How to find a cheap car hire deal in Taupo
Pick up a cheap rental car in Taupo for an average of R 1,808 a day and drive away happy. We do the hard work for you by searching trusted rental companies, putting amazing deals at your fingertips.
R 1,094 is the cheapest daily price offered for a rental in Taupo.
For longer trips, pick up a weekly rental from R 5,062 and make room for more adventures.
Here's your insider tip for booking at the right time. Two weeks in advance gives you the best window to grab the best price on a Taupo car hire.
Line up your ride with Hertz, Budget or Ezi. They're some of the most reliable providers in the city.
Check if a collision damage waiver (CDW) is part of your Taupo car hire policy, whether you book with Hertz or any other supplier. Some may charge separately for it instead of including it in the base rental.
Booking a one-way car hire can be your secret weapon for finding a deal. Simply select 'Return car to a different location.' Providers often need to move vehicles from one branch to another, which means you can bag some great one-way prices on a car for rent in Taupo.
Skip the hidden fees by booking a ride with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, and pay only for what you use.
Want to explore without worrying about how many miles you rack up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and drive as far as you like without the extra costs.
Best value car hire options right now
Topping the list for value is this company, with average prices of R 1,376 a day.
Coming in next is this provider, offering daily rates of around R 1,552.
The third option won't stretch your budget either. You'll pay roughly R 1,377 a day with this supplier.
Want a car that's the reliable option for most getaways? The Compact rental category is the top choice for travellers visiting Taupo.
Flying to Taupo? Think about an airport pick-up
Make arrival day easier by booking a car hire at Taupo Airport. If you're flying to Taupo through this airport, simply pick up your wheels after landing and roll out. The drive to the city centre is about 10 kilometres and takes around 10 minutes.
Compare car hire types in Taupo
Small: These cheap rental cars in Taupo may be small in size, but they're big on what matters. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're agile, light on fuel, and just the thing for short trips.
Medium: A dependable choice when you want something that's easy to manoeuvre but with a few more features. This category includes compact and intermediate models that come with a little extra leg space compared to smaller cars.
Large: Offering greater driving comfort and advanced tech features, this Taupo car hire category includes full-size cars. With larger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: SUVs are made for plans that change mid-journey. All-wheel drive and everyday versatility equip them for urban streets and country backroads alike.
Van: If you're searching for a car for rent in Taupo that can handle a small crowd (and all their gear), a van will do the job. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group excursions, business needs or moving.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your Taupo car hire can take the stress out of driving. It protects you from paying a hefty excess fee in case of an accident or theft. Insurance policies can differ from one provider to another, so compare before you commit.
Make travel easier when you rent a car in Taupo by adding some handy extras. Think things like a GPS unit to be your go-everywhere guide, or reverse cameras that make parking feel effortless.
Good to know
Rental age requirements aren't always the same across the board. Providers can set their own policies, and if you're under the minimum age, you could face extra fees or restrictions. Check the rules for the supplier you choose before booking your car hire in New Zealand.
Add a car seat to your Taupo car hire booking if you're travelling with small kids. Guidelines vary from place to place, but using a child seat suited to their size, age and weight is always the safest choice.
You'll need to show some documents when you pick up your ride. As a general rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with room for the security deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and additional photo ID. Your booking will confirm exactly what's required.
Driving in New Zealand can seem unfamiliar if it's your first time. Don't forget all vehicles travel on the left side of the road.
Follow the local speed limits. Usually that's around 45kph in urban areas and 95kph or so on highways, unless signed otherwise.
In New Zealand, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%. If you intend to drink, hand the keys to someone else or choose another way to travel.
Around 8am is one of the busiest times for traffic in this destination. Try to avoid busy hours generally for a smoother drive.
The New Zealand dollar (NZD) is the currency you'll be using for everyday expenses and excursions. Pay with a credit or debit card where you can, but carry a little cash for places that don't accept electronic payment.
English is the language you'll hear most often in this country.
Best hotels in Taupo for drivers
Pull in and get ready to relax at Clearwater Motor Lodge. Offering parking as well as luggage storage and Wi-Fi, this hotel is about 3 kilometres from central Taupo.
Acacia Lake View Motel also works well if you've got a few road trips in mind. It features parking, along with a barbeque and a laundry. Check in here and you'll be roughly 0.64 kilometres from the city centre.
Browse the lineup of hotels in Taupo for even more choice. Use the 'Parking,' 'Outdoor parking,' and 'Valet parking' filters to find the ideal fit. You can also apply the 'Electric vehicle (EV) charging station' filter to narrow it down to EV-friendly stays.
After you've locked in a car hire deal in Taupo and your hotel, all that's left to do is decide where to explore first. Start your trip with popular attractions like Taupo Tandem Skydiving, Taupo DeBretts Hot Springs and Lake Taupo Cruises.
Hit the road: Where to drive to from Taupo
Keep travelling to Rotorua. Around 64 kilometres north of central Taupo, you'll find must-do sights like Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest and Agrojet NZ's Fastest Jetboating Experience.
Silver Fern Rotorua Suites & Spa and Novotel Rotorua Lakeside are reliable accommodation options with parking in Rotorua.
Or collect your cheap car hire in Taupo and then take off to Tokoroa. Around 56 kilometres north of Taupo, Dunham Park and Cobham Reserve are major attractions that make the drive more than worth it.
Take things a bit further and road-trip it to Hamilton, around 121 kilometres northwest of Taupo. Make your first stop Hamilton Pools, then follow it up with Hamilton Gardens.
Drift off to sleep in Hamilton at either Heartland Ambassador Hotel Hamilton or Ramada by Wyndham, Hamilton City Centre. They've got a room waiting for you and a place for your wheels too.
