Yes — and Bargain Rental Cars provides a free shuttle service at all five of its New Zealand airport locations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Tauranga. The shuttle is available for advance bookings, picks you up from a designated zone at each terminal, and takes you directly to the branch to collect your vehicle. When returning, staff drive you back to your departure terminal in the same shuttle.
This is how off-airport car rental usually works in New Zealand — and it’s one of the main reasons off-airport operators are consistently more affordable than on-site competitors.
Why Are Most Budget Car Hire Companies Off-Airport?
Walk into the arrivals hall at any major New Zealand airport and you’ll see rental car counters from Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, and similar international brands. These are convenient — but you pay for that convenience. On-site operators pay significant fees to lease terminal space, and those costs flow directly into daily hire rates.
Off-airport operators like Bargain Rental Cars are located a short drive from the terminal — typically two to ten kilometres away. They provide a free shuttle to bridge the gap. The trade-off is a 10–15 minute wait and a 5 to 20 minutes drive depending on the traffic. The saving, particularly on rentals of five days or more, can be substantial.
The shuttle is not an inconvenience — it’s the mechanism that makes the lower price possible.
How the Bargain Rental Cars Shuttle Works — By Airport
Auckland Airport
Branch address: 12 Pavilion Drive, Airport Oaks, Māngere (3.6km from terminals)
Branch hours: 6:00am – 6:00pm, seven days
Shuttle phone (business hours): 0800 00 11 10 · 03 343 6943 · 021 247 0346
After-hours partner: FLYAWAY — 0800 77 66 99 (Option 1) or +64 21 431 823
Arriving during business hours:
- Domestic: Exit Door 7, beneath the Control Tower near the Jetstar exits. Call 0800 00 11 10 when ready.
- International: Exit Door 8, follow signs for Off-site Shuttle Transfers. Call 0800 00 11 10 when ready.
Arriving after hours (6:01pm–5:59am):
Call FLYAWAY on 0800 77 66 99 (Option 1). It operates on a radio/telephone link — one person speaks at a time. Advise which terminal you’re at and wait for the FLYAWAY shuttle. After-hours drop-offs go to FLYAWAY at 3 Verissimo Drive, Māngere.
Departing: Allow 60 minutes before check-in. Return the vehicle to the branch (business hours) or to FLYAWAY (after hours). Staff will shuttle you to your departure terminal.
Wellington Airport
Branch address: 17 Shelly Bay Road, Miramar, Wellington (1.7km from terminal)
Branch hours: 8:00am – 6:00pm, seven days
Shuttle phone (business hours): 0800 00 11 10 · +64 21 688 814
After-hours partner: Windy Depot — +64 27 837 4372
Arriving during business hours:
Call 0800 00 11 10 or +64 21 688 814 approximately 30 minutes before landing. The Hire Vehicle Transfer Shuttle will collect you from the terminal pickup area. The drive to the Miramar branch takes approximately five minutes.
Arriving after hours:
After collecting your bags, make your way upstairs to the top floor of the terminal. Call Windy Depot on +64 27 837 4372. The Windy Depot van will meet you on the median strip on the top floor outside the terminal. The driver will take you to the Windy Depot facility at 19 Shelly Bay Road, Miramar.
Departing: Allow 60 minutes before check-in. If your flight departs at 8:00am or earlier, use the Windy Depot after-hours service. For after-hours drop-off, call Windy Depot 10 minutes before arriving at the facility.
Christchurch Airport
Branch address: 6 Sir Keith Park Place, Harewood, Christchurch (2.2km from terminal)
Branch hours: 6:00am – 6:00pm, seven days
Shuttle phone (business hours): 0800 00 11 10 · 03 343 6943 · 021 247 0346
After-hours partner: Airpark Canterbury — 0800 24 77 27 or +64 3 360 3113
Arriving during business hours:
Exit Doors 1 or 2 (with the Air New Zealand check-in counter behind you) and go to level 0. Call 0800 00 11 10. The Hire Vehicle Transfer Shuttle will collect you. The drive to Harewood takes approximately five minutes.
Arriving after hours (6:01pm–5:59am):
Exit Doors 1 or 2, locate the Bargain Rental Cars sign near the far exit doors, and dial M1 on the free phone (or call 0800 24 77 27). Have your driver’s licence and booking confirmation ready — they are required before the vehicle is released.
Departing: Allow 60 minutes before check-in. If your flight departs at 6:00am or earlier, use Airpark Canterbury at 17–25 Logistics Drive, Harewood. The Christchurch Airport branch opens from 6:00am, earlier than most other locations.
Queenstown Airport
Branch address: 31 Glenda Drive, Frankton, Queenstown (minutes from terminal)
Branch hours: 8:00am – 9:30pm, seven days
Shuttle phone: 0800 00 11 10
Arriving during business hours:
Exit via Door D and follow signs to the Rental Car Transfer Area, outside the Air New Zealand check-in area. Call 0800 00 11 10. The shuttle will collect you and take you to the Frankton branch, a five-minute drive.
After hours: The Frankton branch is open until 9:30pm — the latest closing time of any BRC airport location — covering the majority of evening domestic flight arrivals. For very late arrivals, contact the Queenstown branch directly at the time of booking to confirm options.
Departing: Return the vehicle to 31 Glenda Drive, Frankton. Staff will shuttle you to your departure terminal. Allow 60 minutes before check-in.
Tauranga Airport
Branch address: 156–159 Newton Street, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga (approx. 7 minutes from terminal)
Branch hours: 8:00am – 6:00pm, seven days
Shuttle phone: 0800 00 11 10 · +64 21 026 34240
After-hours return: Self-service key drop inside the terminal — no shuttle, no fee
Arriving during business hours:
Call 0800 00 11 10 or +64 21 026 34240 after collecting your bags. A shuttle will be arranged from the terminal to the Newton Street branch.
After-hours return:
Park the vehicle in the Rental Car drop-off car park at the airport (Number 3 / blue area). Leave the parking ticket on the passenger seat — Bargain Rental Cars covers the cost. Drop the keys in the key return safe inside the terminal, on the wall to the right of the baggage claim area.
Airport Shuttle Comparison — All BRC Locations
| Airport | Branch distance | Business hours | After-hours provider | After-hours pickup phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | 3.6km | 6am–6pm | FLYAWAY | 0800 77 66 99 (Opt. 1) |
| Wellington | 1.7km | 8am–6pm | Windy Depot | +64 27 837 4372 |
| Christchurch | 2.2km | 6am–6pm | Airpark Canterbury | 0800 24 77 27 |
| Queenstown | ~15 to 25 min | 8am–9:30pm | No | n/a |
| Tauranga | ~5 to 10 min | 8am–6pm | Self-service key drop | n/a |
Tips for a Smooth Shuttle Pickup
Save the number before you land. If you’re arriving from abroad, you may not have immediate mobile coverage after clearing customs. Save 0800 00 11 10 (general business hours) and your airport’s after-hours number in your phone before boarding.
Book in advance. The free shuttle is guaranteed only for pre-booked rentals. Walk-in availability at the branch is not guaranteed, and shuttle capacity is allocated to confirmed bookings. Booking online takes two minutes and secures your spot.
Call when you’re ready — not when you land. The shuttle runs to you; there’s no need to rush. Call once you’ve collected your bags and cleared customs. You’ll typically be in your rental car and on the road within 30–40 minutes of landing.
Allow 60 minutes before departure. Every BRC location recommends allowing at least 60 minutes between your vehicle drop-off and your required check-in time. If you have a very early flight, use the after-hours service at your location — or drop off the evening before if your itinerary allows.
Check fuel before returning. A $50 refuelling fee (plus actual fuel cost) applies at all BRC locations if you return the vehicle with less fuel than when collected. Fill up at a nearby station before heading to the branch — each airport’s pickup/drop-off instructions page lists the nearest petrol stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rental car companies in New Zealand offer airport shuttles?
Yes. Most budget and mid-range car hire companies in New Zealand that operate off-airport — including Bargain Rental Cars — provide a free courtesy shuttle between the terminal and their branch. The shuttle runs for advance bookings. Bargain Rental Cars offers free shuttle transfers at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Tauranga airports, with 24-hour service available at most locations via after-hours partners.
How do I get the free shuttle from the airport to Bargain Rental Cars?
After collecting your bags, make your way to the designated pickup zone at your terminal and call 0800 00 11 10. For Auckland: domestic arrivals wait at Door 7 beneath the Control Tower; international arrivals exit Door 8 and follow Off-site Shuttle Transfers signs. For Wellington: call 0800 00 11 10 or +64 21 688 814. For Christchurch: exit Doors 1 or 2 to level 0. For Queenstown: exit Door D to the Rental Car Transfer Area. For Tauranga: call +64 21 026 34240.
Is the airport shuttle free with Bargain Rental Cars?
Yes. The shuttle is completely free in both directions — from the terminal to the branch on arrival, and from the branch to the terminal on departure. There is no shuttle fee, no tip expected, and no deposit required. The only condition is that your rental must be booked in advance.
What if I arrive at the airport after hours?
Bargain Rental Cars has an after-hours solution at every airport location. Auckland uses FLYAWAY (0800 77 66 99, Option 1). Wellington uses Windy Depot (+64 27 837 4372). Christchurch uses Airpark Canterbury (0800 24 77 27). Queenstown’s branch is open until 9:30pm, covering most evening arrivals. Tauranga has a self-service key drop inside the terminal for after-hours returns. After-hours service must be arranged at the time of booking.
Do I need to tip the shuttle driver?
No. Tipping is not customary in New Zealand and is not expected.
Can I go straight to the Bargain Rental Cars branch without taking the shuttle?
Yes. If you have your own transport to the branch — a taxi, rideshare, or travelling companion dropping you off — you can go directly to the branch address during business hours. No shuttle is required. Simply present your booking confirmation and driver’s licence at the counter.
