Cost of campervan hire in New Zealand – Quotes compared

Nothing can match the fun, enjoyment, and lifetime experience offered by a well-planned campervan trip. And this is going to be a cornerstone of my trip when I get there. If you’re ready for the adventure and searching for an affordable campervan rental service, I’ve done the research, and I have something important to tell you!

A rough estimate of campervan hire in New Zealand cost:

• During Peak Season (from December to February): $120 – NZD 420 per day (or $82 – $288)
• During Low Season (from June to August): $30 – NZD 120 per day (or $20 – $82)
• During Mid Seasons (Before and after peak season): Expect to pay moderate rates that are neither over the top nor crazy cheap

Some of the things you pay extra for are insurance, bicycle handles, different drop-off points, and cancellation and re-booking fees.

What does a campervan hire in New Zealand?

Before discussing anything regarding the campervan rental cost, we want to make one thing clear it is not the cheapest thing you can ask for. However, the rental cost isn’t overboard either. We just want you to keep a good chunk of money ready for renting a campervan in New Zealand.

Despite a slightly high rental cost, traveling in a campervan saves a lot of money. This is because you can cook your own food (which is cheaper than eating at fancy restaurants), you can stay for free or for less at campsites (which is cheaper than staying in hotels). These are the reasons that make campervan trips popular and one of the most fun and sought-after ways to travel on vacations.

Now, coming to the main question, how much is it cost to rent a campervan in New Zealand?

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors.

First and foremost, the time at which you’re booking a campervan affects the rental cost significantly. If you’re looking for campervan rentals in the peak season (summer from December to March), the rates will be the highest. On the other hand, if you’re travelling during the off months, you can get a campervan at much cheaper rates. Further, the midseason, which comes before and after the peak season, will offer you moderate rates that are neither too high nor too low.

Small: Sleepervans and Escape Campervan

Usually 2 beds, a small storage area, a small kitchen, and NO toilet.

Generally, the smaller and older models of vans will come at cheap rates but don’t expect them to offer great comfort and modern amenities. Similarly, the latest models with full amenities will come at higher rental prices but will offer the most comfortable experience.

So, this was all about the camper van rental costs in New Zealand. Now, as promised, we are sharing the 10 most important things you should know about camper van rental in NZ.

You would also need to store some pots and pans, so I’ve collected 15 cool ideas on how to store pots and pans safely you are a camper for you here…

11 things to keep in mind while renting a campervan in New Zealand

Traveling with a campervan is one of the most budget-friendly ways of enjoying a trip. Nothing can match the freedom of driving on stunning highways, staying at campsites, and exploring various attractions at a cheaper price. However, there are some things that you should know before planning your campervan trip to New Zealand.

Not everyone has their own RV or campervan and this is the reason renting a van is a common travel method in New Zealand. The country has great places for road-tripping. However, getting a budget-friendly camper van is the main thing on which your entire travelling experience depends. In fact, choosing the right vehicle can be very challenging, especially when you don’t have any previous experience.

With that in mind, we have listed some of the best tips that will help you in selecting the right campervan at an affordable price. So, without any further ado, let’s get started!

1. Season affects the rental rates

As we have already discussed, seasons have a great impact on rental costs. A majority of tourists, as well as locals, prefer planning their campervan trips during summer, which is the peak season in that regard. We understand that lounging out in the summer sun is truly magical, but if you have got a limited budget, then it is not perhaps the best time for you to plan your trip.

We are saying this because the rental rates during summer are almost twice the regular rates. In most cases, you can reduce the rental cost by half if you plan your trip during the mid and off-seasons. And don’t worry, we aren’t asking you to travel in the chilly winters to get low rental rates. You can enjoy your travel during October – November when the weather is pleasant and the rental rates are also affordable.

2. There are age restrictions for drivers

A majority of camper van rental companies in New Zealand offer age restrictions on young drivers, usually for drivers under 25 years of age.

Moreover, if you’re under 21 years old, in most cases you can’t be the driver of the motorhome or RV you’ve rented. But don’t worry, there are many motorhome/campervan/RV rental companies that offer special vehicle rentals for their young customers. This means you can hire camper vans and camper cars if you’re above 18 provided that you’ve excellent driving skills, a valid driver’s license, or an approved International Driving Permit.

3. Learn about the one-way fee

Know that there is always some kind of one-way fee associated with your travel along with a camper van. Be ready to pay the extra charge for travelling from one point to another and then vice-versa. Usually, dropping your rented vehicle in a different location to where you’ve picked it up will incur additional charges which can go as high as $300 in NZ currency. So, always drop your vehicle where you’ve picked it from if you want to save a huge chunk of money from this “one-way” charge.

4. Pay attention to the ferry costs

If you’re a resident of New Zealand, then you must already know that travelling here mostly consists of two main islands. If you want to cover both the points, then know that you have to take your rental camper van on any one of the Cook Strait ferries.

So, the larger your vehicle is, the more expensive your trip is going to be. Hence, a good idea is to learn about the prices in advance and the ways in which you can save on the cost of the Cook Strait Ferry, which is a ferry coming in between the North and South Islands. Further, if you have a limited budget, we suggest exploring one island per trip as it will be cost-effective plus convenient.

5. Consider car relocation to cut off the costs

If you’re travelling from the South Island and finishing your travel on the North Island, then consider looking for a budget-friendly campervan relocation deal. This means, your vehicle base price will be free and you have to pay a much lesser amount. However, getting the best campervan relocation deal is not as easy as it sounds. There are availability issues plus the time constraints like you have a limited time to send the vehicle back to where it was picked from.

But if you can find a suitable deal with matchable constraints, get it right away and save on your budget.

6. New Zealand rental campervans come with a lot of amenities

The good thing about renting a campervan in New Zealand is that most of them come with a lot of inclusions. This means you don’t have to pack too much while having a rented van on your side.

Most vans offer all sorts of essential things including bedding, towels, napkins, pans, pots, cutlery, plates, cups, glasses, and whatnot. Basically, you’ll get everything right there in your van that you need to call it your “Motor HOME”.

We aren’t even kidding, this is what renting a campervan looks like. So, make sure to check out what are all the inclusions your rented vehicle has for you, before starting your final packing. You just need to pack light and personal essentials that you can’t find in any facility.

7. Check the fuel prices in New Zealand

Depending on the place you are from, the fuel prices of New Zealand will either surprise you or fill you with delight. Whatever be the case, it is very important to consider the current fuel rates in the country because this will impact your travelling budget like anything. Generally, the campervans in New Zealand come either in diesel or gas. The price of unleaded fuel in New Zealand is around NZ$2 per litre, meaning a full tank of gas will cost around NZ$90.

On the other hand, diesel is much more cost-effective than gas. You’re likely to pay between NZ$62 to $68 per 1000 kilometers.

Another method is renting an electric camper van with which you don’t have to worry about fuel charges. Also, there are numerous charging stations in New Zealand, so charging the vehicle is not going to be an issue.

8. Don’t fall for super cheap rental rates

This is one of the biggest traps that most inexperienced customers fall for. If you see deals like NZ$15 per day or NZ$20 per day, don’t get attracted to them, consider them too good to be true.

Such kind of cheap deals for campervan rentals in New Zealand is likely to offer the conditions such as smaller/less spacious van, older models, mandatory rental period, strict regulations, fewer inclusions, and hidden charges.

Better safe than sorry, look for the vehicle that may charge a little extra but doesn’t include any additional cost and have a good amount of inclusions.

9. There is a wide range of rental vehicles to choose from

The reason why a greater number of people want to rent campervans in New Zealand is that the country is extremely road trip-friendly. For this reason, you will find plenty of van rental services that offer vehicles of your choice. Depending upon your budget, you can either have luxurious motorhomes with modern amenities or rent a compact well-facilitated minivan.

You can choose any camper van based on your and your travel partners’ preferences. But one thing is for sure, you’ll get the perks like the best driving experience, affordable trip, an unforgettable travelling experience.

Looking at the heaps of van rental options, you can easily get overwhelmed and could end up making the wrong decision. So, to make an informed decision and to select the best vehicle for yourself, consider looking for rental vehicles on comparison websites where you can compare the different vehicles and select the best one by comparing attributes like the price, model, amenities, age, and availability.

10. Parking anywhere? No way in New Zealand

If you think that you can park your campervan anywhere and sleep wherever you want, you’re absolutely wrong. There is no such freedom for campervan travellers in New Zealand. In fact, there are some strict camping rules that you must follow. If you really want to save the campsite or holiday park charges by living in your van, make sure that your vehicle is self-contained.

This will allow you to spend up to three nights in public places that don’t have freedom camping restrictions. On the other hand, if your campervan is not fully self-contained, you have to use the paid holiday parks and campgrounds by making sure that they permit vehicles that aren’t self-contained.

11. Make sure you know how to drive a campervan in New Zealand

Driving a campervan is not for everyone. It is not as easy as driving a car and thus can get a bit tricky for inexperienced drivers. What makes it a daunting task is the fact that you have to drive on the left side with a whole lot of different rules and road signs. So, before hitting the road, make sure to read about the rules and learn the different road signs.

That’s all for now.

Good Luck, and happy driving!