Multi-Island Car Hire in New Zealand
Explore the North and South Islands with Omega Rental Cars! We offer exclusive deals for travellers taking the Bluebridge or Interislander ferries across the Cook Strait.
For total convenience, you can use the same vehicle for the full journey. Alternatively, you can leave your original car on one island and pick up a new vehicle on the other island.
With 10 car hire depots across the North Island and South Island, Omega gives you full freedom to explore New Zealand. Check out our ferry booking deals below.
How to Book a Multi-Island Rental Vehicle Ferry Ticket
Head to our rental car booking page or use the quote tool to the right to add your travel dates and pick-up/drop-off location. After choosing a car, you can select vehicle tickets or foot passenger tickets for the Bluebridge or Interislander ferry. Our reservations team will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your preferred booking dates and sailing times.
All fares on our website are fully flexible if your plans need to change, though they are subject to availability.
When booking multi-island travel, you can keep the same car for the whole trip duration which means you can keep your luggage in the car, or you can swap your rental vehicle at our Wellington and Picton depots. Should you want to leave your South Island car with our Picton team and pick up a new one from Wellington, please note, this is not guaranteed and is subject to fleet availability – do check with our friendly team first. There can also be cost differences to keeping the same vehicle for the whole hire vs changing car on each island. The price differs depending on availability of cars for the travel period on each island when booking.
For any travel between the North & South islands on a Multi-Island Hire, it is your responsibility to book the Interisland ferry crossing; however, you can select this option on our website when you make your rental car booking. We will receive a notification of your request for a ferry booking and contact you to confirm your preferred sailing times. All the fares we offer on our website are fully flexible if your plans do need to change, although they are subject to availability, of course.
For more information on ferry bookings and information on Cook Strait ferry sailings, please visit either Interislander or Bluebridge.
Keep the Same Vehicle for the Whole Journey
To save time on exchanging your vehicle, you can simply take your rental car aboard the ferry. This option is popular with customers for its convenience — no need to repack everything in the boot!
Select your vehicle and passenger tickets when you book a car on our site, and we’ll contact you to confirm a suitable departure time and cross-over date.
On the day of departure, arrive at the ferry crossing early — at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure. Follow the road markings to vehicle check-in. Have your booking and photo ID ready to collect your boarding passes. Follow the instructions to board.
Swap Your Car at Our Wellington and Picton Depots
Our ferry exchange service lets you leave your first car on the original island and pick up a new car on the other island. This saves you the cost of taking the vehicle aboard the ferry. Please check with our team as this is subject to availability and this option is not always available.
When booking, choose your passenger ferry tickets and enter your estimated crossing times in the comment section. We’ll contact you to confirm your ferry travel date and time.
On the day of departure, leave your rental car at the closest depot on the original island. Omega has depots in Picton and Wellington, both offering a free shuttle service to their respective ferry terminals (during relevant location trading hours).
Arrive at the ferry terminal building at least 60 minutes before departure, and have your booking confirmation ready. Obtain your booking passes from the kiosks and check in any large bags and suitcases. Follow the instructions to board the ship.
On ferry arrival at the other island, call the local Omega depot to get a free shuttle ride to pick up your rental car during office hours. Speak with our team about car collection and drop-off after hours. Now you’re ready to continue on your trip around New Zealand!
This rental process is subject to fleet availability, so please check with our friendly team first.
Inter-Island Car Rental Exchange Locations
If using our ferry exchange service, you can swap your rental car at our Wellington and Picton locations.
Omega Picton Car Rental Depot (South Island)
Telephone / Freephone +64 3 573 5580 or 0800 18 19 18
Address 1 Lagoon Road, Picton, New Zealand (3 mins drive to Picton Interislander ferry terminal and Bluebridge ferry terminal)
Operating Hours 0800hrs – 1700hrs Daily. Last shuttle cut-off at 1629hrs
Omega Wellington Car Rental Depot (North Island)
Telephone / Freephone +64 4 472 8465 or 0800 66 77 22
Address 77 Hutt Road, Pipitea, Wellington, New Zealand (7–10 mins drive to Wellington Interislander ferry terminal and Bluebridge ferry terminal)
Operating Hours 0800hrs - 1700hrs, Mon - Sun. Last shuttle cut-off at 1600hrs
The Bluebridge ferry travels between Wellington and Picton up to four times per day. On board, you’ll find a full cafe-style menu, premium Caffe L'affare coffee and award-winning Marlborough wines and craft beer. And if you can take your eyes off the views, kick back with free WiFi, free movies and play areas for the kids. The Bluebridge ferry crossing journey takes about 3.5 hours.
Bluebridge has a unique sleeper service heading south from Wellington. Check into your cabin between 11.45 pm and 12.15 am (ahead of the early morning 2.30 am sailing), then awake refreshed in Picton at 6 am.
Choose a cabin upgrade for a private, quiet space to take some time out, sleep and securely store your belongings. This is especially useful if you are travelling as a 'footie' — just yourselves without a vehicle.
Book online when you make your rental car reservation, or email [email protected] to add an offer to an existing booking.
Bluebridge Special Off-Peak Ferry Deal - Valid 1 Apr to 14 Dec 2026 & 1 Feb to 31 Mar 2027 for Omega Customers *subject to availability
Car and 1 adult fully flexible one-way crossing (any Omega vehicle): $270
Additional adult fare: $81
Additional child: $39
Cabin (add-on): $96
Premium Lounge (add-on): $84
Book online when you make your rental car reservation, or email [email protected] to add this offer to an existing booking.
Bluebridge Special Peak Season Ferry Deal - Valid 15 Dec 2026 to 31 Jan 2027 for Omega Customers *subject to availability
Car and 1 adult fully flexible one-way crossing (any Omega vehicle): $286
Additional adult fare: $86
Additional child: $42
Cabin (add-on): $96
Premium Lounge (add-on): $84
Book online when you make your rental car reservation, or email [email protected] to add this offer to an existing booking.
Cabin Upgrade: Upgrading to your own private cabin gives you a quiet space to take some time out, sleep and securely store your belongings (this is especially useful if you are travelling as a 'footie', just yourselves without a vehicle).
Sleeper Service: Bluebridge also has a unique sleeper service heading south from Wellington. Check into your cabin between 11.45pm and 12.15 am (ahead of the early morning 2.30am sailing), then awake refreshed in Picton at 6am.
Interislander's Cook Strait ferries travel between Wellington and Picton. The 92km voyage takes 3 hours and has been described as "one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world".
Interislander operates three passenger ferries: Arahura, Aratere and Kaitaki. Each offers a safe, comfortable and affordable journey between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Each also provides a complete range of onboard services to ensure your trip across the Cook Strait will be both enjoyable and unforgettable.
Book online when you make your rental car reservation, or email [email protected] to add an offer to an existing booking.
Interislander Special Off-Peak Ferry Deal - Valid 1 Apr to 30 Nov 2026 for Omega Customers *subject to availability
Car and 1 adult fully flexible one-way crossing (any Omega vehicle): $348
Additional adult fare: $94
Additional child: $55
Cabin (add-on): $79
Premium Lounge (add-on): $97
Book online when you make your rental car reservation, or email [email protected] to add this offer to an existing booking.
Interislander Special Peak Season Ferry Deal - Valid 1 Dec 2026 to 31 Mar 2027 for Omega Customers *subject to availability
Car and 1 adult fully flexible one-way crossing (any Omega vehicle): $387
Additional adult fare: $107
Additional child: $60
Cabin (add-on): $79
Premium Lounge (add-on): $97
Book online when you make your rental car reservation, or email [email protected] to add this offer to an existing booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take my rental car on the ferry?
Yes, you can take your rental car aboard the ferry — just add on the required tickets (vehicle ticket and passenger ticket/s) when you book your rental car. Your vehicle ticket is fully flexible should you need to change your travel dates, subject to ferry availability.
Can I swap cars between islands?
Yes, you can drop off your original car at our depot on the original rental island and pick up a new one upon arrival.
We don’t require separate vehicle reservations, but please contact us if you are interested in this option, as it is subject to vehicle availability.
Do I book the ferry myself?
You can book your ferry tickets through our rental car booking form for a special Omega-exclusive deal. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] to add a ferry booking to an existing booking.
We’ll contact you as soon as possible to confirm your preferred sailing times.
Which locations should I book from?
You can book ferry tickets for multi-island travel at any Omega location. We offer one-way hires from all our depots in the North Island and South Island, including popular options like Auckland City, Auckland Airport, and Queenstown Airport.
For more information on ferry bookings and information on Cook Strait ferry sailings, please visit either Interislander or Bluebridge.
Get New Zealand Car Rental Ferry Crossing Deals with Omega
Make North and South Island travel easy as when you hire a multi-island car rental with Omega. Enjoy less hassle, lower prices, and other car hire benefits:
- Modern, unbranded fleet of vehicles
- 24hr AA Roadservice
- Free pick-up/drop-off, free additional drivers, free child seats
- Cheapest insurance waiver rates in New Zealand
- Daily hot deals
Rent a car through our online booking form or email [email protected] today.