The Top Christchurch Campervan and Motorhome Hire Companies
Want to explore the South Island or travel the “quiet” route of New Zealand from the South Island to the North Island? Then hiring a campervan in Christchurch is the way to do it! What’s more, there are so many campervan and motorhome rental companies in Christchurch that you’ll definitely find the right vehicle for your New Zealand road trip. Because the offering of Christchurch rental companies is so huge, however, picking a campervan or motorhome hire company can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best campervan rentals in Christchurch!
The comparison below shows some of the market leaders, as well as some Christchurch campervan hire companies that you might not have heard of. We compare the inclusions, such as insurance, amenities and pick-up/drop-off locations as these will be hugely important factors in choosing a Christchurch campervan rental company. Prices are not compared, however, as rates fluctuate with the seasons. For more options, check out the Christchurch campervan rentals on Booking.com and DiscoverCars.com.
Before we begin, don’t forget to bookmark Travel by Campervan in New Zealand: The Ultimate Guide for even more tips.
5 Things to Look at When Comparing Campervan Rentals in Christchurch
1# Location: In Christchurch, its either going to be near the Christchurch Airport or in one of the Christchurch suburbs. Figure out how you are going to get to these locations. Are they convenient for you? Are there any extra fees you will need to pay for the premium location (likely if you are picking up at an airport depot)? Also, consider where you are ending your trip and whether the drop-off locations are convenient for you.
2# Prices and inclusions: The base price of campervan rental fluctuates with the seasons. In summer, daily rates are at their most expensive, while they are at their cheapest in winter. Read our 20 Ways To Save Money on Car Rental in New Zealand to see when the best time to rent a campervan usually is. Additionally, to truly understand the value of your rental you need to compare what’s included in a campervan rental. Not all companies include the same thing, especially when it comes to insurance.
3# Vehicles offered: Most campervan rental companies in Christchurch maintain even their oldest cars to the highest standards. However, a more modern vehicle is less likely to give you any problems so keep vehicle age in mind. Of course, the size of the campervan will be incredibly important for the level of comfort you want to have. What’s more, decide whether a self-contained campervan is important to you or not. In order to freedom camp in New Zealand, you need a vehicle that is certified self-contained. For more information on vehicles that are typically available, check out The Different Types of Campervans in New Zealand.
4# Service: Once you have picked a few campervan rental companies from this comparison, send some questions to the companies and see how helpful they are with their answers. Service will become very important should anything go wrong during your trip.
5# Reviews: It’s worth checking multiple review websites to compare customers experiences. Why not ask the question in a New Zealand travel Facebook Group?
![The Best Motorhome & Campervan Rentals in Christchurch 🚐 [2023]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MTg3OTozMzc=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA2ODMiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjY4MyIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4=)
© PiwiWiwiPiwiWiwi
Looking for a small campervan rental company in Christchurch offering amazing value and a more personal service? Check out PiwiWiwi. You don’t have to pay extra for handy essentials and indulgences like a phone holder, an extra blanket (mink blanket, might we add), or a coffee plunger. What’s more, there’s no huge branding on the vans, making them a less likely target for thieves. All vans have a low kilometre count and contemporary fit-outs no more than four years old. PiwiWiwi is typically open from September to the end of May.
Check out PiwiWiwi’s cleverly handcrafted design in this YouTube video and book your campervan rental at piwiwiwi.co.nz.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Courtesy transfers are available for Christchurch Airport and the city centre.
Christchurch Pick-Up Location: Rangiora.
Drop-Off Locations: Christchurch.
Campervans Available
High-roof van (Toyota HiAce) which is certified self-contained and sleeps up to three people.
Vehicle age range: 5 to 9 years old.
Free Inclusions
- Up to 3 drivers (21+ years old)
- Basic insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Gas stove, grill, fridge and sink
- Kitchenware
- Bedding
- Camping Chairs
- Towels
- Surfer-friendly kit
- Safe box
- First Aid Kit
- Guidebooks and maps
- Access to a free box of food and consumables left by previous hirers.
Insurance
Free standard insurance with NZ$2,500 excess and NZ$2,500 bond or insurance add-ons for NZ$25-$30 per day with less excess and bond to pay.
© WildernessWilderness
Travelling New Zealand in a campervan doesn’t mean you have to “rough it”, and that’s certainly the case with Wilderness Motorhomes! Choose from a fleet of luxury campervans that have been specially designed with the comfort of all types of travellers in mind. Added extras like the one-way fee, free New Zealand SIM Card and guidebooks are an added bonus.
Check out their rental options at Wilderness.co.nz or, for a more long-term trip, check out their motorhome sales at Motorhomesforsale.co.nz.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Courtesy transfers to and from the airport/airport depot/airport hotel are available.
Christchurch Pick-Up Location: Christchurch Airport.
Drop-Off Locations: Auckland and Christchurch.
Motorhomes Available
2-berth and 4-berth motorhomes.
Vehicle age range: 0 to 4 years old.
Free Inclusions
- Multiple drivers (21+ years old)
- Basic insurance
- Roadside assistance
- One-way fee
- Gas stove, oven/grill, extractor fan, fridge, sink
- Gas heaters
- Toilet and shower
- Kitchenware
- Bedding
- Towels (as many as you would like)
- CD/DVD/MP3/USB input player
- First aid kit (a fee applies if opened)
- PDF New Zealand guidebook download
- New Zealand SIM card
Insurance
Standard insurance is included with NZ$7,500 excess and NZ$7,500 bond to pay. There is the option to upgrade for less or zero excess on insurance and only NZ$500 of bond to pay at NZ$39-$59 per day. Check out our explanation of how insurance works in New Zealand Rental Car & Campervan Insurance: Explained!
© Campa SouthCampa South Rentals
Travel New Zealand with everything you need in a compact campervan with Campa South Rentals. Although there are branches across the country, Campa South mainly operates from Christchurch, giving travellers the widest range of vehicles to choose from if picking up from Christchurch. The vans do not have any branding, so are safer from thieves (although that’s not a huge issue in New Zealand, it can happen).
Pick-up and Drop-Off Locations
Courtesy transfers are available for the airport and nearby accommodation.
Christchurch Pick-Up Location: Halswell.
Drop-Off Location: Christchurch and Auckland.
Campervans Available
High-roof van (Toyota HiAce) which is certified self-contained and sleeps up to four people and Nissan Vanette which sleeps up to 2 people.
Vehicle age range: 5 to 15 years old.
Free Inclusions
- Multiple drivers (18+ years old)
- Basic insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Fan heater (for use when attached to a campground power outlet)
- New Zealand mobile phone hire
- Matches and torchlight
- Gas stove, fridge, sink, electric toaster, electric kettle
- Kitchenware
- Bedding
- Camping Chairs
- Camping maps
Insurance
Free standard insurance. A 25+-year-old driver has NZ$3,000 excess and NZ$400 deposit to pay. 21-25-year-old drivers have NZ$4,500 excess. 18-20-year-old drivers have NZ$6,000 excess.
© Euro CampersEuro Campers (Budgy Campers and Heron)
Euro Campers really has a bit of everything, from budget campervans, campercars and motorhomes to more luxurious motorhome models with all the fixings. They also include two other campervan rental brands in New Zealand, Budgy and Heron. Note that 18-year-old drivers can only hire high-top van options from Euro Campers. You need to be over 25 to drive the motorhome-style vans. Find out more about rental age restrictions in Age Restrictions When Renting a Vehicle in New Zealand.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Courtesy transfers to and from the airport and city are available.
Christchurch Pick-Up Location: Rolleston.
Drop-Off Location: Christchurch and Auckland.
Campervans Available
Campervan Nissan sleeper van style sleeping 2 people, high-top vans (budget and premium) sleeping 3 people, and a range of fully certified self-contained motorhomes (budget and premium) sleeping up to 5 people.
Vehicle age range: 1 to 20 years old.
Free Inclusions
- Multiple drivers (18+ 0r 25+ years old, depending on the vehicle)
- Basic insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Gas cookers/gas stove, grill, microwave, fridge and sink
- Solar panels (on motorhomes)
- Electric or diesel heaters
- Toilet and shower (portable toilet and solar shower in vans)
- Kitchenware
- Bedding
- Towels
- Picnic table and chairs
- Maps
- Baby seats available
- DVD player (in motorhomes)
Insurance
Standard insurance is included with NZ$5,000 excess. There is the option to upgrade for less or zero excess on insurance at NZ$25-$45 per day.
© NZPocketGuide.comAffordable Motor Home Rentals
If you’re looking for a larger campervan, such as a motorhome, at a more affordable price, then consider Affordable Motor Home Rentals. Their fleet of older vehicles makes them cheaper than other motorhome rental companies in Christchurch. They are also one of the very few campervan hire companies in Christchurch that offer smaller campercars that are certified self-contained, meaning you can freedom camp even in a smaller vehicle.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Courtesy transfers to and from the airport and accommodation are available.
Christchurch Pick-Up Location: Christchurch Airport.
Drop-Off Locations: Auckland and Christchurch.
Campervans Available
Self-contained campercars sleeping up to 2 people (Toyota Estima) and self-contained campervan and motorhome options by Toyota sleeping up to 3 people.
Vehicle age range: 10 to 15 years old.
Free Inclusions
- Multiple drivers (21+ years old)
- Basic insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Gas stove, grill, microwave, fridge and sink (campercars exclude some of these)
- Toilet and shower (motorhome only)
- Portable toilet (campervan and campercars only)
- Kitchenware
- Bedding
- Iron and hairdryer available
- TV (motorhome only)
- Map/guidebook
Insurance
Free standard insurance with NZ$2,000 excess and bond to pay for sleepervan models or NZ$3,500 excess and bond to pay for campervan and motorhome models. Other insurance options are available at an added NZ$20-$35 per day for less excess and bond to pay.
![The Best Motorhome & Campervan Rentals in Christchurch 🚐 [2023]](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MjAzMzozNDU=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA2ODMiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjY4MyIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4=)
© EPIC CampersEPIC Campers
Hit the road from Christchurch with your partner, best mate or solo in one of the cleverly designed 2-berth campervans of EPIC Campers. Enjoy the benefits of freedom camping thanks to the campervan’s self-containment certification, as well as quality interiors, such as a fold-out kitchenette and manoeuvrable living/sleeping space. We also like the thoughtful touches characteristic of a small independent company, from the USB powerpoints front and back to the coffee plunger! Ah!
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Courtesy transfers to and from the airport/airport depot/airport hotel are available.
Christchurch Pick-Up Location: Clarkville, Christchurch.
Drop-Off Locations: Auckland and Christchurch.
Campervans Available
High-roof van (Mazda Bongos) which is certified self-contained and sleeps up to two people. A three-seater campervan is also available.
Vehicle age range: Up to 10 years old.
Free Inclusions
- Multiple drivers (18+ years old)
- Basic insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Gas stove, fridge and sink
- Kitchenware
- Kitchen consumables (olive oil, salt, pepper and dishwashing liquid)
- Bedding (including an extra fleece blanket)
- Portable toilet
- Insect nets
- New Zealand SIM card
- Phone holder + USB charger
Insurance
Free standard insurance with NZ$5,000 excess and $3,000 bond or insurance add-ons for NZ$15-$30 per day with less/no excess and bond to pay. Check out our explanation of how insurance works in New Zealand Rental Car & Campervan Insurance: Explained!
© MightyMighty Campervans
Looking for that premium campervan or motorhome experience at a slightly more affordable price? Mighty Campervans are from the same company as the high-end Britz and Maui brands, meaning that Mighty is the brand that takes the “older” vehicles that were used as Britz vans the year before. Considering Maui and Britz offer brand new vehicles every year, renting a Mighty campervan doesn’t exactly mean you’ll get an “old” van! You’ll still get a modern and reliable campervan, just not at the ultra-premium price.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off Locations
Courtesy transfers to and from airport and city available.
Christchurch Pick-Up Location: Christchurch Airport.
Drop-Off Locations: Christchurch, Auckland and Queenstown
Campervans Available
A wide range from high-top Toyota HiAces to a fleet of motorhomes all certified self-contained.
Vehicle age range: 4 to 9 years old.
Free Inclusions
- 1 driver (21+ years old)
- Basic insurance
- Roadside assistance
- Gas stove, grill, microwave, fridge/freezer and sink (grill may not be included in hitop campervans)
- Toilet/porta potti and shower (may not be included in hitop campervans)
- Kitchenware
- Bedding
Insurance
Standard insurance is included with NZ$5,000 excess for campervans or NZ$7,500 excess for motorhomes. Windscreen and tyre damage excess of NZ$250 is also included. There are options to pay NZ$32-$42 per day to reduce excess amounts.
More About Campervan Rentals in Christchurch
That’s it for the list of best campervan hires in Christchurch. For alternative options starting from Christchurch, check out the following guides:
- The Best Backpacker Campervan Rentals in New Zealand
- The Best Family Campervan Rentals in New Zealand
- The Best Budget RV Rentals in New Zealand
- The Best Premium Campervan Rentals in New Zealand
Now that you know the best campervan rental companies in Christchurch, do you need some road trip ideas? Check out the following itineraries for the best road trip routes:
- South Island in 1 Week: Road Trip Itinerary
- South Island Campervan Itinerary: 10 Days
- South Island in 2 Weeks: Road Trip Itinerary
- New Zealand in 3 Weeks: Road Trip Itinerary
- New Zealand in a Month: Road Trip Itinerary.
Finally, plan your entire campervan road trip with our guide, How to Plan a Campervan Trip in New Zealand.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
- Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
- Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
