Campervan hire New Zealand
Want to explore New Zealand on your own – the North Island, the South Island or both? We’ll find the right campervan or motorhome for your route, from Auckland to Queenstown. Motorhome hire in New Zealand with us means: personal advice, an honest comparison of our rental partners and a quote that fits your travel dates.
- 24/7 support with a local contact
- Best price guarantee
- Personally planned by real experts
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Which campervan suits your New Zealand route?
We arrange five vehicle classes – from the compact sleeper van to the motorhome for the whole family. In New Zealand, the key question is whether you want to freedom camp – for that, the vehicle needs a valid self-contained certification.
Converted van with a bed, cool box and small kitchen – ideal for solo travelers and couples who want to travel on a budget and mostly cook outdoors.
- 2 people
Thanks to the high roof, you can stand upright inside. Kitchenette, bed and storage space are on board – and the van is still compact enough for narrow coastal roads.
- 2–5 people
Large panel van with a fixed bed, kitchen and often a shower and toilet on board – comfortable for longer trips for two.
- 2–3 people
Example vehicles from our portfolio
The vehicles shown here are examples from our entire range and aren’t filtered for New Zealand. We’ll find your campervan for New Zealand based on your request. What counts is the length of your trip, whether you want to take the ferry between the islands and whether the vehicle should be certified self-contained.
How much does a campervan cost in New Zealand?
What your campervan costs depends mainly on the vehicle class and your travel dates. The New Zealand summer falls in the European winter months – from mid-December to the end of January there are school holidays across the country, fleets are often booked out early and daily rates are usually at their highest. If you start a few weeks earlier or later, you’ll usually get the same vehicle for less and have more choice of pick-up locations and one-way rentals.
The table below shows you roughly what to expect – you’ll get your exact quote on request.
Guide prices: campervan rates per day in New Zealand
| Vehicle class | Low seasonMay–September | Shoulder seasonMarch–April, Oct–Nov | Peak seasonDecember–February |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget sleeper van | €15–40 | €25–65 | €50–110 |
| HiTop campervan | €30–60 | €60–125 | €100–170 |
| Mercedes Sprinter style | €55–110 | €95–180 | €150–275 |
| Motorhome | €70–150 | €120–230 | €220–330 |
Guide prices per day as price ranges, as of September 2026: published prices from comparison sites, rental companies and travel guides, mostly “from” prices, often for rentals of several weeks, NZD converted at the ECB rate of 24 September 2026. Not an offer from us – booked prices are often higher. November and March are often close to peak season, October and April well below; around Christmas and New Year it gets even more expensive. There are too few published prices for 4×4 campers. Usually not included: additional insurance, one-way fee, ferry, campsites and fuel, plus road user charges (RUC) for diesel vehicles.
Not included in the daily rate, among other things:
- Fuel as well as campsite and holiday park fees
- the ferry between Wellington and Picton: it’s charged by vehicle length and is usually booked separately; some rental companies book it for you on request
- one-way surcharges if you drop off the vehicle somewhere other than where you picked it up
- additional insurance that reduces your excess
We explain how the bond and insurance work in the FAQ.
Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown?
Our request form offers three New Zealand pick-up and drop-off locations: Auckland on the North Island and Christchurch and Queenstown on the South Island. Which one suits you depends mainly on how much time you have and which island you really want to see. The best-known spots are far apart, so plan for longer driving stages.
Auckland — North Island
Most long-haul flights land in Auckland. In the first few days, the Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua and the Waitomo Caves are within reach. The classic route heads south via Lake Taupo and Tongariro National Park to Wellington, where the ferry crosses to Picton.
Christchurch — South Island
Christchurch on the east coast of the South Island is the usual starting point for mountains, glaciers and clear starry skies. The first stages take you to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula and, depending on your direction, Kaikoura in the north or Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook. The big South Island loop is typical – no one-way rental needed.
Queenstown — South Island
Queenstown lies on Lake Wakatipu in the south of the South Island. Wanaka, Arrowtown and Central Otago are only a short drive away. To get to Milford Sound, you drive via Te Anau – plan for a long day’s drive or an overnight stay. Campsites in Fiordland are scarce and book out quickly in summer.
Not sure yet which island to start on? Just write both in your request – we’ll tell you what’s realistic in your time frame.
Why Time To Backpack?
Campervan comparison
We compare the campervans of our partner rental companies in New Zealand for you and tell you which one suits your route.
Free cancellation
With many of our partners, you can cancel free of charge up to a certain deadline. We’ll tell you which deadline applies to your quote before you book.
Campervan experts
We know the rental companies, the vehicles and the routes on both islands – from Auckland to Christchurch and Queenstown. Our team is made up of travelers who know New Zealand from personal experience.
Price guarantee
With us, you pay no more than when booking directly with the rental company. If you find the same campervan on the same terms for less, send us the offer – we’ll check it and get back to you with our best price.
What travelers say about us
Rental companies we work with
Questions about campervan hire in New Zealand
Do I need a self-contained campervan?
That depends on how and where you want to travel in New Zealand. For campervans, self-contained means the vehicle is equipped so you can camp in it for several days without relying on public facilities.
This typically includes:
- fresh water tank
- waste water tank
- fixed toilet
- a way to dispose of waste water and toilet waste
- sometimes extras such as a shower and cooking facilities
In New Zealand, this is particularly relevant, as certain campsites and freedom camping spots may only be used by certified self-contained vehicles.
Is insurance included with my campervan?
As standard, most rental companies offer basic cover: a high bond is required, and in the event of an accident or damage you’re liable up to the amount of the excess. For an extra charge, you can usually upgrade to more comprehensive cover with a significantly reduced excess – in most cases, with no excess at all. We recommend this option so you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.
How much does campervan hire cost in New Zealand?
Prices can vary considerably depending on the vehicle, season, rental period and rental company. We compare different campervans and clearly show you what’s included in the price and what additional costs to expect on your trip.
Why should I book with Time To Backpack?
We compare a large selection of campervans and motorhomes from various rental companies in New Zealand and help you find the right vehicle at the best available price. We also work with smaller rental companies that you won’t find through search engines. On top of that, you get personal advice, tailored trip planning and our personal 24/7 support – with team members in Germany and Australia/New Zealand, we’re there for you around the clock, whatever the time zone. And there are no booking fees – in fact, you even save money!
What happens if I need help during my trip?
Our personal service starts before your trip and doesn’t end with the booking. We’re there for you during and after your trip, too. If any questions or problems come up, you can rely on our team – with team members in Germany and Australia/New Zealand, we can support you in real time, right when you need it.
Didn’t find your question? Write to us – we’ll reply personally.
Ready for your New Zealand road trip?
Tell us when you want to set off, whether it’ll be the North Island, the South Island or both, and where you’d like to pick up and drop off. We’ll tell you which campervan suits you, whether you need a certified self-contained vehicle and what to look out for with the ferry between Wellington and Picton. Your request is non-binding – you’re not booking anything yet.
- We’re based in New South Wales, Australia, and – depending on daylight saving time on both sides – 8 to 10 hours ahead of Central Europe. When your morning begins there, it’s late afternoon to early evening for us: the best time for a phone call.
- You can write to us any time via WhatsApp or the request form – we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
- Time To Backpack · 2a Hill St, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia. The number above is an Australian mobile number – calling from outside Australia is an international call.
