Dunedin Airport car rental for a sunny Otago road trip
Late summer light spills across the volcanic hills of Otago Harbour as the February heat settles over the city. The 2027 Chinese New Year holiday brings a busy wave of travellers keen to explore the wild Catlins coast and the central Otago rail trail before the autumn chill arrives. Sorting out your Dunedin Airport car rental right at the terminal is the fastest way to trade the tarmac for the wide open southern roads.
Securing cheap rental cars Dunedin Airport means looking closely at Ezi, which offers the lowest average rate at $1,173 for the week. Europcar actually holds the absolute cheapest vehicle on the lot at $972 for a compact car. A smart booker checks the smaller providers first, since the spread between the cheapest compact and the premium models is a staggering $2,437.
The airport lot is packed with standard five-seat petrol cars, making up 27 of the 32 available vehicles. A compact car handles the smooth seal around the Otago Peninsula perfectly, but you will want an SUV if your itinerary includes the gravel forestry roads deep in the Catlins. Book an early morning pickup to beat the midday flight rush, and remember that hatchback boots fill up quickly when you add camping gear for a seven-day trip.