How to find a cheap car hire deal in Invercargill (IVC)
Need a cheap Invercargill rental car? With an average price of $116 a day, you're headed for some big savings. Whether you're after a small ride, a family sedan, or anything in between, we round up all the top offers to help you book smart.
The cheapest daily rental price at Invercargill is $33.
Planning to spend longer in Invercargill? Book a weekly rental from $231 and pack more sights into your itinerary.
Timing is everything when it comes to finding a cheap IVC car hire. Book about two weeks before you travel to land the best price.
Grab your wheels from Ezi, GO Rentals or Thrifty, some of the most well-known providers at Invercargill.
The coverage Ezi or another supplier offers for your Invercargill car hire can vary, so remember to go over the small print. While some include a collision damage waiver (CDW), others will apply a surcharge for it.
Choosing a one-way car hire can be your secret weapon for cheaper deals. Simply select 'Return car to a different location' when browsing for a car for hire in IVC. Providers sometimes have to move vehicles from one site to another, which means you can snag some excellent one-way prices.
Skip the hidden fees by booking a car hire in Invercargill with a 'Fair fuel policy.' Begin and end your trip with a full tank, paying only for what you use.
Hit the highway without tracking every mile and racking up additional charges. Go to the 'Policies' filter and click 'Unlimited mileage' to find a car that lets you roam without limits.
Best value car hire options right now
The best value overall comes from this company, with average prices coming in at $79 a day.
Sitting in second place, this provider offers daily rates of around $75.
The third option also helps keep costs down. Expect to pay roughly $79 a day for one of their rentals.
The Compact rental category is a solid choice if you're not sure what kind of wheels you need. It's also the vehicle type that's booked more than any other at IVC.
Compare car hire types from Invercargill (IVC)
Small: Including classes like mini and economy, this cheap Invercargill rental car makes getting around affordable and hassle-free. These compact, fuel-efficient rides are excellent for short trips and city driving.
Medium: A reliable pick when you need something that's easy to drive but with a few more features. This category covers compact and intermediate models that offer a bit of extra room compared to smaller options.
Large: Offering a more comfortable driving experience and extra tech features, this IVC car hire category includes full-size cars. With bigger back seats and plenty of storage space, they let you load up and transport everyone, and everything, with ease.
SUV: Get a higher ground clearance and an open view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're winding through tough terrain or gliding down stretches of highway, many offer all-wheel drive to help you take on any road.
Van: If you need a car for rent in Invercargill big enough for a small crowd (and all their gear), a van has room where it matters. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're a solid pick for group trips, business needs or moving.
Insurance and optional extras
Adding excess insurance to your IVC car hire offers peace of mind. It protects you from paying a big excess fee in case of a collision or theft. Insurance policies can vary between rental providers, so compare before you book.
From navigation systems to reverse cameras, the right extras can make all the difference. Think about which extras will suit your needs when you rent a car in Invercargill.
Good to know
Age requirements vary by supplier and even car type, so be clear on the rules before you book. Some suppliers in New Zealand may rent to younger drivers for an extra fee. If you fall outside the typical age range, simply uncheck 'Driver aged between 25–70' and then enter how old you are to browse your options.
Add a car seat to your IVC car hire booking if you're travelling with small kids. Regulations change from one location to another, but using a child seat suited to their age and size is always the safest option.
You'll need to show some documents when you get to the rental counter. As a rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with room for the security deposit (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking will confirm exactly what's required.
If it's your first time driving in New Zealand, remember that traffic here sticks to the left side of the road.
Local speed limits are often about 45kph through built-up areas and around 95kph on highways. Road signs will indicate if the limit is different.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in New Zealand is 0.05%. Since alcohol's effects vary from person to person, the only way to be sure you're safe to drive is to avoid drinking.
You'll be using the New Zealand dollar (NZD) on your trip here. As well as your credit and debit cards, consider having some cash handy for smaller purchases.
Drive smarter from the start
Buckle up and go once you've collected your IVC car hire. Central Invercargill is about 6 kilometres to the southeast if that's one of your planned stops.
During peak hour, expect the drive from Invercargill to the centre to take as long as 30 minutes.
One of the busiest times for traffic in this destination is around 8am. Make driving easier by avoiding peak periods in general.
You can also reserve a car hire in Invercargill. If you don't need a set of wheels right away, hold off until you're in the city and save on rental costs.
Hit the road: Where to drive from Invercargill (IVC)
Start with some of the standout attractions in Invercargill, like Anderson Park and Aurora Australis viewpoint. Whether you drive your rental or get there another way, you'll want to see these highlights before leaving town.
Around 56 kilometres northeast of IVC, Gore easily earns a place on your itinerary. Make a beeline for must-see sights like Hokonui Moonshine Museum and Hokonui Pioneer Park.
Or pick up your Invercargill car hire and head out to Papatowai. Around 88 kilometres east of the airport, Skeleton Point Lookout and Tautuku Beach are standout attractions that make the drive totally worth it.
Not ready to hit the brakes just yet? Motor on to Queenstown, around 153 kilometres north of IVC. From Glenorchy-Queenstown Road to Queenstown Skydive, it's the grand finale your trip deserves.
