Wellington summer road trip: wind, harbour light and the New Year holiday rush
Late December at the airport has a feel all its own. The evenings stretch out gold, a stiff southerly rattles the terminal glass, and families wheel suitcases out into the Christmas rush. Wellington is the gateway to the Wairarapa wine towns, the Kapiti Coast beaches and the ferry across to the South Island, so everyone seems to want wheels at once. For 28 December to 4 January, Wellington International Airport car rental is a seven night booking right in the middle of the busiest week of the year. Book early, because the cheap cars go first.
Alamo was the only supplier in our search this week, with 14 listings averaging $1892 and a median of $1613. The bargains sit at the small end: a Mystery Car at $1476, a Toyota Yaris at $1491 and a Corolla at $1522. A smart booker grabs one of those cheap small cars, or weighs the Intermediate Corolla at $1583 against the Compact one, since the gap is only about $60.
All 14 cars seat five, so check boot space against your bags before you commit, especially if you are hauling a family's worth of holiday luggage. Hybrids suit the winding coast roads and the climb over the Remutaka Hill, and a heavier car feels steadier when Wellington's gusts hit the open highway. The Tesla Model Y at $3850 is the odd one out, so book it only if you fancy trying an electric car and don't mind planning your charging stops. Pick up in the morning if you can, before the New Year queue builds at the counter.