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FAQ Wellington Airport

Answering your questions about renting a vehicle at Wellington Airport

Image of the Wellington Cable Car in the foreground on a sunny day, with Kelburn Park and Wellington City and Harbour in the background
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Frequently asked questions

What are Wellington Airport branch hours?

Our branch hours at the Wellington branch are: 7am - 1am Monday to Sunday


How far is it from Wellington Airport to downtown Wellington?

If you are planning on exploring Wellington for a few days after you land or you’re visiting for a long weekend getaway, getting from Wellington Airport to downtown Wellington is a breeze. It’s a short 20-minute drive depending on traffic and getting around the city is really simple.

Handy maps may be available from our rental branches or our newer rentals may have in-built navigation system or Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. If Wellington is the starting point for your New Zealand adventure, our friendly team will be more than happy to point you in the right direction if you are heading out beyond Wellington.


What will I need to bring when I collect my rental car from Wellington Airport?

You’re one step closer to exploring NZ with us. When you come to collect your hire car at our Wellington Airport branch, you'll need a valid driver’s licence and a credit or debit card for security. A credit card is mandatory if you have selected our Basic insurance option or, in some instances, our Assured insurance option. It must have your name printed on it for verification and the card must be valid until the drop-off date.


Where can I find special deals on car rental at Wellington Airport?

Looking for rental car deals in Wellington Airport? Make sure you have a look at our deals page. It’s home to our latest discounts and offers and can help you save on your next hire.

Downloading our app is another great way of having everything you need at your fingertips.

For the latest car rental deals straight to your inbox, make sure you sign up for our newsletter and never miss a deal!


Do you offer one-way car hires from Wellington Airport?

We sure do. We can arrange one-way car hires to and from all our locations including Wellington Airport. There are a couple things you’ll have to consider - we do have minimum hire periods in place, and one-way hires are dependent on the time of year and your direction of travel.

On occasion, we will make allowances if we need vehicles in other branches. Make sure you keep an eye on our rental car relocation deals for all the latest rental car relocation deals.


How much does it cost to hire a car at Wellington Airport?

The cost of hiring a car in Wellington depends on a range of factors. This includes the chosen vehicle, availability and rental period. Generally, the longer your hire period, the lower your rate.

Input your travel dates and other booking information on our Wellington Airport branch page to get an accurate daily figure.


What is the cancellation policy for GO Rentals?

If you let us know that you need to cancel your booking with more than 24 hours notice from the scheduled pick-up time, you will be charged a 10% cancellation fee. All cancellations within 24 hours of the scheduled pick-up time will incur 100% cancellation fee.

If you have already made any payment towards the booking there will be a refund administration fee of 10% or $20; whichever is higher.


Do I need a credit card to book a car with GO Rentals?

No. You can use a debit card to book your GO Rentals vehicle, no problem. There are 2 things to note when you use a debit card rather than a credit card to book with GO Rentals:

  • If you pay for your hire online, your debit card will be subject to a non-refundable payment processing fee.
  • You will need to reduce your insurance liability to an Assured or Peace of Mind insurance option that does not require a bond deposit. Your card must have the cardholder's name embossed on the front for verification and the cardholder must be the main hirer.


Do you have to pay a bond when renting a car in Wellington?

At GO Rentals, we require a bond to be paid on rentals of particular vehicles. The bond is dependent on the vehicle you wish to hire and the insurance option you choose.

At pick-up, we will take a pre-authorise bond amount from your credit card. We cannot accept debit cards or cash for this purpose.

After the vehicle is returned, or 45 days from the bond’s authorisation on your card (whichever comes first), the bond amount is released. It generally takes between 5 - 10 business days for the amount to appear in your card again.

If there’s any damage to the vehicle during your rental period, or if we find damage during the check-in process, we will need to deduct the applicable excess payment from the pre-authorised bond and will refund any differences if applicable.


Is there a petrol station nearby GO Rentals Wellington branch?

Yes, there is a Z service station just outside the airport terminal and a few hundred metres away from our Wellington Airport branch car rental returns location at the airport.

Per our policy, all cars must be refuelled before being returned.


Can I add a driver to my GO Rentals booking?

Yes, you can have multiple drivers on your GO Rentals booking. All drivers must be added to the Rental Agreement upon collection.

All drivers must also have their licences physically sighted in our branch. A charge also applies for additional drivers.


Do you do drop-offs or pick-ups from hotels in Wellington?

Unfortunately, we do not offer drop-offs or pick-ups from hotels in and around Wellington Airport. If you are unable to organise transport to or from our branch, or need special assistance, you can call us at the branch and the team will do their best to accommodate your situation.


Do you need a car in Wellington, New Zealand?

You’re likely to have a more enjoyable stay in Wellington Airport with a hire car at your disposal. The CBD area is quite walkable, and Wellington’s bus is quite advanced compared to other parts of New Zealand.

However, if you’re visiting from a country with more extensive public transport systems, you might find Wellington’s buses lacking. In addition, a car grants you the freedom to explore the broader Wellington area and beyond.

So if you have highlights like Belmont Regional Park, Akatarawa Forest and Martinborough on your bucket list, hire a GO Rentals car to journey without compromise.


What is the maximum age to rent a car in Wellington?

There’s no upper age limit to hire from our Wellington Airport branch. Every driver needs a full driver licence.


Are buses free in Wellington?

No, buses are not free in Wellington. Fares are set based on the distance travelled as well as your age. Using buses as your exclusive method of transport in Wellington is likely to incur a significant cost for travellers


Do I need an international driver's licence to rent a car in Wellington?

In New Zealand, you can drive on most full international driver's licences without an international driver's permit. Your foreign licence allows you to drive in New Zealand for 1 year from the date you enter the country, provided you have no suspensions or disqualifications. If your licence is not in English, you must obtain an official NZTA approved English translation and carry both copies with you at all times. For more information, check out our complete guides to driving with licences from the following countries:


Do you need snow chains to drive in Wellington?

Whilst Wellington is not known for extreme winter weather, it is still recommended to carry snow chains when driving in winter.


Do you have to be 25 to rent a car in Wellington?

Most GO Rentals cars can be rented and driven by individuals at least 21 years of age. However, you must be 25 to rent cars like the Tesla Model Y.


Do you need a full driver’s licence to rent a car in Wellington?

Every driver needs a full driver licence.

We can’t accept learner, restricted or provisional licences, from New Zealand or overseas. This applies even where an overseas provisional licence is legal to drive on in New Zealand.

If you’re hiring on a New Zealand temporary licence, bring photo ID as well.


What insurance do I need to rent a car in New Zealand?

Generally, New Zealand car rental companies are required to offer basic insurance within their car rental fees. GO Basic Insurance – included at no extra cost in all our rentals – includes all the coverage legally required to drive in New Zealand.

For even more coverage, we also offer GO Assured and GO Peace of Mind Cover. GO Assured starts at $500 excess, and GO Peace of Mind starts at $0 excess.

All GO Rentals insurance also includes coverage for third-party damage and injuries. You can read more in our complete guide to car rental insurance in New Zealand.


Does GO Rentals have an app?

We sure do! With the GO Rentals app, you can access your account and booking information any time you like. It also means you get to skip the queue and enjoy a breezy check-in process.


What are your most popular rental cars at Wellington Airport?

Our most popular rental cars from our Wellington Airport branch tend to change with the seasons. However there are a couple of vehicles that tend to top the list in terms of popularity, including the Toyota Corolla Hatch, Toyota Yaris and the Toyota Rav4. Our Tesla Model Y are also proving to be popular rental cars from all our branches.


What are the most popular destinations for people picking up a rental car in Wellington?

If you are hiring a car in Wellington, there are a number of great options within a short driving distance from downtown. Some of the most popular destinations include Auckland, Picton, Palmerston North, Taupo, and Martinborough. Find out more about the most popular holiday destinations from Wellington.


Is it easy to charge an electric vehicle in Wellington?

Wellington is an excellent location to charge an electric vehicle. Chargers can be found across the following sites:

  • Ākau Tangi Sports Centre
  • Nairnville Recreation Centre
  • Karori Recreation Centre
  • Kilbirnie Recreation Centre
  • Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library
  • Ngaio Town Hall and Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library
  • Worser Bay (in the car park at the intersection of Karaka Bay Road and Awa Road)


Feel free to ask one of our helpful Wellington branch members about what EV charging stations are available for your car. They'll be happy to point them out to you on a map.


Which road should I take to go north from Wellington?

Both State Highway 1 and State Highway 2 can be used to head north from Wellington. State Highway 1 travels through Levin and ultimately goes up to Hamilton and Auckland.

State Highway 2 takes you through Lower Hutt and travels up to Napier and Tauranga, though you can reach these destinations more quickly by initially travelling on State Highway 1 and exiting onto different State Highways later on your journey.

You can reach both State Highways by heading north on Stuart Duff Drive. You will quickly find yourself on State Highway 1, and can exit onto State Highway 2 soon after passing Ngauranga Station.


What is the Total Road Care package?

A comprehensive $3 per day fee ensures your journey is simple and stress-free, we include the following services:

  • AA Roadside Assistance
    Complimentary callout service for ALL types of breakdowns.
  • Government Road Taxes
    Covers registration costs, safety inspections and road user charges.
  • Toll Road Freedom
    Enjoy free passage on all toll roads, we cover all costs including admin fees.


With Total Road Care, we handle all the essentials so you can focus on the adventure ahead. Terms and Conditions.