Renting A Campervan In New Zealand

New Zealand isn’t just a great place to go camper-vanning, it’s THE place. Seriously, if there’s one place in the world made for an epic road trip, then Kiwi Land is IT! 

Take it from me, after calling this incredible place home for over a year, and many many miles of road-tripping under my belt, there is literally nowhere else like it on the planet! 

But the catch with New Zealand is that public transport will only get you so far. To truly experience all that this jaw-droppingly beautiful country has to offer, you’ll need your own wheels.

From the subtropical beaches and Mars-like volcanos of the North Island to the dramatic fiords and towering peaks of the South… this is peak van life. 

With its compact size, range of camping (from freedom to family-friendly holiday parks) and huge variety of things to do and see, renting a campervan in New Zealand is not just the perfect way to travel, but it’s accessible to everyone.

Whether you’re rolling in style in a luxury RV or roughing it in a budget-friendly camp car, there’s an option for every traveller.

In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about renting a campervan in New Zealand including costs, available options, and insider tips to make your trip smooth sailing.

Let’s go hard! How to rent a campervan in New Zealand, smashed it, mate!

off-the-beaten-track gems, on your own schedule. It’s easy to plan out a route and itinerary to suit your interests, budget and timescale. 

However, it can feel like a daunting prospect to go through all that is needed both legally and for your particular trip. In order to make the process easier I will break it down for you.

Pros to Renting a campervan in New Zealand

• It’s difficult to travel around the country without your own transport as public transport isn’t as extensive as in other countries. 
• You have the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want.
• You save on expensive accommodation.
• Mechanical and breakdown issues are often covered by your rental company, something which isn’t if you buy your own. 
• You don’t have to spend time searching for a reliable vehicle to buy.
• You don’t have to worry about selling it at the end of your trip.

Cons to Renting a Campervan in New Zealand

• It can be more expensive than buying a campervan in New Zealand over longer trips such as working holiday visas. 
• Limited KM with some companies
• Some companies don’t allow those under a certain age to rent from them
• You’ll often have to pay for nice campsites and they can be expensive for powered sites.

Choosing a Camper: Size Does Matter!

First things first before you hire a campervan in New Zealand, what size of camper do you want? 

There is more to consider than just the affordability of campervan hire in New Zealand. You’ll need to consider what type of amenities and features you want inside your camper. Also, remember that you’ll have to drive it on what can be some pretty tricky roads! 

Of course, larger campers offer more comfortable surroundings with the ability to take a shower, cook inside and relax without having to rearrange everything each night. But these also cost a pretty penny and parking can be a nightmare if you’re not adept at manoeuvring larger vehicles. 

And, whilst you can freedom camp in pretty much any self-contained vehicle, you’ll of course find putting up with the lack of on-the-ground facilities easier if you’ve got a decked-out RV!

Let’s take a look at the different options available when it comes to hiring a campervan in New Zealand:

How much to hire a campervan in NZ? Let’s check it out!

Size Of Camper	Average Cost	Pros	Cons
Camp Car (1 to 2 people)	$49 per day + $35 – $105 per day + $45	Small and easy to park. Cheapest option.	Can’t be powered. Cramped and minimal facilities.
Campervan (1 to 4 people)	$119 per day + $45 – $150 per day + $55	Some can be powered. Many you can stand inside and have better kitchens.	The cheapers ones don’t have many more facilities than camp cars.
Motorhome/ RV (up to 6 people)	$444 per day + $65 – $510 per day + $70	Massive amounts of space, internal kitchen and bathroom.	Hard to park and are mega expensive.

Now we’ve covered the cost of renting a campervan in New Zealand I will add a little bit of information for each option.

Camp Car (1 to 2 people)

The humble camp car is the domain of your classic Kiwi backpacker and you’ll usually find a trusty “Estima” does the job nicely. These converted people carriers can be a bit on the cramped side, but they’re super compact, easy to park and drive well. 

If you’re a backpacker and you’re looking to hire a campervan in New Zealand, you’ll probably end up with one of these bad boys!

Most come with the ability to convert your sleeping area into a table and chairs as well as having a mini kitchen in the boot. In order to be self-contained you’ll also find they have a small chemical toilet that in reality, isn’t practical to use! 

These bad boys are a rite of passage for any backpacker renting a camper in New Zealand and for the young and nimble, they do the job well. They’re also the cheapest option if you’re looking for something specifically kitted out and self-contained. 

We used ours for everything from road-tripping around the country to overnight trips like heading from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo for the day. If you’re looking for cheap campervan hire in NZ, then a camp car is the one for you!

Approx Camp Car Rental Price Per Day –

• Travellers autobahn: $49 per day + $35 per day for protection plus
• Jucy: $105 per day + $45 per day premium cover

Campervan (1 to 4 people)

The next step up from the camp car is a fully fledged campervan. When it comes to hiring a campervan in NZ, these are probably the sweet spot.

Now these aren’t all created equally either, there’s kinda sub-categories. There are those that are unpowered and pretty much just a more boxy and spacious version of a camp car (think, Wicked Vans). Then you get those which allow you to stand up, cook inside and hook up to power at a campsite (think, classic Jucy camper). 

The great thing is that within this category you still have heaps of room to choose exactly what you’re after and what you can afford when it comes to renting a campervan in New Zealand.

If you can stretch to a powered camper you’ll really feel the difference in terms of experience where you’ll find it easier charging devices, running the AC and feeling like you can chill out in your van more easily in the evening. 

Plus, most of these smaller-end campervans still have a pretty compact footprint and good manoeuvrability. 

Approx Campervan Rental Price Per Day –

• Travellers autobahn -$119 per day + $45 per day protection plus
• Jucy – $150 per day + $55 per day premium cover

Motorhome/ RV (up to 6 people)

If you’re a boomer living your best life during retirement or you’re just ready to splash the cash for a comfortable family vacay, then the RV is the ultimate home on wheels. It’s basically a campervan rental in New Zealand on steroids!

These things again range in offerings. There are the smaller RVs that take things up a notch with a compact but separate bathroom, heaps of storage and a decent-sized kitchenette. Living areas also tend to be much more extensive, meaning they’re great for group trips or for those who want a space away from the bed where they can relax. 

Then you’ve got your full-on motorhomes that offer exactly that, a home on wheels! You’ll have a proper bathroom, kitchen, living area and even multiple bedrooms! With multiple charging points, AC, running water and even a hot shower, you’ll be comfortable wherever you pull up for the night! 

With the extra facilities, however, comes the turning circle of an elephant! These things often take up multiple parking spaces and some car parks even have areas where you must park. Manoeuvring these on cramped campsites and tight roads is a challenge not to be understated if you’re an inexperienced driver. 

Approx Motorhome/ RV Rental Price Per Day –

• Jucy – $444 per day + $65 per day premium cover
• Maui – $510 per day + $70 per day full cover

Essential Info For Self-Contained Campervans

Ok, if you’re planning on renting a campervan in New Zealand, then you’ll need to know about being self-contained because it’s pretty bloody important!

Should I Go Self-Contained?

In a word, yes! Being self-contained opens up a whole world of freedom camping opportunities, and these days, even the ability to stay at many paid campsites. 

Ok, so being “self-contained” is essentially fulfilling a set of arbitrary rules set out by New Zealand which I will go through in a minute. 

For camp cars, there’s a bit of loophole jumping and “technicalities” going on in order to pass, but with larger campervans and RVs, these will be self-contained pretty much by their very nature.

Either way, the short answer when it comes to renting a campervan in New Zealand, is to go self-contained.

New Zealand Self-Contained Campervan Requirements:

• The campervan can contain water for up to 3 days
• At least 12L fresh water tank
• Grey waste water tank: 12L per person for 3 days
• Evacuation hose
• Rubbish bin with lid
• Toilet: fixed or not fixed 
• Self-contained campervans will ALWAYS be more expensive to maintain/rent/buy.
• Ventilation system: Removes odours and prevents harmful gases from entering the vehicle
• Sink: A fixed sink is required with drainage to the water tank

Do you want a “proper” bathroom/toilet in your campervan?

The not-so-glamorous side of van life is the call of nature. It happens to us all! 

One of the biggest considerations you need to bear in mind when you rent a campervan in New Zealand and pick your campsites is where you’re gonna erm, ya know, do your business! 

Whilst self-contained certification requires you to have an onboard toilet, the realities of a tiny portable chemical toilet inside a cramped camp car leave a lot to be desired. Let’s just say, ours never got used! That doesn’t mean we didn’t free camp, we just made sure it was within walking distance of public toilets that stayed open all night!

For those heading right out into the bush, you’ll need to be comfortable “going” on board! Remember, going to the toilet in the bush in New Zealand is illegal.

What Is Freedom Camping?

Enshrined in New Zealand law is the ability to basically camp freely anywhere. 

Now, in reality, local councils have the power to enforce their own freedom camping rules and with the rise of camping tourism, they do and often strictly (think, big ass fines!)

The first time I went road-tripping across New Zealand in 2019, there were plenty more free camps where non-self-contained vehicles were accepted… which was a good job because all we did was throw a mattress in the back of our station wagon! These days I think we’d struggle with anything other than day trips from Christchurch or staying in motels.

Those days though are pretty much gone. Sure, in many places outside of towns and cities, it’s technically legal to park and sleep in laybys at the side of the road, but it’s also easy to fall foul of local bylaws. Be sure to bear this in mind when considering renting a campervan in New Zealand.

Downloading apps like Campermate allows you to seek out freedom camps in each area you visit and being self-contained unlocks a whole world of amazing free camping opportunities. These don’t just save you money, but in some places they allow you to stay in much more off-the-beaten-track and remote locations.

Things to be aware of when freedom camping

• Make sure your self-contained certification is displayed on the windscreen of your New Zealand campervan rental.
• Check signage on the area you intend to camp and make sure you follow it exactly. For example, parking in the designated spaces and only staying within the hours permitted. 
• Some free camps have toilets nearby (council or parkland carparks for example), but many don’t. Be aware of this and consider your onboard facilities before parking up for the night. 
• Most free camps have no area to clean your pots and pans, this should be done using your own onboard sink and grey water needs to be taken with you. 
• Rubbish also will more than likely have to be taken with you. 
• You should find proper dump stations for your grey water and toilet waste. These can be found on many paid campsites or designated dump stations in many towns.

Choose the Best Season For Renting A Campervan

Picking the right season to rent a campervan in New Zealand could make or break your trip. Each season has its pros and cons, which I will run down here.

High season – December to February (Summer)

Pros –

• Much better weather with more sun and less rain. 
• Many more activities and hikes are open or at least much more pleasant to experience. 
• Road tripping in the summer is pure vibes let’s be honest.

Cons –

• More expensive for campervan rentals in NZ and you must book far in advance to get the camper you want.
• Much more crowded and can be difficult to find campsites last minute so often you need to at least ring ahead before arriving. 
• Free camps can get full up early in the day

Low season – June to August (Winter)

Pros –

• Prices for campervan rental in NZ are at their cheapest and it’s much easier to get deals or last-minute bookings. 
• Campsites will generally be cheaper and many free camps will have plenty of spaces. 
• Those travelling for snow sports will be in their element.

Cons –

• Some campsites close for the winter season. 
• New Zealand can get very cold so make sure to bring extra blankets, and maybe a heater. (Be aware that you can’t run a heater off of a second battery, you will need to be plugged in at a powered site). 
• Some activities will be closed over the winter and many hikes turn from challenging walks to full-on alpine climbs for more experienced mountaineers.

Where To Rent A Campervan in New Zealand

There are several different campervan rental companies to choose from when it comes to the best campervan rental in New Zealand. Each one offers slightly different vehicles, prices, and conditions. 

Be sure to do in-depth research on each different company and weigh up their different pricing structures, limits, conditions and options available. 

Bear in mind some companies might charge more for those younger than 21, or not allow them to rent a vehicle at all.

Many companies also charge extra fees for dropping off in a different location. Plus, each one has their own insurance and downpayment/ deposit conditions.

Be sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for and the fees and conditions attached so you don’t get any unwanted surprises. 

When it comes to the best campervan hire in NZ the place to go is Travel Cars NZ. This smaller locally owned company is based in Auckland and gives you the personal touch when it comes to backpacker can rentals in New Zealand.

Luis the owner is a super friendly guy with heaps of experience road-tripping all over New Zealand, so you know he’s been exactly where you are! When it comes to renting a campervan in New Zealand, you can’t go wrong here.

If you do decide to go with Travel Cars NZ, be sure to mention THE ROAMING RENEGADES sent you and we’ll shout you $100 off your booking!

Find The Perfect Campervan For Your Budget

Search across all available campervan sizes, companies and prices to find the one perfect for your trip.

Other Costs You Should Consider Before Renting a Campervan in New Zealand

Ok, so calm down there young hobbit, before you head off on your adventure, there are a few other things you need to be aware of when it comes to camper van rentals in New Zealand.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Locations

Generally speaking, it’s going to cost you extra to drop the campervan off in a different location from where you picked it up as the company will need to relocate it afterwards. This is usually between $50 – $350 whichever company you go with.

For most people, this cost is negligible when it comes to the potential cost of getting back to where they started. But bear this in mind when you do plan your itinerary and factor it into the price of renting a campervan in New Zealand.

With this in mind, also note that rentals are most widely available in locations such as Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington, with the first two being the most practical and affordable.

Fuel/ Fuel tax and Gas Bottle Refill

Fuel Levels – You’ll need to return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel as when you picked it up. This is usually full, but take a photo just in case. 

Gas Bottles – For larger rentals using gas bottles, these also need to be refilled or replaced before returning the camper. 

Fuel Tax – Diesel vans require Road User Charges (RUC). For most rentals your rental company will organise this for you and they either factor RUC into the daily hire rate or charge it separately based on distance travelled (in KMs). You’ll need to check which way your chosen company charges this and factor it into your budget.

For more details, visit the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).

Fuel Costs – Fuel can be expensive in New Zealand, especially compared to Australia. Though it’s still significantly cheaper than in the UK!! Shopping at places like Pack ‘n’ Safe or New World often results in a voucher for a few cents per litre off if you spend over a certain amount.

Keep it Clean

Make sure to return your campervan rental back in a clean condition, otherwise cleaning fees can be deducted. Remember, this means cleaning inside and out as well as emptying grey water, toilets and bins. It’s something a lot of people overlook when renting a campervan in New Zealand.

Limits on Kilometers

Some companies limit the number of Kilometers you can travel per day. Be sure to check the fine print in your agreement and plan out your route and itinerary accordingly. Otherwise, budget for the additional charges.

Ferry Costs Between the Islands

If you are planning to travel through both Islands then check the ferry prices and make sure to book in advance as they regularly sell out early. It’s also quite expensive and if you have to drop the camper back off in the same location then you will need to pay for 2 ferry crossings.

Taking the ferry between the North and South Islands with a campervan, car or RV can be expensive. 

Make sure to check the ferry prices well in advance of your trip and book your crossing in good time to avoid getting stuck. 

Bear in mind the cost of relocation fees vs how much you’ll pay returning on the ferry as well as the difference in flight prices from different airports when planning your trip. 

We found the place to book with the best prices and availability was with Direct Ferries. They offered prices well below those of booking direct with each company and also gave us better crossing times when we left it a little late.

Toll Road Charges

New Zealand has a small number of toll roads on the North Island, mostly north of Auckland and around the airport. These are pretty cheap and can be paid online, but sometimes it’s an unnecessary hassle when you’re renting a campervan in New Zealand.

Using the “avoid toll roads” on Google Maps is an easy way to avoid them and it often doesn’t add on too much time.

Insurance

I know this feeling all too well. You find the right vehicle for a killer price and you’re all set to book. Then you add on the insurance and the deposit and all of a sudden it’s twice or three times the amount that is going to be coming out of your account! Nightmare!

Be sure to factor in the daily rate for insurance when you budget for your rental in New Zealand. This can either be done via the company themselves or via a third party. 

Often you have the option to pay a smaller daily rate with a massive excess to be paid in the event of an accident, or you pay more each day for a more affordable deductible. Consider this quite a large factor when it comes to the affordability of renting a campervan in New Zealand.

The large excess can often be mitigated by taking out a separate insurance policy to cover this through companies like RentalCover.com or sometimes your travel insurance might cover it, so be sure to double-check.

Travel Insurance For Travel In New Zealand

Whilst New Zealand is a super safe country to travel to, it’s always best to have good quality travel insurance before you set off. 

But as backpackers and long-term travellers, this can be challenging. So we use the monthly rolling plans offered by SafetyWing, which can be purchased even once you leave home.

Just be aware, this isn’t insurance for your van or specific to vanlifing. This is travel insurance for your backpacking trip.

Rental Bond

Often a valid credit card is required in order to either take a rental bond or pre-authorise a certain amount in the event of damage to the vehicle. When researching campers in New Zealand for hire, check their policies out before putting your deposit down.

Having said this, we’ve gotten around this in two ways:

Some companies allow someone else to act as a guarantor and sign a form to say you can use their credit card. So for example, we did this with my Mum’s card with Travellers Autobahn. Others will often accept your card if it’s a MasterCard despite it actually being a debit card. 

Some companies also require an upfront deposit which will be refunded upon you returning the rental in the same condition it was when you left. Whilst you get this money back, it can leave a dint in your day-to-day funds if you don’t factor it into your budget for renting a campervan in New Zealand.

Again, factor these costs in when budgeting for your New Zealand camper hire and the extra paperwork if required.

Some companies will charge extra for things like bedding, linen, camp chairs, tables and kitchenware. 

Be sure you know exactly what will be included in your rental and what you’ll need to source yourself. Also, remember to factor in these fees to your budget.

Estimated Cost Breakdown For Renting a Campervan in New Zealand

I’ve put together a table here with estimated cost breakdowns for everything else besides the actual rental and insurance costs themselves.

Category	Budget ($NZD/day)	Mid-Range ($NZD/day)	High-End ($NZD/day)	Notes
Fuel	$30–50	$50–80	$80+	Depends on distance traveled, fuel efficiency ($2.50–$3/L), and road conditions.
Food And Drinks	$20–30	$40–70	$100+	Groceries for cooking vs. eating out. Supermarkets such as Pak’nSave and Countdown are cheaper.
Campsites	$0–20	$20–50	$80+	Freedom camping is free but limited. Paid campsites range from basic DOC sites ($15) to full-service holiday parks ($50-60+).
Activities	$0–30	$50–100	$150+	Free hikes, beaches, etc., vs. paid experiences (e.g., bungee jumping, Hobbiton, boat tours).
Miscellaneous	$5–10	$10–20	$30+	Showers, laundry, SIM card, parking, WiFi, unexpected costs.
Total (per day)	$55–140	$170–320	$440+	Highly variable based on personal travel style.

Travel Tips For New Zealand Road Trips In A Campervan

• There are very few motorways/ freeways in New Zealand and the ones they do have are often just two lanes. 

• Many rural roads, particularly in mountainous regions, can be challenging to drive on. They can be narrow, steep, winding and with big drops!

• Always drive on the left-hand side in New Zealand and make sure to give way to your right at roundabouts. 

• Be sure to stick to speed limits and speed recommendations on corners (which are in kilometres per hour). 

• Keep an eye out for one-lane bridges and always give way when the sign directs you to. 

• Be careful when driving on gravel roads as they can be unpredictable and cause damage to paintwork. 

• Some distances might not seem so far on the map but due to the remote winding roads, they can often take longer than you think. Plus you might want to stop and take in the views along the way. Plan accordingly.

• Mountainous roads are pretty much everywhere and can take you by surprise. An example is the road between Picton and Nelson, it doesn’t look on the map like it would have the elevation it does!

• Most driver’s licences from English-speaking countries (like the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia) are all good to go. 

• However, you might need to get your licence translated if you’re from a non-English speaking country. This must be done by a Transport agency-authorised translator. This includes an international licence done back home, or you can visit your embassy in Wellington or some rental companies also provide this service for a fee. 

• Many attractions in New Zealand should be booked/ organised in advance, especially in high season, including things like Hobbiton, Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Milford Sound cruises.

Always Do a Pre-rental Inspection

With any vehicle rental, always be sure to do a pre-rental inspection. This includes going around the campervan and checking for any marks, chips, dents or damage. Also, be sure to check tyre conditions and fluid levels.  

These should be noted down and photographed by both you and the rental company. This protects both parties from the expenses of any damages that might occur or were already there before renting.

This is an essential part of renting a campervan in New Zealand if you want to avoid nasty surprises.

Stay Connected In New Zealand

Whilst travelling in New Zealand it’s important to have data in order to use apps like Google Maps, Campermate and Whatsapp. 

Plus, you can keep your Insta updated, book attractions, keep in contact with family back home and entertain yourselves on an evening on the campsite…. Because believe me, decent Wifi is few and far between!

We never travel without sorting out an eSim before we arrive.

This way we can be connected before we’ve even got off the plane. eSims are mega easy to use, cheaper than a regular sim and they allow you to keep your normal sim installed whilst using data in New Zealand or anywhere else you choose to buy one for.

Final Thoughts on Renting A Campervan in New Zealand

Alright then folks, we got there! Now it’s time for the adventure of a lifetime renting a campervan in New Zealand. 

Hopefully, I’ve given you enough information so it makes the whole process a bit less stressful so you can get onto planning out all the fun adventures you’re gonna have down at the bottom of the world! 

Honestly, you’re gonna love it here! New Zealand in a campervan is a bloody worldy of a trip.

If you’re still wondering “Should I rent a campervan in New Zealand?” Then seriously, shout me a message or comment on this post if you have any further questions.

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