Golden Week in Wellington: harbour light and a rental car from the airport
Early October in Wellington is spring trying on four seasons in a single day: sun on the harbour, a southerly by afternoon, and ridges still green from the winter rain. Golden Week brings a surge of visitors, and the arrivals hall fills with people headed for the Wairarapa, Kapiti or the ferry terminal and the South Island beyond. If you'd like a car waiting when your bags come round, Wellington International Airport car rental is the easiest way to begin, with the terminal just minutes from the city. We checked 13 listings for 1 to 8 October (7 nights) so you can see what the week costs before you land.
Alamo is the only supplier we found for these dates, with a median quote of $521.61 against a cheapest of $491.22. The best value sits in the Economy to Intermediate range, where a Yaris, C-HR or Corolla all start between $496.28 and $501.41. If you're after cheap rental cars Wellington International Airport, book one of those and steer clear of the Fullsize and Intermediate Elite tiers, which cost $907.49 and $1992.66.
Every car on the list seats five, and most run on petrol (8 of 13). The three hybrids will go a long way on a tank along the Remutaka Hill road and out to the Kapiti coast. The one electric car is the Tesla Model Y, and at $1992.66 it's only worth it if you're curious to try one. Wellington's wind is the main hazard in spring, so grip the door firmly when you open it and pack a couple of soft bags if you're in a small car. For Wellington International Airport car hire, try to collect your car outside the first arrival rush, because the desk queues grow when the Golden Week flights land.