Hitting the South Island roads: Christchurch International Airport car hire for the New Year
The January sun is well and truly baking the tarmac at Christchurch International Airport, with late afternoon northwesterlies keeping the air warm and dry. The 2027 New Year Long Weekend is in full swing, and travellers are itching to grab their bags and hit the open road towards the turquoise waters of Tekapo or the vineyards of Marlborough. If you are searching for cheap rental cars Christchurch International Airport for a seven-night escape starting January 4th, your options are highly limited this late in the game.
Our data shows a single solitary listing across the entire airport for these specific dates. Alamo has a Toyota Corolla Hatchback or similar available for $1,086.58 total. Smart bookers will lock that in today, because a spread of just one car means the forecourt will be completely empty by the time the late rush arrives tomorrow.
That solitary listing is a 5-seater hybrid, which is exactly what you want for a South Island summer road trip. A hybrid engine keeps your fuel costs right down on those long, straight drives across the Canterbury Plains to Aoraki Mount Cook. Make sure your luggage fits comfortably in the boot, and aim to hit the rental desk before 3:00 PM to skip the worst of the after-work traffic snaking back into the city center.