Take your journey from one island to the other
Cross Country rental vehicles can travel between the North and South Islands, allowing you to keep the same vehicle across Cook Strait and return it to an agreed location when your journey is complete.
Travel between islands
One vehicle. Two islands. One connected journey.
Planning a relocation, road trip, business journey or one-way move? Cross Country can arrange approved vehicle hire between New Zealand’s North and South Islands, subject to the vehicle, route, travel dates and return location.
Keeping the same vehicle throughout your journey can make travel simpler, especially when carrying passengers, luggage, work equipment or moving items. Tell us where you want to collect and return the vehicle, and our team will confirm the available options and full cost before you book.
Important Note : Inter-island travel must be advised and approved before the rental begins. Do not take an unapproved rental vehicle onto the ferry.
A simple process
Tell us the journey. We will help plan the vehicle hire.
Tell us your route
Provide your collection location, return location, travel dates, passenger or load requirements and preferred vehicle type.
We check the options
Our team confirms vehicle suitability, inter-island approval, branch availability and any applicable one-way or relocation charge.
Book the ferry
Unless otherwise agreed, you will book and pay for the vehicle ferry crossing between Wellington and Picton using the confirmed vehicle details.
Travel and return
Take the approved vehicle across Cook Strait and return it to the agreed Cross Country location at the end of the hire.
Crossing Cook Strait
Taking your rental vehicle on the ferry
Approved Cross Country rental vehicles can travel on the Cook Strait vehicle ferry between Wellington and Picton. Ferry vehicle space can be limited, particularly during busy travel periods, so customers should book early once the vehicle and route have been confirmed.
Unless Cross Country agrees otherwise, the ferry booking and ferry fare are the customer’s responsibility. The booking must accurately reflect the vehicle type and dimensions confirmed by Cross Country.
- Confirm inter-island approval before booking the ferry
- Use the confirmed vehicle category and dimensions
- Allow enough time for vehicle check-in
- Follow the ferry operator’s vehicle and passenger instructions
- Advise Cross Country if the sailing or travel plan changes
One-way and relocation pricing
Why a one-way charge may apply
Returning a vehicle to a different branch or island can leave it away from the location where it is normally required. A one-way or relocation charge may therefore apply to cover the cost of repositioning the vehicle within the Cross Country network.
The charge depends on the collection and return locations, vehicle category, hire dates and current fleet requirements. Any applicable charge will be included in the quote before the booking is confirmed.
FAQ
Yes. Approved vehicles can travel between islands when the journey has been advised and approved before the rental begins.
Potentially, yes. One-way inter-island returns are subject to the route, vehicle type, branch availability and current fleet requirements.
A one-way or relocation charge may apply. The amount depends on the route, vehicle category, dates and repositioning requirements. Any applicable charge will be included in your quote.
Unless otherwise agreed, the customer is responsible for booking and paying for the vehicle ferry crossing.
The Cook Strait vehicle ferry crossing operates between Wellington and Picton. Confirm the journey and vehicle with Cross Country before booking the ferry.
Approved commercial and passenger vehicles may be able to travel between islands. Suitability, availability and ferry details must be confirmed for the specific vehicle.
Sometimes. A reduced one-way charge may be available when your journey aligns with a vehicle that needs to travel north. Availability changes regularly.
Contact the hiring branch before changing the return location. Any change must be approved and may affect availability, ferry arrangements or cost.
Contact Cross Country if the delay affects the agreed return time or location. Unless another arrangement has been agreed, the customer manages the ferry booking directly with the ferry operator.
Enquiring early gives our team the best opportunity to match your route, vehicle and dates, particularly during busy travel and moving periods.
No. Availability depends on vehicle suitability, collection and return locations, ferry requirements and current fleet needs.
Not unless Cross Country confirms this in writing. The customer normally books and pays for the ferry separately.
Because the route and vehicle require approval, submit an inter-island quote request or contact our team. We will confirm the available options and full cost before booking.
