Enjoy an easy one-way car hire from Christchurch to Auckland with GO Rentals. Our convenient car rental option makes your South to North Island adventure a breeze. We offer a versatile fleet of rental vehicles suitable for any journey, from comfortable minibuses to sturdy SUVs. Our personal service includes basic insurance and unlimited kilometres, so you can head out right away with your GO Rentals hired car.
With GO Rentals car hire, you have the freedom to set your own pace, without having to stress about pickup times or transport schedules.
A road trip from Christchurch to Auckland will take you through some of the best destinations New Zealand has to offer. You’ll pass amazing wine farms and sunny shores on the South Island and see bustling cities and dramatic mountains on the North Island. When you’ve seen all that Auckland has to offer, you can easily drop off your hire car on your preferred date with our one-way rental plan.
FREE basic car rental insurance
Our basic insurance cover is included in the cost of every car hire with two upgraded insurance options available!
One-way car rentals
We can organise one-way rentals with pick-up in one location and drop-off in another. Stick to your dream itinerary without worrying about circling back.
Offset carbon emissions
In partnership with CarbonClick, you can choose to offset the carbon emission of your GO Rentals road trip.
24hr AA roadside assistance
All GO Rentals hire cars have access to the AA 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance and our Tesla EVs have access to Tesla Roadside Assistance.
GO App
With our GO Rentals App, you can book a car, check in faster and even control your Tesla car functions, right from the palm of your hand.
For a hassle-free car hire experience, simply add your itinerary details to our booking widget, including drop-off in Auckland, and click "Find my car". We offer one-way car rentals at all 9 of our locations on both the South and North Islands. Please note:
Explore New Zealand with confidence at GO Rentals. Whether you start your journey in Christchurch Airport or Auckland, our rental cars offer the freedom and flexibility to make your trip unforgettable.
You can take any GO Rentals vehicle on the Cook Strait Ferry between the North and South Island, which is perfect for a stress-free one-way road trip. We have 9 car rental branches spread evenly throughout New Zealand, in the major destinations. You’re never far from a GO Rentals car.
Get your journey started as quickly as possible thanks to our speedy check-in. Manage your booking online or download our app to get through the check-in process and on the road faster.
With almost 20 hours of driving to get to Christchurch from Auckland, there are plenty of great destinations you don’t want to miss on your journey. With our interactive trip planner, you can pick up at Christchurch Airport and get GOing right away! Here are a few iconic stops to consider as you make your way from Christchurch to Auckland Airport.
The largest city in the South Island has plenty to see before you head out. The Avon River is famous for punting boats, the Botanical Gardens offer gorgeous greenery, and you can find quality local produce and more at the Riverside Market. You can also find a slice of Antarctic life at the International Antarctic Centre and view relics from the Antarctic's most famous explorer, Robert Scott, at the Canterbury Museum.
New Zealand is famous across the world for its outstanding wineries, and Wapirara Valley is home to some of the most decorated winemakers in the world. Visit the Tussock Hill Vineyard or the Black Estate to try some amazing blends at quality restaurants. Outside of world-class pinot noir and resiling tastings, you can also hop on the historic Weka Pass Railway, which is still running to this day.
Kaikoura, the whale-watching capital of New Zealand, is your number-one destination to experience New Zealand's iconic marine life. You’ll find awe-inspiring whale sightings of orcas, humpback whales and more, no matter the time of year. Or you can take a quick trip to South Bay and visit the local seal colony, which features 12 different types of seals.
Blenheim is home to some of the best wineries in New Zealand and also has incredible museums and galleries. You’ll find Peter Jackson's personal collection of WW1-era fighter planes at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum and the fascinating history of the region in the Marlborough Museum.
Before you hop on the ferry to Wellington, why not take a moment to enjoy Picton? This scenic port town has more than just ferries on offer. Picton is home to the floating Maritime Museum and Aquarium, and many quality cafes, galleries and restaurants.
Picton is also a perfect base to explore the Marlborough Sounds. This collection of ancient sunken river valleys is a Kiwi experience you won’t want to miss!
Welcome to New Zealand's Capital City! This bustling urban centre is well worth exploring for a day or two. Take a trip on the historic Wellington cable car, wander through the Te Papa Museum or try out dozens of great cafes and restaurants. For the Lord of the Rings fans, you can experience the magic of Middle-earth at the Weta Cave!
Enjoy a mix of rural charm and urban sophistication in this unique city. Palmerston North/Manawatu is the best place to immerse yourself in the local culture. Visit fascinating places like the New Zealand Rugby Museum, see Manawatu Gorge or just stop by the beach to rest after a long drive.
Looking to explore local artists? Thanks to Whanganui’s artistic community, the town is the only UNESCO city of design in all of New Zealand. You can find a more traditional gallery at the Whanganui Regional Museum and an extensive collection of local art at the Sarjeant Art Gallery. Alternatively, you can try something more unconventional at the Quartz Museum or New Zealand Glassworks, the main hub of glass art.
No trip to New Zealand is complete without stopping by the oldest national park! Tongariro National Park has one of the best one-day hikes in the world at the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. On top of the distinct ecosystem, Tongariro is also home to over 3 active volcanoes. Enjoy a unique and ever-changing landscape that is as beautiful as it is deadly!
This lakeside town is famous for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. Stop by the only pedal-powered monorail track in the world at the Shweeb Racer, or explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley for unforgettable sights.
Rotorua is also home to the world-famous Polynesian Spa. This geothermal spa facility is renowned for the staff’s incredible service, the therapeutic quality of its water, and for the acidic pool ‘Te Pupunitanga.’
Located right next to the Waikato River, Hamilton is a charming city filled with hidden gems. Hamilton is most famous for its award-winning botanical gardens, offering over 18 enclosed exhibitions hand-crafted by expert botanists. You can also see native birds and flora at the Hamilton Zoo, home of the largest free-flight aviary in the country.
You’ve finally made it to the end of your trip! Now it’s time to kick back and take a rest from the long drive. There’s an incredible range of things to do while you’re in Auckland. Discover Auckland's best restaurants, jump off the Sky Tower, go on a thrilling whale and dolphin safari, or dive into the world of Weta Workshop Unleashed. You’ll find something to suit all tastes in Auckland!
We love that our stress-free rental cars do more than get you from A to B. They become part of your travel memories, and we want to see them!
Submit a happy photo to our Snap Happy Photo Competition and be in with a chance to receive up to $500 back off your booking!
New Zealand is best explored in a modern, reliable car. But don't take our word for it. Cruise through the happy customers revv'd up about their experience:
We travelled to every nook and corner, and it was only possible because of the car provided by GO Rentals.
We rented an environmentally-friendly electric car from GO Rentals to visit the beautiful Kaikoura. It's great to be able to easily rent a car with a smaller carbon footprint which may in turn help to preserve the beautiful natural landscapes of New Zealand. We hope to be back one day to explore more of New Zealand too!
We did the Redwoods Treewalk as a last-minute decision and it was one of our most iconic moments on the trip to Rotorua thanks to GO Rentals as we wouldn’t have been able to get there as easy without our hire car.
My experience with GO was absolutely fantastic, and I love that. Allow you to drive Teslas for your rental experience. Definitely one of the best rental companies I've ever had.
With a great selection of affordable vehicles, GO Rentals is ready to get you on the road for a one-way trip. Choose from 4-wheel drives and SUVs for ski or family trips to luxury electric vehicles for a stylish self-drive trip. Put your itinerary details in to see our vehicle availability and start planning your GO trip.
Christchurch: Traffic is typically moderate, with congestion during peak hours, especially in central Christchurch. You’ll find parking on the street and in paid facilities. Free parking is more common in suburban areas and shopping centres. For more details about Christchurch parking and traffic, visit the Christchurch City Council.
Auckland: Traffic in Auckland is heavy, especially during peak times. Parking options include street parking and several paid facilities. Rates are typically around $5.50 per hour on weekdays and cap at $24. Weekends are typically $2 per hour with a cap of $15. Free parking is limited to some shopping centres and the suburbs. Check Auckland Transport for more details.
New Zealand has only three toll roads, all on the North Island. You will encounter the Auckland Northern Gateway toll road if you take the SH1 route to Auckland. The roads across New Zealand are usually well-maintained and have clear signage. Speed limits are 50km/h in urban areas and reach 100 km/h on open roads.
Worried about hitting a toll road? With GO Rentals' mandatory $3/day Total Road Care package, you can enjoy free passage on all toll roads. We'll cover all your toll road fees, including government and admin costs.
See our blog posts on New Zealand's toll roads and general roads guide for more information.
We regularly update our relocation deals to help you save on one-way road trips. Check out our latest relocation deals to see if your itinerary matches our deal. Save money and still access our award-winning customer service.
