Your 2026 National Day road trip starts at Dunedin Airport
Late September on the Otago coast brings that unmistakable bite in the morning air, sharp light bouncing off the harbour, and lambing ewes in the paddocks on the drive into town. The 2026 National Day holiday falls right in the middle of the spring school holidays, so you will see families clutching red tourist booklets at the Dunedin Airport baggage carousel. That festive fortnight rush is exactly why looking into your Dunedin Airport car rental early saves you a headache at the desk.
Four suppliers brought 29 vehicles to the board, ranging from a thrifty $589.12 up to a eye-watering $4,303.88. Ezi sits at the budget-friendly end of the pack with an average around $1,026, whereas Hertz caters to the premium bracket averaging $2,410. A smart booker skips the top shelf and scrolls straight to the Special or Compact SUV categories where the real bargains hide.
Five seats make up the vast majority of the fleet, with only five seven-seaters and one eight-seater available, so lock in the people mover early if you have the whole crew in tow. A hybrid Toyota Corolla is your best friend for fuel stops on the winding drive out to the Otago Peninsula, letting you spend your holiday budget on fresh Bluff oysters instead of premium petrol. Keep a rain jacket in the boot, because coastal showers roll in fast this time of year and the roads around the harbour get slick.