Southern Airport Car Rental for Arrowtown: Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch
Quick summary: Queenstown Airport is closest to Arrowtown, but it isn’t the only way in. Flights to Dunedin, Invercargill or Christchurch can be easier to find or fit better with a wider South Island trip, and all three have rental cars. Dunedin is around three and a half hours’ drive from Arrowtown through Central Otago, Invercargill around two and a half hours via the Southland plains, and Christchurch a full day or more via the Mackenzie Country. A one-way rental lets you arrive at one airport and fly out of Queenstown.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Dunedin Airport | Around 260 km, about 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Invercargill Airport | Around 190 km, about 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Christchurch Airport | Around 480 km, a long day or a multi-day drive |
| Best for | Wider South Island trips and one-way rentals |
| Fly out | From Queenstown, if you rent one way |
| Tours | Featured tours |
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Which southern airport suits your trip?
| Airport | Route to Arrowtown | On the way |
|---|---|---|
| Dunedin | Inland through Central Otago | Middlemarch, Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell’s orchards |
| Invercargill | North through Southland and along Lake Wakatipu | Lumsden, Kingston, the lake road to Frankton |
| Christchurch | South-west through the Mackenzie Country | Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, the Lindis Pass |
Why fly into Dunedin?
To combine Arrowtown with the Otago Peninsula’s albatrosses and penguins and Dunedin’s Victorian architecture. The drive inland via Alexandra and Cromwell passes old gold towns and stone fruit country, which pairs naturally with Arrowtown’s gold-rush history.
Why fly into Invercargill?
For a southern loop taking in the Catlins, Stewart Island ferries from Bluff, or Fiordland via Te Anau. From Invercargill, the drive north to Arrowtown runs along the eastern shore of Lake Wakatipu for its final stretch.
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Why fly into Christchurch?
For the classic one-way road trip south. Christchurch Airport has the widest choice of flights and cars in the South Island, and the drive via Tekapo, Mount Cook and the Lindis Pass is best spread over two or three days before arriving in Arrowtown.
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How do one-way rentals work?
Choose a different drop-off location when you search, and check for any one-way fee. Many companies allow trips between Queenstown, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch. Drop the car at Queenstown Airport at the end of your stay and fly home from there. See Queenstown Airport car rental.
What should you know about these drives?
They’re long, quiet and scenic, with stretches between fuel stops, so refuel whenever you can. Inland Otago can bring frost and ice in winter, and the Lindis Pass can have snow. Plan for daylight driving and regular breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Around 260 km, about three and a half hours by road through Central Otago.
Around 190 km, about two and a half hours by road.
Yes. Many companies offer one-way rentals between Dunedin and Queenstown, sometimes with a one-way fee.
Queenstown is far closer. Christchurch suits travellers who want a multi-day road trip south first.