Located South Island in New Zealand, Queenstown is known for its dramatic sceneries and adventure sports. If you’re heading to this town, it may be worth it to explore in your own rental car.
It’s hard to say no to the convenience and flexibility that a car hire service offers. More so, if you’ll be booking your car rental from Queenstown airport.
You will not have to drive out or commuter further into the city. But you’ll also need to study this option first before signing up for it.
Here are more tips for a worry-free road trip experience in Queenstown.
1. Book in advance. Get better car hire prices from the Queenstown airport by booking ahead of time. Overall, rates may be costlier than what you’ll find in your country. In addition, rates may shoot upwards during the peak season. By booking ahead of time, you can worry less about the supply and demand. And you might just come across great early bird offers.
2. Remember you’ll be driving left. If you’re used to driving on the right, you might need a little bit of getting used to once you land in NZ. Here, people drive on the left. So if possible, take a rest first and prepare your mind and body before driving off. And don’t worry, you’ll most likely come across signs that remind you which side you should be staying. Allow yourself enough time to recharge, keep the driving short, and avoid distractions while behind the wheel.
3. Choose a newer car. Older cars can still be reliable on the road. But the new ones will most likely have better safety features and fuel economy, to boot. Fuel prices can be expensive so you’ll want to save whenever you can. Check out the car rental company’s fleet. There’s also nothing wrong with asking about the manufacturing date of the vehicles they have. Use this opportunity to test their customer service before even booking with them.
4. Take note of your pick-up and drop off time. Be flexible with the pick-up and drop off time. This can impact the car rental fees and you might be able to save money in the process, too. Remember, though, that chances are your rental is based on a 24-hour basis. If you’ll be returning the car past the time you picked it up, that will already be considered another day. For example, if you picked the car up at 10 AM and return it at 12 noon, then you will have to pay for one more day. Give yourself enough time to travel to the drop-off location. Allow for extra hours for any delays or change of plans.
5. Consider your next travel plans. Thinking of going to the North Islands, too? Check if the car rental company allows the car to be brought across the Cook Strait. You’ll save money by keeping your car throughout the travel, instead of having to rent another one. It’ll also be more convenient, especially if you have kids traveling with you.
When you’re driving your own rental car, you’ll not worry about commutes and your luggage anymore. You’ll be able to explore more places, anytime you want. But, for your peace of mind, be sure to work only with a reputable car hire company at Queenstown.
Comments