How to choose between a car or a campervan

I looooove a road trip. Driving through Aotearoa is a dream come true. It’s hands down the best way to see the country and lets you get into all the little nooks and crannies you couldn’t reach if you’d taken a tour.

We have some of the best scenic drives in the world, and every place you visit will leave you saying, "Just one more night."

Van life is becoming more and more popular every year, and when you're here, you'll see lots and lots of people zooming around the island on their holidays.

But deciding whether to fork out for a van or just rent a car can be overwhelming and I don't blame you if you're starting to feel like you're up to your eyeballs in pros and cons lists.

Fair warning, this is another pros and cons.. But I promise to give you my honest opinion and the kind of advice I'd have wanted someone to give me (AKA: decide for me)

In this guide, I'll explain everything and help you decide how to travel around NZ.

Too long, didn't read

Rent a van. Or find a car with a rooftop tent. I'm 99% sure you'll be gutted if you don't. It's more expensive, but the experience is 10x better. Plus, if this is a bucket list holiday for you, you might as well have the experience you're actually travelling for. I'm so confident that if you don't have the $$$ for the van just yet, I'd consider delaying the trip a year or two (we've just put off the Canadian Rockies for this reason).

Renting a car

Pros

• Cheaper than a van

• Lower rental fees and better fuel efficiency

• Easier to drive and park in city centres

• Worthwhile if you're travelling in a group and want to stay in hotels/Airbnbs

Cons

• Hotels, Airbnbs and lodges can get expensive veryyyy quickly, and you'll have to plan them much further in advance

• It's not a van (and that's the dream, right?)

Renting a campervan

Pros

• THE way to see New Zealand

• You'll get to combine your transport and accommodation

• Easy to make your food on the road and save some serious $$$

• If you're self-contained you can take advantage of freedom campsites

• Wake up in the most incredible places in the country

• You'll always have access to drinking water, a bathroom and a shower

Cons

• Muuuuch more expensive. In the summer, a camper can be 2-5x more expensive than renting a car

• Difficult to park in major cities/supermarkets, depending on the size of the vehicle

Typical Campervan Costs

• Rentals: This can vary widely depending on the season, type of vehicle, and how many kilometres you'll cover. They can cost anywhere between $75 per day during the winter and around $350 per day in the summer.

• Insurance: This could be around $40 to $55 per day + an excess or additional fee if you're under 25

• Fuel: Ahhh, the most expensive cost. Currently, petrol costs around $2.20-$2.40, and diesel is $1.75-$2.00. You'll need to remember that campervans typically consume more fuel than cars.

• RUC: If you drive a diesel or electric vehicle, you’ll need to pay Road User Charges (RUC) on top of your fuel. If you rent a vehicle, this is usually covered in your rental cost. If not, RUC is sold in 1000km units, and you must pre-purchase them in advance.

• Road tolls: We don’t have many, but there are four in Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty. They cost about $2.50-$3 each way, and you'll need to make sure you pay them on time, especially if you’re travelling in a rental car.

• Misc. costs: Other costs include one-way relocation fees (up to $250), additional driver surcharges (around $10 per day), and ferry crossings (ranging from $250-$600, depending on your vehicle size).

• Accommodation: You'll need somewhere to park your van overnight! If you're self-contained, you can stay at freedom camping sites. Otherwise, DOC campsites are around $15pp and an unpowered site at a holiday park typically costs $50 for two people.

Typical Car costs

If you're staring at this guide, groaning a little at the cost of campervan rentals in New Zealand (crazy, I know), then you're not alone. Renting a car may be cheaper than a campervan, especially if you only want a small vehicle. However, you'll need to factor in the price of a hostel or hotel room in addition to your transport costs.

• Rentals: Cars are generally cheaper but vary depending on the season and vehicle

• Insurance: This could be around $20 to $35 per day + an excess or additional fee if you're under 25

• Fuel, RUC, tolls and Misc costs: These are all exactly the same as a campervan.

• Accommodation: This is the real kicker. If you have a tent, you could stay at DOC campsites or holiday parks. Alternatively, hostels and holiday park cabins range from $50-$175. Hotel rooms and Airbnbs are usually $150-$300, and luxury accommodation can be $500+.

My final thoughts

It's no secret that I think you should rent a campervan. It's without a doubt the best way to see the country, especially if you're after that classic Kiwi road trip experience. However, depending on your travel style and how many people you're with, a car may end up being more economical! At the end of the day, it's 100% up to you, and there is no right or wrong way to explore Aotearoa. However, if you ask me for my honest advice (and I assume you are), you're renting a van allllllll day long.