Rental Car vs Camper Van for Exploring New Zealand

Despite its small size and faraway location, New Zealand is arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world. With so many natural wonders to experience, it is no surprise that hundreds of tourists visit every year.

Whether you are looking at options for car rental Wellington to see the sights and sounds of New Zealand’s capital city, or plan to embark on the ultimate cross-country road trip in a fully equipped campervan, picking the right vehicle to match your travel needs is one of the most important decisions you will need to make.

Advantages of Campervans

When it comes to renting a campervan, especially if you have never done so before, there are a few crucial factors to consider to ensure you make the best choice to suit your travel needs.

Self-Contained vs. Non-Self-Contained

A self-contained campervan is a vehicle that has every facility you will need while traveling already built-in. If you are after extended freedom to camp around the country and experience more of Mother Nature, this will likely be your best option.

A fully self-contained campervan must be equipped with a fixed toilet, an evacuation hose, a sink connected to a watertight greywater tanks, freshwater tanks that, at minimum, can hold 12 liters of water per person for three days, a blackwater tank that can hold waste for at least three days, a rubbish bin with a lid and a self-containment certificate visibly on display. Without these crucial features, you will find your camping options to be significantly limited, or you may need to pay additional costs at some campsites.

Alternatively, a non-self-contained campervan is significantly cheaper when you compare the vehicles’ base costs. In many cases, these types of vehicles will be small vans or people carriers, fitted with basic cooking equipment and a bed. They do not meet the same requirements as self-contained and will encounter different camping options and costs.

DoC Sites

The Department of Conservation (DoC) provides and maintains hundreds of specially designated campsites across the entire country, mainly situated in national parks and reserves. The majority of these campsites, however, are limited to self-contained vehicles only, but a small number are open to non-contained vehicles, as long as they are equipped with toilets, rubbish bins, and fresh water storage tanks.

Additionally, for longer trips, it will work out to be more cost-effective to purchase a DoC pass that allows for unlimited camping access for the duration of your trip.

Camping Options

Despite its name, freedom camping in New Zealand is the most restrictive form of camping, strictly limited to anyone who is traveling in a self-contained campervan. This is primarily because these sites have very little, if any, facilities on-site. But traveling in a self-contained campervan does not mean you can camp anywhere you choose.

Freedom camping is only allowed in marked, designated areas or public land that has not been marked as prohibited. In most major towns and cities, areas where free camping is not allowed are clearly marked to prevent unwanted fines. Furthermore, there are special apps designed to help you navigate these restrictions more easily.

Advantages of Rental Cars

If camping out in nature is not what you signed up for when visiting New Zealand, or you hope to explore cities and towns more than venturing out into the rural landscape, renting a car will ensure elevated convenience and practicality.

Practicality

Due to the extensive farm land and rural communities, it is safe to assume that some roads around New Zealand leave a lot to be desired. If you are driving on unfamiliar roads, and potentially on the other side of the road to what you are used to, these challenges will only be amplified in a much larger vehicle.

Furthermore, many roads that lead to stunning, but often less-visited, spots are typically designed specifically for tractors or 4WD cars, so if you hope to visit these hidden gems, you will need to plan accordingly.

Cost

In nearly every way, renting a car will work out to be cheaper than a campervan. You will spend much less money on fuel, ferry travel between the two islands will work out cheaper, and general rental costs are lower for smaller cars, especially thanks to a noticeable surge in the popularity of hiring campervans.

When it comes to renting a car, the most important part of the process is doing the necessary research when considering your options, selecting a vehicle that finds the perfect balance between reliability, cost, and size. You will also need to ensure you fully understand any insurance policies and road user charges if you opt for a diesel vehicle.

City Stays

In large, busy cities, like Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown, finding an inner-city parking spot that is big enough to fit a large campervan can be a never-ending struggle, if you are able to navigate narrow streets and busy highways to begin with.

If you hope to spend some time exploring major cities and taking in the skyline while enjoying New Zealand nightlife culture, opting to rent a car will allow you to enjoy your evening out without the stress of finding a parking spot or having to book an accommodation spot at a nearby campsite.

Conclusion

As with most things in travel, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. When it comes to deciding between a campervan and a rental car, it primarily comes down to how you want to experience the country and how much you are willing to spend to do so.

If you are after full flexibility, the freedom to pull over whenever something interesting catches your eye, and the chance to immerse yourself in New Zealand’s breathtaking landscape, a self-contained campervan is going to be your best option. However, if you plan a short trip, mainly in and around cities, or you simply prefer to sleep in a proper bed at the end of every day, a rental car will be a cost-effective and practical solution.

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