Spring on the Otago coast, keys in hand at Dunedin Airport
Step out of the terminal at Momona in early spring and you're met by wet grass, sheep paddocks and a southerly that can turn a blue morning grey by lunch. Lambs dot the fields, albatross glide over Taiaroa Head, and the Catlins and Central Otago are each a long day's drive away. So Dunedin Airport car rental for 30 September to 7 October is worth sorting before you fly. Across 25 listings the median lands at $809.92, and the cheapest sits at $567.
Europcar has the lowest average at $681.31 across four cars, while GO Rentals holds the single cheapest price, a Toyota Yaris Hybrid at $567. Hertz runs from $783.77 up to $2136.36 depending on the car, and Ezi averages $1031.75 across three listings. The savvy move is to compare by car size rather than brand, then snap up the GO Rentals or Europcar rate for the size you need.
Twenty-two of the 25 listings seat five, so a family with big bags should book one of the two seven seaters or the single eight seater early. A hybrid like the Toyota Corolla Hatch at $581 will go easy on fuel on the long drive down to the Catlins, and if you're heading across to Central Otago, the Ford Wildtrak 4x4 at $1043 gives you extra grip on cold, shaded stretches. Pick up your car in daylight, because the road from Momona towards the city is much nicer when you can see the coast.