Caravan rental costs NZ: complete pricing guide

Getting out on the road is simple in New Zealand – the country is brilliantly set up for caravanning and road trips. But there’s one question on everyone’s mind when they first start planning and budgeting: “how much does it cost to rent a caravan?”

The cost of hiring a caravan in New Zealand ranges from $40 - $200 per day. The rental price is generally determined by the size of the caravan, its features and seasonal demand:

• Lower Price Range ($40 - $100 per day): Basic but spacious caravans that are perfect for holidays at powered campsites. Suitable for solo travellers, couples and families.

• Middle Price Range ($100 - $140 per day): Larger caravans that provide plenty of comfortable living and sleeping space. Best for the average family of 4 - 6 people.

• Higher Price Range ($140 - $200 per day): High-end caravans that have outstanding features, off-grid capabilities and plenty of space for couples and small families.

In this article, we also break down additional costs to consider and reveal a few of our money-saving tips for hiring a caravan. Plus, towards the end, we’ll tell you how to get insurance at no extra cost!

Just some of the ways that Camplify is helping you to find the perfect caravan at the best price!

Cost to rent a caravan in New Zealand

Lower price range

Cost:

The cost of hiring a caravan in the lower price range is about $40 - $100 per day.

Features:

Caravans in the lower price range generally have enough living space for 2 - 6 peopl e. Many have external camping pullouts that add additional sleeping space and an outdoor entertainment area. Bedding options normally include a fixed double bed and a convertible dinette area.

Many lower-cost caravans are suitable for towing behind family vehicles and 2WD. They may often be lighter , making them perfect for affordable holidays to powered campsites and holiday parks. Yet they also have sufficient facilities to comfortably freedom camp for 1-2 days.

Best For:

Solo travellers, couples or families that want to use their caravan at powered holiday sites.

Examples:

• Sandy (Papamoa - Sleeps 8)

• Sondela (Auckland - Sleeps 4)

• The Hilton (Palmerston North - Sleeps 4)

• Escape Artist 2 (Kumeu - Sleeps 4)

• Cozy Pop-Top (Dairy Flat - Sleeps 4)

• Dommy the Dominator (Tauranga - Sleeps 6)

• The Eagle Family Escape Pod (Waitahuna - Sleeps 6)

Middle price range

Cost:

The cost of hiring a caravan in the middle price range is around $100 - $140 per day.

Features:

Caravans in the middle price range offer a comfortable living space for 4 - 6 people (the average family). They usually have larger bathroom and kitchen facilities as well as wider bedding options. Additional bedding options also tend to be more comfortable, such as fixed bunk beds or wide convertible dinettes.

Mid-priced hire caravans are perfect for the average family who want a bit of extra internal space. They can be towed by a range of vehicles including 2WD and 4WD. Plus, many have larger water tanks and solar panels, perfect for up to 3 days of freedom camping.

Best For:

Couples, families or groups of friends who want extra living and sleeping space at an affordable cost.

Examples:

• Kapiti (Paraparaumu - Sleeps 6)

• Sprite (Auckland - Sleeps 4)

• Stan the Starcraft (Tauranga - Sleeps 5)

• Affinity and Beyond (Tauranga - Sleeps 6)

• Brimar (Waikuku Beach - Sleeps 6)

• Concord Sally (Papamoa Beach - Sleeps 4)

• Mac the 6 Bertha (Papamoa -Sleeps 6)

• Family Adventures (Hamilton - Sleeps 6)

Higher price range

Cost:

The cost of hiring a caravan in the higher price range is around $140 - $200 per day.

Features:

Caravans in the higher price range usually boast the widest array of features and comforts. They tend to be modern and have high-quality fittings in the kitchen and bathroom. The bedding is often super comfortable and you can move freely thanks to an abundance of internal living space.

Higher-cost hire caravans are great for couples or small families who want a 5-star road trip experience. Pull up at any powered site or freedom site and enjoy a week-long holiday with no troubles. Enjoy everything you could ever need in a caravan and all the comforts that you normally do at home!

Best For:

Couples or small families who want to holiday in style and comfort.

Examples:

• Kiwi Caravan Experience (Auckland - Sleeps 2)

• Matai (Auckland - Sleeps 2)

• Jake the Jayco (Papakura - Sleeps 2)

Other caravan rental costs

Fees

When you hire a caravan in New Zealand, the rental company will charge you a booking fee. At Camplify, we keep our booking fee to 15%, which pays for:

• 24/7 Nationwide Roadside Assistance from AA

• 24/7 Customer Support Team

• The Camplify Platform

Most rental companies will also charge a service fee. At Camplify, the service fee is set by the caravan owner and generally covers:

• Cleaning the RV

• Basic Pantry Items

• Gas Bottle Refills

• Cleaning Products

• Customer Surprises (e.g. champagne and cheeses)

• Other Costs (e.g. road tolls)

Fuel

Most cars and tow vehicles in New Zealand run on 91-octane or 95-octane petrol. In 2020 - 21, the average price of petrol is $2.25 per litre (or $8.52 per gallon). That means that a full tank of gas in the average sedan (70L) will cost you $157.50.

Diesel tends to be cheaper than petrol. In 2020-21, the average price of diesel is $1.35 per litre ($5.13 per gallon). As such, a full tank of diesel (70L) will cost you $94.50.

UseNew Zealand AA’s Petrolwatch site to keep up to date with fuel prices. Also, get a freeAA Smart Fuel card, which gives a discount of about 6 cents per litre of petrol (the amount changes daily).

Campgrounds and caravan parks

The rate of your caravan campsite will largely depend on the location, crowds, facilities and whether or not the site is powered or unpowered. Campsite prices around New Zealand range from free to about $50 per night.

For more information about the cost of road tripping in a caravan, see “How to budget for your New Zealand road trip” and “How much does it cost to park a motorhome”. There, you’ll find heaps of in-depth guides about the cost of camping, food, activities, attractions, phone data and more!

How to get insurance included

Some of New Zealand’s most popular caravan rental businesses charge up to $70 per day for insurance - and that’s on top of your rental price!

When you hire a caravan through Camplify, there are no hidden fees. We want you to know exactly what you’re getting - that’s why all Camplify bookings include comprehensive hire insurance at no additional cost. Enjoy total peace of mind knowing that you’re covered if anything goes wrong on your road trip. Plus, we also have options to reduce your excess if you’d like even more security.

In addition to comprehensive insurance, all Camplify bookings also include:

• Roadside Assistance: Camplify is partnered with the AA to provide all bookings with 24/7 nationwide breakdown coverage. No matter where your road trip takes you, we’ll always have someone on hand to help in an emergency.

• Local Support Team: Our New Zealand-based support team is always here to help you. If anything goes wrong, just give them a call and they’ll walk you through the resolution step-by-step.

How to save costs when hiring a caravan

Long Term Hire Rates

If you’re planning on travelling for a week or more, you can save a lot each day by asking for long-term hire rates. You’ll find that many owners on Camplify are happy to offer a lower daily price for longer bookings. If they haven’t already noted this in their caravan listing, just shoot them a message and ask!

Season and Demand

The cost of hiring a caravan is highest during summer (December to March) because this is New Zealand’s busiest tourism period. To lower your costs and escape the crowds, try to travel during quieter periods like winter (June to August), spring (September to October) or autumn (April to May).

Minimum Hire Period

Most caravan rental companies in New Zealand have a minimum hire period of 3-5 days. However, many caravans on Camplify only have a minimum hire period of 2-3 days. If you’re only planning on a short road trip, you may save up to 2 days of hire fees by booking through Camplify. To check the minimum hire period, look under “The Important Stuff” on the listing.

Caravan hire vs motorhome hire

You now know how much it costs to rent a caravan. You also know that you can save time and money by hiring a caravan through Camplify!

But how can you be sure that a caravan is right for you? Maybe you’d prefer to travel in a motorhome?

If you still need some help deciding, first read our article about how much it costs to hire a motorhome. Then use the Camplify search feature and the filter options to quickly and easily compare all the best motorhome, caravan and campervan rentals in New Zealand. It’s that simple!

Why Camplify?

We are proud to be New Zealand’s fastest-growing private caravan, campervan and motorhome sharing community. When you hire a van through our platform, it comes with lots of advantages:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• Nationwide AA roadside assistance

• 24/7 customer support

• All members are verified

By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across New Zealand in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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