A Queenstown Airport car rental guide for a sunny February week
The February sun hits the Remarkables beautifully in mid-summer, baking the tarmac at Queenstown Airport and making the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu look incredibly inviting. Travellers arrive in shorts and sandals, keen to hit the road immediately for a week of alpine hikes and lakeside barbecues. Sorting out your Queenstown Airport car hire right at the terminal is the fastest way to throw your bags in the boot and chase that sunset down to Glenorchy.
Finding cheap rental cars Queenstown Airport takes a bit of Strategy in February because the summer demand pushes the median rate to $1,644 for the week. Thrifty currently offers the lowest average price at $1,335, and their cheapest economy car drops right down to $818 if you book quickly. A smart booker checks the compact SUV category too, where a Mazda CX-3 sits at just $850 and gives you a bit more boot space for your camping gear.
The airport forecourt can get busy with incoming flights around midday, so skipping the queue by having your driver's licence ready makes the counter process much faster. Most of the available fleet runs on standard petrol, which is perfectly fine for the sealed highways around the South Island in February. Grab a five-seat compact SUV for the best balance of luggage room and easy parking in the tight spots around central Queenstown.