Ten spring nights of Wellington wind, harbour light and open road
Late September into October is when Wellington shows off. The harbour flashes silver one minute, the southerly rolls in the next, and the hills behind Evans Bay turn a fresh spring green. The 2026 National Day Golden Week brings a wave of visitors with the Wairarapa wine country, the Kapiti Coast and the ferry to the South Island on their wish list. Landing and driving away is the easiest way to cover it all, and the car rental desks at Wellington International Airport are a short walk from the terminal. Expect a bit of a queue at the gate on arrival day, so build in some time.
Alamo is the only supplier in the data, so the savings come from picking the right class rather than comparing brands. The cheapest car is $783.60 and the median is $832.06, so the bottom half of the board is squeezed into a very small window. Book an Economy, Compact or Intermediate and you stay under about $865, while the Tesla Model Y at $2,804.99 is a treat for anyone happy to pay for it.
All 13 cars seat five, and the mix is eight petrol, three hybrid, one diesel and one electric. Spring on the Remutaka Hill Road and State Highway 1 north can bring gusty crosswinds and a sudden shower, so a Toyota C-HR or the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport will feel steadier than a small hatch with a loaded roof. Pack soft bags for the boot, collect early in the day before the Golden Week arrivals bunch up, and find out where you can charge before you pick the electric option.