Ring in 2027 with a Queenstown road trip through summer light
Late December in Queenstown brings long golden evenings, lake water too cold to linger in, and a town full of people who all had the same idea. The Remarkables glow pink well after dinner, and the airport car park fills with families setting off for Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Wanaka. Demand peaks around New Year's Day, and 10 nights from 29 December to 8 January lands right in the thick of it. Booking your Queenstown Airport car rental early is the difference between a smooth pickup and a long wait at the counter.
Across 80 listings the median quote is $2,646, but the range is huge, from $1,580 up to $4,826. Thrifty has the lowest supplier average ($2,583), Alamo and Hertz trail close behind, and Budget averages $3,733 thanks to its pricier SUV and ute listings. Smart bookers compare the same car class across suppliers, because one brand's Compact can cost less than another's Economy.
Most of the fleet seats five, which suits a couple with bags or a small family heading up to Arrowtown or down to Te Anau. Summer roads are dry, so two-wheel drive does the job for most trips, though an all-wheel-drive SUV helps on the gravel roads toward Glenorchy and Skippers. Flights land in a rush, so pick up early in the day or book a time just after you arrive. Expect busy roads on 2 and 3 January, when everyone heads home.