New Zealand South Island car rental article ?

It is important to inspect the car after picking it up.

Not to mention that there are small animals on the highway, so we really need to be careful. Thanks for the reminder.

Because it is expected to open some mountain roads, so I decided to choose a 4WD. After comparing many aspects, I chose gorental. The advantage is that the price is cheap, and the service attitude is also very good. Telephone reservation, no need to pay a deposit. Rental company: gorental, zuzuche, these two companies are good. Model: 4WD Toyota Rav4 automatic 2400cc. GPS: 1 NZ$8.00 per day x 11 = NZ$ 88.00. Rate: $69.00 x 11 = $759.00. Airport Recovery Fee: $35.00. Total: $882. I made a phone reservation two days before departure. When I arrived at the airport in Christchurch, I followed the rental company's instructions and called them from a blue public phone at the airport. Because it was a toll-free call, I didn't need a phone card and could dial directly. I made an appointment with the service staff to wait for her at the drop off point at the airport. In less than 5 minutes, a girl drove an SUV to take me to the office next to the airport to complete the car rental procedures. She was the girl I called to make the reservation. She apologized and told me that when she picked up the car in the morning, she accidentally bumped the rear bumper. The car didn't look so perfect. I checked it and decided to take this car. After completing the procedures, she gave me a map of the return location and the GPS. And in the part of the car condition, she carefully marked the scratched parts of the car. After I checked and signed, I drove straight to the city of Christchurch. Precautions: 1. When renting a car, be sure to carefully check the condition of the car and indicate it, otherwise it may be counted on you when returning the car; 2. There are many gravel roads in New Zealand, so many cars have traces of gravel damage on the bottom; 3. Basically, rental companies have a 24-hour service hotline, so don't worry too much if there is a problem. However, even so, when you get the car, you should drive to see if there is any mechanical failure; after all, no one wants the car to have problems on the way and affect the trip and mood; 4. There are few cars on the roads in New Zealand, and I think basic insurance is enough; 5. On the highway, you can often see signs warning of stones breaking the windshield. If there are many stones on the road, drive a little slower; 6. When you see a speed limit sign on the road, you must take it seriously. If the speed for a 25 km/h turn, driving at 45 km/h is definitely dangerous; 7. Occasionally there are dedicated overtaking lanes, you must signal; in New Zealand, if you don't signal, the police can also issue a ticket; 8. Be careful at the end of the overtaking lane, because the cars on the overtaking lane are basically faster, so it is also a place where the police like to lurk; the fine is quite high, there is no need to let the wallet leak because of the pursuit of speed; 9. When parking in the city and at attractions, pay attention to the signs. There are signs such as P5, P10, P30, P60, which are signs of time-limited parking, and the number is the number of minutes. However, after 6 o'clock in the evening, some restrictions will be lifted. When parking, pay more attention. There are also places for Pay and display, basically looking for free parking spaces, only in Dunedin city, parking in the pay and display area, parked for 2 hours, $1.50 per hour; 10. There are often small animal carcasses on the highway. If a small animal runs onto the road, don't panic, don't turn the steering wheel randomly, otherwise it is very dangerous. Not long ago, a pair of German tourists died in a car accident because they avoided small animals. So the basic principle is, if there is no car behind, slow down and let it pass, if there is a car, you must not dodge, it is inevitable to run over. Additional information related to Road trip: 1. Supermarkets usually provide coupons for refueling when shopping over a certain amount, and I basically used them, saving 4 cents per liter of fuel. Saving money is reasonable, and waste is shameful! 2. The larger the city or town, the cheaper the refueling. So it is also a skill to arrange refueling locations reasonably; 3. Basically, the place where you live can park for free, but in the YHA in Christchurch, because its parking lot is full, the staff of YHA pointed me to a free parking place that can be reached within 5 minutes on foot; 4. There are coffee shops along the highway that provide rest for drivers, and they claim to provide free coffee for drivers (one person). It is ordinary coffee. If you want to drink latte and the like, you have to pay for it yourself; 5. Regarding GPS, don't completely trust GPS, it's best to have some understanding of the route yourself. Sometimes, because the update is not timely, it will take you to the wrong place; 6. There are few traffic lights in Queenstown, basically all roundabouts. It is basic common sense to give way to the roundabout when entering and leaving the roundabout. If you see the give way sign, you must give way; 7. It is said that the highway is basically not as good as its name, because it is different from what we define as a highway, basically it is a two-way single lane. In some small bridges, it will be changed to a single line, and one side has priority. Basically, the side with good visibility gives way, so you must follow the rules, otherwise it is really dangerous. 8. The mountain roads on the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin are very rugged and difficult to drive. For example, to see the albatross, the GPS will take you to highcliff road, and that road is tiring. There is only one lane, and the road is winding, with ups and downs, and the visibility is not good. So it is recommended to take portobello road. It's much easier. The distance is not much different. But if you go to sandfly bay, you have to take highcliff road. Comrades, be careful and drive slowly. Comrades who are afraid of heights are not recommended to try. 9. The free hotline phone given by the car rental company, theoretically, if you use your own mobile phone to make a call in New Zealand, it is also free. When I rented a car, the lady told me that international roaming is also free. Of course, I didn't call them on the way, so I can't confirm whether this is the case. 10. Speaking of mountain roads, there is also a section on the Kaikoura side. However, compared to the highcliff road on the Otago Peninsula, it is a small difference. In any case, safety first.