Thrifty, Christchurch Airport Car hire

Address
Pick-up
Drop-off
Opening Hours
Deposit
Accepted Cards
E-voucher
Age requirements
Driver's License Requirements
Additional Extras
Cross Border
Cross Islands
Distances to Landmarks

Thrifty - Christchurch Airport Information, Car hire Instructions & Policies

Address

Christchurch Airport Christchurch Airport Airport Desk

Telephone

03 353 1940 / 03 353 1940

Pick-up Instructions

The Thrifty - Christchurch Airport car hire location is in terminal

You can walk to the counter of Thrifty - Christchurch Airport car hire.

The office located inside the terminal, near Door 7.

Drop-off Instructions

Please go along Durey Rd to the Rental return car park behind Novotel Hotel. Follow the Rental Cars signs. Google map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/e7JRvGnJ1DLqt8cz8

Opening Hours

Days of Week	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Opening hours	00:00 -02:00 05:00 -23:59	00:00 -02:00 05:00 -23:59	00:00 -02:00 05:00 -23:59	00:00 -02:00 05:00 -23:59	00:00 -02:00 05:00 -23:59	00:00 -02:00 05:00 -23:59	00:00 -02:00 05:00 -23:59

Deposit

Deposits are depending on which car type your rental car falls into, and can be paid with credit cards (pre-authorization)

Representative Car Models	Deposit Amount(approx.)	Business Days Required for Refund
Applicable to all car types，incl. Compact，Suv，Economy，Mini and others. Pack up ^	USD300-5000	30-60

Accepted Cards

Credit cards issued by the following companies qualify a car hire from this store: Visa, Master

E-voucher

Yes. E-voucher is accepted. Show the digital voucher on your mobile instead of a print-out is good enough.

Age requirements

21 - 99 years old

Young Driver Fee applies at 21 - 24 years old with charge of NZD 17.5 per day approximately.

Driver's License Requirements

The main driver and any additional drivers will need to provide a physical full driving license in their name with no major endorsements. The license should be held for at least 1 year(s).

For foreign renters, you need to bring:

Original driving licence + NZTA Translation

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), a professional organization, certifies driver's license translations specifically intended for self-driving rental vehicles within the New Zealand. Free online NZTA for Japanese driver's license holders: https://www.qeeq.com/nzta-topic

Original driving licence + International Driving Permit (IDP)

Please note that an International Driving Permit (IDP) is only a translation. You must present your original driving licence together with the original IDP at the counter — photocopies or scanned copies are not accepted.

For local renters, you need to bring:

Full Driving License issued in New Zealand

Additional Extras

Extras Prices

Additional driver

Note that all drivers must provide their valid documentation.

NZD 5.5/day

GPS rental

Provided by the local stores. Usually, interface and voice are of the local language.

NZD 12.6/day

Infant car seat rental

Recommended for children weighing under 20 lbs /9kg (birth to approx. 1-12 months).

NZD 14.95/day

capped at NZD 59.8

Child car seat rental

Recommended for children weighing 20-40 lbs /9-18kg (approx. 1 - 3 years)‌

NZD 14.95/day

Child booster seat rental

Recommended for children weighing 40-80 lbs /18-36 kg

NZD 14.95/day

Cross Border

To be updated

Cross Islands

Conditional:

Towards any New Zealand islands, taking rental cars crossing islands is allowed with certain conditions.

Multi-island travel is still possible by making two separate bookings for the whole journey, one for each island. Single bookings that include rentals on both islands is no longer possible. STARTING ON ONE ISLAND, ENDING ON THE OTHER： Make your booking from where you plan to begin and end your journey. Please provide the details of when you plan to cross between the islands in the comments section of your booking including ferry date and time, without this information we are unable to guarantee a vehicle will be available for you. Book your ferry crossing early and check your rental agreement, if your cross-over date has changed call rental company 5 days before your ferry. If we are not advised of changes, we cannot guarantee a vehicle will be available. Vehicles must be returned to the original rental Island and we will charge a relocation fee of up to $1000 NZD + GST if this does not occur. The rental process remains the same if your rental involves travelling on both islands but starting and ending on the same. Please note you will be liable for the ferry cross over costs.

Ferry Transportation: Allowed

Thrifty allows you to bring the rental vehicle on the ferry. However ferry companies may charge you to bring a vehicle across Cook Strait.

Excess

Collision Damage Waiver Excess differs by car model:

NZD 4000-5000 for other car models.

NZD for Hyundai Ioniq,Renault Taliant,Toyota Cross Hybrid,Chevrolet Tracker,Cubic Metre Van,Volkswagen Caddy Maxi,Citroen C 3,Mystery Vehicle,Bmw 3 Series,Alfa Romeo Giulia,Toyota Kluger Hybrid,Honda Cr-v,M5 Ford Mustang,Ford Galaxy,Toyota Camry Hybrid,Skoda Octavia,Vauxhall Grandland X,Hyundai Tucson,Kia Sportage,Cubic Metre Van,Toyota Prado,4wd Lid Canopy-4wd,Toyota Hiace,Polestar 2,Mystery Vehicle Commercial,

NZD 5500 for Hyundai Ioniq,

NZD 5500 for Renault Taliant,

NZD 5500 for Toyota Cross Hybrid,

NZD 5900 for Chevrolet Tracker,

NZD 6001 for Cubic Metre Van,

NZD 6001 for Volkswagen Caddy Maxi,

NZD 5500 for Citroen C 3,

NZD 5500 for Bmw 3 Series,

NZD for Alfa Romeo Giulia,

NZD 6001 for Toyota Kluger Hybrid,

NZD 6001 for Honda CR-V,

NZD 7200 for M5 Ford Mustang,

NZD 6001 for Ford Galaxy,

NZD for Toyota Camry Hybrid,

NZD for Skoda Octavia,

NZD 5500 for Vauxhall Grandland X,

NZD 5500 for Hyundai Tucson,

NZD 5500 for Kia Sportage,

NZD 6001 for Toyota Prado,

NZD 6001 for 4wd Lid Canopy-4wd,

NZD 6001 for Toyota Hiace,

NZD 6001 for Polestar 2,

NZD for Hertz Mystery Vehicle,

NZD 5900 for ,

NZD 6900 for ,

Theft Insurance Excess differs by car model:

NZD for Hyundai Ioniq,

NZD for Renault Taliant,

NZD for Toyota Cross Hybrid,

NZD for Chevrolet Tracker,

NZD for Cubic Metre Van,

NZD for Volkswagen Caddy Maxi,

NZD for Citroen C 3,

NZD for Bmw 3 Series,

NZD for Alfa Romeo Giulia,

NZD for Toyota Kluger Hybrid,

NZD for Honda CR-V,

NZD for M5 Ford Mustang,

NZD for Ford Galaxy,

NZD for Toyota Camry Hybrid,

NZD for Skoda Octavia,

NZD for Vauxhall Grandland X,

NZD for Hyundai Tucson,

NZD for Kia Sportage,

NZD for Toyota Prado,

NZD for 4wd Lid Canopy-4wd,

NZD for Toyota Hiace,

NZD for Polestar 2,

NZD for Hertz Mystery Vehicle,

NZD 5900-7900 for other car models.

NZD 5900 for ,

NZD 6900 for ,

Third Party Liability Insurance Excess differs by car model:

NZD 5900-7900 for other car models.

NZD 5500 for Hyundai Ioniq,

NZD 5500 for Renault Taliant,

NZD 5500 for Toyota Cross Hybrid,

NZD 5900 for Chevrolet Tracker,

NZD 6001 for Cubic Metre Van,

NZD 6001 for Volkswagen Caddy Maxi,

NZD 5500 for Citroen C 3,

NZD 5500 for Bmw 3 Series,

NZD for Alfa Romeo Giulia,

NZD 6001 for Toyota Kluger Hybrid,

NZD 6001 for Honda CR-V,

NZD 7200 for M5 Ford Mustang,

NZD 6001 for Ford Galaxy,

NZD for Toyota Camry Hybrid,

NZD for Skoda Octavia,

NZD 5500 for Vauxhall Grandland X,

NZD 5500 for Hyundai Tucson,

NZD 5500 for Kia Sportage,

NZD 6001 for Toyota Prado,

NZD 6001 for 4wd Lid Canopy-4wd,

NZD 6001 for Toyota Hiace,

NZD 6001 for Polestar 2,

NZD for Hertz Mystery Vehicle,

Fuel Policy (what does it mean)

To be updated

Distances to Airports | Railway Stations | Hotels | Other Landmarks

Airports

Nearby Christchurch Airport

Hotels

0.7 km from Sudima Christchurch Airport

3.1 km from North South Holiday Park

9.1 km from Fino Hotel and Suites

FIND ME A CHEAP RENTAL

Map view of Thrifty Store Location

coordinates: -43.486227 172.53687

Location Images

Thrifty-Christchurch Airport-156384-store

The Rental Desk

Guest Reviews

Total points： 9.2 / 10 Excellent

Vehicle condition: 4.0
Vehicle cleanliness: 3.7
Spaciousness: 3.8
Counter staff: 4.0
Pick-up location: 4.1
Drop-off location: 4.1
Pick-up time: 10-30 mins
Drop-off time: 0-10 mins

J.Ribeiro
Christchurch
8.2 /10 Very good
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Like: Easy to find the store at the airport, easy pick up and drop off. Cool staff
Dislike: I've booked through easy rents with full insurance and thrifty didn't recognize it so we had to pay the bond to not pay the thrifty insurance! Unbelieveble! It was 250$ that we could have used in the trip and also almost the price of the whole rent with insurance. Now I need to wait 2 weeks or more to have my money back which I was planing to use now and I don't have it...
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Anonymous
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
We had a great experience with Thrifty. It was a nice surprise to get an upgrade. The customer service representative was friendly and helpful. Both pick-up and drop-off were super easy. We received a copy of our final charges on the same day. Highly recommended.
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Anonymous
Christchurch
9.3 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
We spent the bond money when we picked it up and the staffs told me we could get the money back when when return the cars. When we drop-off the staffs told me like a we have to wait for a while (10-15 days). More than 20 days I didn’t get it and I let my brother calling them but they told me to tell te by myself. However I don’t get the bond yet!
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Fares
Christchurch
9.3 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Excellent service, only confused when thrifty was explaining the insurance, as I prepaid and took a full cover from easyrentcars, it seemed a pressure moment to sign a doc having access fees of 4000+
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Anonymous
Christchurch
8 /10 Very good
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
I booked a Corolla not a Hyundai on the site. Would have preferred a Corolla. Wiper Water was not filled.
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C.CHIHHAO
Christchurch
9 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Due to our flight arrive early, if possible,please allow the client pick up car early, more flexibility.
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Anonymous
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Awesome.
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Baron Gresham
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Extremely quick, and the reminders from QEEQ beforehand were very thorough.
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Eli Buck
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Very convenient. Once you collect your luggage, you can see the counter. Just give your name to the reception, and after completing the formalities, you'll get the car keys.
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Orville Trevelyan
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Picked up the car at the airport, very convenient. The vehicle was new, exactly what we booked, with plenty of backup cars available, so no need to substitute with other models.
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Osborn Nico(l)
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Picking up the car at the airport was very convenient. The vehicle was new, and we got exactly what we booked. They had many spare cars available, so there was no need for substitutes.
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Ronald Paul
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Picking up the car was very convenient. The reserved car seat was already installed, and they were very helpful in readjusting it due to the height issue. Returning the car was as simple as handing back the keys.
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Eleanore Ferguson
Christchurch
4 /10 Average
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
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Elroy Violet
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Very good
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James Whitman
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
Excellent
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Nina Patrick
Christchurch
10 /10 Excellent
Reviewed: Friday, January 9, 2026
After getting off the plane early in the morning, you can easily see the Thrifty counter right outside the baggage claim area. I was probably the first one to handle the car rental procedures that day.
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