Ten spring nights of Wellington wind, harbour light and open road
Touch down at Wellington Airport in late September and the first thing you notice is the sky moving. Spring light bounces off the harbour, clouds race over the hills, and the Cook Strait wind rocks the plane on final approach. Families gather for the Mid-Autumn Festival and others use the school holidays to roam. So Wellington Airport car rental is busy, with 67 listings across seven suppliers for these 10 nights.
Sixt has the lowest floor at $371.78 and the best average at $738.17, while Europcar has the widest choice with 16 listings and a $396.75 starting price. Budget and Hertz average $1308.56 and $1224.79, yet each still has a car under $600 ($554.31 and $579.80), so the average never tells the whole story. Compare like for like within one car class and let the supplier fall where it may.
Most of the fleet seats five (50 cars), which suits couples and small families, and the 10 seven seaters go quickly if you're travelling with a crowd, so book those early. Petrol and hybrid cars dominate, and a hybrid is an easy pick for the long hills out of the city. Wellington gusts can shove a light hatchback around, so leave extra room on exposed stretches, and pack soft bags that squeeze into a smaller boot. Budget some time at the counter after landing, because the queue can be long just after a full flight arrives.