Two midwinter weeks out of Christchurch Airport, with snow on the horizon
Step out of the terminal in late June and the cold hits first, then the low gold light sliding across the Canterbury Plains toward a white line of Southern Alps. Ski season and Dragon Boat Festival season arrive together, so the pick-up area fills with families, snowboard bags and travellers who have spent months planning this fortnight. Christchurch Airport car rental is where the trip really begins, whether you are heading up to Hanmer Springs, over Arthur's Pass or down the long road to Tekapo. We looked at 74 listings for 17 June to 1 July, with a median of $770 for the 14 nights.
Sixt is the story this fortnight, averaging $504.30 with a low of $229.95, while GO Rentals and Ezi average $1,276.47 and $1,225.42. The spread from cheapest to priciest is 10.76 times, so compare every supplier instead of clicking the first name you know. Three listings showed a price of zero, so ignore those and focus on the real quotes around the median.
Most of the fleet seats five (51 of 74 listings), which is plenty for two couples and their bags, and only 9 offer seven seats if the whole family is coming. Winter roads over Arthur's Pass and Lewis Pass can ice up before breakfast, so a hybrid wagon like the Subaru Outback or a RAV 4 with all-wheel drive is worth the extra dollars, and it pays to ask about snow chains when you collect the car. Book an early pick-up, leave town while the morning frost is still melting and reach the mountains in good light.