Ten Golden Week days out of Wellington Airport, from harbour wind to wine country
Late September in Wellington is a gamble on weather. One morning brings bright, clear light over Cook Strait, and by lunch a southerly is rattling the terminal windows. Spring lambs are out in the Wairarapa, the cherry blossom is hanging on in the city, and the Golden Week crowd is arriving with big plans and bigger suitcases. So Wellington Airport car rental is busy for this 29 September to 9 October window, with 67 listings to choose from. Walk out of arrivals, pick up your keys, and within the hour you could be on the coast road to Kapiti or heading over the Remutaka Hill.
Europcar is where the savings live, averaging $745.45 with a floor of $349.95, and Sixt is close behind at $747.71. Budget ($1,255.10) and Hertz ($1,255.77) cost far more on average, and the spread from cheapest to dearest is 6.37 times, so shopping around pays. The median sits at $825, a handy yardstick: if a quote lands well above it, check the next supplier before you click.
Most of the fleet is built for five people and their bags, with only 10 seven-seaters and 5 eight-seaters, so groups should book those early. A Compact or Intermediate copes fine with Wellington's hills and the run up to Kapiti, but Cook Strait gusts will shove a light car around, so keep a firm grip on the wheel along the Hutt Road. Heading over the Remutaka Hill to Martinborough or beyond? Ezi's Outlander 4WD at $801.75 gives you extra confidence on wet, winding bends. Pick up in daylight if you can, since the airport roads are far easier to read before the evening traffic builds.