Book Thrifty car rentals in Queenstown

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Thrifty car rental prices in Queenstown

Suzuki Swift car
Suzuki Swift
or similar Small
2
2
4-5
$28/day
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Kia Sportage car
Kia Sportage
or similar SUV
2
2
4-5
$41/day
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Kia Carnival car
Kia Carnival
or similar Van
5
5
4-5
$88/day
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Class Full-size SUV car
Class Full-size SUV
or similar SUV
5
2
4-5
$66/day
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Class Full-size Truck car
Class Full-size Truck
or similar Pickup truck
5
2
2/4
$90/day
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Toyota Land Cruiser Prado car
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
or similar SUV
5
5
4-5
$68/day
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Nissan X-Trail car
Nissan X-Trail
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
$43/day
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Mitsubishi Outlander car
Mitsubishi Outlander
or similar SUV
5
3
4-5
$43/day
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Class Commercial Truck car
Class Commercial Truck
or similar Commercial
5
3
2/4
$63/day
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Useful Info

Good to know

Most popular location

Most popular car type

Average price

Good deal

Airport Ave, Frankton
Small
$157/day
$108/day

KAYAK’s insights & trends for Queenstown car rentals

Check out the latest trends and booking tips to rent a car in Queenstown with confidence.

How far in advance should you book an Thrifty car rental in Queenstown?

To get the best price on an Thrifty car rental in Queenstown, you should book around 26 days before your trip. This could save you approximately 73% compared to booking last minute.

What is the most popular car type when renting from Thrifty in Queenstown?

The most popular car type when renting from Thrifty in Queenstown is SUV (38%), followed by Small (24%) and Medium (18%).

How much does it cost to rent a car from Thrifty in Queenstown per month?

On average, an Thrifty car rental in Queenstown costs $70 per day. February is the most expensive month to rent from Thrifty in Queenstown, when prices are $119/day on average.

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Top tips for renting a car from Thrifty in Queenstown

  • You can get Thrifty car hire in Queenstown from either its downtown city branch or the one in Queenstown Airport. At any of these agencies you'll be able to choose the model of vehicle that you want, and the specific branch will provide a car brand that falls into the category you've chosen. You won't be able to choose a specific make and model, but all vehicles are from well-reputed brands, so you can trust that you'll get a reliable and comfortable ride.
  • When you book Thrifty car hire in Queenstown bear in mind that the downtown branch doesn't have an after-hours returns service. This means that you'll have make sure to drop off your car between 09:00 and 17:00. The airport branch does allow after-hours returns, however, so you don't have to drop off your car during office hours and face extra waiting time at the airport. You can simply put the keys in the dropbox outside the branch desk inside the terminal and be done.
  • After collecting Thrifty car hire in Queenstown, pay careful attention to the speed limit signs, as they differ from the national New Zealand speed limits in certain areas of the city. The normal speed limit in urban areas is 50 km/h, but this has been reduced to 40 km/h in the urban areas of Queenstown. In peri-urban areas you can travel at 70 km/h. If you're intending to go on road trips outside the Queenstown itself, the national speed limit on open roads in New Zealand is 100 km/h.
  • You can collect your car at one Thrifty branch in Queenstown and drop it off at the other, if you need to. So if you've flown in and have arranged alternative transport to another city on the South Island, you can return your car to the downtown branch rather than the airport branch, for example. Similarly, if you hired your car at the downtown branch and are flying out, you can drop the vehicle off at the airport branch.
  • 25% of our users found rental cars from Thrifty in Queenstown for $108 or less.
  • Book your rental car from Thrifty in Queenstown at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price.
  • Small rental cars from Thrifty in Queenstown are around 30% cheaper than other car types, on average.

FAQs about renting a car from Thrifty in Queenstown

  • Where are the Thrifty car hire branches in Queenstown?

    Thrifty has two car hire branches in Queenstown. There's one at Queenstown Airport, on Airport Avenue in the Frankton suburb. You'll find the desk in the Arrivals hall – it's on the left as you approach the baggage carousel. This branch is open from 07:30 to 21:30 every day of the week. The downtown branch is at 1-7 Earl Street, St Peter's Close. This is a few blocks from Queenstown Bay Beach. Opening hours are from 09:00 to 17:00, seven days a week.

  • What are the requirements for hiring a vehicle from Thrifty in Queenstown?

    To hire a car in New Zealand you have to be at least 18 years old, and Thrifty follows this accordingly. However, if you're between 18 and 24 you'll have to pay a young renter surcharge. The cost isn't available beforehand – you'll be advised of how much it will be when you make your booking. You'll only need your Australian driver's licence and won't have to organise an International Driving Permit. The preferred payment method with Thrifty is by credit card.

  • What are the benefits of Thrifty car hire in Queenstown?

    Thrifty offers a number of bookable extras at both its branches in Queenstown. If you're travelling with young children, bear in mind that under New Zealand law, any child under seven must be in an age-appropriate infant or child seat. You can book those when you reserve your hire car. You can also share the driving duties with someone else by booking an extra driver. Because of Queenstown's location to the south, you can hire ski racks and tyre chains at the airport branch too.

  • How much does it cost to rent a car from Thrifty in Queenstown?

    On average a rental car from Thrifty in Queenstown costs $157 per day.

  • What is the most popular rental car from Thrifty in Queenstown?

    Small rental cars (Mitsubishi ASX or similar) are the most frequently booked rental car types from Thrifty in Queenstown.

  • How many car rental locations does Thrifty have in Queenstown?

    Thrifty has 3 rental locations in Queenstown. Take a look at our Thrifty rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

  • Does Thrifty have a car rental location at the airport: Queenstown Intl airport (ZQN)?

    Yes

  • Does Thrifty offer shuttle or airport pick-up services from Queenstown Intl airport (ZQN)?

    Yes

Reviews for Thrifty in Queenstown

Overall Rating8.6 Very goodBased on 6 reviews
Cleanliness
8.6
Comfort
8.6
Overall
8.6
Pick-up/Drop-off
8.6
Value for money
8.0

Recent reviews

Traveler rating
3
0
0
0
0
0
1
2.0
I reserved the car and minutes later needed to cancel because the decision was made to take City transit and they would not allow me to cancel as it was same day but done within 5 minutes. Not a good policy. Should allow you a minimum of 15 minutes Will dispute the charge and was unhappy with the way the customer service team was uncooperative and didn’t really careReviewed Jul 25 2026
review fromkayak
10.0
Excellent ! Great customer service! Very friendly and helpful.Reviewed Mar 13 2024
review fromkayak

Where can I find Thrifty car rentals in Queenstown?

Address

Airport Ave, Frankton

Hours

Monday07:30 - 21:30
Tuesday07:30 - 21:30
Wednesday07:30 - 21:30
Thursday07:30 - 21:30
Friday07:30 - 21:30
Saturday07:30 - 21:30
Sunday07:30 - 21:30

Phone

+64 800 243 789

Address

1-7 Earl St, St Peters Close

Hours

Monday09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday09:00 - 17:00
Thursday09:00 - 17:00
Friday09:00 - 17:00
Saturday09:00 - 17:00
Sunday09:00 - 17:00

Phone

+64 800 243 789

Address

Queenstown New Zealand

Hours

Monday08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday08:00 - 16:30
Thursday08:00 - 16:30
Friday08:00 - 16:30
Saturday08:00 - 16:30
Sunday08:00 - 16:30

Phone

+64 3 442 3532
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