How-To: Rental Car Relocation

If you want to drive when you travel, have a lot of flexibility in your plans, and are looking to your adventures on the cheap, Rental Car Location is an excellent option.

Rental car relocation? What’s that you ask? Rental companies are always looking for people to move vehicles from where they were returned to their original location. The cost is typically around a $1/day and is great for you if you love to travel, and have the utmost of flexibility in your travel plans.

Check out the details to rental car relocation below!

 

We’re back in New Zealand with MI OLA brand ambassador Leslie (@lesnorberg)! Last (Northern Hemisphere) winter, Leslie went to New Zealand to enjoy the summertime weather there and worked as a canoe trip leader. Chasing an endless summer, Leslie went back home to beautiful summer weather in Minnesota and then back to New Zealand this past August. Leslie’s final destination was Christchurch on this trip, but instead of hopping on another flight after arriving in Auckland, Leslie decided drive to Christchurch, with rental car relocation. Here Leslie takes us through her experience and some tips.

 

How-to: Rental Car Relocation

I was heading back to New Zealand in August and wanted to change things up a bit. We had to get to Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand. My traveling companion suggested we do a rental relocation. She has done a few previously with a 6 berth camper van and a brand new Rav-4.

 

How to search for rental car relocation:

A few weeks before our flight (San Francisco to Auckland) we scoured through relocation listings, using the website www.imoova.com and www.transfercar.co.nz to see what was available. There was a moment of panic when there weren’t any vehicles listed for the day we arrived in Auckland, but in the end everything worked out. Just remember you’re not renting the vehicle you’re moving it for someone else, so flexibility is key!

Who is it for?:

Rental care relocation is for anyone, if you are looking to travel, have a limited budget and have a lot of flexibility. Perhaps you are looking for a trip to take with your friends or family — why not do it for a fraction of the cost with a relocation?!

When?:

Rental car relocation is available anytime! Companies always have vehicles that need to be returned to other locations. Remember, since you’re relocating versus renting you have to be flexible with dates. We did our relocation during winter (August) in New Zealand and ran into snowy and icy conditions. So be wary, drive appropriately for the weather, and don’t drive on the other side of the road unless you are 100% confident.

Where?:

Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA. A few options are available in Europe.

Why?:

If you are into road tripping in your home country or abroad and don’t want to spend a fortune, this is a nice way to do it (especially with friends!)

What’s included?:
This varies a lot depending on country, rental company and a variety of other factors. Typically it is $1/day to relocate, although these base fees do vary. Use imoova.com or a similar site to compare costs. Some relocations may include the cost of fuel, others may not.

Do you have a ferry crossing in your route? We did! Keep this in mind especially in New Zealand, the ferry really adds up. The vehicle and the driver were covered but any extra passengers had to pay. Again this is still cheaper than paying for an oversized vehicle and passengers.

What’s not included?:
We all love a good road trip that allows us to wander where the wind takes us, but you may have to pick and choose your battles here. Most companies limit how many kilometers/miles and days you can drive. The allowances are usually pretty generous and there is often an option to purchase more days or kms as needed.

Age restrictions vary from country to country so you will need to check this out before you begin the process!

Make sure you understand the size of the vehicle you could be issued. The majority of websites will be able to tell you exactly what sort of vehicle you will be issued, or at the very least the approximate class size (eg. compact, station wagon, 4wd camper van, 6 berth RV, etc.)

That’s all there is to it! Now get searching. Remember to read the fine print. Relocations might not be right for everyone! Enjoy and be safe out there!

More on our rental car relocation trip experience in New Zealand:

We arrived in Auckland tired from the flight, had a nap while we waited for the rental car location to open, and then caught an Uber a few kilometers down the road. After signing some paperwork and receiving a run down of the vehicle, we were off in our Mercedes Sprinter (complete with shower, toilet, and full kitchen!)

Coming from the Northern Hemisphere summer to winter was a bit drastic. We had become acclimated to the sticky hot Minnesota summer and were met with high winds and snow. Still, the drive was incredibly beautiful, although getting used to less daylight was hard. All in all the entire process was super easy, stress free and definitely worth looking into! For the 4 day journey, including ferry, insurance, rental fee, and fuel, we paid under $300.00 USD to see some of the most beautiful areas of Aotearoa (New Zealand). In comparison, a flight from Auckland to Christchurch would have cost us around $100 USD per person.