Ring in 2027 with Auckland Downtown wheels and a summer road trip
Late December in Auckland brings long golden evenings, harbour water glittering below the Sky Tower, and a city that half empties as everyone heads for the beach. Fireworks go up over the waterfront on New Year's Eve, and by the morning of the first you can smell sunscreen and sizzling sausages from every campsite north of the Bombays. Travellers land with ten nights to fill and a coastline begging to be driven, which is why Auckland Downtown car rental fills up fast over this stretch. Book early and you can be out of the city before the holiday traffic builds.
Thrifty is the cheaper counter, averaging $2330 with its cheapest car at $1928, while Budget averages $3018 and starts at $2703. If you can live with a Suzuki Swift or a Kia Stonic at $1928 and $1968, you'll keep serious money in your pocket over ten nights. Lock in the Thrifty price first, and only look at Budget if an SUV is a must.
Most of the fleet seats five, so a family with big bags should pick an Intermediate or an SUV and check the boot before leaving the lot. Only 2 of the 14 cars are hybrids, which is a shame on the long runs up to the Bay of Islands or down to the Coromandel. Summer roads are dry, but State Highway 1 north clogs on the 29th and 2nd, so collect your car early in the morning and beat the queue out of town.