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Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s hottest attractions - both figuratively and literally. Located on the southern edge of Lake Rotorua, this town is largely known for its geothermal activity and its incredible local history and culture. Then there’s the endless outdoor adventures, unique scenery, and iconic architecture to get excited about. You won’t want to waste any time organising your car rental once you arrive in Rotorua. Not only can you do this in advance online, but you can also completely cut out the time it takes going between car hire companies to compare available vehicles and prices.
Instead, simply enter your dates of arrival and departure at Airport Rentals. The search function will then bring up all available rental cars in Rotorua Airport from the likes of Auto Europe, Avis, Budget, Europcar and Thrifty. You can then scroll through the choices at your leisure, comparing prices and deciding which make and model will be best suited for your adventures.
As well as this convenience, you have our best-price guarantee and no annoying booking or credit card fees. Even when you drive away with your car hire from Rotorua Airport, we offer 24/7 customer service should you have any further questions or concerns.
Thinking of It’s hard to pick where to start in this city. It’s just as famous for its gurgling geothermal spas and mud pools as it is for its culture, and then there’s the playground of adventure activities to choose from as well.
The entire area is a geothermal hotbed of sulphur, clouds of steam and spectacular geyser activity. Watch as the Pohutu Geyser erupts about 20 times a day, reaching heights of up to 30 metres into the air, and take a stroll through the thermal reserve in the central city to watch the mud pools bubble, see the colourful hot lakes and dip your toes in the free foot pools. For a more in-depth experience, book a spa such as the Hells Gate Geothermal Park Mud Bath Spa, where you’ll find the largest hot waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere. The mud is said to have various health benefits, and there’s no doubt about the relaxation benefits of a mud facial, body scrub or massage.
Evidence of Maori culture is inscribed on every inch of this beautiful city, with a number of ways you can learn more about the indigenous people and history of the land. Be sure to take in a cultural performance at the Tamaki Maori Village for an evening of re-enactments, stories, hangi feasting and more. Another significant site is the Buried Village of Te Wairoa, a settlement that was destroyed in 1886 by a massive volcanic eruption that took 150 lives and eradicated the stunning Pink and White Terraces. Today, you can enjoy a guided tour to hear the stories and history of the area.
Pick up the pace and tick off a few bucket-list experiences in this outdoor wonderland. Along with dozens of walking and cycling tracks, Rotorua is home to the Skyline Luge, Skyswing and Zoom Zipline. You can go whitewater rafting, quad biking, jetboating and bungy jumping, not to mention take the opportunity to take a spin in the world’s only flying hovercraft ride in the Hoverwing on Lake Rotorua.
Just a few kilometres South, visit Taupo in your car hire to admire the beautiful scenery and relax by the lake, and you'd reach Whatakane in few hours drive, or start at Westport. From there, head East and drive your rental car to Napier, a charming town not to be missed. If you choose to go West, you will arrive in the gorgeous Mount Egmont National Park and in New Plymouth in your car rental. Another option is to head North from Rotorua to go visit with a car rental in Auckland, New Zealand or drive your vehicle hire all the way to Kerikeri and explore more of the north. You may start an adventure with a Christchurch car hire. It's a city with many attractions to see. Wherever you plan to pick up your New Zealand car rental, your tour is sure to be one of the most exciting adventures to experience.
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Are you looking for somewhere to stay that’s luxurious, easy on the budget, or close to all the action? Rotorua has something for everyone. Keep in mind, it’s a good idea to book early if you’re arriving during major events such as the Ironman.
Rotorua Central Backpackers
Silver Fern Rotorua
Arista of Rotorua
Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort
Hamurana Lodge
If you’re picking up a rental car at Rotorua Airport and driving to lodgings in town, rest assured it’s only a short 15-minute trip.
Any visit to a new city can be improved by attending an event or two, as it can help you feel part of the town and get insight into the local culture.
Rotorua Half Ironman (December)
Rotorua Bike Festival (February)
Rotorua Blues Festival (June)
Rotorua District Festival of Gardens (November)
If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that no visitor to Rotorua ever needs to leave feeling hungry. This town has a booming foodie scene, including a new precinct aptly named ‘Eat Street’ that offers a wide variety of fine dining and casual options within the heart of the city.
Thursday nights are the domain of the Rotorua Night Markets, held on Tutanekai Street, where you can pick up a delicious meal and stock up on fresh produce and baked goods. For the rest of the week, bite into some of the tastiest pizza you’ll ever try at Capizzi Pizzeria, enjoy a drink and a meal at Brew, or dine where the locals do at Sabroso.
Perhaps more so than anywhere else in New Zealand, Rotorua’s geography is at the heart of its culture. It is sometimes known as ‘Sulphur City’ as it is built around natural geothermal pools, which have long been used for everything from bathing and curing ailments to cooking and sightseeing.
These pools first attracted the Maori Te Arawa tribe, who are believed to have settled in the area around the 14th century. Today, Maori culture is alive and well in Rotorua, and it’s one of the top places in the country where visitors can experience traditional ceremonies and performances at places like the Tamaki Maori Village.
Additionally, a huge part of Rotorua’s atmosphere is its love of the outdoors. Whether the locals are out mountain biking, hiking, or running, there’s always a new adventure to experience!
From the cultural to the adventurous, historic to the scenic, Rotorua is a top tourism destination for good reason. Luge down a mountain and fling yourself down a hill in a rubber ball, or watch a geyser explode, followed by the enjoyment of a traditional hāngi meal. Get ready to drive your rental car all over town as you visit one incredible site after another. With your own transportation, these attractions are within reach.
Rotorua Museum
Tamaki Maori Village
Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Te Puia
Agrodome
ZORB Rotorua
Skyline Rotorua Luge
The main public transport systems in Rotorua include taxis and the local bus service Cityride.
If you’re catching a bus, there are 11 routes throughout the town that cover all major destinations such as the airport, gondola and agrodome. For those planning on travelling around town all day, a Day Saver pass for $8.60 may be the most cost effective ticket.
Alternatively, hiring a car in Rotorua gives you more freedom and convenience.
With its central North Island location and high elevation, Rotorua has something of a unique climate in New Zealand. It is temperate throughout the year, and experiences less wind than many other areas as it is relatively sheltered.
January, February and March are the warmest months, where visitors can enjoy a balmy average that sits in the high 20s (degrees Celsius) each day. While winters through June, July and August can get chilly, the average daily temperatures usually hover around the 10-degree mark, making it a brisk and fresh atmosphere, rather than an unbearable and bitingly cold one.
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The prices of car rentals Rotorua Airport (ROT) will vary greatly depending on the rental company, vehicle type, and time of year. You could expect anything from around NZD$80 per day for an Economy rent a car Rotorua deal, to around NZD$220 per day for a larger or luxury type vehicle.
To find the hire car that addresses all your travel needs, enter your details into our search widget and use the filters to refine search and narrow down the results. A more accurate rental estimate will be presented as you select an available deal during your desired rental time period. There is the option to select a specific price range, and results are listed from the lowest price by default, so it’s easy to spot the best Rotorua car hire deals. You may also contact reservations in case you need further assistance.
Rotorua Airport car rental customers have mostly booked economy rentals, and the most rented vehicle models include Hyundai I30, Kia Sportage, Kia Stonic, Mitsubishi ASX, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris, and similar vehicles.
Car hire companies operating at Rotorua Airport include Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Thrifty, Budget, EZU, RaD, and Keddy Car Rental. As a standard in most cities, brands providing rental cars Rotorua in an off airport location usually arrange free pick up service.
Most New Zealand rental companies require that drivers be aged 21 years or over. Some rental car Rotorua Airport suppliers will add a surcharge for anyone under the age of 25. Important information, like the ROT airport opening hours, will also come in handy when picking up or returning your Rotorua car rentals.
To enjoy more of New Zealand, begin your holiday in other locations. Not only for car hire Rotorua, Airport Rentals has the top deals for car hire in fabulous NZ cities like Whangarei, Christchurch, Taupo, and nationwide.
Airportrentals.com offers great deals all over the world. Compare and save!