The Cost of Renting a Car in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands

Budget cars are the most popular category of rental vehicles in the Cook Islands. This is mainly because most of the roads that visitors use are well-maintained and journeys are short. The main difference between budget cars is the size, with models suitable for couples up to large groups.

Note that most car rental companies on Rarotonga decrease the daily rate depending on the number of days you hire for. That's why our price estimates are split accordingly. Car rentals on the outer islands, such as Aitutaki, don't follow this trend.

The Cost of Hiring a Small Car

The typical "small car" or "budget/thrifty/entry" car, or whatever the car rental company is branding it, is a Nissan March, Toyota Yaris, Toyota Passo, Suzuki Swift, etc. Daily rates are usually NZ$54-$75 if hiring for 1 to 3 days or around NZ$30-$65 a day if hiring for 5 or 7+ days.

The Cost of Hiring a Medium Car

The typical medium car models include Toyota Ractis, Toyota Vitz, Toyota Corolla, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Avensis, Nissan Wingroad, Toyota Fielder, Honda Airwave, etc. Daily rates are usually NZ$70-$110 if hiring for 1 to 3 days or around NZ$60-$100 a day if hiring for 5 or 7+ days.

The Cost of Hiring a People-Mover

Typical people-movers are models such as Toyota Noah, Nissan Serena, Toyota Estima, etc. Daily rates are usually around  NZ$65-$140 when hiring for 1 to 3 days or around NZ$60-$110 per day when hiring for 5 to 7+ days.

For rental companies that hire vehicles at the cheaper end of the price scale, see The Cheapest Car Rentals in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

For something a little more "premium", there is a range of convertible cars to hire on Rarotonga that are ideal for photos. There are also larger car models, should you want as much space as you can get, as well as SUVs.

Note that most car rental companies on Rarotonga decrease the daily rate depending on the number of days you hire for. That's why our price estimates are split accordingly. Car rentals on the outer islands, such as Aitutaki, don't follow this trend.

The Cost of Hiring a Convertible Car

Typical convertible cars that you are able to hire on Rarotonga include Nissan Micra, VW Beetles and Mini Coopers. Prices are around NZ$70-$100 for 1 to 3 days or NZ$65-$95 per day when hiring for or 5+ days.

The Cost of Hiring a Large Car

Typical large cars available to hire in the Cook Islands include models such as Toyota Mark X, Toyota Crown, Nissan Teana, Honda Sedan Inspire, etc. Prices are around NZ$80-$100 for 1 day, around NZ$75-$90 per day if hiring for 3 days and around NZ$70-$80 per day for 7+ days.

The Cost of Hiring an SUV

Typical SUV models found in the Cook Islands are Jeep Renegade, Ford Escape, Honda CRV, etc. The price is approximately NZ$100-$120 per day if hiring for 3 days and around NZ$100-$110 per day if hiring for 7+ days.

For rental companies that hire vehicles at the cheaper end of the price scale, see The Cheapest Car Rentals in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

If you have a whole tribe to move, vans and minivans are also available to hire in the Cook Islands. Vans typically sit around 16 people, including the driver.

Note that most van rental companies on Rarotonga decrease the daily rate depending on the number of days you hire for. That's why our price estimates are split accordingly. Car rentals on the outer islands, such as Aitutaki, don't follow this trend.

The Cost of Hiring a Minivan

Typical minivan brands in the Cook Islands are models such as Toyota Hiace and Foton Transor. The daily rate for hiring for 1 to 3 days is around NZ$110-$180, and around NZ$100-$120 for hiring for 5 to 7+ days.

For rental companies that hire vehicles at the cheaper end of the price scale, see The Cheapest Car Rentals in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Of course, hiring a vehicle doesn't just include the daily rate. There are other costs to keep in mind, such as the mandatory cost of fuel and the administration fee (which is payable with companies such as Island Car & Bike Hire and Rarotonga Rentals). There are also optional extras, such as airport delivery, additional drivers, baby seats and insurance excess reduction.

Note that there will likely be some inclusions in your car rental that are free, such as accommodation delivery, unlimited kilometres and roadside assistance.

• Petrol/litre - NZ$3.30-$5
• Diesel/litre - NZ$3.20-$4.92
• Airport delivery - NZ$10-$50
• Accommodation delivery - NZ$0
• Additional Driver/day - NZ$0-$2
• Administration fee - NZ$0-$10
• Insurance/day - NZ$0-$58
• Baby seat/day - NZ$0-$2
• Unlimited kilometres - NZ$0
• Roadside assistance - NZ$0
• Bond (refundable) - NZ$500-$3,500
• Security deposit without the bond - NZ$0-$100
• Credit card surcharge - 4%.

How Much Does Fuel Cost to Drive Around Rarotonga?

Rarotonga has a circumference of 32 km (20 mi). Using a median fuel consumption of 8 L of fuel per 100 km (60 mi), which is what a small car from 2010 usually ranks at, you will need 2.8 L of gas to go around Rarotonga. Basing ourselves on an average of NZ$4.25 per litre, the total cost to drive around Rarotonga by car would be NZ$11.90.

This is obviously based on a lot of average figures and will vary widely depending on the car used, detours driven and the current price of gas.

Rarotonga is the island where most people rent a car in the Cook Islands. With that, the rental companies are a little more competitive on pricing and have different rates depending on how long you hire for.

How Much is it to Hire a Car for a Day on Rarotonga?

Car rental for just one day on Rarotonga typically costs around NZ$63-$99, based on one-day rates for a budget or small car, a possible administration fee, and the cost of topping up your fuel tank by approximately NZ$9-$14 if you're just doing one full loop of the island (about 32 km/20 mi).

Note that this estimate does not include optional extras such as an airport delivery fee, insurance excess reduction, or other charges like credit card surcharges or security deposits.

How Much is it to Hire a Car for Five Days on Rarotonga?

Budget car rental on Rarotonga for five days typically costs around NZ$353-$402, based on discounted daily rates for a small or economy car (ranging from NZ$65-$70 per day with reduced rates for longer hires), a possible administration fee, and fuel costs of approximately NZ$28-$42 if you take three loops around the island (about 96 km/60 mi).

Note that this estimate does not include optional extras such as an airport delivery fee, insurance excess reduction, or other charges like credit card fees or security deposits.

How Much is it to Hire a Car for a Week on Rarotonga?

Budget car rental on Rarotonga for seven days generally falls in the range of NZ$466-$535, based on weekly discounted rates for a small or compact vehicle (with daily rates dropping to around NZ$60-$65), an administration fee, and fuel costs of around NZ$46-$70 if you’re driving the equivalent of five full loops of the island (approximately 160 km/100 mi).

As with shorter hires, this estimate excludes airport delivery fees, optional insurance, and any additional charges such as credit card surcharges or refundable security deposits.

Pricing structures on the outer islands are a little more basic when it comes to renting a car. Daily rates tend to be a flat rate, no matter how long you hire for. Additionally, many companies don't charge for extras, such as insurance excess reducers and airport delivery fees.

How Much is it to Hire a Car for a Day on Aitutaki and the Outer Islands?

Car rental for just one day on Aitutaki or the other outer islands generally costs around NZ$84–$101, including the budget car rental rates (typically NZ$75/day for a small car), and around NZ$9–$11 for fuel if taking one loop of the island (about 25 km/15.5 mi). Some providers may also apply an administration fee and a credit card surcharge.

On some of the outer islands, you may not be charged for fuel at all.

How Much is it to Hire a Car for Five on Aitutaki and the Outer Islands?

Car rental for five days on Aitutaki or the other outer islands generally costs around NZ$402–$423, including the budget car rental rates (typically NZ$75/day for a small car), and around NZ$27–$33 for fuel if taking three loops of the island (about 75 km/46.5 mi). Some providers may also apply an administration fee and a credit card surcharge.

On some of the outer islands, you may not be charged for fuel at all.

How Much is it to Hire a Car for a Week on Aitutaki and the Outer Islands?

Car rental for one week on Aitutaki or the other outer islands generally costs around NZ$570–$590, including the budget car rental rates (typically NZ$75/day for a small car), and around NZ$45–$55 for fuel if taking five loops of the island (about 125 km/77.5 mi). Some providers may also apply an administration fee and a credit card surcharge.

On some of the outer islands, you may not be charged for fuel at all.