Rarotonga Airport Car Rental Advice & Driving Tips
Rarotonga Airport
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Rarotonga Airport Car Rental Desk Locations
Rorotonga Airport car rental services are available from 2 on-site providers (desks in the Arrivals Terminal), while 2 local car rental agencies are located across the street from the terminal.
Rarotonga Airport Car Rental Companies
Avarua Driving Information
Getting a Cook Islands Driver's License
To drive a car you need a Cook Islands driver’s license. Your rental company will issue each driver in your party a temporary licence, valid until noon the following day (NZD 2 fee).
Expect a very long queue when you go to purchase your license. At the police station in Avarua, you will pay NZD 20 for a 1 year licence (or NZD 60 for 5 years), upon presentation of a driving license from another country. At the Aitutaki police station, if you are headed that way, you will pay just NZD 2.50 for your licence - and there are no queues.
To drive a scooter you need a Cook Islands driver’s license. If you don't have a motorbike license, be prepared to do a short test, zigzagging between traffic cones (NZD 5 fee). Make sure you go as early in the day as possible to the Avarua police station.
Driving Around the Island
The speed limit on the island is 50km/h, with 30km/h in some towns.
30 minutes driving tmr should really get you to the fartherest point on the island, provided you start off in the right direction.
It is not compulsory to wear helmets by law, unless the speed for motorised scooters and motor bikes is exceeded beyond 40 km/h.
Expect a remarkable number of chickens to cross the road. It is hard to understand why they do this, but they do. Dogs, walkers, children, and coconuts provide other obstacles on the roads that keep driving interesting.
While there is virtually no stress driving around the island in daylight hours, driving after dark has additional hazards due to poor visibility.
Motorcycle accidents are sadly fairly common, and cause many injuries and fatalities.
Rarotonga Airport Car Rental Recommendations
IHateTaxis.com recommends a Rarotonga Airport car rental.
Driving around the island is very straight forward and allows you convenience to come and go as you please.