Is Renting a Campervan in New Zealand worth it? – My Honest Advice

If you’re considering renting a campervan in New Zealand, my biggest piece of advice would be – do it!

Road-tripping around the country in a campervan is an incredible experience, although there are some drawbacks to be aware of. So, after living in New Zealand for years and enjoying tons of amazing road trips all over the country, I’m here to help you decide if renting a campervan is worth it for you! 

As well as the pros and cons of van life, I’ll share my top tips for making your trip as enjoyable as possible. I’ve also got plenty of info on the best rental companies available, and the different types of campervans so that you can choose the right one. Let’s get into it! 

EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: You can save money by using this special discount code that will get you 5% off if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!

Pros of renting a campervan in New Zealand 

Explore at your own pace

My favorite thing about renting a campervan in New Zealand is its freedom! I love being able to get off the beaten path and move at my own pace as I travel around the country. Having your own wheels also means that you won’t be constrained to bus routes, or reliant on other transportation options to get around. It’s all in your hands! 

Freedom camping

If you rent a campervan that’s self-contained certified, then you’ll be able to camp almost anywhere you want! Take it from me, this will allow you to explore some truly amazing places. If you’re an outdoors enthusiast like me, then I definitely recommend renting a campervan. New Zealand’s landscape will blow you away, and there is nothing like waking up and being surrounded by nothing but natural beauty.

Be sure to check out my guide to freedom camping before you go for information on where you can camp and more.

It helps you save money

Renting a campervan can be a great money saver while traveling around New Zealand because it means that you don’t need to pay for a hotel every night. It’s transport and accommodation, so you get two for the price of one! Plus, you’ll be able to buy groceries and cook in your campervan, which is significantly cheaper than eating out.

The companies provide a lot

If you’re traveling to New Zealand from overseas, then you probably don’t want to bring all of your camping gear with you! Fortunately, most rental companies will provide everything you need for your road trip so you don’t have to worry. Usually, campervan rental will include cooking supplies, pillows, bedding, and camping chairs. They provide roadside assistance, too, so there’s no need to organize this separately. 

I have discount codes! 

Renting a campervan is already a great way to save money when traveling around New Zealand, but allow me to make it even cheaper for you! I’ve got discount codes to save you 5% when renting with both JUCY and Star RV. After you select your JUCY campervan or Star RV motorhome, just enter the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to apply the discount. 

Check out JUCY’s campervan inventory here or Star RV’s motorhome selection here to save 5% on your rental!

Cons of renting a campervan in New Zealand

It can be expensive 

While renting a campervan can definitely save you money on eating out and hotels, it’s still not exactly cheap. The costs can quickly add up, especially once you factor in insurance, fuel, and campsite fees. You also might need to pay one-way fees and for additional drivers. 

Space can be limited 

Probably one of the most difficult aspects of van life is the lack of space! Campervans don’t tend to have tons of storage, so you might need to be strategic with what you pack. This not only goes for stuff like clothing, but also for food that needs to be kept in the fridge. Most vehicles have pretty small fridges, which often requires planning ahead, especially if you’re going to be in a remote area for a few days. If you’re concerned about space, consider renting a motorhome instead (more on this below!)

The upkeep can be annoying

Having a self-contained campervan with a toilet (and maybe even a shower) can be great. However, it does mean that you’ll need to figure out where to dump your greywater and refill your fresh water. This can take time out of your day and is just a general hassle. To be honest, I tend to get around this by using the toilet in the van as little as possible so that I don’t have to deal with cleaning it. 

Campervans can be big and are not off-road capable 

Smaller campervans are pretty easy to drive and navigate, but if you’re looking for a more luxurious option that’s more spacious and comfortable, then do be aware that vehicles this big can be pretty awkward to drive if you’re not used to it. And this is especially true on New Zealand’s narrow and windy roads – that weight really does make a difference! 

On top of this, most campervans aren’t 4WD. There are 4WD options available, but this means you’ll be in a much smaller campervan. If you want a bigger one, you’ll need to be mindful of where you go. Often, rental companies won’t allow you to drive your campervan on unsealed roads. 

Related Read: Where are you going once you get your campervan? Check out my 5 favorite road trips on the South Island here for some travel inspiration!

What are the types of campervans in New Zealand

Campcar (1 to 2 people)

A camp car is the smallest type of campervan available, which also means that they’re the most affordable and the easiest to drive. It’s basically a minivan with a fold-out bed and kitchen equipment. Camp cars don’t usually have portable toilets and they never have showers! This means that you can’t go freedom camping with a camp car, but they’re a fantastic option if you’re mostly going to be staying at holiday parks. 

JUCY is my top choice for camp car rental! Their 2-berth crib is automatic, so it’s super easy to drive, and if you use code DTRAVEL25 at checkout, you can save 5%, which makes it even cheaper! 

Campervan (1 to 4 people) 

Campervans are the Goldilocks option. They’re still pretty driveable, but I definitely appreciate the extra space that comes with a campervan, so I think they’re ideal for a longer trip. There tends to be quite a lot of variety with campervans, as they can range from pretty basic options to luxurious ones with a toilet and shower. 

Many campervans are self-contained, which gives you the option to freedom camp. If this is something you’d like to do, I recommend checking out JUCY – all of their campervans are self-contained certified!

You can read my full review on JUCY campervans here for more information on their campervan selections and available discounts!

Motorhome (up to 6 people)

Motorhomes are by far the most luxurious and liveable option. A motorhome is a great option if you’re going to be spending a while on the road and want to do a lot of freedom camping, as they come with proper bathrooms. If comfort outweighs budget on your list of concerns, then I would definitely suggest a motorhome.

Star RV has some of the most budget-friendly motorhomes out there (with no sneaky hidden costs). They’re spacious, but a bit more modest than other options, which means they’re easier to drive and easier on your wallet. We recently traveled for 3 weeks around the South Island in the smaller Polaris 2 model and had such an amazing trip. You can read my full review of Star RV here!

Or if you want to compare motorhome companies before you book, you can read my blog on the top 5 motorhome rental companies in New Zealand – there’s a lot to consider!

What are the best campervan companies?

JUCY 

JUCY is behind those bright green campervans that you see everywhere in New Zealand, and on social media. If you haven’t spotted one yet, I guarantee you’ll start seeing them everywhere now! 

JUCY is a popular campervan rental company because they’re an affordable and reliable choice. They’ve got pickup and drop-off locations all over the country, so they’re a convenient choice, and their vans are all automatic so they’re easy to drive. And as they’re a bigger company, they’ve got tons of choice, from camp cars to full-on motorhomes. I’ve also found that they offer fantastic customer service, so they’re definitely my top choice for campervan rentals. 

Star RV 

I’ve rented motorhomes with Star RV several times now. They’re my go-to when I’m taking a longer trips and want more of a home on wheels! The company is owned by JUCY, and they’re very similar in lots of ways. They’ve got lots of locations, great customer service, competitive prices, and reliable, well-maintained motorhomes. 

The RV’s can fit between 2 to 6 people depending on the model, making them a convientent option for both couples and larger families. What I love most is that they offer the space and comfort of motorhomes, but have more of a compact style, making them easy to drive and park. It’s truly the best of both worlds!

We have a discount code for Star RV! You can browse their availability here and then enter our exclusive code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to secure 5% off. It’s important to note that no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 16, 2024 to January 19, 2025. But for the entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!

Kiwi Motorhomes 

If you’re looking for a more luxurious motorhome, then Kiwi Motorhomes is the one to go with. I have used them before and loved the motorhome I got, but they are on the pricey side. But with that said, you pay for what you get as their motorhomes offer tons of space, bigger beds, and nice decor. Plus, they include way more inventory items than most other rental companies! 

They’re a small company with friendly service, although this does mean that they don’t have as many pickup and drop-off points as Star RV. They’ve got five locations across the two islands and it’s possible to do a one-way trip, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to craft an epic itinerary.

And since the folks at Kiwi Motorhomes are so nice, they’ve given me a discount code for my readers! You can save 5% on their uber comfy motorhomes with the code DEST5.

Mad Campers

Mad Campers is the ideal choice for solo travelers, as they offer a 1-berth camper. This can help ease the “singles tax” for those traveling alone – I mean, why fork out for a 2-person camper when there’s only one of you? I have actually rented one of these and I thought it was really well-made, even though they’re one of the cheapest companies around!

This company was created for backpackers by backpackers, and it started right here in New Zealand. They also run the “Mad Challenge”, which is a fun 9-item bucket list. If you upload evidence to social media that you ticked off everything on the list, you’ll score 5% off!

Motorhome Republic

Motorhome Republic isn’t actually a rental company, it’s more like Booking.com for campervans! This site is a fantastic way to compare different rental companies and vehicle types, and I have successfully used it to shop around and save money numerous times. They also allow you to filter your search, which makes life much easier if you have specific requirements. 

Browse all the options and book your perfect campervan on Motorhome Republic here!

How far in advance do I need to book a campervan? 

As far out as possible! Road-tripping around New Zealand is very popular, especially during the summer months. Larger companies with huge fleets, like JUCY and Star RV, do give you a little more flexibility, but even so, vehicles sell out and prices surge nearer to the date of travel. If you’re planning a road trip during the summer months, I would suggest booking your campervan at least a few months in advance, if not more. 

Related Read: The road trip from Queenstown to Milford Sound is one of my favorites, be sure to add this route and epic stops to your itinerary!

How much does it cost to rent a campervan in New Zealand?

Camp Car – $100 to $200 per day

There’s not a ton of variety when it comes to camp cars, so the price mainly varies according to the time of year. And, as mentioned, you can definitely score better rates by booking well in advance, and using my discount codes! 

Campervan – $200 to $450 per day

There’s much more price variation when it comes to campervans, as some can be pretty large and luxurious, whilst others are more affordable and compact. And of course, seasonality plays a part, too. It’s also worth noting that there are often surcharges of $100 NZD or more for picking up or dropping off your campervan on public holidays. This is annoying but can be unavoidable at times because New Zealand has quite a lot of holidays, especially between January and June, and there are regional public holidays to consider as well. 

Motorhome – $350 to $550 per day

Again, motorhome prices vary a lot because there’s a wider range of options. Some motorhomes are so luxurious that you could comfortably live in them full time, but this luxury does come at a price. And on top of that, the time of year does make a big difference as motorhomes are much more in demand during the summer months. I strongly recommend booking your motorhome as early as possible, as this could save you hundreds of dollars over the course of your trip. 

What type of driver’s license is required to rent a campervan in New Zealand? 

All you need is a valid driver’s license or international driver’s license in English! However, if your driver’s license isn’t in English, then you’ll need to get it translated. Then, you’ll need to bring BOTH licenses with you to show the rental company with you to pick up your campervan or motorhome. 

To be valid in New Zealand, translations have to be done by either: 

• A translator who is authorized by the NZ Transport Agency
• A consulate or embassy
• The same organization that authorized your driving license in its country of issue

If this sounds like too much work, then some rental companies do offer a translation service when you pick up your vehicle. This costs around $70 NZD and you’ll need to arrange it with the rental company in advance, but it does minimize the work you need to do before your trip. 

Is renting a campervan in NZ worth it? 

Yes, definitely! There’s a reason campervans book up so early. It’s one of the best experiences ever and I think that everyone should do it at least once. Whether you settle on a camp car or a full-on motorhome, I assure you that you’re in for an epic, bucket-list-worthy experience. 

Thanks for reading!

Exploring New Zealand in a campervan has been one of my favorite memories here. There is simply no better way to experience this stunning country! I love the freedom and flexibility that comes with having your own set of wheels, and you can camp in some unforgettable locations. It’s a true bucket list experience!

I hope you found this blog helpful, and if you need some help figuring out where to go with your campervan, check out my other New Zealand blogs. I’ll leave a few of my favorite places and activities below, and also some travel tips. Happy camping!

North Island VS South Island of New Zealand – Which is Better?

10-Day North Island Itinerary – 3 Tried and Tested Itineraries!

50 BEST Hikes in New Zealand +My Personal Favorites