Thrifty. They're some of the top providers in the city.

  • Whether you choose Ezi or a different supplier, make sure you understand the coverage on your New Plymouth car rental. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as a paid add-on.

  • Choosing a one-way car rental can be the key to cheaper deals. Simply click 'Return car to a different location.' Providers sometimes have to move vehicles from one branch to another, which means you can lock in some awesome one-way prices on a car for rent in New Plymouth.

  • Save money on fuel by picking a vehicle that has a 'Fair fuel policy.' You collect your ride with a full tank and bring it back full, so you're only paying for what you use.

  • Hit the road without watching the miles and racking up extra fees. Go to the 'Policies' filter and choose 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you go the distance.

Best value car rental options right now

  • The best value can be found with this company, with average prices at $139 a day.

  • Not far behind, this provider offers daily rates of around $112.

  • The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly $121 a day with this supplier.

  • The Compact rental category is a reliable choice if you can't decide what kind of wheels you need. It's also the vehicle type that's rented the most in New Plymouth.

Flying to New Plymouth? Think about an airport pick-up

  • If you're flying into New Plymouth, get on the road sooner by booking a car rental at New Plymouth Airport. The drive time from this airport to the city center is around 10 kilometers and takes about 15 minutes.

Compare car rental types in New Plymouth

  • Small: These cheap rental cars in New Plymouth may be small in size, but they live up to big expectations. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're easy to drive, light on fuel, and perfect for city driving or short trips.

  • Medium: A top choice when you need something that has a few more features but is still easy to drive. This category covers compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra room compared to smaller cars.

  • Large: You've got the suitcases, the kids, the snacks, the everything. Large vehicles have got the space to handle it all effortlessly. Ideal for long-distance trips, this New Plymouth car hire category includes full-size cars.

  • SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and better visibility of what's ahead in an SUV. Whether you're carving through winding trails or cruising down long stretches of highway, many come with all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.

  • Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in New Plymouth that can handle a small crowd (and their suitcases), a van is the roomy solution. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a great choice for group outings, business use or moving.

Insurance and optional extras

  • Car rental excess insurance isn't mandatory, but is something you should consider. If you're in an accident, no matter how minor, it can save you from paying a hefty excess fee. Different New Plymouth car rental providers have varying insurance policies and cover levels, so check the terms before booking.

  • Travel smarter when you rent a car in New Plymouth by adding a few nifty extras. Think things like a navigation system to make sure you never miss a turn, or reverse cameras to park like you're pulling off a choreographed routine.

Good to know

  • Age requirements for rentals can vary by supplier (and even car type), so be clear on the rules before you book. Some suppliers in New Zealand may rent to younger drivers for an additional fee. If you fall outside the typical age range, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to browse your options.

  • Add a car seat to your New Plymouth car rental reservation if you're bringing the kids. Guidelines vary from one place to another, but using a child seat suited to their age, weight and size is always the safest option.

  • Come prepared to make pick-up as quick as possible. You'll generally need your physical driver's license (no copies) and another form of photo ID. Have a credit card ready for the deposit too. If anything extra is required, you'll find it in your booking.

  • If you haven't driven before in New Zealand, keep in mind that traffic here keeps to the left side of the road.

  • Keep within local speed limits of about 45kph in built-up areas and around 95kph on highways. Road signs will show if a different limit applies.

  • The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in New Zealand is 0.05%. Because alcohol doesn't affect all people equally, the only way to be sure you're safe to drive is to avoid drinking.

  • One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 8am. Make driving smoother by avoiding rush hours in general.

  • You'll be using the New Zealand dollar (NZD) here. Along with your debit and credit cards, consider bringing some cash for minor purchases.

Best hotels in New Plymouth for drivers

  • Offering parking, Landmark Manor gives you the freedom to come and go as you please. This hotel is about 0.32 kilometers from central New Plymouth and also comes with shuttle services and an airport shuttle.

  • King and Queen Hotel Suites keeps guests happy with accessible parking and features such as internet access and room service. It's roughly 0.80 kilometers from the city center.

  • Explore the full lineup of hotels in New Plymouth and choose the stay that suits your travel style. Filters make it easy to tailor your search to what you need — like 'Parking,' 'Valet parking,' or 'Outdoor parking.' There's even an 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to find hotels with charging access.

  • You're ready to make some memories now you've found a car rental deal in New Plymouth and your hotel. From Paritutu Rock to Fitzroy Beach and Pukekura Park, there's plenty to keep you busy here.

Hit the road: Where to drive to from New Plymouth

  • Hawera has to be on your itinerary if you'd like to visit Tawhiti Museum and Hawera Water Tower. This city is around 64 kilometers south of central New Plymouth.

  • You'll be well taken care of at Mount View Motel Hawera and Kiwi Court Motel, two accommodation options with parking in Hawera.

  • Catch up on sleep in Manukau City at either Manukau Motor Lodge or ASURE Camelot Arms Motor Lodge. They've got a bed waiting for you and parking availability too.

Frequently asked questions

The cheapest car to rent in New Plymouth is an intermediate SUV. The most popular is Compact, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car rental companies in New Plymouth are currently Hertz and Budget.
Scoring the best car rental deal depends on when you book – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. However, according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in New Plymouth is currently June.
On average, around $395. But the best price we found for a car rental for a week in New Plymouth is $270.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to rent a car in New Plymouth for a whole month is $3,035. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore New Plymouth, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car rental deals with a "full to full" fuel policy as opposed to a "half-full to full" one.

We also clearly highlight car and van rental options in New Plymouth that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car rental companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select "Return car to a different location" when you search with us.
Public transportation can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, and for as long as you want. You'll also be able to discover more outside of New Plymouth.
Most places – New Plymouth included – allow people under the age of 25 to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance deductible for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is $73 per day. The average price per day is around $95.
Of course. Most major car rental companies like Ezi-Rent Car Hire, Thrifty and Avis offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travelers rated Hertz as the best overall in terms of experience.
We search the Internet for all kinds of vehicle rental deals, including vans. But at the moment, we can't find any van rental in New Plymouth.