Spring Awakens in Christchurch: Your 14-Day South Island Road Trip
Late September sunshine spills across the Canterbury Plains, shaking off the winter chill and waking up the cherry blossoms along the Avon River. The spring weather is absolutely brilliant for a South Island road trip, packing your days with crisp blue skies and clear mountain views. Booking your Christchurch Airport car rental early for the National Day Golden Week is a smart move, as 84 available vehicles will vanish quickly with so many travellers eager to hit the open road.
Securing cheap rental cars Christchurch Airport means playing the suppliers against each other, and Ezi currently holds the bargain bin crown with a wildly low $738 total for a two-week trip. Europcar keeps a steady middle ground with an average daily rate of $1900, while Hertz sits high up the chart at $2951. Smart bookers will grab those Ezi compact options fast before the remaining 12 zero-listing dates creep in and kill the availability.
The lot is packed with standard petrol five-seaters, which are perfect for zipping around the Port Hills or cruising down to Akaroa. If you are hauling climbing gear or a heap of luggage, look at upgrading to a standard SUV for extra boot space and comfort on those gravelly side roads. Grab your keys and head out before the afternoon airport rush hits, giving you plenty of daylight to get comfortable on the left side of the road.