Car Rental Nelson Airport (NSN)

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Nelson Airport car rental company reviews

Explore New Zealand's sunshine capital in a Nelson car rental

As a gateway to the Tasman area at the top of New Zealand's South Island, Nelson offers a host of unforgettable outdoor adventures, a generous serve of culture and the kind of scenery you usually only see on postcards. Finding a car rental for your Nelson road trip is easy with Airport Rentals. Simply enter your pick-up and drop-off dates to see the available rental cars from leading suppliers, and compare prices before booking. You'll be on the road in no time with our secure and easy booking process.

Navigating Nelson Airport (NSN)

Located 8 km from the city centre, Nelson Airport is one of the busiest regional airports in New Zealand. There is a single airport terminal with an open plan, so it's easy to find the baggage claim and exits. The Rental Car Kiosk is located outside the terminal, across the road from the departures entry.

Rental Car Kiosk

The Rental Car Kiosk is a small building outside the terminal building, which has counters for the following car rental companies:

There are more car rental companies located a short shuttle ride away from the airport. You can also rent with these suppliers:

These companies offer a range of rental car types for you to choose from.

Picking up your car rental from Nelson Airport

If you have rented a car from a company within the Rental Car Kiosk, you can simply approach the counter and provide them with your driver's license and rental details. They will then give you your car keys and show you where the car is parked.

If you have rented from an off-airport rental company, you will be provided with a phone number to contact upon arrival. A shuttle bus will then pick you up and take you the nearby depot to collect the keys and vehicle. Make sure you check your rental agreement to find the phone number to call and when you should arrange the shuttle.

Nelson Airport car hire Map

Car rental returns at Nelson Airport

At the end of your rental period, you need to return your car hire to the same location your picked it up from. This could be the airport, in which case there will be signs to direct you to the right car park. Or, it will be to the off-airport depot, where you can catch a shuttle back to the airport.

Some rental companies at Nelson Airport allow you to return your vehicle after hours. There will be specific instructions relating to this. Make sure you discuss the requirements with your rental company before you leave with your hire car.

Always return the vehicle with a full tank of petrol and check for any personal belongings before you leave.

Need help? Our customer service team is available 24/7

Have a question, or need help with your booking? You can contact us anytime and one of our expert customer service team will be here to get you on the road.

The sunny city of Nelson provides those arriving in the north of New Zealand’s South Island with an idyllic welcome.

A quick guide to driving in Nelson

There are no specific road rules you need to be aware of in Nelson of, however there are some areas that may be different to other places you have driven in. For example, there are very steep hills surrounding Nelson, which can make the roads fee narrow in places, especially when the ocean is on the other side. Some homes are located on these hills, but otherwise the town itself is flat and easy to navigate.

Driving from the Airport to town

Nelson Airport is conveniently located about 15 minutes drive from central Nelson. There are a couple of different routes you can take, either along the shore via Tahunanui, or inland via Bishopdale. The latter is generally a little bit quicker, but is less picturesque.

Speed limit in Nelson

The speed limit on roads around Nelson is generally 50kph, however this drops to 30kph in some residential areas and in the city centre. When you leave town to head towards Picton or Abel Tasman National Park, it will gradually increase to 100kph.

Where to go in and around Nelson

While there are plenty of things to do when you rent a car in Nelson, like visiting the Nelson Classic Car Museum, spending the bay at one of the many beaches or enjoying a craft beer at Stoke Brewery, it's really the places you can drive to from Nelson that are the stars.

From spectacular National Parks, to quirky towns, to long sandy beaches, the area from Nelson to Golden Bay at the top of the South Island is highly recommended to explore in your rental vehicle. You've got:

Abel Tasman National Park - A wilderness reserve about an hours drive from Nelson.
Kahurangi National Park - New Zealand's second largest national park, which is full of hiking.
Tākaka - Sometimes referred to as New Zealand's hippie central, this is a very unique place to visit.
Golden Bay - A haven for kayaking, swimming and exploring, especially in summer.
Lastly, if you like hiking and exploring don't miss Nelson Lakes National Park south of Nelson.

The Hawke’s Bay region which encompasses Napier is renowned for its many vineyards and wineries.

FAQs on Nelson Airport Car Rental

How much does it cost to rent a car from Napier Airport?

If you're looking for cheap car rentals in Nelson, you can find Economy vehicles for around $45NZD per day, depending on the season. Vehicle availability, the time of year and the vehicle type will always impact the price. We recommend booking early to get an affordable price on car rentals. Make a search now to see up to date pricing and availability from Nelson Airport.

How can I find car rentals near me in Nelson?

All you have to do is choose Nelson Airport as your pick up location on our search widget and we will find rental cars nearby. You can also view our car rental map above to check available car hire companies at Nelson Airport.

Where can I rent a car in Nelson?

Book rental cars from Nelson Airport from trusted car hire brands like Apex, Big Value, Dollar, Europcar, Hertz, Omega and Thrifty.

What time does Nelson Airport open?

Nelson Airport business hours are:

Monday to Friday - 4:30am to 10.30pm
Saturday - 4:30am to 8:30pm
Sunday - 5am to 10:30pm

Note that car rentals Nelson suppliers may have different business hours from that of the airport.

How old do you have to be to hire a car in Nelson?

The minimum age to hire car is 21 years old, in all of NZ. The renter is always the primary driver. Please be advised that some rental companies will not hire to drivers under 25, or may have a surcharge plus additional requirements for drivers below 25 years old.

What driving license do I require to hire a car in Nelson?

To book and drive rental cars Nelson Airport, you will need an up-to-date valid driver's license in English, or an International Driving Permit, or an equivalent document translated in English.

What type of Nelson rental cars can I hire?

There is a great range of well maintained rental cars available from Nelson Airport, including Economy vehicles like the Suzuki Swift, Intermediate cars like the Toyota Corolla, SUVs like the Mitsubishi Pajero, and Vans like the Kia Carnival. Looking for an Electric Car? You can also rent the Tesla Model 3 from the airport. While there are no luxury vehicles to hire, there are Premium options like the Mitsubishi Triton 4WD.

Can I rent a car one-way from Nelson Regional Airport?

Yes, you can travel one-way in your hire car from Nelson. You could consider travelling south, from Nelson to Queenstown, or go down the coast to Christchurch. To check what options there are for one-way rental cars, just untick the 'Return to same location' box and put in your desired drop off city.