Car Rental for Paihia and the Bay of Islands: Kerikeri, Whangārei and Auckland
Quick summary: Paihia has no major rental depots of its own, so visitors to the Bay of Islands collect a car at one of three places. Kerikeri’s Bay of Islands Airport is the closest, around 23 km from Paihia. Whangārei Airport is around 70 km south, and Auckland, with the widest choice of cars and flights, is around 230 km away. With a car, Waitangi, Russell, Kerikeri and the beaches of the far north are all within easy reach of a Paihia base.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Closest pickup | Bay of Islands Airport, Kerikeri, around 23 km from Paihia |
| Also | Whangārei Airport, around 70 km south |
| Widest choice | Auckland Airport and downtown Auckland, around 230 km away |
| Russell | Via the Opua–Okiato car ferry, or the passenger ferry from Paihia |
| Cape Reinga | Around 210 km north, sealed all the way |
| Tours | Featured Bay of Islands tours |
Compare car rental at Kerikeri Airport
Where should you collect a car for Paihia?
| Pickup | Best for | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Kerikeri Airport | Flying in and reaching Paihia within half an hour | Kerikeri Airport |
| Whangārei Airport | Starting with the Tutukākā Coast and Whangārei Falls | Whangārei Airport |
| Auckland | The widest choice, and a scenic drive north | Auckland |
Do you need a car in Paihia?
Not for the town itself or the bay. Paihia’s waterfront, wharf and Waitangi are walkable, and boat trips, the Hole in the Rock cruise and Cape Reinga coaches leave from or collect in town. A car helps for Kerikeri, Russell by the vehicle ferry, the Tutukākā Coast and the far north at your own pace.
What do rental companies require?
Bring every driver’s full licence, each held for a year or longer, and a card in the lead driver’s name for the bond. If a licence isn’t printed in English, carry a certified translation or an International Driving Permit with it. Twenty-one is the usual minimum age, and drivers under 25 can face surcharges or fewer vehicle choices.
Which roads should you avoid in a rental car?
Ninety Mile Beach and other beaches, which rental agreements commonly exclude, and some unsealed back roads in the far north and Hokianga. Cape Reinga itself is sealed all the way. See Northland by car and Cape Reinga tours.
Car or campervan?
See campervan or rental car?, or the Bay of Islands campervan guide for a longer Northland trip.
Compare car rental at Auckland Airport
Frequently Asked Questions
Paihia has no major rental depots. The closest pickup is Kerikeri’s Bay of Islands Airport, around 23 km away.
The Bay of Islands Airport at Kerikeri, around 23 km from Paihia.
Not for Paihia and the boat trips, but a car helps for Kerikeri, Russell and the far north.
Rental agreements commonly exclude it. Take a Cape Reinga coach tour, which drives the beach in purpose-built vehicles.