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Let’s be honest, New Zealand is not a cheap country to travel to. If you’ve been looking at hiring a campervan or motorhome in New Zealand then you’ve likely already realized this also isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s pretty expensive!
First of all, I need to tell you that it is worth it! Don’t let the price tag attached with travel in New Zealand get you down. The county is absolutely amazing and worth splurging a little bit – trust me on this!
Secondly, there are cheap ways to get around pretty much anything! I know of campervan rental companies in NZ that only cost $42 USD a day! While that is still a hefty expense for the budget-backpacker, think of all of the savings!
When you travel in a self-contained certified campervan in New Zealand you can sleep for free every single night. These campervans also have kitchens and cooking equipment so you don’t have to spend ridiculous amounts of money on food and eating out for every meal.
Also, say goodbye to bus and tour costs as having your own wheels will allow you to get around easily and do things without a guided tour! Having a campervan in NZ will literally save you thousands in other expenses too!
Still haven’t convinced you?
Well, if you still want a campervan for cheap in New Zealand, I’m about to share with you a few tips to score a good deal! I spent over a year in New Zealand traveling everywhere and living in my campervan! I rented a campervan, built my own, and spoke to hundreds of other travelers on the road.
Based on what I’ve learned, there are a couple of ways you can get yourself a cheap campervan rental for your NZ road trip – 7 ways to be exact! (Be sure to read tip #2 with a campervan special deal as well as #7 about the “AirBnB” of campervans in NZ!)
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY and Star RV. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off!
Related Read: Get inspired and start planning your route with these New Zealand road trip itineraries.
1. Go in the Winter
I know, traveling around New Zealand in a campervan in the middle of winter doesn’t sound that appealing. But, if you want a good deal then this is the time to go! Almost every campervan rental company lowers its rates in the winter.
Plus, road tripping around NZ in winter really isn’t that bad. The views are more scenic (snow-capped mountains everywhere), you can do winter sports (skiing in NZ is awesome), and most places are much less busy (Milford Sound sees only a fraction of the visitors in the winter compared to summer)!
Simply put, it is easier to book tours and everything is honestly cheaper.
Most campervan rental companies will also give you a small heater to run at night in your camper as well as plenty of blankets. Think of being snuggled up in your camper taking in mountain views with a glass of local red wine. Sure, it might get a little cold sometimes, but if you’re on that tight of a budget the savings will totally be worth it!
Related Read: Motorhomes (rather than campervans) are more comfortable for travelling in the winter. check out our guide to renting a motorhome in NZ!
2. Choose the Right Company
If you’re a savvy shopper then you probably already know that you don’t always get what you pay for. Well, I’m here to tell you that campervan hire in NZ is no different.
Some companies charge more for less, whereas some companies offer amazing campers for good value! You need to shop around and choose the best deal for the type of camper you are looking for.
Some of our favorite campervan rental companies in New Zealand are:
JUCY
JUCY is our personal favorite campervan company in New Zealand. What we love about JUCY is that although they are a bit of a bigger company, they still work really hard to provide excellent customer service.
On top of that, they have a huge inventory of rental vehicles to choose from – everything from cars to huge motorhomes and everything in between! This means that you are likely to find something to suit your travel style and budget.
Here are some of the benefits to booking with JUCY:
- Many of types of rentals to choose from to suit your travel style and budget
- Lots of inventory, so they are also less likely to be sold out for your travel dates
- Excellent customer service
- Multiple offices that make pick-up and drop-off easier (and cheaper!)
- Discounts at their hotels and restaurants across the country
- Visually appealing campervans (perfect for your social media!)
- Plenty of deals and promotions – they sometimes even do relocation deals!
We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off!
You can browse all that JUCY has to offer including prices and availability online here!
Star RV
Star RV is the perfect company to choose if you want more space (a larger motorhome) but not spend a fortune. These gorgeous motorhomes are the perfect combination of affordability and comfort.
Besides having some of the best prices in New Zealand, Star RVs fleet of 4-6 person Mercedes Sprinter vans come equipped with everything you need to have an unforgettable holiday. Regardless of the model you decide on each will have cutlery and dinnerware, pillows and bedding, a gas burner, GPS, an extendable awning, and 24/7 roadside assistance in the unlikely event that the motorhome breaks down.
With online check-in and pick-up and drop-off locations at the Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown Airports their drop-and-go service means the rental process is as simple as it gets. There is even a free shuttle service to and from each airport for ultimate convenience.
We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with Star RV. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off! You must act quickly, though, as this code is only valid for bookings made before June 30, 2025, with travel dates before December 21, 2025!
Mad Campers
When we were in NZ a few years ago, we actually rented a campervan from Mad Campers. They offer good prices and their service and campervans are lovely. We liked this small, locally-owned company so much and had such an awesome experience that we actually wrote an entire Mad Campers review.
We had such a good experience with Mad Campers that we have arranged a special bonus for our readers! Enter in DTRAVEL5 when you request a quote or book to get 5% off your campervan rental – you’re welcome! These guys already offer the cheapest campervan on the market, so with this discount, you’ll save a ton!
The only downside to Mad Campers is their limited inventory which means that they are often fully booked.
Kiwi Motorhomes
If you want a motorhome instead of just a campervan (hello luxury!) then you should consider booking with the company Kiwi Motorhomes. We love this company (just read our full Kiwi Motorhome review) and also managed to snag a discount for our readers! Use DEST5 when you book to save 5% with them on motorhome hire!
If you want to shop around for a campervan you can compare prices here on Motorhome Republic!
3. Narrow Down Your Campervan Requirements
If you want a cheap camper you need to go basic. Larger campers are more expensive than motorhomes and trailers. Some campers offer enough room to stand up in and while this is super helpful, it is a luxury and comes at a premium.
If you want a cheaper campervan you will be looking at a smaller mini-van style camper. These usually come with a bed that folds up into a table as well as a kitchen that is accessible from the back.
Other things that cost more and can be add-ons include a second battery (to have electricity all of the time), fold-out tables and chairs, a portable shower, an awning, and a roof rack.
The cheapest campervan I know of is a self-contained camper built for just one person. It is small but has enough room to sleep, store your stuff, and cook. It has a second battery as well as an electric removable tap that seconds as a shower. Prices do vary depending on the season and availability, but you can get this little guy for as little as $42 USD a day! (Be sure to take advantage of our Mad Campers special deal, enter in DTRAVEL5 when you request a quote or book to score an additional 5% off the rental cost!)
JUCY also offers some really affordable campervans. You can browse what they have available and the prices online here.
Hot tip – you’ll want a fold-out table and chairs. While camping, it is nice to be able o sit outside and I honestly think these are a must. BUT most campervan companies charge a daily hire rate for these, and depending on how long you are renting for, it could be easier to just buy your own. Check out Kmart for cheap deals, or look for some second-hand on Facebook Marketplace or Trade me (the Kijiji or Gumtree equivalent in NZ.)
Related Read: Uncover our best stops along the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
4. Book a Campervan Location Transfer
The cheapest option by far for getting a campervan in New Zealand is to take part in a location transfer.
What do I mean?
Well, campervan companies often need to get certain campervans to certain locations for customers to pick up. So, instead of paying someone to drive the campervan to where it needs to be, the company gets a tourist to drive it for free (or very cheap). The campervan company saves money and so do you – it’s a win-win!
The only downside to doing this is the dates are very specific and they often don’t allow much time. This means a location transfer campervan is really only suitable for someone who doesn’t have much time in New Zealand and is happy to fast-track everything. For example, to get a campervan from Auckland to Christchurch you’ll generally get about 6 days. It isn’t a lot but could be a good option for the right traveler. This same route is free (you do need to pay for insurance though.)
You can browse available location transfers here.
5. Save on Insurance
Insurance to go with your campervan rental is another big expense. You need it and want good insurance because these campervans are worth a lot of money. You don’t want to get in an accident and have to cover hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage now, do you?
The truth is, you can’t escape insurance. But, you can get it cheaper than most do!
First of all, you can get car or campervan rental insurance included in your travel insurance. Doing a package deal this way is bound to be cheaper than the insurance offered by your campervan rental company.
Second, you have different options for insurance. The high the deductible (aka “excess”) the lower the overall cost. Some of the deductibles get up to several thousands of dollars, which is a lot of money. One little trick I learned is that you can actually get an external insurance company to insure your deductible.
Wait, what do I mean?!
Basically, you get insurance for your campervan directly from your campervan rental company. Get the insurance with the highest deductible. Then, go to a company like CarInsure.net and get insurance for your deductible. This way, if you do get into an accident both the campervan AND deductible are covered. And, the total price is way cheaper than paying all that money for insurance with little to no deductible.
Be sure to double-check your coverage with your campervan rental company. If you do go with an external provider, you often need to put a deposit down upfront. The rules change from company to company though so just review the details and be sure you’re 100% covered!
6. Compare Deals and Shop Around
There are hundreds of third-party booking websites for campervans in New Zealand out there. These websites are great for comparing deals, campervan styles, and companies.
Why?
Well, with the click of a button you can see every type of campervan and motorhome available in New Zealand! You can filter and sort results. Think of it like a hotel booking website but for campervans – so easy and convenient to use when you’re trying to find the BEST deal!
Our personal favorite website to use is called Motorhome Republic. They are a reputable booking and search engine for campervans and motorhomes in NZ. It is a very easy website to use and will ensure you see every deal available for your particular travel dates!
You can easily compare prices and campervans directly from Motorhome Republic’s website.
You can also find deals in the form of discount codes on occasion.
We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off! It’s important to note that no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 15, 2024 to February 28, 2025 for New Zealand and Australia. But for the entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!
Related Read: If you’re thinking about visiting Queenstown don’t miss out on our ultimate guide to Queenstown filled with all the information you need to plan your stay!
7. Rent From a Person (as opposed to a Company!)
If you aren’t set on a particular rental company, then consider renting a privately owned campervan or motorhome instead! There is a company called Outdoorsy that is essentially the “AirBnB of campervans”!
What does this mean?
Well, instead of going through a company that has a business renting campervans, you just rent from a normal person who owns a campervan and won’t be using it for your travel dates. The prices are way cheaper generally and you can get a better bang for your buck.
All you need to do is make an account, enter your travel dates and location and then browse all of the campervans available! You can check reviews and photos just to be sure you know what you’re getting.
This is a fairly new concept and one we can get behind pretty easily. I mean, it saves you money so it is a really good option!
You can check out Outdoorsy’s website here and see what they have available for your travel dates!
8. Travel with Others
Sure, that one-person campervan I mentioned above is perfect for the solo traveler. But in all honesty, traveling with other people is not only more fun, but it is also more cost-effective. You can split the cost of the rental, share meals, and share fuel costs (fuel is not cheap in NZ and will likely be your biggest expense on the road.)
If you don’t already have friends or a partner to travel with, you can get one! In the NZ backpacker community, it isn’t unusual for strangers to rent a campervan and travel together just to save money. You can meet other travelers in hostels when you get to NZ or you can try and organize something in advance.
The NZ Backpackers Facebook group is a great place to find a travel buddy. Just join the group and post your travel dates and that you’re looking for someone to rent a van with (or someone that already has one) and hopefully you’ll make a new friend as well as save some cash!
Related Read: What is it like traveling with your partner? Read our honest thoughts on the pros and cons of van lifeas a couple and our tips to survive!
9. Have the Same Pick-up and Drop-off Location
Rental companies will often charge you more if you pick up and drop off your campervan in different locations. So, if you want the cheapest deal, be sure to choose the same pick-up and drop-off locations.
The most common and cheapest places to pick up/drop off your campervan will be Auckland, Christchurch, or Queenstown. These are big tourism hubs with the majority of rental company office locations.
Hot tip – if the company you choose has offices in more than one location you may be able to pick up from their office and then drop off at another for no additional cost. Be sure to ASK about this before you book to avoid hidden fees.
10. Buy (or Build) Your Own
Even if you do use all of the tips I’ve written above, a campervan rental in New Zealand still isn’t necessarily “cheap.” It is affordable if you’re only visiting NZ for a few weeks, but if you’re visiting for a couple of months then it is likely a better deal to buy your own campervan.
You can buy a campervan already done, or just buy a van and convert it into a camper yourself. Whichever you choose to do should be based on the amount of time you have and how handy you are.
If you buy a campervan in the winter and plan to sell in the summer (or even at the start of summer) chances are you will actually make money on your van. Doing it the opposite way around will be costly though as there aren’t many people looking to buy campervans in winter in NZ.
Be sure to check out our blog all about what to look for when buying a campervan in NZ!
Related Read: If you want more room on the road we also have a guide that goes over the best Motorhome hires in New Zealand where we compare the best companies.
Renting a Car or Campervan in New Zealand
The first step to planning your New Zealand road trip is choosing your set of wheels! Most people rent a campervan or motorhome to get around, but you can also just rent a normal car and stay in hotels (as opposed to camping.)
You can search for rental cars online with Discover Cars in advance to compare car models and prices. We’ve used this website all over the world and if you want more details, read our honest review of Discover Cars for more details!
You can also do this with motorhomes and campervans on a website called Motorhome Republic. It shows all of the available campervans and motorhomes for your specific New Zealand road trip dates. You can compare prices and company reviews here too!
JUCY is our personal favorite campervan rental company in NZ. We love JUCY because they have such a range of both cars and campervans available, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something to suit your budget and travel style.
We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off! What a good deal!
You can check prices, availability and book with JUCY online here.
Star RV is another company we personally recommend but specifically for motorhomes! They offer larger motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable rates.
Star RV has actually given us a discount code for our readers too! Use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off your motorhome rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Note: For both Star RV and JUCY, no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 15, 2024 to February 28, 2025 for New Zealand and Australia. But for the entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!
Thanks for reading!
I really hope you do explore NZ in a campervan. It is a beautiful country and the best way to experience it is with your own wheels (home on wheels for that matter!) There are so many amazing places to see in NZ, I guarantee it’ll be a trip you remember for a lifetime!
If you need more inspiration for your trip head over to our New Zealand page which has tons of useful travel guides than can help you decide where you want to travel to in your campervan rental. You can also read through some of our other popular posts below!
How to freedom camp in New Zealand
Milford Track a Great Walks Hike