Camper van rentals are a very convenient solution to both accommodation and travel clubbing them as a single expense and including sightseeing and a cross-country trip in the bargain. They do not come cheap. However, but they will cost less than accommodation and traveling expenses calculated separately.



Depending on your budget there are quite a few options open to you. You could rent a luxury, top of the line but highly expensive camper van with facilities such as television, microwave and air conditioning to name a few. You could also rent a more basic, older model with provisions for bedding, linen, cutlery, crockery for a more modest sum. Sometimes a one-way rental fee is charged if you don't plan on a round trip back to the agency (they effectively charge you for relocation)

Camper vans are classified by the number of berths they have. Each berth can sleep a single person. Depending on the size of the group you are traveling with you could choose a camper van with two, three, four or six berths. The more is the number of berths the higher the rent.

A couple of things must be taken into account before you actually do rent a camper van however.

For one thing they can only be driven on well-maintained roads and not through out of the way little forests, woods, etc. Most rental camper vans will not be allowed to travel on unsealed (non bitumen) roads which there are quite a few of in New Zealand though most popular tourist attractions are now accessible through sealed/bitumen roads. A definite itinerary must be therefore chalked out and stuck to. Chalking out an itinerary is also important, as it will aid you in making a decision regarding the campsites you want to stop at. The top rated and most well maintained campsites are absolutely modern and up to date with facilities such as showers, modern toilets and sometimes even working kitchens. The department of conservation also has various campsites under its domain which are beautiful national parks but which have very basic facilities like a water tap and a pit in the ground serving as a toilet. A caravan with a wastewater storage tanker and shower facilities would be advisable if such parks are on the agenda.

You must be over twenty-one years of age to rent a camper van in New Zealand even though the age at which you are allowed an official license is eighteen. Some companies even require you to be over twenty-three or twenty-five. Others ask individuals over the age of seventy-five to produce medical certificates giving them a clean bill of health.

Make sure that the agency has a help line you can contact in case any problems arise. The agency should also provide a good insurance scheme including insurance against damage by a third party.

Most companies charge excess, in the event of damage to their vehicle or a third party's property, which can go from $1000 to $5000.You, should always look for possibilities of excess reduction. Be careful when you give your credit card for the bond you have to pay to cover any incidental liability. While most companies only take a card imprint some secretly debit some of your money possibly jeopardizing you finances!