Car Rental - Switching Cars between North & South Islands?

Further to previous discussions here and elsewhere, it seems that several
rental companies provide the option of dropping the car at Wellington and
picking another one up on the other side, and vice versa, which would save
the ferry fee for the car.

Just wondering what people's experiences with this approach have been. Does
it work smoothly? Have there been any problems with the replacement car not
being there on time, or some other problem arising?

And can this be done right at the ferry terminals, or do the rental
companies provide a local shuttle of some kind, or does some kind of
independent transportation (e.g. taxi) need to be arranged between the
rental car office and the terminal?

Also, can one check baggage as a walk-on passenger on the ferry, or
otherwise store it somehow for the crossing?

I'd like to compare the "hassle factor" between the two options, as well as
the cost factor, to decide which way to go.

Any comments welcome!

Thanks
Ron B

(to respond directly, please delete the prot)

Ron,
Works a treat
We had the same questions as yourself about 6 months ago (our second trip to
NZ)
We dropped off in Wellington in the North, and picked up at Picton in the
South.
Drop off point is about 100 m from the ferry terminal, courtesy desks at the
terminal to hand back keys etc.
You then check your luggage in through the ferry operators (just like at an
airport.)
Then sit back and enjoy the ride across.
At the Picton end, collect your luggage (once again just like at the
airport), then go to the rental car courtesy desk in the terminal, your car
will be waiting for you outside the terminal (about 50 metres away)

It worked like clockwork - they have been doing it for years.

I actually mentioned in a previous post to this group that you would be
better off dealing directly with one of the companies in NZ, certainly seem
cheaper rates etc than what you have been quoting, they will also arrange
your ferry ticket for you - when you drop off the car - the ticket will be
waiting.

NZ seems to have 3 standards of rental vehicles

"New" as per Avis, and the multinationals, and priced accordingly

a couple of years old - we had a 2001, Toyota Corolla for 27 days, cost us
NZ $49 unlimited kms, full comprehensive insurance, CDW was an extra $10 per
day - but this was covered by my travel insurance so we did not worry. We
have used Apex rental cars a couple of times now and found them to be
excellent - but I have yet to hear a complaint about any NZ car rental
company.

and about 5 years old, but always clean and reliable etc, and prices will be
about NZ$35 per day - but sometimes the companies that handle the "cheapies"
do not have the transfer arrangements for the ferry trip and you are obliged
to take your car with you and pay the ferry cost

There are of course the options to rent a 4wd (Subaru Stn Wgns are very
popular and will cost you about $NZ80 per day)

Plus of course the real cheapies "rent a dent" etc.

Regards
Trevor
Perth
Western Australia

"RonB" wrote in message
...
Further to previous discussions here and elsewhere, it seems that several
rental companies provide the option of dropping the car at Wellington and
picking another one up on the other side, and vice versa, which would save
the ferry fee for the car.

Just wondering what people's experiences with this approach have been.
Does
it work smoothly? Have there been any problems with the replacement car
not
being there on time, or some other problem arising?

And can this be done right at the ferry terminals, or do the rental
companies provide a local shuttle of some kind, or does some kind of
independent transportation (e.g. taxi) need to be arranged between the
rental car office and the terminal?

Also, can one check baggage as a walk-on passenger on the ferry, or
otherwise store it somehow for the crossing?

I'd like to compare the "hassle factor" between the two options, as well
as
the cost factor, to decide which way to go.

Any comments welcome!

Thanks
Ron B

(to respond directly, please delete the prot)

"RonB" wrote in message
...

Any comments welcome!

Try going the other way. If you take a flight to Christchurch you can get a
car on drive back to Picton (they always need them there). You could then
catch the ferry and pick up another car in Wellington to ferry to Auckland.
There are a couple of firms who charge $20 for the privelige though Thrifty
was advertising a free trip from Welly to AK in today's paper.

--
Mr Scebe
Losers always whine about their 'best'.
Winners go home and **** the prom queen".
~Sean Connery in "The Rock"

No problems as already noted. Dropped car at ferry terminal at
Wellington and picked new car at Picton. We used Budget and had got a
discount using our AA card. We were supposed to be on the Cat but
typhoon stopped it crossing so we transfer to ferry. If you want to stay
in Picton may be wise to book ahead.
pommyringer


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