Christchurch is the gateway most visitors use to reach the South Island, and picking up a rental car straight from the airport sets the tone for the whole trip.
Get it right, and you are on the road to Akaroa, Kaikoura or the Southern Alps within the hour. Get it wrong, and you lose half a day sorting out paperwork or waiting for a shuttle.
If you are arranging car hire Christchurch ahead of your flight, these five tips make the pickup and the drive that follows far easier.
The first tip is simple but often missed: confirm exactly where your provider's desk or shuttle pickup point is before you land.
Christchurch Airport hosts several rental companies at various locations around the terminal, and the official airport rental car information page lists current operators and their pickup points, saving a confused walk through arrivals with luggage in tow.
Jump to:
- Plan Your Pickup Around Your Arrival
- Understand New Zealand Driving Conditions
- Consider the Season Before You Travel
- Check Your Rental Car Before Leaving
- Make Your Christchurch Airport Car Hire Stress-Free
- What to Pack for a South Island Road Trip
- Make Safety Part of Your Road Trip Planning
- Explore More of New Zealand by Car
- Keep Your First Day Flexible
Plan Your Pickup Around Your Arrival
Second, factor in jet lag and time zone changes when booking your pickup slot. Arriving on an overnight international flight and heading straight into several hours of unfamiliar driving is not ideal.
Many travellers find it far more comfortable to collect the car mid-morning after a short rest, rather than driving immediately after landing.
Third, check the fuel policy carefully before you sign anything. Some providers require a full tank return, others charge a flat refuelling fee, and the difference between the two can matter a lot depending on how far you are driving and how easy it is to find a station near your drop off point on the last day.
Understand New Zealand Driving Conditions
Fourth, plan your first day's route with New Zealand's driving conventions in mind rather than assuming it will feel like home. Traffic drives on the left, speed limits are strictly enforced, and mountain and coastal roads can be narrower and windier than they appear on a map.
Spending ten minutes with the official road code guide before you leave the airport car park is a genuinely useful habit, especially if this is your first time driving in the country.
Fifth, build a buffer into your first day's plan. Whether you are heading toward Hanmer Springs, the Banks Peninsula or straight down toward Lake Tekapo, resist the urge to schedule a tight itinerary on day one.
Roadworks, weather, and simply wanting to stop for the views are common, and a rigid schedule can turn a relaxing start into a stressful one.
Consider the Season Before You Travel
Seasonal timing changes the calculation considerably. Visiting during the Southern Hemisphere summer months means long daylight hours and generally settled roads, which makes it easier to fit more into a single day without feeling rushed.
Winter is a different experience entirely, especially if your route heads toward the Southern Alps, where snow and ice can appear with little warning on mountain passes.
If your trip falls between June and September, ask your provider directly whether snow chains are included or available to hire, and whether your vehicle class is rated for the routes you plan to take.
Christchurch's location makes several genuinely excellent day trips possible without committing to an overnight stay.
Akaroa, tucked into a volcanic harbour about ninety minutes from the airport, offers a completely different landscape from the flat Canterbury Plains you drive through to reach it.
Hanmer Springs, roughly two hours north, combines hot pools with forest walks, and makes a relaxed first stop for anyone recovering from a long international flight.
Both routes are well signposted and manageable for a first-time visitor, provided you have already spent a few minutes with the road code and are comfortable with the basics of driving on the left.
Check Your Rental Car Before Leaving
Before you leave the rental desk, run through a short mental checklist rather than relying on memory once you are back in the car park.
Confirm the fuel level noted on your contract matches what you can see on the dashboard, photograph any existing scratches or marks on the vehicle, check that GPS or phone mounts are either provided or that you have your own ready to go, and make sure you know the emergency contact number for your specific provider rather than a generic call centre line.
None of this takes more than five minutes, but it removes almost all of the ambiguity that causes disputes when the car is eventually returned.
It is also worth bookmarking a reliable New Zealand weather and road conditions source before you set off, rather than relying on whatever app you already use at home.
Mountain passes and coastal routes around Canterbury can shift from clear to genuinely hazardous within an hour during certain seasons, and a local source tends to flag closures faster than a general international weather app.
Many visitors find it useful to check road conditions the night before and again first thing in the morning, particularly if the day's plan includes routes toward the Southern Alps or along the coast south of the city.
A five-minute check costs nothing and can save an entire day from an unexpected detour.
Make Your Christchurch Airport Car Hire Stress-Free
Christchurch Airport car hire doesn't need to be complicated, and most of the stress travellers report comes down to the same avoidable issues: not knowing where to go, arriving exhausted, misunderstanding the fuel terms, underestimating the roads, or overpacking the first day's plan.
Sort those five things out in advance, and the pickup becomes what it should be: a quick, straightforward start to a South Island trip rather than the most stressful part of it.
FAQ'S
Hiring a car from Christchurch Airport can be particularly convenient if you plan to travel beyond the city. It allows you to begin your journey shortly after arriving without arranging separate transport to another rental location. Always check whether your chosen company operates from the terminal or uses a nearby shuttle collection point.
Requirements vary between rental companies, so check your provider's terms before travelling. You will generally need a valid driving licence and the identification and payment method required by the rental company. International visitors should also check whether their existing licence is accepted in New Zealand or whether additional documentation is required.
Christchurch is relatively straightforward to navigate, but overseas visitors should familiarise themselves with New Zealand road rules before driving. Remember that vehicles travel on the left, and allow additional time when travelling on unfamiliar rural, coastal or mountain roads.
Christchurch is well positioned for exploring Canterbury and the wider South Island. Popular routes include Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula, Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura and journeys towards Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps. How far you travel on your first day should depend on your arrival time, weather conditions and how rested you feel after your flight.
What to Pack for a South Island Road Trip
Once you have collected your rental car, having a few essentials within easy reach can make longer drives much more comfortable.
Water, snacks, sunglasses, a phone charger and an extra layer of clothing are worth keeping in the car rather than buried at the bottom of your luggage.
Canterbury weather can change throughout the day, particularly when travelling towards the mountains.
Families travelling with children may also want to prepare entertainment and regular rest stops before setting out.
Our guide to packing for a stress-free family road trip has more practical ideas for keeping everyone comfortable and organised during longer journeys.
Make Safety Part of Your Road Trip Planning
Hiring a car gives you considerably more freedom to explore the South Island, but it also means taking responsibility for the vehicle throughout the journey.
Before a longer drive, take a moment to check the fuel level, tyres and any warning lights, particularly if you have already been using the vehicle for several days.
It is also sensible to plan regular stops rather than attempting to cover large distances without a break. If you are travelling as a family, our family road trip safety guide covers vehicle preparation, driver fatigue, emergency supplies, and other considerations to help make a longer journey safer and more comfortable.
Explore More of New Zealand by Car
One of the biggest advantages of hiring a car at Christchurch Airport is the freedom to explore beyond the city.
Christchurch provides an excellent starting point for discovering Canterbury and the wider South Island, whether your plans involve mountain scenery, coastal towns or a longer New Zealand road trip.
If Christchurch is only one stop on a bigger holiday, take a look at our guide to the top places to visit in New Zealand with children for more inspiration.
Families planning a more comfortable or extended itinerary can also explore our ideas for making a New Zealand family luxury tour more enjoyable.
Keep Your First Day Flexible
It can be tempting to collect the keys and immediately begin ticking destinations off your itinerary, but leaving some flexibility in the first day often makes for a much better start.
Flights can arrive late, baggage can take longer than expected, and adjusting to a different time zone may leave you more tired than anticipated.
A flexible itinerary also gives you the freedom to stop when something catches your attention rather than constantly watching the clock.
This is particularly helpful when travelling with children, where breaks and unexpected changes are simply part of the journey.
We have more ideas for making family trips fun and stress-free if Christchurch forms part of a wider family holiday.
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