Bargain Rental Cars offers car hire pickup from two Queenstown locations: Queenstown Airport — served by a free shuttle to the Frankton branch — and Frankton at 31 Glenda Drive. Both locations are off-airport, which is how Bargain Rental Cars keeps its rates consistently lower than on-site competitors. The Frankton branch is just minutes from the terminal and from Queenstown’s town centre, making it one of the most practical and affordable car hire options in the region.
Bargain Rental Cars Queenstown — Two Locations
1. Queenstown Airport (Shuttle to Frankton)
Shuttle to: 31 Glenda Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
Phone: 0800 566 701
Hours: 8:00am – 9:30pm, seven days a week
Airport shuttle: Free, during business hours for advance bookings
Queenstown Airport is located on Sir Henry Wigley Drive in Frankton — approximately 8km from Queenstown’s town centre and just minutes from the Bargain Rental Cars branch on Glenda Drive. Rather than paying for a terminal counter, Bargain Rental Cars uses the savings to keep daily hire rates low, with a free shuttle bridging the gap.
To get the shuttle on arrival:
- Collect your bags and clear customs if arriving from overseas
- Exit via Door D and follow signs to the Rental Car Transfer Area, outside the Air New Zealand check-in area
- Call Bargain Rental Cars on 0800 00 11 10 (HVT)
- Wait for the free shuttle — typically 10–20 minutes (depending on traffic)
Advance booking is required for guaranteed shuttle service.
2. Frankton Branch
Address: 31 Glenda Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300
Phone: 0800 566 701
Hours: 8:00am – 9:30pm, seven days a week
The Frankton branch is the collection and return point for all Queenstown rentals — both airport shuttle customers and those driving directly to the branch. Frankton is the commercial hub connecting Queenstown Airport to the town centre, making it one of the most accessible parts of the region for picking up and dropping off a vehicle. The branch is open until 9:30pm, later than many competitors, which suits travellers arriving on evening domestic flights.
SUV Hire in Queenstown — Why It Matters
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most demanding driving environments. The surrounding roads — including the Crown Range (the highest sealed road in New Zealand), the access roads to Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski fields, and the unsealed track to Paradise near Glenorchy — are all significantly more manageable in an SUV or AWD vehicle than in a standard car.
Bargain Rental Cars offers two key SUV options at its Queenstown branch:
Toyota RAV4 / Sportage — A compact SUV seating five passengers with front-wheel drive. Good for city use, the Arrowtown run, and sealed mountain roads. Practical luggage space for ski gear or camping equipment.
Toyota Highlander — A seven-seat SUV with all-wheel drive. The best choice for groups heading to the ski fields, travellers venturing to Glenorchy or Paradise, or anyone planning the Milford Sound drive and wanting a vehicle with genuine capability on mixed terrain. All-wheel drive provides meaningful extra confidence on ice, gravel, and steep alpine descents.
If you’re visiting between June and September and planning to drive to any ski field, AWD is strongly recommended and may be required when chains are mandated on access roads. Bargain Rental Cars’ staff at the Frankton branch can advise on current road conditions at pickup.
What Vehicles Can You Hire at BRC Queenstown?
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla Hatch | 5 | City driving, Arrowtown, Cromwell day trips |
| Toyota Camry | 5 | Comfortable road trips, Wanaka, Milford Sound |
| Toyota RAV4 / Sportage SUV | 5 | General SUV use, alpine roads, ski gear |
| Toyota Highlander (AWD) | 7 | Ski fields, Glenorchy/Paradise, larger groups |
| Minivan 10 Seater (Premium) | 10 | Group travel, sports teams, family road trips |
| Minibus 12 Seater | 12 | Large groups, corporate transfers, school trips |
All vehicles come with unlimited kilometres, 24-hour roadside assistance, and free basic insurance for drivers aged 25 and over. Additional drivers are free of charge. Young Driver Cover of $20 per day applies for drivers aged 18–24.
Why Choose Bargain Rental Cars in Queenstown?
- Two convenient Queenstown pickup locations — Airport shuttle and Frankton branch at 31 Glenda Drive
- Open until 9:30pm — later than most Queenstown rental companies, accommodating evening arrivals
- Everyday low prices with a Price Beat Guarantee — find a cheaper confirmed quote and BRC beats it by 10%
- Free shuttle from Queenstown Airport for advance bookings
- No credit card surcharge on payments
- Free basic insurance for drivers aged 25 and over, with excess reduction available
- Additional drivers free — no limit
- 24-hour roadside assistance with every hire
- Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup
- One-way hires available to and from Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, and Christchurch — perfect for South Island loop itineraries
- 100% Kiwi owned and operated for over 25 years
Best Day Trips from Queenstown with a Rental Car
One of the biggest advantages of having your own car in Queenstown is the freedom to explore the South Island at your own pace, without waiting on shuttles or tour bus schedules.
Arrowtown (20 minutes) — One of New Zealand’s best-preserved gold rush towns, with a tree-lined main street, boutique shops, and excellent cafes. In autumn the poplar trees turn gold, making this one of the most photographed drives in the South Island. Entirely accessible in any vehicle.
Glenorchy and Paradise (45 minutes) — Drive north along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to the tiny settlement of Glenorchy, then continue on to Paradise — a remote valley used as a filming location for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The road to Paradise is unsealed in parts; an SUV is recommended. Glenorchy is also the trailhead for the Routeburn, Greenstone, and Caples tracks.
Wānaka and the Crown Range (1 hour) — The Crown Range road is the highest sealed road in New Zealand, and the descent into the Wānaka basin is spectacular on a clear day. Wānaka offers beautiful lake views, great restaurants, Puzzling World for families, and access to Treble Cone ski field in winter. Allow a full day.
Cromwell (45 minutes) — Head east along State Highway 6 toward Cromwell, known for its stone fruit orchards, the Clyde Dam lake, and the restored 1860s gold rush buildings of the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. In summer, the roadside fruit stalls are hard to drive past.
Milford Sound (4 hours) — The road to Milford Sound via Te Anau is widely considered one of the world’s great scenic drives. It is a long day — allow 10–12 hours return from Queenstown — but the fiord itself is unlike anything else in New Zealand. There are no petrol stations between Te Anau and Milford Sound, so fill up before you leave Te Anau and carry food and water for the day. Booking a cruise in advance is strongly recommended as they sell out.
Coronet Peak and The Remarkables (30–40 minutes) — Queenstown’s two commercial ski fields are both reachable in under an hour. Coronet Peak is open day and night with floodlit night skiing; The Remarkables offers a more dramatic alpine setting. An AWD vehicle is recommended for the access roads in snow conditions, and chains may be required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I hire a car in Queenstown?
Bargain Rental Cars has two Queenstown pickup locations: a free shuttle service from Queenstown Airport to the Frankton branch, and the Frankton branch itself at 31 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300. Trading hours are 8:00am to 9:30pm, seven days a week. Call 0800 00 11 10 to arrange the airport shuttle after landing.
What is the cheapest car rental in Queenstown?
Off-airport operators like Bargain Rental Cars are typically the most affordable option in Queenstown because they avoid terminal counter fees. Bargain Rental Cars also offers a Price Beat Guarantee — if you find a cheaper confirmed quote from another rental company, BRC will beat it by 10%. Booking at least two weeks in advance, especially in winter ski season and summer, secures the best availability and rates.
Where is Bargain Rental Cars in Frankton, Queenstown?
The Bargain Rental Cars Frankton branch is at 31 Glenda Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300. This is both the airport shuttle destination for arriving customers and the drive-in collection point for those who don’t need the shuttle. The branch is open 8:00am to 9:30pm, seven days a week.
Do I need an SUV for Queenstown?
Not always — but it depends on your itinerary. For town-based driving, Arrowtown, Cromwell, and most sealed roads, a standard car or compact SUV is perfectly fine. If you’re heading to the ski fields (Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona), driving to Paradise near Glenorchy on unsealed roads, or crossing the Crown Range in winter, an AWD SUV like the Toyota Highlander is strongly recommended. Road conditions can change quickly in Queenstown in winter.
Where is the cheapest SUV rental in Queenstown?
Bargain Rental Cars offers the Toyota RAV4 / Sportage (compact SUV) and Toyota Highlander (7-seat AWD SUV) at its Frankton branch. As an off-airport operator, BRC’s SUV rates are among the most competitive in Queenstown. Use the online booking tool for an instant price comparison, and if you find a cheaper confirmed rate elsewhere, BRC’s Price Beat Guarantee applies.
Can I pick up in Queenstown and return in Christchurch or Auckland?
Yes. Bargain Rental Cars offers one-way hires between Queenstown and all of its other New Zealand locations — Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, and Christchurch. One-way fees apply and should be confirmed at booking. This is a popular option for South Island road trip itineraries where you fly into Queenstown and fly out from Christchurch, or vice versa.
Is there after-hours car rental in Queenstown?
Bargain Rental Cars’ Frankton branch is open until 9:30pm, seven days a week — later than most Queenstown operators. This covers the majority of evening domestic flight arrivals. For arrivals after 9:30pm, contact the branch directly when booking to discuss options.
