Welcome 2027 with a South Island road trip from Christchurch
The summer sun is beating down on the tarmac at Christchurch Airport, heating up the rows of waiting vehicles as the festive season kicks into high gear. From December 27 right through to January 10, the terminal is buzzing with families keen to swap the city buzz for the alpine passes and turquoise lakes of the South Island. Securing your Christchurch Airport car rental early is the smartest move you will make for this specific fortnight, as 87 available listings are already dwindling fast. The warm norwest winds are blowing and the long daylight hours are practically begging for a coastal drive down to Akaroa.
If you are hunting for cheap rental cars Christchurch Airport for this New Year period, Ezi is currently leading the pack with an impressive average of $3028 across their fleet. GO Rentals and Thrifty sit in the mid-range, while premium brands like Avis and Europcar push closer to the $4100 mark. A clever booker looks at the spread of $2067 for the cheapest vehicle up to $5297 for a top-tier luxury ride, then snaps up a compact option to keep both the total cost and the fuel bill delightfully low.
The car hire in Christchurch Airport scene leans heavily into standard petrol engines and five-seat layouts right now, which is exactly what you want for navigating the holiday traffic out of the city. Five-seaters make up 60 of the 87 listings, so finding a reliable runabout is easy, though booking early ensures you do not get stuck with a giant twelve-seater when you only need a boot for two suitcases. I always recommend grabbing a compact SUV like the Ford Puma Hybrid for around $2095, giving you enough clearance for gravel roads and enough space to stretch out during the fourteen-day journey.