Rent a campervan in New Zealand.
Send us your no-obligation inquiry. You'll quickly get your matching offer and book directly, with a person who answers your questions along the way.
Secure your campervan for New Zealand.
Tell us your travel dates and preferred campervan. You'll get your matching offer and book directly. If you'd like, we'll advise you personally beforehand.
Our own fleet is in high demand seasonally; enquiring early secures you the best options.
From inquiry to handover in four steps.
You're not booking blind through a portal. You get an offer we put together for your details, and you can take your time reviewing it. It's only binding once you confirm.
1. Send an inquiry
You tell us your travel dates, number of people, and preferred model. It takes two minutes, is non-binding, and costs nothing.
2. Personal offer
We check what's possible for your details and send you your offer with all costs included. This usually takes less than 24 hours.
3. Book and prepare
If everything fits, you confirm the booking. After that, you'll get your documents and our tips on routes, campsites, and the ferry.
4. Pick up your campervan
In Auckland or Christchurch, we go through the campervan with you: equipment, operation, numbers for the road. Then you're ready to go.
Daily price guide
Daily prices vary a lot with the season. The figures below are a rough guide, we'll give you your exact price in your offer.
| Campervan class | Off-season | Peak season |
|---|---|---|
| Compact camper (car based) | from 49 NZD / day | from 75 NZD / day |
| Self-contained van | from 69 NZD / day | from 110 NZD / day |
| Large camper | from 89 NZD / day | from 140 NZD / day |
Guide prices including basic insurance; surcharges may apply depending on rental duration, season, and add-ons. Not a binding offer.
What's included with every rental
What's included in the daily price differs from one rental company to the next. That's why it's spelled out here before you have to ask.
- Unlimited kilometres on all models, at no extra cost
- Basic insurance for the vehicle, reduced excess available as an optional add-on
- A complete camping kitchen with gas stove, pots, dishes, and cutlery
- Camping table and chairs, a cooler or fridge depending on the model
- Bedding and blankets on the self-contained models
- GPS navigation in the vehicle
- A walkthrough at pick-up and a number you can call for help on the road
- Personal advice and support, before and during your trip
What else you should budget for
Besides the rental, a road trip through New Zealand costs a fair bit more. Here's what to budget for:
- Fuel: New Zealand is big, 2,000 to 5,000 km in three to four weeks is normal
- Campsites: basic DOC sites out in nature cost a few dollars, holiday parks with power and showers cost considerably more
- The Cook Strait ferry between Wellington and Picton, if you're driving both islands
- A one-way fee, if pick-up and drop-off are in different cities
- Optional extras like a reduced excess, an additional driver, or a tent
- Activities, boat tours, and shuttles to the hiking trails
Season, weather, and price levels throughout the year
New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere. When it's winter where you are, it's high summer there, and that's exactly what drives the big price swings over the year.
| Period | What to expect | Price level |
|---|---|---|
| December to February | New Zealand high summer, long evenings, busy campgrounds and tracks | Peak season, book early |
| March and April | Settled weather, far less traffic, autumn colour in Central Otago | Shoulder season with good value |
| May to August | Winter, snow in the Southern Alps, short days and cold nights in the camper | Cheapest time of year |
| September to November | Spring, waterfalls running full, changeable weather | Shoulder season |
Which model suits you?
Seven models in two classes: compact car-campers for a small budget, and self-contained vans that let you legally stay overnight away from campgrounds too. You'll find all models in the detailed comparison.
Rent or buy? The rule of thumb
That mainly comes down to how long you're travelling. From around two months on the road, buying with a guaranteed buyback is usually cheaper than any rental.
| Trip duration | Usually the better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| up to about three weeks | Rental | Short trip, no paperwork, you simply hand the camper back |
| three weeks to two months | Rental, with an eye on buying | From about six weeks it is worth comparing with the pre-sale model |
| from about two months | Buy with a guaranteed buy-back | The guaranteed buy-back often pushes your net cost well below renting |
Driving in New Zealand: what to know beforehand
Driving in New Zealand is relaxed, but a few things are different from home.
- Driving on the left. The first roundabouts feel strange, but it's routine after half a day.
- Plan for fewer kilometres per day than at home. Auckland to Wellington is around 650 km and realistically nine to ten hours of pure driving time.
- Between the islands, the ferry runs from Wellington to Picton in a good three hours. Book early in peak season, especially with a campervan.
- Many access roads to beaches and hiking trails are gravel. Drive slowly and keep your distance, and your windscreen will stay intact.
- On the South Island, two petrol stations can be 100 km apart. Filling up once you're at half a tank is the safe rule.
- With your national driving licence you can drive for up to twelve months. If it isn't in English, bring a certified translation or an international driving permit.
Pick-up in Auckland and Christchurch
You pick up your campervan at one of two airports: Auckland on the North Island or Christchurch on the South Island. Both are great starting points. From Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, and the Bay of Islands are right in front of you; from Christchurch, it's Aoraki/Mount Cook, Queenstown, and the West Coast.
At handover, we go through the campervan together with you: equipment, kitchen, water and power, plus the numbers to call on the road. Set aside some time for this, and plan just a short drive on arrival day, jet lag after a long-haul flight is easy to underestimate.
A one-way rental is possible, so you could start in Auckland and drop off in Christchurch, for example. Just tell us in your inquiry and we'll factor it in right away.
With us, you talk to people who know New Zealand.
One contact for your whole trip
From your first inquiry to drop-off, you deal with the same small team rather than a booking platform. You get your answers from someone who knows your dates, your camper, and your route, and you won't get stuck on hold.
Over ten years in New Zealand
We've driven thousands of kilometres across the country ourselves. What we recommend on routes, seasons, and campsites comes from our own experience.
Transparent terms
Your offer states what's included and what costs extra. You only book once it works for you. There's no obligation before that.
Honest recommendation
If renting is the better choice for your trip, we'll tell you. And if buying with a buyback guarantee pays off more, we'll tell you that too.
Ready? Book your camper
Give us your travel dates and preferred campervan, and you'll get your no-obligation offer, usually within 24 hours.
Prefer to go direct? +49 176 56849578· info@chillirentals.co.nz
Frequently asked questions
Is your own fleet currently available?
Our own fleet is fully booked for the current season. Send us your inquiry anyway: we'll check what's possible for your travel dates and send you a matching offer.
How quickly will I get my offer?
Usually within 24 hours on business days. What matters to us is your travel dates, the number of people, and your pick-up and drop-off location. The more precise your details, the more precise the offer.
Where can I pick up the campervan?
Pick-up and drop-off are possible at Auckland Airport (North Island) and Christchurch Airport (South Island). This lets you start flexibly, including one-way between the islands.
Can I rent one-way, starting in Auckland and returning in Christchurch?
Yes. A one-way rental between Auckland and Christchurch is possible; it usually comes with an additional fee, which we'll show you upfront in your offer. For a round trip covering both islands, this is often the most relaxed option.
How do I get the campervan between the North and South Island?
With the ferry across the Cook Strait between Wellington and Picton. The crossing takes a good three hours and finishes by passing through the Marlborough Sounds. Vehicle spots are tight in peak season, so book the ferry as early as possible.
What's included in the insurance?
All vehicles come with basic insurance; a reduced excess is available as an optional add-on. We'll clarify the exact terms individually as part of your inquiry.
Do I need a credit card for the deposit?
In New Zealand, the deposit usually requires a credit card in the driver's name. The amount depends on the vehicle and the insurance package you choose, and it's stated in your offer before you book.
Can I freedom camp anywhere with the campervan?
Only with a certified self-contained vehicle, and only where the local council allows it. Four of our seven models are self-contained. Always check the signage on site: where freedom camping is banned, fines are handed out consistently. With a compact campervan, you'll stay at campgrounds and DOC sites.
How does cancellation work?
Cancellation terms depend on the rate you choose. We'll tell you the exact deadlines in your personal inquiry before you book anything binding.
Do I need an international driving licence?
For New Zealand, your national driving licence is enough as long as it's in English. Otherwise bring a certified English translation or an international driving permit. Driving is on the left.
When's the best time to visit for a campervan road trip?
December to February is New Zealand's high summer: warm and long daylight hours, but crowded and expensive. If you're flexible, travel in March or April: stable weather, empty roads, moderate prices. Winter, from May to August, is the cheapest, but you'll need warm clothing and sites with power hook-ups.
How early should I book?
For peak season between December and February, book six to twelve months ahead if you can, because good vehicles get taken early. For the off-season, a few months is often enough. A no-obligation inquiry is always worth it, even at short notice.
What does a campervan holiday in New Zealand cost overall?
Many travellers budget around 150 to 250 NZD a day for two people, covering everything: campervan, fuel, campsite, and food. If you mostly stay at basic DOC sites and cook for yourself, you'll come out considerably cheaper. Activities like boat tours or helicopter flights come on top.
What happens if something breaks on the road?
Your documents include the numbers for roadside assistance and our direct contact. Get in touch with us right away before having anything repaired yourself. We'll then work out together how to proceed.