Hiring a campervan is the best way to see New Zealand. You can travel at your own pace, see as much as you like, and stop whenever you want to appreciate the country’s breath-taking scenery. Before you proceed with campervan hire in New Zealand, there a couple of things you should be aware of in order to make your trip as easy as possible. The following are some useful tips for campervan hire in New Zealand.

winter road trip

Check availability during peak times
New Zealand’s peak season is during the summer months of December, January and February. If you are travelling to New Zealand during this time, make sure to book your choice of campervan well in advance as availability is very scarce during peak times.

Look out for discounts and special offers
Some campervan rental companies in New Zealand run special offers months in advance of high and low seasons for people who book early. Such special offers may be a 5-10% discount of the hire rate, or discounts on upgrades and extras. You may also be entitled to discounts if you hire a campervan with the same company in both Australia and New Zealand.

Book your campervan before your flights
The number of available seats on flights coming in and out of New Zealand is far greater than the number of campervans available for hire. It is therefore a good idea to secure your camper for your desired dates before you book your flights.

Familiarise yourself with your campervan
Before you set out on your adventure, familiarize yourself with the functions and features of your campervan, such as the cooker, fridge, shower, and toilet. Make sure you know how to empty your waste water. Listen to all instructions carefully and ask as many questions as you like.

Get over your jet lag before driving
Travelling to New Zealand involves a lot of long flights. Before you hit the road in your campervan, make sure try to stay a minimum of one night in your city of arrival in order to avoid jet lag while driving.

Familiarise yourself with the NZ Road Code
Driving in New Zealand is pretty straightforward. Be confident, take your time and be courteous to drivers you meet on the road. Never panic if you go the wrong way or meet an unfamiliar situation. Also, be aware that some sites of interest (in particular the South Island) are accessed by roads that require a 4×4 vehicle.

Read the terms and conditions
Check the payment and cancellation fee policies of your campervan hire NZ company before making your booking. Companies will normally need you to pay at least a percentage of the rental in advance, charging the rest on your arrival at the depot. All campervan rental companies will charge a cancellation fee if a booking is cancelled. If you cancel within seven days or you are a ‘no show’ you will probably be charged the full rental cost.

Know where to collect and return your campervan
Check where to go before collecting and dropping off your vehicle. Most depots are located close to airports, with many rental companies offering free airport pick up/drop off between the depot and airport if they are not within walking distance.

Enjoy it
New Zealand is a fantastic country in which to hire a campervan. There are so many places to explore, and campervan hire allows you to do it at your leisure. Enjoy every moment, and experience everything.

Dying to hit New Zealand’s roads? Then what are you waiting for? Check out our deals and offers on campervan hire in New Zealand and more!

If you are looking for more campervan travel tips check out our Campervan Travel tips section…

About the Author

Bastian Graf

Bastian is the Sales & Marketing Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing and International Business Management, and 20+ years experience in campervan hire, road trips and travel.

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