12 Things You NEED to Know Before Renting a Campervan in New Zealand

Renting a campervan and traveling the stunning roads of New Zealand sounds like a dream come true for a lot of people (at least for me)! The freedom, the incredible landscapes, the excitement of seeing a new place each day, there’s nothing like it!

However, when planning your trip there are many things to consider! Renting a campervan in New Zealand is a super popular way to travel around this country but before you decide to go with this, you’ll need a proper plan that will guide you and help you to organize the best NZ road trip!

That’s why I’m here! In this post, you will find the top 12 things that every traveler should know about renting campervans in New Zealand. Details on which campervan type suits you, where to camp, rules, and laws that you should know, restrictions, plus some details about which campervan company to choose! 

I hope you’re ready! Get some popcorn, and let’s start this virtual adventure!

1. Different types of campervans

There are 3 different types of campervans to rent in New Zealand. In this section, you’ll find all the details about each one plus some pros and cons that will help you make the best decision on which campervan type is best for you: 

1.1 Car Campers 

If you’re planning a short trip or want to access super remote parts of the country, then car campers will be your best friend! 

For those of you who haven’t heard about them, camp-cars are usually smaller vans or cars with a fold-out bed. As you can imagine, while they are often budget-friendly and easy to park, they’re not extremely comfortable and the space is very limited (1, 2 people). That’s why I recommend renting one only if the trip is short and you’re planning on spending a few nights in holiday parks.

Also, most camp cars are not self-contained certified (I’ll talk more about in section #2) which can be a problem for people who want to camp overnight in public areas rather than in a managed campsite.

PROS:	CONS:
– Affordable prices – Easy to drive & park – Great for short trips – Perfect for 1-2 people	– Not self-contained certified  – Limited storage space  – No portable toilet  – Can’t cook indoors

1.2 Campervans

Campervans are perfect for people who want something that’s not as expensive and big as a motorhome, but definitely bigger than a car camper.

In a campervan, you’ll have more space than you would in a camp car (sometimes with the ability to share it between 4 people) but depending on the design, you may still need to fold away the beds every day to use the portable table. 

Campervans are great for both long and short trips and by renting a campervan that’s self-contained certified (check section #2) you’ll end up saving more money as you’ll be able to park in public spaces and not pay for campsites if you choose.

PROS:	CONS:
– Easy to drive – More living space – Able to cook inside – Share with up to 4 people	– Sometimes need to fold away bed  – Non-fixed portable toilet  – Not big enough to walk around inside

1.3 Motorhomes 

If you can’t live without comfort and you’ve got a big budget then I recommend a motorhome rental! 

Motorhomes are larger than the other two choices and offer comfortable living space and lots of storage space as well. They are the best fit for families as they can fit up to 6 people and they’re awesome if you’re planning on camping in public spaces as you have all your homely amenities inside. 

Naturally, there’s got to be a downside as well. Driving a motorhome can be more difficult and because of its size, you might not be able to visit or park in certain places. They’re also usually more expensive when it comes to rental, fuel, and other things like campgrounds. 

PROS:	CONS:
– Lots of living space & storage space – Fixed flushing toilet & bathroom – Room for up to 6 people – Perfect for freedom camping	– Higher costs – Harder to drive – Too big to visit certain places – Not inconspicuous

2. Self-Contained Campers vs Not Self-Contained 

As you’ll see in this post there are many things to consider before starting your New Zealand road trip! One of the aspects (and kind of an important one) is whether your vehicle is self-contained certified or not. What does that mean?

Well, it means that your vehicle is capable of containing its own greywater and sewage! These campervan rentals are more environmentally friendly as they can store freshwater and wastewater for up to 3 days which means that you have a drastically reduced impact on the earth. 

In New Zealand, you are legally only allowed to freedom camp in public spaces if your campervan is self-contained certified. 

As you may have guessed, vans that are not self-contained don’t have their own contained waste and sewage facilities. 

	Pros	Cons
Self Contained	– You can freedom-camp – Perfect for less-traveled roads – Environmentally-friendly – More spacious – Toilet on-board	– More expensive – Need to dispose of your waste at an official dumping station
Not Self Contained:	– Smaller and easier to drive – More affordable	– Not allowed to freedom camp – You’ll pay for holiday parks and campsites

3. Wild camping in NZ – Can you sleep anywhere in a campervan in New Zealand?

Wild camping (also known as Freedom Camping) is a dream come true for many avid travelers who want to escape the noise and crowds and just be somewhere in nature, where no one can bother you! But as pleasant as this might be, there are still many things to consider. In this section, I’ll talk about all the aspects of wild camping that many of us overlook.

We’ll start with the most obvious one: Is it legal?

Yes, it’s legal to go freedom camping in NZ but you will have to obey certain rules and limitations. 

Some basic rules you need to follow for wid-camping are: 

• Have a self-contained vehicle
• Respect the limits on how long you can stay in an area
• Don’t camp in residential areas
• Don’t leave a mess behind you! 

Camping rules vary depending on the local council, district, or city so there may be additional rules you need to follow in different areas. But if you have a self-contained vehicle, there are tons of places where you can camp for free. 

NOTE: Look out for the round sign containing a tent and campervan with a red line through it – they mark the spots you should avoid and also for the self-contained vehicles only sign

Waste dump & water fill-ups:
Another thing to think about if you are planning on freedom camping is how you will dispose of your human waste (black and grey tanks) and re-fill it with fresh drinking water. Most campgrounds will have these facilities but if you choose not to stay at any, you can also find them at plenty of public dump stations at service stations around the country. 

You can simply search for “Dump Station” on this online map to see the locations or look out for the blue dump station symbol on road signs as you drive around the country. 

PRO TIP: If you need to find suitable campgrounds for your campervan and personal needs, these apps will help you easily find the facilities you require on the road: NZ Doc Campsite Finder (the official New Zealand Campground app) and Campable (unique privately owned properties like vineyards, farms & more).

4. Things to think about when choosing your campervan in NZ

Here’s a list of things to consider about renting a campervan in New Zealand. Here you’ll find all the details that you might overlook when planning your trip or choosing your campervan rental: 

How many people you are traveling with?

Probably the first thing that you’ll have to think about before renting your campervan is how many people you will have on board. Whether you’re traveling on your own, with another buddy, or with the whole family, you will need to take into consideration how much space and how many beds you may need. 

What size car you are comfortable driving

This is a super important factor to consider! As beautiful as the roads are in New Zealand, they’re not big. So you’ll need to think for a while about how comfortable you are with what kind of campervan rental you’ll pick. 

For example, some motorhomes are huge, hence they’re harder to drive. If you’re not 100% sure about your driving skills, I recommend choosing a smaller option (car campers or campervans). After all, you don’t want to spend your whole vacation stressed about having to move locations. 

PRO TIP: If you are planning on traveling with a group of people but don’t feel comfortable driving a larger camper, you can always rent multiple smaller campers and road-trip together!

How do you want to travel: wild camping or caravan parks?

Depending on which choice you make, you will have different requirements for the van you choose. 

Many people want to go wild camping, firstly because it’s free and secondly because it gives you a chance to camp in unique spots! You’ll also find many parking lots and areas allocated for wild camping however these places usually don’t have many facilities (or if you go off the beaten track, probably none) so you will need a self-contained certified camper (check section #3 for more details).

Something that many also forget to consider is security. New Zealand is a pretty safe place but you should also think about how you will feel knowing you are not necessarily in a secure location with a boundary fence etc. For a lot of people, this isn’t an issue, but if you feel this is something you might not be comfortable with, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in case wild camping isn’t your thing (and that’s okay!).

If you plan on wild camping, remember that you won’t have all the facilities at your disposal that you’ll find in caravan parks or paid campgrounds, so think well about getting a van that has kitchen facilities, a toilet, and a second battery for power!

Alternatively, if you decide to stay in a holiday park or in a camping site, then you may be happy with a simple camping-car as you will have access to external facilities. Most holiday parks in New Zealand have common areas with a kitchen that’s spacious enough for all travelers, a bathroom with showers, laundry facilities, and sometimes even restaurants and pools!

What is your budget?

Knowing your budget and calculating how much money you’ll spend should also be at the top of the list!

Renting a campervan in New Zealand isn’t cheap, but since there is a large range of different types of campers, you can easily pick the one that suits your budget. 

As a general rule, the bigger the camper or RV, the higher the price. But I will go into the specifics of the prices later on in the post!

But, you can rest assured that whichever option you choose, you’ll save so much money once you start traveling! Firstly, you’ll cook for yourself, which is much more affordable than eating at a restaurant and let’s not forget that you can go wild camping for free (bye-bye expensive hotels)!

When setting up your budget, you’ll also need to consider what time of the year you’ll travel. 

Of course, during peak season (Dec to Feb) you’ll pay higher rates. The off-peak season (June to Aug) will secure you a fair price and shoulder seasons (the remaining months) will offer you something in the middle. 

How much time do you have?

You’ll need to think about how many days you want to spend on the road. For example, if you want to see the whole country in just 3 days, it’s not very practical to expect to drive the whole way. In that case, maybe you can consider spending some time in one city and then take day trips or fly to other cities. 

If you have 5 days+ and are happy to travel at a slightly slower pace, campervans are a great choice! 

What extras will your camper come with? 

This is something that really differs between both vans and hires companies. For example, Travellers Autobarn offer campervans that have:

• Bed & bedding
• Gas cooker
• Sink
• Fridge
• Air Conditioning

These are usually the most common extras but this often varies depending on whether you’ll choose a more luxurious campervan or a cheaper one. If you are looking for more extras like navigation systems, kitchen supplies, pillows, camp chairs, outdoor tables, coolers, and anything else, you may find vans where it is all included or companies that offer them for additional costs. 

Where do you want to pick up your campervan for a road trip?

It’s super important to decide on your itinerary before hitting the road and also take into consideration which airport you are arriving and departing from. It’s going to be much more convenient to pick up your campervan in the same city to which you fly!

There are many different rental companies in NZ so when picking your van, you should check if it is available at your arrival location. (Check out my company comparison in part 8 below). 

The cheapest option is generally going to be to pick up and drop off your camper at the same location, this would mean you need to plan a loop itinerary through New Zealand. Alternatively, if you are short on time, you may be able to choose to pick up your campervan from one city and then drop it off in another on the other side of the country. 

Normally you’ll have to pay a relocation fee that can cost around NZ$290 (US$200) if you end your trip in a different location, however, this can be worth it if you are short on time! 

NOTE: If you’re interested in a one-way trip, make sure to check out my hack to get nearly free rentals in part 9!

5. Restrictions on renting a campervan in NZ

Here’s a list of all the restrictions that you may encounter when renting a campervan in NZ

5.1 Young drivers – how old you must be to rent one 

Do you have to be over 25 to rent a vehicle in New Zealand? 

Nope! That’s a common misconception, and although you might not be able to rent a large motorhome if you’re under 21, as long as you hold a full license and are 18+, there are companies that will rent smaller campervans to you!

As always, if you are under 25 there may be additional charges for young drivers so I recommend reading all the terms & conditions before committing. 

5.2 Minimum campervan rental period

The standard minimum rental period is usually 5 days although many companies require to rent the campervan for a minimum of 10 days during peak season (Dec to Feb) or in case you want to use the Inter-Island Ferry to drop off your vehicle on a different island. 

5.3 Do you need a special license?

As long as you have a full, valid driver’s license in English, you won’t need a special driver’s license when renting your campervan. 

If your license is not in English, you must have an approved translation or International Driving Permit to rent and drive camper cars and camper vans.

5.4 Kilometer limits 

Remember to double-check with the campervan rental company if your van has a limited range of kilometers for your trip or per day. Sometimes companies will restrict the number of km’s you are able to drive during your rental period and if you go over, you will be charged quite hefty prices.

To have a stress-free holiday, I always recommend choosing a company with unlimited kilometers like Travellers Autobarn so you have the freedom to change your itinerary on a whim!  

6. Do you need extra insurance? 

Sorry to give you the bad news but your travel insurance doesn’t usually cover campervans! Travel insurance might cover you if you want to rent a car but just that. And you’ll have to check this but generally, credit card insurances don’t do that either.

Most rental companies do offer some kind of campervan insurance for your vehicle of choice with different levels of cover. I highly recommend paying for the extra insurance as it’s better to be prepared in case anything should happen! 

PRO TIP: Usually the cheapest insurance options come with a large excess. This means that if you do unfortunately get into an accident, you may end up paying thousands of dollars before the remaining costs are covered by your insurance. To avoid this (while also avoiding the large fees incurred when paying to reduce your excess), you can take out secondary insurance with a different company to cover your excess! 

7. How much do campervans cost in New Zealand? 

Now the big question is on everyone’s mind! Below you’ll find the base prices for each type of campervan, plus additions costs that you may have to pay so you can get an idea of how much things cost on the road in New Zealand. 

Make sure to stick around until section #12 where I will help you decide if it’s worth it to rent a campervan with a full price break down for average daily costs, and a comparison with hotels.

Until then, have a quick look here:

Average campervan prices (per day):

Peak Season = Dec to Feb / Low season = June to Aug

Car Campers – Peak Season ~ NZ$60 – $100 (US$40 – $70)
– Low Season ~ NZ$40 – $80 (US$27 – $55)

Campervans – Peak Season ~ NZ$100 – 150 (US$70 – $100)
– Low Season ~ NZ$60 – 100 (US$40 – $70)

Motorhomes – Peak Season ~ NZ$290 (US$200)
– Low Season ~ NZ$250 (US$170)

Additional costs:

• Vehicle insurance: NZ$32 – $65 (US$22 – $45) per rental day (depending on the vehicle)

• Young drivers surcharge: With some companies, you may need to pay an extra of NZ$23 (US$16) per day if you are under 25 years old. 

• Fuel: The campervans in New Zealand come in normal gas and diesel. Usually, you’ll have to pay NZ$2.12 (US$1.50) per liter of gas. Diesel is a bit cheaper but you’ll probably have to pay an additional road usage charge (below).

• Road Usage Charge: This tax is paid for the upkeep of New Zealand’s public roads and most petrol drivers pay automatically when they fill up at the petrol station. However, drivers of diesel vehicles and heavy vehicles contribute by paying this fee which is between NZ$60 – 70 (US$42 – $46) per 1000km (621 miles) traveled 

• Toll roads: New Zealand has 3 toll roads (a road tax that you have to pay for driving on the road), All 3 are located in the North Island (the Northern Gateway Toll Road north of Auckland NZ$2.40 (US$1.65), the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road NZ$2.10 (US$1.45), and the Takitimu Drive Toll Road NZ$1.90 (US$1.30). 
  In NZ, tolls are electronic and you will be charged automatically. Some campervan companies simply add the money to your account (which you can pay when returning the van) some don’t do this so you’ll have to pay it yourself. You can find more information on this website

• Ferry crossings: As you probably know by now New Zealand is made up of 2 mainlands and if you want to visit both you’ll have to take a ferry, and of course pay a fee that starts from NZ$290 – $350 (US$200 – $240) (and it will vary depending on how big the van is). Remember to book your tickets in advance for the crossing. 

• Campground costs: Campsites usually cost around NZ$15 – $20 (US$10 – $15) per person, per night.

In NZ, tolls are electronic and you will be charged automatically. Some campervan companies simply add the money to your account (which you can pay when returning the van) some don’t do this so you’ll have to pay it yourself. You can find more information on this website

• Ferry crossings: As you probably know by now New Zealand is made up of 2 mainlands and if you want to visit both you’ll have to take a ferry, and of course pay a fee that starts from NZ$290 – $350 (US$200 – $240) (and it will vary depending on how big the van is). Remember to book your tickets in advance for the crossing. 

• Campground costs: Campsites usually cost around NZ$15 – $20 (US$10 – $15) per person, per night. 

8. Which campervan rental company should you choose? 

Finally, the big question, which campervan company should you use!! Now that you’ve had time to consider all of my previous points, you hopefully have a pretty good idea of what type of van you want to hire. 

Travellers Autobarn is one of the best campervan rental companies that offer a wide range of campervans, for all budgets with no hidden fees (as you can see, that’s pretty important)! They have 4 locations in New Zealand, Auckland (not too far from the Auckland airport), Christchurch, Hamilton, and Queenstown. And they also have branches in the US and in Australia as well which is great because you know what to expect if you want to travel by campervan in other locations!

Here are some of the many benefits I particularly like about this company:

• Free unlimited kilometers on your campervan rental 
• 10% discount on premium campgrounds
•  24/7 roadside assistance
• Book your campervan for a future road trip without having to pay the deposit until closer to your pick-up date
• No young driver fee for campervan hire 
• Reasonable prices

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New Zealand campervan rental companies

As promised, here is my thoroughly researched comparison table of some popular campervan rental companies in New Zealand to help you decide which is best for you:

	Price	Age limit	Young Driver Surcharge?	Km limit	Self Contained Options	Road Side Assistance	Locations
Escape Rentals	💲	18+	None	Unlimited	✅	✅	Auckland Christchurch
Mad Campers	💲	18+	None	Unlimited	✅	✅	Christchurch Auckland
Travellers AutoBarn	💲💲	18+	None	Unlimited	✅	✅	Auckland Christchurch Hamilton Queenstown
Britz	💲💲💲	21+	None	Unlimitedon 2WD only	✅	✅	Auckland Wellington Christchurch Queenstown
Maui Rentals	💲💲💲	21+	None	Unlimitedon 2WD only	✅	✅	Auckland Christchuch Queenstown

9. Campervan relocation deals 

This is probably my favorite part about campervan rentals! For those of you who aren’t familiar with the concept, these deals offer you the chance to rent campervans for as little as I’m talking $1 a day!

As many people drive from one end of the country to the other, often campervans will need to be moved back to their original pickup destination on the other side of the country. It’s definitely cheaper for companies to “hire” travelers to do this and it’s definitely a win, win for both parties, as tourists end up saving some money. 

Of course, there is always a catch, however. Generally, you will be given a specific pick-up and drop-off destination as well as limited kilometers and a time restriction (number of days) in which you must arrive in addition to having to pay a bond. You should also keep in mind that these types of deals are better for a one-way trip (unless you can organize two different relocation deals)! 

To find these amazing deals, campervan companies usually have a section dedicated to relocation deals on their websites. It’s always a good idea to go through all the companies to see what is on offer for your dates. You can also look on websites like Transfercar. 

PROS:	CONS:
– Super cheap rentals ($1 per day) – Some rental companies may offer some free stuff (insurance, tank of fuel) – You may be able to use the van for a few extra days and pay the normal rate – You’ll save A LOT of money	– Limited km that you can drive (no detours) – A limited number of days to drive for free (24h to 6 days) – You still pay additional costs like fuel & ferries – Companies won’t pay for your return transport (for example: from the North Island to South Island) – Limited locations: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown – Availability of cars may depend on the season

10. Road and driving conditions in NZ

If you’ve never been to New Zealand then the roads may look a bit different from the ones back at home! There are for sure much narrower and cover lots of hilly terrains! That being said, the roads themselves are in pretty good shape so you don’t have to worry too much about that. 

Here are some travel tips to know about roads and driving in New Zealand:

• Drive on the left side of the road
• Don’t underestimate traveling time (hills and corners take more time than straight roads)
• Be prepared for super narrow roads – especially in the mountains
• Most roads are 2-way (1 lane in each direction)
• There are few motorways
• Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt
• Not all railway crossings have active warnings – pay attention and look before you cross

If you’re coming from Australia then you’ll notice that the road rules are pretty similar to those at home. However, you may sometimes underestimate the traveling time in New Zealand and how long it can take you to reach a destination. This usually happens in the countryside, where the roads are much narrower and steeper than the rest. Meaning that you’ll have to drive slower, to be safe. 

11. Renting in Winter – yes it gets cold here!

Often people forget that countries in the southern hemisphere also get cold. You should be prepared for this and knowing from the beginning will help you decide what type of campervan you need to enjoy a snowy winter on the road in New Zealand. 

Here are some tips and things to consider if traveling during the winter (June-September):

• Temperatures are cold (down to -10 degrees Celsius (14 F) in the South Island and below 0 degrees (32 F) in the North Island)
• Get a van with a heater you can use off-grid (not an electric heater as those are too powerful for your vans setup)
• Think about how much time you may end up spending inside the van. If there is a chance you will be rained in a lot, it is very nice to be able to stand up and have more space inside 
• Cooking inside is also important in winter. Some of the smaller vans have outdoor kitchens which would be a nightmare in the rain, cold, or snow
• Alternatively, you could also choose to stay at holiday parks with other indoor spaces you can use to escape the road
• Before renting a campervan, ask the rental company if your van of choice is capable of driving steep, narrow and snowy roads in winter conditions, or if you may be limited by its capacity. 

Snow Chains

There are some routes in New Zealand where the law requires you to carry snow chains (like Milford Sound in the South Island). There will be road signs to warn you and designated areas where you can stop to fit your snow chains to your vehicle. 

It’s not mandatory for all roads but it’s highly recommended to carry them wherever you go during wintertime. 

Especially if you’re traveling on some of the high mountain roads in the South Island and the Desert Road (part of the State Highway 1) in the Northern Island, which can close during winter. 

You can find more information about road closures and conditions on Journey Planner, where you can plan your trip in the safest way! 

12. Is campervan rental worth it? 

Now that we’ve talked about all the things that you need to consider when renting a van, let’s move on to other things and figure out if it is worth it to rent a campervan?

I personally think campervan rental is for sure worth it just because of all the freedom to explore you gain by being able to sleep anywhere. Even though there are many details that you have to learn, especially when coming from overseas, once you get a hang of them, it won’t seem so hard! 

But if you’re still not convinced, below you’ll see I have crunched the numbers for you to help you make a finite decision. 

These calculations include all the costs involved in a 10-day road trip around the whole of New Zealand in the low season (June to Aug), covering around 2000km (1250miles) in NZD. 

I’ve also calculated the average price per day to help you have an idea of how much money you’ll spend during the trip and will give you the total in USD at the end.

• Campervan/camp-car rental ≈ NZ$290
• Vehicle insurance ≈ NZ$320 
• Road Usage Charge ≈ NZ$60 x 2 = NZ$120
• Fuel costs: (2000km / 9 km (1L) = 222L x $2.12 ): ≈ NZ$470
• 3 x road tolls ≈ NZ$2.40 + $2.10 + $1.90 = NZ$6.40
• Ferry between the North Island and South Island ≈ NZ$290 (one-way trip)
• Camp Ground costs ≈ NZ$150

CALCULATION:  $290 + $320 + $120 + $470 + $6.40 + $290 + $150 = NZ$1646.40 (US$1127.50)

TOTAL AVERAGE CAMPERVAN COSTS: from NZ$165 (US$113) per day

And if you want to calculate the fuel for your own trip, I’ve found this really cool app that will do the job for you! 

So, is van life cheaper than staying in hotels or hostels? 

Van life seems like a dream come true for many of us! But is it cheaper than staying in hotels or hostels? I’ve taken away all the extra fees as they will be pretty similar between the two options. 

Below you’ll find a comparison between hotels or hostels with regular car rental vs campervan rental:

Average midrange hotel costs: NZ$230 (US$160) per night
Average hostel costs: NZ$40 (US$30) per night
Normal car rental: NZ$80 (US$55) per day
Hotel + car rental average price per day: $230 + 55 = NZ$285 (US$195)
Hostel + car rental average price per day: $40 + $55 = NZ$95 (US$65)

YES! Since small campervans can be as cheap as NZ$40 per day, van life can be cheaper than staying in hotels or hostels while renting a normal car. However, costs vary greatly throughout the year so it is always worth doing your own calculations.

🚙 Car Campers avg. cost:	NZ$50
💰 Campervans avg. cost:	NZ$100
💸 Motorhomes avg. cost:	NZ$200
⛽ Avg. cost of fuel:	NZ$2.12 per L
☀️ Best time of year:	November – April
🔞 Minimum age to rent:	18 years old
🏕️ Campground costs:	NZ$15 per night
📅 Minimum rental period:	5 – 10 days

FAQs about campervans in New Zealand 

Conclusion

You deserve an award if you’ve made it up to the conclusion! I know this post about renting a campervan in New Zealand was super well-detailed but as you’ve just seen, there are so many things to consider!

I hope the post brought you some clarity about which steps you need to follow when preparing for an epic road trip with your campervan around New Zealand! There are many things to think about but if you take it one day at a time, and make a to-do list with all the things that you need, everything will seem so much easier!

It really is the adventure of a lifetime to do this and I hope that the post and the travel tips inspired you to take this chance and start yours!

If you have any other questions (considering the length of this post, I bet you have some) leave me a comment below and I’ll make sure to answer it ASAP!

Safe travels,

Victoria 

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