Best Campervan Hire Companies in New Zealand (2026 Guide)
Quick Take
Choosing the right campervan company can make a huge difference to your New Zealand road trip.
Some providers focus on affordable, compact campervans for couples and backpackers, while others specialise in spacious motorhomes for families or travellers looking for a little extra comfort.
The good news is that there isn’t one “best” campervan company for everyone. The right choice depends on your budget, travel style and the type of holiday you’re planning.
In this guide, we’ll compare some of New Zealand’s most popular campervan hire companies, explain what each one does well, and help you decide which provider is the best fit for your adventure.
At a Glance
| Company | Best For |
|---|---|
| JUCY | Budget travellers and couples |
| Spaceships | Backpackers and budget road trips |
| Apollo | Families |
| Maui | Premium holidays |
| Britz | Larger motorhomes and extended trips |
| Mighty | Great value |
| Travellers Autobarn | Budget-conscious travellers |
How We Compared These Campervan Companies
As New Zealand locals, we’ve seen these campervan companies on our roads for many years and have spoken with plenty of travellers who’ve hired from them during their trips.
This comparison combines our local perspective with publicly available information, customer reviews, company websites and the overall reputation each company has built over time.
While we haven’t personally hired from every company featured, our goal isn’t to declare a single winner. Instead, we want to provide an honest, balanced comparison that helps you choose the campervan company best suited to your own New Zealand adventure.
Because every traveller has different priorities—whether that’s budget, comfort, family travel or luxury—we’ve focused on the strengths and considerations of each provider rather than simply ranking them from best to worst.
The comparison tool below is a simple way to see current availability and prices from many of New Zealand’s leading campervan rental companies in one place. Rather than visiting multiple websites individually, you can compare vehicles, locations and pricing side by side to find the option that best fits your travel plans.
Prices can vary significantly depending on the season, travel dates and pickup location, so it’s always worth comparing a few options before booking.
What Should You Look For in a Campervan Company?
Before comparing providers, it’s worth thinking about what matters most for your trip.
Consider:
- Your budget.
- The size of your travel group.
- Whether you’re travelling with children.
- The age and style of the campervan fleet.
- Pick-up and drop-off locations.
- Included equipment and bedding.
- Customer service and support.
- Cancellation flexibility.
- Vehicle insurance options.
The cheapest campervan isn’t always the best value, and the most expensive isn’t always the right choice either.
Choosing a company that suits your style of travel is often far more important than simply choosing the lowest price.
1. JUCY
⭐ Best For
Budget travellers, couples and younger adventurers looking for affordable campervan hire.
Overview
JUCY has become one of New Zealand’s most recognisable campervan brands, with its distinctive green and purple vehicles appearing on roads throughout the country.
The company focuses on providing affordable campervan hire without sacrificing the essentials needed for a comfortable road trip. Their compact campers are particularly popular with couples, backpackers and travellers wanting to keep accommodation and transport costs under control.
What Travellers Like
- Competitive pricing.
- Good range of compact campervans.
- Convenient pick-up locations.
- Easy-to-drive vehicles.
- Popular with younger travellers and couples.
Things to Consider
- Some vehicles may be older than those offered by premium providers.
- Compact layouts can feel a little tight on longer trips.
- Optional extras can increase the total hire cost.
Our Local Perspective
If you’re travelling as a couple or simply want an affordable way to experience New Zealand, JUCY is often one of the first companies we’d suggest comparing. It offers a practical balance between price and convenience, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious road trips.
2. Spaceships
⭐ Best For
Backpackers, couples and travellers looking for an affordable, fuel-efficient road trip.
Overview
Spaceships has built a strong reputation by offering compact campervans that are easy to drive while still providing the essentials for life on the road. Their vehicles are particularly popular with backpackers and independent travellers who want the flexibility of a campervan without hiring a large motorhome.
Unlike traditional campervans, many of their vehicles feel more like driving a car, making them a great option for visitors who may be nervous about driving larger vehicles on New Zealand’s winding roads.
What Travellers Like
- Excellent fuel economy.
- Easy to drive and park.
- Affordable pricing.
- Simple vehicle layouts.
- Helpful online travel information and support.
Things to Consider
- Limited living space compared with larger campervans.
- Better suited to couples or solo travellers than larger families.
- Fewer luxury features than premium motorhome providers.
Our Local Perspective
If you’re planning a road trip focused on exploring rather than spending lots of time inside your campervan, Spaceships is well worth comparing. The smaller vehicles make driving New Zealand’s scenic roads less intimidating, especially for first-time visitors.
3. Apollo
⭐ Best For
Families and travellers wanting a comfortable balance between value and features.
Overview
Apollo is one of Australasia’s best-known campervan companies and has been helping visitors explore New Zealand for many years. Their fleet includes everything from compact campers through to spacious family motorhomes, making them one of the most versatile providers in the country.
Families particularly appreciate the range of layouts available, allowing travellers to choose a vehicle that comfortably suits both adults and children.
What Travellers Like
- Wide choice of campervans and motorhomes.
- Well suited to family holidays.
- Comfortable interiors.
- Good nationwide depot network.
- Modern features across much of the fleet.
Things to Consider
- Premium models naturally come with higher daily hire costs.
- Larger motorhomes require a little more confidence to drive.
- Peak season availability can become limited if booking late.
Our Local Perspective
For families visiting New Zealand, Apollo is usually one of the companies we’d recommend comparing first. Their broad range of family-friendly campervans makes it easier to find a vehicle that matches both your group size and travel style.
4. Maui
⭐ Best For
Premium road trips, couples seeking extra comfort and longer holidays.
Overview
Maui sits at the premium end of New Zealand’s campervan market, offering modern motorhomes designed for travellers who value comfort and convenience.
Their vehicles are often newer than many budget fleets and include features that make extended road trips particularly enjoyable, from spacious living areas to well-equipped kitchens and comfortable sleeping arrangements.
What Travellers Like
- Modern, well-presented fleet.
- High level of comfort.
- Spacious interiors.
- Excellent for extended road trips.
- Strong reputation among international visitors.
Things to Consider
- Higher hire prices than budget providers.
- Larger motorhomes aren’t necessary for every traveller.
- Booking well in advance is recommended during summer.
Our Local Perspective
If your budget allows and comfort is a priority, Maui is one of the strongest premium options available. For longer holidays, many travellers feel the additional space and modern features are well worth the extra investment.
5. Britz
⭐ Best For
Travellers looking for spacious motorhomes, premium features and extended New Zealand road trips.
Overview
Britz is one of New Zealand’s best-established campervan hire companies and is particularly well known for its larger motorhomes. With a strong focus on comfort and practicality, Britz is a popular choice for families, retirees and visitors planning longer holidays.
Their fleet includes a wide variety of motorhomes designed to make life on the road as comfortable as possible, particularly for travellers covering long distances across both islands.
What Travellers Like
- Large range of spacious motorhomes.
- Comfortable layouts for extended trips.
- Good nationwide depot network.
- Well-known and trusted brand.
- Suitable for families and groups.
Things to Consider
- Generally more expensive than budget campervan companies.
- Larger vehicles require more confidence to drive.
- Fuel costs can be higher with larger motorhomes.
Our Local Perspective
If you’re planning a longer New Zealand adventure and expect to spend plenty of time living in your campervan, Britz is one of the companies we’d recommend adding to your shortlist. The extra space can make a real difference on longer journeys.
6. Mighty
⭐ Best For
Travellers wanting excellent value without paying premium prices.
Overview
Mighty has built a reputation as a practical middle ground between budget and premium campervan hire. Their fleet includes a variety of campervans and motorhomes that offer good comfort while remaining competitively priced.
Many travellers choose Mighty because it provides many of the features found in higher-end motorhomes while often representing good overall value.
What Travellers Like
- Competitive pricing.
- Wide selection of vehicles.
- Comfortable layouts.
- Suitable for couples and families.
- Good availability throughout New Zealand.
Things to Consider
- Fleet age can vary depending on the vehicle selected.
- Premium features may be more limited than luxury providers.
- Popular travel dates book out quickly.
Our Local Perspective
If you’re trying to balance comfort with budget, Mighty is definitely worth comparing alongside Apollo and JUCY. For many travellers, it represents one of the better value options available.
7. Travellers Autobarn
⭐ Best For
Backpackers, younger travellers and budget-conscious adventurers.
Overview
Travellers Autobarn focuses on simple, affordable campervan travel for people who care more about the adventure than luxury accommodation.
Their campervans provide the essentials needed for exploring New Zealand while helping keep travel costs under control. They’re particularly popular with backpackers and visitors planning flexible road trips around both islands.
What Travellers Like
- Affordable pricing.
- Straightforward campervan layouts.
- Good option for backpackers.
- Easy online booking process.
- Flexible travel style.
Things to Consider
- Basic interiors compared with premium brands.
- Better suited to shorter or budget-focused trips.
- Limited luxury features.
Our Local Perspective
Travellers Autobarn won’t be the right choice for everyone, but if your priority is getting out and exploring New Zealand rather than staying in luxury accommodation, it’s a company that’s well worth considering.
Don’t Overlook Smaller Campervan Companies
While the companies above are some of New Zealand’s best-known campervan providers, they’re certainly not your only options.
New Zealand also has several smaller independent operators that have built loyal followings through personalised service, unique vehicle layouts and excellent customer care.
Companies such as Wendekreisen, Escape Rentals, Mad Campers, Tui Campers and other boutique operators are also worth researching, particularly if you’re looking for something a little different or travelling during quieter periods.
Although these companies often have smaller fleets, many travellers speak highly of their friendly service and attention to detail.
One of the advantages of comparing several providers is that you may discover a vehicle that’s a better fit for your trip than one of the larger, more recognisable brands.
🏆 Our Recommendations
Every traveller is looking for something a little different, so rather than choosing one overall winner, we’ve selected the companies we think are best suited to different travel styles.
💰 Best Budget Campervan
Winner: JUCY
Runner-up: Spaceships
If keeping costs down is your priority, these two companies are an excellent place to start. Both offer compact, practical campervans that are ideal for couples, backpackers and independent travellers.
👨👩👧 Best for Families
Winner: Apollo
Runner-up: Britz
Families generally benefit from the extra space, storage and flexibility offered by these providers. Their range of larger campervans and motorhomes makes travelling with children much more comfortable.
💎 Best Premium Experience
Winner: Maui
Runner-up: Britz
If comfort is high on your priority list, Maui’s modern fleet and well-equipped motorhomes make it one of New Zealand’s leading premium campervan companies.
⭐ Best Overall Value
Winner: Mighty
For travellers wanting a balance between price, comfort and vehicle choice, Mighty consistently represents excellent value.
🚐 Best for First-Time Campervan Travellers
If you’ve never hired a campervan before, we’d probably start by comparing Apollo, Mighty and JUCY.
Each offers a broad choice of vehicles and is well suited to visitors exploring New Zealand for the first time.
When Should You Book?
Campervans are one of the most popular ways to explore New Zealand, particularly during the summer months.
As a general guide:
- December to February: Book 4–6 months in advance if possible.
- March to May: Around 2–3 months ahead is usually sufficient.
- June to August: Greater flexibility, although ski season can still be busy in parts of the South Island.
- September to November: Booking a few months ahead will usually give you the best choice of vehicles.
Booking early often means a wider selection of campervans and, in many cases, better prices.
Compare Before You Book
Even if you’ve already narrowed your shortlist, it’s worth comparing a few providers before making your final decision.
Prices, vehicle layouts, included equipment, insurance options and seasonal specials can vary considerably between companies.
Taking a little extra time to compare your options can help you find the campervan that best suits your budget, travel style and itinerary.
Using the widget below you can search a range of providers and options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which campervan company is best for families?
Apollo and Britz are two of the strongest options thanks to their spacious family-friendly motorhomes and wide choice of vehicle layouts.
Which company is best for budget travellers?
JUCY and Spaceships are both excellent choices for travellers wanting an affordable New Zealand road trip.
Should I hire a campervan or a rental car?
That depends on your travel style.
If you enjoy flexibility and waking up somewhere different each day, a campervan is hard to beat. If you prefer hotels and shorter drives, a rental car may be the better option.
Our Campervan vs Car Hire guide explains the pros and cons of each.
How much does campervan hire cost in New Zealand?
Prices vary depending on the season, vehicle size and demand.
Booking early and comparing several companies usually gives you the best chance of finding a good deal.
Final Thoughts
New Zealand has no shortage of excellent campervan hire companies.
The best choice isn’t necessarily the newest vehicle or the biggest motorhome—it’s the company that best matches your travel style, budget and itinerary.
Whether you’re planning a budget adventure, a family holiday or the road trip of a lifetime, taking the time to compare a few providers will help you start your journey with confidence.
Continue Planning Your New Zealand Road Trip
Ready to keep planning?
- Campervan vs Car Hire: Which Is Better for Your Trip?
- How to Choose the Right Campervan for Your New Zealand Road Trip
- Driving in New Zealand: Everything Tourists Need to Know
- What To Pack For A New Zealand Road Trip
- 10-Day North Island Road Trip Itinerary
- 7-Day South Island Road Trip Itinerary
- First-Time Visitor’s Guide to New Zealand
Our Commitment to Honest Recommendations
At TravellingNZ, our goal is to help you plan an unforgettable trip to New Zealand.
Some of the links in this guide may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you choose to book through them—at no extra cost to you.
However, we only recommend companies we believe are worth considering based on our local knowledge, industry reputation, traveller feedback and independent research.
If we think a smaller operator deserves a mention, we’ll include them too. Our priority is helping you find the right campervan for your trip—not simply the one that pays the highest commission.
Happy travels, and we hope you have an incredible New Zealand adventure!