Travelling the country by campervan is considered one of the best ways to experience New Zealand by locals and travellers alike. I have enjoyed numerous nights in a van surrounded by various flora and fauna, unique to this beautiful country I call home. And I am excited to help you plan your adventure and find the best cheap New Zealand campervan hire!
But there are so many companies. How do you decide on hiring a campervan in New Zealand?
This article is dedicated to helping you find a cheap New Zealand campervan hire to suit your needs. To save you time, effort and endless questions I’ve done a bit of research for you and kept an eye out on my travels for the cheapest options throughout New Zealand.
I also found an awesome cheap New Zealand campervan hire and took it for a spin on my road trip to the Hawkes Bay last year.
Keep in mind this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything through them, I will get a small referral fee and you will be supporting me and my blog at no extra cost to you, so thank you!
Alright, you with me? Grab a pen, paper or open a google doc and let’s find the best cheap New Zealand campervan hire for you!
The information below is gathered to steer you in the general direction of a cheap New Zealand campervan hire. Everyone has different preferences in comfort, price and needs so I urge you to think about a few things before reading any further.
Questions to ask yourself before looking at hiring a campervan in New Zealand
Hiring a campervan in New Zealand is awesome with many different options to choose from. Below are a few important questions you should ask yourself to ensure you are getting the best campervan rental possible!
How many people are you travelling with?
If you are looking to rent a campervan in New Zealand most campervans accommodate 2 people however, there are lots of companies that have a maximum of 5 people. Especially motorhomes. However, I do not cover motorhomes in any great detail as I am talking specifically about campervans. Essentially, vans like the ones in the photo above #vanlife.
What equipment do you want in your campervan rental?
Do you want a bed that stays a bed the whole trip or, one you can convert into a couch? Do you want a cooker, utensils, table and chairs? Shower, toilet? Sheets? Do you want to be able to stand up in the campervan? Cook inside the vehicle or in the boot?
All of the questions above are worth asking before you delve any further. If you have spent some time camping before then you are probably aware of your level of comfort. If you have never spent a night in a tent and are thinking of embarking on a campervan adventure I suggest you read the article below to get an idea of what goes on during a van adventure.
Let me now assume you are aware of your level of comfort.
Hiring a campervan in New Zealand: Do you want a solar shower?
Photo by Mariana Proença on Unsplash
Very rarely do New Zealand campervan rentals come with a shower. However, you can buy a little plastic one from the warehouse that heats up with the sun (solar shower).
Unless you are paying for a motorhome I don’t think you will find many companies that include a shower in their vans, especially a cheap New Zealand campervan hire!
After one really disappointing solar shower (the shower head came out as a dribble and the water wasn’t even hot!) I recommend using the app camper mate (discussed below) to find the closest shower near you. Or book into a camping ground with facilities every few days.
Do you want a self-contained vehicle?
Let me guess, you have heard of this requirement through the grapevine. Most people assume to travel NZ in a campervan you need a self-contained vehicle.
Firstly, let me tell you this is not essential. I travelled around for 3 months in a non-self contained vehicle and did just fine without spending a heap of money. Read this awesome article by Spaceships rentals explaining why you don’t need a self contained vehicle.
Since you are looking for a cheap New Zealand campervan hire it is likely you will not find a self contained van.
If you’re smart about it you really don’t need that blue sticker. However, there are many more camping spots for self-contained vehicles. But this also means you have to pee and poo in your vehicle which can be rather uncomfortable when in a small van.
Maybe, I’ve got you all confused and you are wondering what a self-contained vehicle is?
Put simply, having a self-contained vehicle means you are able to remove any waste and keep it contained in the vehicle. E.g. having a toilet on board that doesn’t need to be emptied every day as well as a grey water tank (for waste from your sink) and freshwater.
Camping spots that are specifically for self-contained vehicles are usually FREE (most of the time) however, you will need to find dump stations to remove your waste every few days. This can be found on the wonderful app camper mate (talked about below!).
Lots of non-self contained vehicles still have some of the specifications of a self-contained vehicle minus, the toilet. Myself included. We would still visit the dump station to get rid of our grey water and fill up our fresh water tank every few days- Having a sink is incredibly handy!
Alright, hiring a campervan in New Zealand is easy if you know your level of comfort. Let’s delve into a few of the best cheap New Zealand campervan hire options.
Where can you hire a cheap campervan rental in New Zealand?
You can hire a campervan in New Zealand from most major towns and cities. However, the most popular places to rent a campervan are in Auckland and Christchurch.
To cut to the chase and so you know exactly which companies to skip down to, below is a description of best campervan rental New Zealand options in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. After reading this section use the table of contents (at the start of the article) to go to the specific company you think you are after.
Campervan hire Christchurch
If you are looking for cheap campervan hire Christchurch there are quite a few campervan rental companies on offer. Christchurch is the most popular campervan hire in New Zealand South Island. All of the companies I recommend in this post have the campervan rental Christchurch option. Including: Spaceships, Wicked campers, The Pod, Mad Campers, Hippie Camper, Travellers Auto Barn and Jucy.
Just bear in mind that travelling between depots usually incurs a relocation fee.
Photo credit Vivian Wong on Unsplash
Campervan hire Queenstown
Getting a campervan rental Queenstown is definitely not as popular as the rest of the country. However, there are still a few awesome companies with depots in Queenstown. Including: Wicked Campers, Jucy and Pod rentals.
Photo credit Samuel Ferrara on unsplash
Campervan hire Auckland
Looking for a cheap campervan hire Auckland is easy. Auckland is the king of campervan hire in NZ with all of the campervan companies I mention in this post and more. Rent a campervan Auckland from: Spaceships, Wicked campers, The Pod, Mad Campers, Hippie Camper, Travellers Auto Barn and Jucy.
Photo credit Kirsten Drew on Unsplash
Campervan hire Wellington
Wellington is even worse than Queenstown when it comes to campervan rentals but they do exist. The companies with depots in Welly include: Spaceships and Jucy and I believe Wicked Campers have a depot there too, but it is not as popular and an enquiry needs to be made before booking.
Photo credit Pat Ho on Unsplash
Outlined below are 8 different campervan rental companies offering rental locations throughout New Zealand. Be sure to read the “rental locations” section under each company to find exactly where their depots are.
8 Cheap New Zealand campervan hire options
Below is your ultimate list to finding a cheap campervan rental in New Zealand. But first my favourite website!
Transfercar
Credit: Transfer car
The best campervan relocation New Zealand website!
Relocation car is a website that gives details of campervans that need relocating from one depot to the other. It is the best way to find a cheap campervan hire New Zealand in any season. Most of the time campervans New Zealand need relocating from Auckland – Christchurch or vice versa.
The sweet thing is (usually), the campervan relocation NZ rental costs you $0-$1. Sometimes a free tank of fuel OR ferry crossing (depending on the company) is provided. Relocating campervans NZ is a great option if you want to see NZ on a budget and fast.
The website tells you how many days you have the vehicle for, however, if you’re keen to extend a trip I suggest asking! Transfercar is (as the name suggests) also available for cars.
Disclaimer: I want to re-iterate that the prices for hiring a campervan in New Zealand below are only a rough estimate. To get a true and honest picture of the pricing of these rental companies you would need to grab a quote from their site including your travel dates.
Bear in mind that prices are subject to change at any time and shift up and down depending on availability, competition, public holidays and time of year. This is a rough guide to give you a general idea of pricing.
1. Spaceships
*Virtual high five*
Looking for cheap campervan hire New Zealand? This was the best campervan rental in New Zealand I found when planning my North Island roadie.
Spaceship campervan NZ is an awesome company! While doing research for the best campervan hire New Zealand for my trip to the Hawkes Bay I came across Spaceships and am so glad I did! Not only do they have amazing customer service but they really know how to make you feel special with little added extras at no cost.
They offer a nice and snug essential option for those of you wanting simplicity with all of the essentials at a low cost. Plus, the vans come with a bunch of essentials that most camper companies charge for like chairs, table and gas! (Be sure to double-check this when completing your booking). The prices below are based on a 7-day booking in December 2019.
Type of vehicles and price:
It’s important to know the price drops significantly in offseason from around March- October (depending on public holidays). When I rented a van in October 2019 it cost me around $21 a day for the Budget campervan!
- Budget (sleeps 2 adults) from $65 a day
Credit: Spaceships
Equipment: Standard + Goodie Bag! They also provide a chilly bin rather than a fridge. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: No
- Standard (sleeps 2 adults including a child) from $80 a day
Credit: Spaceships
Equipment: Standard + A goodie bag, fridge/freezer, child seat, USB ports, 12V battery system. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: No
- Premium (sleeps 2 adults) from $86
Credit: Spaceships
They have x2 different types of premium vehicles. One with no labels! The one with no label is called “Stealth” and costs around $5 extra.
Equipment: Standard + a goodie bag, fridge/freezer, USB ports and 12V battery system. Click here for specifications for the Beta campervan.
Self-contained: No
- Luxury (sleeps 2 adults) from $99 a day
Credit: Spaceships
They have x2 different types of premium vehicles. One with no labels! The one with no label is called “Stealth” and costs around $5 extra.
Equipment: A heck of a lot more modern than the other campers. Standard + a goodie bag, fridge/freezer, x4 USB ports, modern stereo and 12V battery system. Click here for specifications for the labelled van the “stealth” van.
Self-contained: No
- 4-Berth campervan (sleeps 4 people. 2 in the van and 2 on the top in a rooftop tent) from $136 a day
Credit: Spaceships
Equipment: Standard + a goodie bag, fridge/freezer, child seat, x2 USB ports and 12V battery system. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: No
Rental locations: Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. No extra cost for one way travel! They are open from 8 am – 5 pm 7 days a week at both depots!
After hours pick up: YES! A huge Yes. Flight landing after 5 pm? Not to worry as these guys have you covered! This is super easy to do at checkout while booking. No extra emails back and forth needed!
A shuttle from the airport: Yes for rentals over 21 days. If you are renting under this time period the easiest way to get to the depot is via Uber or Ola.
Minimum age restriction: 18+. Extra drivers can be added free of charge.
Minimum booking period: 5 Days May – October and 10 days November – April.
Bonus: They offer FREE cancellation within 7 days of booking. And helpful videos on how to use their vans!
2. Wicked Campers
Credit: Wicked Campers NZ
Another cheap campervan hire in New Zealand! Wicked Campers look like a fun campervan rental company! You can’t miss being seen in one of their outrageously painted vans.
They offer a range of campervans, mini campers and AWD hire from 4 New Zealand locations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and campervan hire Queenstown NZ.
Their cheap campervans look like one of the most affordable campervan rentals and have everything you need to have the best road trip in New Zealand. You can travel with peace of mind as all of their vehicles are checked by in-house mechanics after every trip.
For an even better deal, make sure to take a look at some of their Wicked Specials to guarantee you are getting the best price possible!
Credit: Wicked Campers
Their New Zealand budget camper vans are available in 2-3 and 5-seater models.
Type of vehicles:
- 2 Berth Authentic (Sleeps 2 adults)
Equipment: Standard equipment plus gas. You may want to rent camping chairs and a table. Click here for specifications!
- 2-3 Berth Authentic (Sleeps 3 adults)
Equipment: Standard equipment plus gas. You may want to rent camping chairs and a table. Click here for specifications!
- 2 Berth No Slogan (same details as the 2 berth authentic)
- 2-3 Berth Plain (same details as the 2-3 berth authentic)
Prices:
When I was doing a quick flick through on their website as research for this article it looks as though there is a change in price between locations.
It seems as though the rental price for Queenstown and Auckland are significantly higher than Christchurch and they have limited rental availability in Wellington.
If you do want to rent a vehicle from Wellington I would flick them an email to get advice on vehicle availability.
My findings on prices were:
Auckland: 2 Berth campers ranged from $50+ a day during summer and $60+ for 2-3 berth campers.
Queenstown: 2 Berth campers ranged from $80+ a day during summer and $90+ for 2-3 berth campers.
Wellington: It looks as though they only rent their 2 berth campers from here and the cost starts from $89 per day. For confirmation flick them an inquiry!
Christchurch: 2 Berth campers ranged from $36+ a day during summer and $46+ for 2-3 berth campers.
Self-contained: Yes but not all vehicles.
Rental locations: Mentioned above. It seems they do not charge extra for one way travel.
All depots are open Monday – Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and closed Sundays.
After hours pick up: Yes, by prior arrangement and may incur extra fees. This goes for late drop-offs as well!
A shuttle from the airport: No- A taxi or Uber is your best option.
Find the best way to get from Auckland airport to the city with this helpful article from Exploring Auckland.
Minimum age restriction: 18+
Minimum booking period: No, you can hire for a short time subject to availability but this will incur extra fees
3. Lucky Rentals
Probably the best budget campervan hire NZ.
Lucky rentals are not seen around as often as some of the camper companies mentioned above however, one of my friends took a rental for a spin and had good things to say about it!
The price was the biggest factor in considering a rental from this company. After strolling through their website I was pleasantly surprised by the number of rentals they have on offer and of course, the price!
Take a look at the details below to get a better understanding of what they have on offer. The prices below are based on a 7-day booking in December 2019. It looks as though the price goes down depending on the number of days you hire for.
Types of vehicles and price:
- Rookie (as seen above- 2 people) from $42 per day
Equipment: Basic cooking equipment, gas cooker, hand pump cold water, inside table, interior lights, water tank. You will probably want to purchase bedding for $20! Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: No
- Rodeo (2 people) from $52 per day
Equipment: Basic cooking equipment, gas cooker, hand pump cold water, dual battery, inside table, interior lights, water tank. You will probably want to purchase bedding for $20! Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: No
- Roadie (3 people) from $68 per day
Equipment: Basic cooking equipment, fridge gas cooker, hand pump cold water, dual battery, inside table, interior lights, water tank. You will probably want to purchase bedding for $20! Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: No
- Rover (4 people) from $87 per day
Equipment: Basic cooking equipment, toilet, dual battery, shower, TV, fridge, gas cooker, hand pump cold water, inside table, a water tank and wastewater tank. You will probably want to purchase bedding for $20! Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: Yes
- Ranger (2 people) from $117 per day
Equipment: Basic cooking equipment, toilet, fridge shower, hot water, gas cooker, hand pump cold water, dual battery, inside table, a water tank and wastewater tank. You will probably want to purchase bedding for $20! Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: Yes
- Rambler (3 people) from $147 per day
Equipment: Cooking equipment, toilet, shower fridge, gas cooker, hand pump cold water, inside table, a water tank and wastewater tank. You will probably want to purchase bedding for $20! Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: Yes
Rental locations: Lucky rentals Auckland and Christchurch. There is a $249 fee for one way travel. They are open 8am – 6pm 7 days a week in Auckland and 8am – 5 pm 7 days a week in Christchurch.
After hours pick up: No
A shuttle from the airport: Yes complimentary.
Minimum age restriction: No age restriction. (Extra drivers can be added for $1 a day).
Minimum booking period: 5 days. Sometimes this is longer depending on availability. They suggest putting the dates into their live availability search to find out for sure.
Things to note: The only thing that was concerning was the credit card hold that can take a while to clear. Also, the Roadie, Ranger, Rambler and Rover can be fitted with a child seat.
4. The pod
Credit: Pod Rentals
A cute name for an even cuter van. I have started to see these vans pop up more and more throughout my travels around NZ and they look like a pretty comfy and cheap rental like those mentioned above.
On their website, they claim “We offer you more for your budget than any campervan rental company in NZ!” I had a look on their website to get an idea of cost. It looks as though your best bet is to send them an inquiry.
However, I have outlined the prices for a 15-day rental in December 2020. My guess is their pricing is similar to other camper companies mentioned above. Let’s take a look! Cost as of December 2020.
- Economy (2 People) from $55 a day
Equipment: Standard + full kitchen (including sink), cooler box instead of a fridge, camping chair and table. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: Yes
- Traveller (2 People) from $70 a day
Equipment: Standard + full kitchen (including sink), cooler box instead of a fridge, camping chair and table. Click here for specifications! It looks as though this one is slightly more expensive due to the model of the vehicle.
Self-contained: Yes
- Adventurer (2 People) Cost from $120 a day
Equipment: Standard + full kitchen (including sink), fridge, heater, multi-plug, solar panel, camping chair and table. Click here for specifications! This van is slightly bigger than the rest and a newer vehicle.
Self-contained: Yes
Rental locations: Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown. No one-way rental fees! They are open from 7 days at all locations from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
After hours pick up: Unsure. I couldn’t find this information out on their website. My guess is this can only happen if confirmed in writing by the company. Flick them a message via their contact form to send an inquiry!
A shuttle from the airport: Yes – They provide a discounted $15 each way airport transfer through Greencabs.
To find the best way to get from Auckland airport to the city check out this helpful article from Exploring Auckland.
Minimum age restriction: 18+ (drivers can be added at no extra cost).
Minimum booking period: 7 days. This is subject to availability and may be longer in peak season.
Bonus: If you book for more than 28 days, you will automatically receive a 15% long term hire discount. Some of their vehicles have roof racks!
5. Mad Campers
If you’re looking for a vibrant campervan rental in New Zealand then Mad Campers New Zealand are for you! Mad Campers provide cheap and comfy vans for 1-2 people at a reasonable price.
After looking at a few reviews it seems like this company ticks the boxes for fun, comfort and awesome equipment. I have outlined some basic details of the company below but I came across this epic blog post with all the information you need.
If you would like a more in-depth rundown on Mad Campers pop on over to Katie and Ben’s informative post from Two Wandering Soles.
Type of vehicles and price:
- Mad 1 (1 person) Peak season $100 a day
Equipment: Standard + fridge, sink, gas, extendable hose, towels, fuel discount card, roof rack, a second battery, LED lighting, food-grade plumbing and USB ports. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: Yes
- Mad 2 (2 people) Peak season $160 per day
Equipment: Standard + fridge, sink, gas, extendable hose, towels, fuel discount card, roof rack, a second battery, LED lighting, food-grade plumbing and USB ports. Click here for specifications!
Rental locations: Auckland and Christchurch. Unfortunately, there is a $150 fee for one way travel. They are open from 7 days a week from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm however campers must be picked up before 4 pm at both depots.
After hours pick up: Yes but this will incur extra fees and must be confirmed in writing.
A shuttle from the airport: Yes for free from Auckland and subject to availability in Christchurch.
Minimum age restriction: 18+ (up to 3 drivers can be added at no extra cost).
Minimum booking period: 14 days during peak season and 5 days during the offseason.
6. Hippie Camper
Hippie camper is, as the name suggests, a pretty groovy company offering a cute campervan rental NZ.
The campers are small, compact and rather eye-catching. The cheapest campervans are perfect for people who are not after a lot of space, okay with snuggling pretty close and after the basics. However, they do offer bigger, more spacious vans. The prices below are based on a 7-day booking in January 2020.
Type of vehicles and price:
- Hippie Drift (2 people) from $120 per day
Extra equipment: Your basics + roof rack. Some extras you may want to pay for include: A camping table, gas for the cooker, chair and GPS. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: No
- Hippie HiTop (Maximum capacity 2 people and children allowed over 8 years old) from $126 per day
They also use the brand Cheapa, Apollo campers NZ and others so I am unsure when booking if you will get the Hippie logo. Below is a photo from the same van shape as the HiTop and from the brand Cheapa (this photo is from Australia but the vans are the same).
Credit: Kelly Pack
Extra equipment: Providing a little more than just the basics including power, fridge and a microwave. Some extras you may want to pay for include: A camping table, gas for the cooker, chair and GPS. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: No
Rental locations: Auckland and Christchurch and they are open 7 days a week 8 am – 4:00 pm. If you are returning the camper to a different location to where you picked it up a $150 fee applies.
After hours pick up: No
Shuttle from the airport: Yes- Complimentary
Minimum age restriction: 21+
Minimum booking period: 5 days. This may be longer at peak times (Christmas and Easter).
7. Travellers Auto Barn
Credit: Travellers Auto Barn
If you’re looking for a well-established campervan rental in New Zealand and popular choice for travellers then these guys are for you! One of the best campervan rental New Zealand! I see their Kuga van around a heck of a lot and they look family-friendly!
They definitely look as though they provide a bit more comfort than the companies mentioned above and provide campers for up to 5 people. They have 3 campervan options ranging in price. I looked at the price range over 15 days in the peak season (January 2020) as they don’t provide an option to look far in advance. One thing I noted was the campervans are cheaper if rented in Christchurch.
The prices below are from Auckland but are about $30 cheaper if picked up in Christchurch. Prices are from peak season.
- Chubby (2 People) from $148
Credit: Travellers Auto Barn
Equipment: Very basic equipment is supplied such as an icebox, bed, battery and USB plugs. If you want a self-contained vehicle you will need to purchase the toilet for $50 and if you want living equipment such as cutlery and sheets etc you will need to purchase this for $45. Click here for more specifications:
Self-contained: Yes if requested
- Kuga (2-3 People) from $185 a day
Credit: Travellers Auto Barn
Equipment: Bed, battery, USB plugs, microwave, fridge, gas, a water tank and sink. If you want a self-contained vehicle you will need to purchase the toilet for $50 and if you want living equipment such as cutlery and sheets etc you will need to purchase this for $45. Click here for more specifications.
Self-contained: Yes if requested
- HI5 (2-5 adults) from $230 a day
Credit: Travellers Auto Barn
Equipment: Bed, battery, USB plugs, microwave, fridge, gas, water tank, grey water tank, sink, solar panel and a baby seat option. If you want a self-contained vehicle you will need to purchase the toilet for $50 and if you want living equipment such as cutlery and sheets etc you will need to purchase this for $75. Click here for more specifications!
Self-contained: Yes if requested
Rental locations: Auckland and Christchurch. There is a $300 one way rental fee. They are open from 9:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday to Friday, and between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm on Saturdays.
After hours pick up: No. Vehicle drop-offs must be before 3:00 pm Monday to Friday and before 12:30 pm Saturday. No pick-ups or drop-offs are provided on Sundays and public holidays at both branches.
A shuttle from the airport: No, taxi, Uber or bus.
Minimum age restriction: 18+ (extra drivers can be added at $15 each).
Minimum booking period: 5 days for the same city return and 10 days for a different city. This is subject to availability and may be longer in peak season.
8. Jucy
Probably the number 1 campervan rental in New Zealand. You can’t drive through any tourist spot in NZ without seeing one of these vans!
Some would consider them the best campervan rental company in New Zealand! They are simply gorgeous, fun and offer everything you need! The prices reduce dramatically in off/shoulder season however, I have included a rough estimate of prices during peak season (based on a 15 day booking in January 2020).
They also have a really useful guide that compares all of their camper vans in an easy to read grid. But keep reading for a basic overview.
- Cabana (2 people) from $114 a day
Equipment: Standard + gas cooker, fridge, sink, water tank. The only extra you may want to purchase is camping chairs. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: No
- Coaster (2 people) from $195 a day
Equipment: Standard + gas cooker, fridge, sink, toilet, dual battery, Bluetooth stereo, water tank. The only extra you may want to purchase is camping chairs. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: Yes
- Compass (4 people) from $223 a day
Equipment: Standard + gas cooker, fridge, sink, toilet, dual battery, Bluetooth stereo and water tank. The only extra thing you may want to purchase are camping chairs. Click here for specifications!
Self-contained: Yes
- Condo (4 people) from $233 a day
Equipment: Standard + child seat, toilet, dual battery, gas, outside table, cooker, fridge, drain, greywater and freshwater tanks. The only extra you may want to purchase is camping chairs! Click here for more specifications!
Self-contained: Yes
- Chaser (3 people) from $247 a day
Equipment: Standard + shower, toilet, dual battery, gas, cooker, fridge, drain, greywater and freshwater tanks, blinds. The only extra item you may want to purchase may be camping chairs! Click here for more specifications!
Self-contained: Yes
Rental locations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. Looks as though the relocation fee is $250 per booking.
Opening hours:
Auckland Airport (Auckland city does not do camper rentals) 8-6 pm daily,
Wellington: Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 5 pm.
Christchurch: Monday – Friday 8 am – 6 pm and Saturday and Sunday 8 am – 5 pm.
Queenstown airport: Monday – Sunday 8 am – 5:30 pm. If you have pre-booked the office will be open till 20 minutes after the last flight arrival.
After hours pick up: By arrangement.
A shuttle from the airport: Yes complimentary in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. You will need to arrange transport in Queenstown.
Minimum age restriction: 18+ (extra drivers can be added at $2 each per day).
Minimum booking period: Yes, this depends on the time of year. It looks as though 10+ days rental is the minimum in peak season. When you book this information will become available.
Hiring a campervan New Zealand tips and tricks to save you time
- Most companies charge a fee for one way travel (described in the descriptions below).
- Insurance: Campervan insurance is easily done at checkout while booking. However, most company’s hold an amount on your credit card depending on which excess you decide on. Also, most travel insurance companies do not automatically include rental cover so it is best to add this to your booking. I recommend World Nomad insurance.
- Toll Roads: There are 3 toll roads in NZ and all in the North Island- The Northern Gateway, the Tauranga Eastern Link and the Takitimu Drive. If you drive on one of these roads you will be made well aware of the signs. To pay your toll head to the NZTA website here.
- The Campermate app will save your life while travelling in a campervan. The app gives you all of the information you could possibly need about travelling NZ including where to access water, toilets, free camping and paid camping grounds, food and much, much more! Here is a handy blog post from Travels With The Sun teaching you how to use the app.
- Fuel is expensive but cheaper in the North Island. You are looking at paying anything from $2.10- $2.50 a litre in the South Island and $1.80 – $2.45 in the North.
- Ferry: Travelling the length of NZ? You will need to cross between islands. This can be done via one of 2 ferry companies: Bluebridge or Interislander. They are roughly the same price but some campervan rental companies provide a discount on a specific company. The crossing takes around 3 hours and you will need to book for yourself and your campervan. Click here to go to the Interislander website and here to go to the Bluebridge ferry website.
- Time of booking: If travelling in the peak season (December – February) I suggest booking at least 2 months in advance.
I want to hear from you! What campervan rental in New Zealand are you considering for your van life adventure? Do any of the above NZ camper hire companies seem appealing to you? Perhaps you have even travelled NZ in a campervan rental before! Let me know in the comments below.
If there is anything I haven’t covered that you’re wondering about please comment below. I will do my best to reply as soon as possible! And be sure to check out more Van Life travel articles! Or, pop on back to the home page.
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