Campervan Rental Vs. Car + Stay in Hotel, Hostel or Airbnb in NZ

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The Cost of Campervan or Motorhome Rental + Staying in Campsites, Holiday Parks and Freedom Camping

How much it is going to cost you to rent a campervan in New Zealand? There are a number of factors that don’t make this an easy answer. You need to take into account what type of campervan you’re renting, the season you’re travelling, how many kilometres you’ll cover to determine how much you’ll spend on fuel, etc. If you’re under 25 years old, you may have to pay a mandatory daily insurance excess reducer. See Age Restrictions When Renting a Vehicle in New Zealand for more information.

Take a look at the approximate prices below for the rental of a small campervan and a large motorhome with seasonal rental rates. You’ll then need to take into account the cost of camping accommodations, such as holiday parks, campsites and freedom camping. Bear in mind that it’s likely that you’ll need to hook up to a power source and/or empty your vehicle’s wastewater and refill the water tank approximately every three days. This means that you’ll likely need to stay in a holiday park for some part of your trip.

Unsure of the whole campervan maintenance process we just went through? Make sure you head to our Step-by-Step Guide to Renting Your First Motorhome or Vanlife: The Guide to Living in a Campervan.

Rental Cost for a Small Self-Contained Campervan

In summer (December to March): NZ$250/day with included insurance or NZ$280/day with add-on insurance
In spring/autumn (April, May, September & October): NZ$180/day with included insurance or NZ$200/day with add-on insurance
In winter (June to August): NZ$100/day with included insurance or NZ$130/day with add-on insurance
Fuel (petrol) to fill a 70 l/18 gal tank: NZ$175

Rental Cost for a Large Self-Contained Motorhome

In summer (December to March): NZ$440/day with included insurance or NZ$480/day with add-on insurance
In spring/autumn (April, May, September & October): NZ$320/day with included insurance or NZ$350/day with add-on insurance
In winter (June to August): NZ$240/day with included insurance or NZ$300/day with add-on insurance
Fuel (petrol) to fill a 70 l/18 gal tank: NZ$175
Fuel (diesel) to fill a 70 l/18 gal tank: NZ$126
RUC fee (diesel): NZ$62-$68 per 1,000 km (621 mi) travelled.

Miscellaneous Costs

One-way fees: NZ$0-$1,000
Additional driver: NZ$10
Ferry crossing (passenger + small campervan): NZ$205-$285
Ferry crossing (passenger + large campervan): NZ$310-$405

Camping Accommodation Costs

Holiday park night in powered site for 2 people: NZ$40
DOC campsite per night per person: NZ$20 adult, NZ$10 child (consider a DOC Campsite Pass to save money)
Freedom camping area: FREE

Example: The Cost of Two Weeks in a Small Campervan in New Zealand

Just to give you an idea, here’s a basic example of the cost for a couple or solo traveller (prices would be the same) to travel in a small campervan with no insurance add-on for two weeks travelling 1,500 km. This doesn’t take into account vehicles with better or worse fuel efficiency, one-way fees or the ferry crossing.

• Campervan rental/two weeks in spring: NZ$2,520
• Fuel cost for 1,500 km at 12 l per 100 km: NZ$450
• Stay at a holiday park for five nights: NZ$200
• Stay at DOC campsite for two nights (per person): NZ$40
• Freedom camp for seven nights: NZ$0
  = NZ$3,210

Note that the above prices are, of course, approximate as prices for fuel and rentals fluctuate. These numbers are to give you a rough idea of which rental options, car or campervans, are cheaper. 

Ready to hit the road in a campervan? Check out The Best Motorhome & Campervan Rentals in New Zealand!

© EPIC Campers

Our Recommended Campervan Rental Company: EPIC Campers

When it comes to marrying campervan rental with affordability, our go-to is EPIC Campers. Hit the road with your partner, best mate or solo in one of their cleverly designed 2-berth campervans. Pick up from either Christchurch or Auckland and enjoy the benefits of freedom camping thanks to the campervan’s self-containment certification. Not only do the vans have quality interiors, such as a fold-out kitchenette and manoeuvrable living/sleeping space, but there are thoughtful touches from the USB powerpoints front and back to the coffee plunger! Ah! Book your EPIC Campers at epiccampers.co.nz.

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Cost of Car Rental + Staying in Hostels, Hotels and Airbnbs

Like the cost of campervan rental, car rental costs are determined by the type of car you’re renting, the season you’re travelling, and how many kilometres you’ll cover to determine how much you’ll spend on fuel. Again, there may be extra costs, such as a one-way fee. If you’re under 25 years old, you may have to pay a mandatory daily insurance excess reducer. See Age Restrictions When Renting a Vehicle in New Zealand for more information.

Take a look at the approximate prices below for the rental of a small car and a large car, choosing the seasonal rental rate that applies to your trip. You’ll then need to take into account the cost of accommodation, where prices greatly differ depending on whether you’re staying in a hostel, hotel or Airbnb accommodation. Of course, there are many more styles of accommodation in New Zealand, which you can check out in our complete New Zealand travel guide.

Rental Cost for a Small Car

In summer (December to March): NZ$80/day with included insurance or NZ$100/day with add-on insurance
In spring/autumn (April, May, September & October): NZ$50/day with included insurance or NZ$70/day with add-on insurance
In winter (June to August): NZ$30/day with included insurance or NZ$50/day with add-on insurance
Fuel (petrol) to fill a 42 l/11 gal tank: NZ$105

Rental Cost for a Large Car

In summer (December to March): NZ$180/day with included insurance or NZ$200/day with add-on insurance
In spring/autumn (April, May, September & October): NZ$120/day with included insurance or NZ$140/day with add-on insurance
In winter (June to August): NZ$70/day with included insurance or NZ$90/day with add-on insurance
Fuel (petrol) to fill a 50 l/13 gal tank: NZ$125

Miscellaneous Costs

One-way fees: NZ$0-$1,000
Additional driver: NZ$10
Ferry crossing (passenger + car): NZ$175-$255

Accommodation Costs

Hostel private room: NZ$80
Hostel dorm per bed: NZ$35
Airbnb private room: NZ$100
Hotel room: NZ$200

Example: The Cost of Two Weeks in a Small Car + Staying in Hostels and Airbnbs in New Zealand

Just to give you an idea, here’s a basic example of the cost for a couple to travel in a small car with no insurance add-on for two weeks travelling 1,500 km. They would be staying in reasonably affordable private rooms in hostels and Airbnbs. This doesn’t take into account vehicles with better or worse fuel efficiency, a one-way fee or the ferry crossing.

• Car rental/two weeks in spring: NZ$700
• Fuel cost for 1,500 km at 8 l per 100 km: NZ$300
• Stay in a hostel private room for 12 nights: NZ$960
• Stay in an Airbnb for two nights: NZ$200
  = NZ$1,890

Example: The Cost of Two Weeks in a Large Car Staying in Hotels in New Zealand

Taking the same example as above and just swapping the factors of a large car and staying in hotels instead, here’s an example budget:

• Car rental/two weeks in spring: NZ$1,680
• Fuel cost for 1,500 km at 12 l per 100 km: NZ$450
• Stay in a hotel room for 14 nights: NZ$2,800
  = NZ$4,930

Note that the above prices are, of course, approximate as prices for fuel and rentals fluctuate. These numbers are to give you a rough idea of which rental options, car or campervans, are cheaper. 

Ready to hit the road by car? Pick the right rental for you from The Best Car Rental Companies in New Zealand.

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Conclusion: Which is Cheaper, Campervan Rental or Car Rental + Staying in Hotels, Hostels or Airbnbs in New Zealand?

This is one of those situations where you can let the numbers speak for themselves. Contrary to popular belief, it is actually cheaper to rent a car and stay in budget accommodation. On the other hand, renting a car and staying in hotels would only be marginally more expensive than renting a campervan.

In conclusion, if you’re looking to travel New Zealand with budget in mind, go for a small car rental and stay in hostels or Airbnbs.

Need more budgeting advice? Head on over to The Travel Guide to New Zealand on a Budget and How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand?