Getting Around New Zealand

Two islands and a 30km stretch of water...

Don't worry - we make it easy...

New Zealand consists of two main islands: North Island and South Island (original huh?).  The Islands are separated by Cook Strait, a 30km stretch of water.  Regular ferry services run between Wellington, in the North Island and Picton in the South Island.  The ferry crossing normally takes about 3 hours.  Thrifty has an office at the ferry terminal in Picton. If you plan to tour both North and South Islands, you don't have to worry about the expense of taking the car across on the ferry with you.  When you book, just tell us when you plan to cross from one island to the other, drop your car at the terminal on one side, take the ferry across and we'll have another car waiting for you when you arrive.

Ferry timetables do vary throughout the year and are subject to change withou notice.  You can check the latest timetable or even make a ferry booking through either of the following sites www.interislandline.co.nz or www.straitshipping.co.nz

'Multi-Hire' - 2 islands, over 20 locations - book 2 or more consecutive rentals... for just one low continous daily rate!

The Thrifty 'Multi-Hire' has been developed for customers who have two or more consecutive hires as part of the same journey.   You benefit from a lower daily rental rate because you pay for the combined total of rental days as if it were one rental.

For example, if someone was flying into Auckland and planned to rent a car for 7 days in the North Island followed by 10 days in the South Island, they will pay a rate equivalent to one 17-day *continuous rental.

One Way Rentals

When you rent from Thrifty, our one way service enables you to collect a car from one location, and return it to another within the same island, offering you even more convenience and less hassle!  (Additional fees may apply)