Tips for Making the Most of Your Rental Car Relocation Trip Across New Zealand
New Zealand currently has 13 national parks, all of which will astound you with their incredible natural beauty and surreal qualities.
However, given that the country is divided between two islands, it can be a challenge to see more than one or two of them if you don’t hire a car.
Even then, you might think you won’t be able to venture too far away from where you picked it in the limited time you have available because you will have to drop it off again at the same location.
Well, what if we told you there was a way you could explore from one side of Aotearoa to another without having to do that?
Allow us to introduce you to Car Rental Relocation.
What is Car Rental Relocation?
In New Zealand, sometimes, car hire companies find themselves in a situation where the demand in any particular geographical location is far outweighing the supply. To counter this they often have to move vehicles to other offices at very short notice.
However, getting their employees to do this can be time-consuming and potentially expensive, particularly if they have to fork out for return travel from the North Island to the South Island or vice versa.
That is why they often offer rental car relocation NZ deals which enables customers to do it for them. Therefore, killing two birds with one stone.
Benefits of Car Rental Relocation
For the traveller, car rental relocation schemes in New Zealand offer them a way to explore the country in a much cheaper fashion than they otherwise would be able to.
It also potentially opens them up to new destinations – often off the tourist trail – they wouldn’t ordinarily go to, thus showcasing the beauty of the country in more detail.
Essentially, how it works is as follows. You pick up the rental vehicle with a full tank of petrol and are asked to take it to a certain destination within a particular timeframe. This vehicle is available to you at a much-discounted rate than you would otherwise pay.
Once you have got it, you can pretty much visit anywhere you like in the country, unless special conditions are imposed, such as not driving on unsuitable terrain. The only caveat is that if you deliver the vehicle late, you might have to pay penalty charges, but other than that, the world is your oyster. Well, New Zealand, anyway.
How to Maximise Car Rental Relocation Opportunities
Car rental relocation can revolutionise your travel experience. However, to really make the most of it, here are some things you should do:
1. Have Time on Your Hands and Be Flexible
These types of deals can literally spring up at a moment’s notice. So, to capitalise on the opportunity they bring, you really need to have the time available and the flexibility to take advantage of them.
While this can bring a little uncertainty to your travel planning and will potentially require you to cancel hotel reservations, booking accommodations and tours that offer free-cancellation should ensure you don’t have too much of an issue.
2. Draw up a Bucketlist
New Zealand is a country full of incredible attractions, and as a traveller, one of the things you should do is know what is available to see.
By doing your research and drawing up a list of places you want to visit, you will quickly be able to determine the sightseeing potential any given deal can give you.
For example, if you want to see the Fiordland National Park, you should be aware that you can do so if any vehicle needs to be dropped off or picked up from the Te Anau region of Southland on the South Island.
3. Know the Road
If you are going to drive around New Zealand, it pays to know the local road rules as they might differ from your home country.
For a start, they drive on the left, and all their road signs are in kilometres and not miles. Additionally, speed limits tend to be 50 km p/h in urban areas and 100 km p/h on expressways and motorways.
While these roads tend to be well-maintained bitumen, often, particularly in rural areas, you might come across some that are narrow and winding. You should exercise caution when navigating them.
Perhaps, most importantly, always refer to Google Maps or Waze for directions and driving times. Even though two destinations might be separated by only a relatively short distance, road conditions could mean that they take several hours to traverse. So, you should factor this into your planning.
4. Pack Properly
New Zealand is a country where you can experience four seasons in a day. Sometimes, even four seasons in an hour!
Therefore, wherever the rental car relocation takes you, it is important to pack for the weather conditions, particularly if you are heading to remote areas and it is not summer.
You could notice a discernible change in temperature from midday to midnight, so you will want to be prepared for anything the elements throw at you.
