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New Zealand South Island Christchurch

Campervan and motorhome hire in Christchurch

Camper vans and motorhomes for the Southern Alps, the West Coast and Kaikoura

Compare the 19 campervan and motorhome rental companies in Christchurch to find the best price, and book at the price shown, mandatory fees included.

per day, from (observed prices)
€16
rental partners
19
branches
20
  • 20 partner companies across 12 sites
  • From €16 per day (prices observed in October 2026)
  • Wellington 305 km as the crow flies
  • Pleasant climate from November to April
  • Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 11 customer reviews
  • Left-hand driving throughout the country

Airport branches: Apollo, Britz, Campervan Village, Cheapa Campa, Chill'd by JUCY, Happy Camper, Hippie Camper, Jucy Rentals, Kiwi Campers, Lucky Rentals, Maui, McRent, Mighty Campers, MightyLITE, Pacific Horizon, Spaceships Rentals, Star RV Rentals, Travellers Autobarn

Hiring a campervan in Christchurch starts your trip in the heart of Canterbury, the largest city of the South Island, between plains stretching towards the Southern Alps and the Pacific coast. Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Arthur's Pass, the West Coast glaciers and the whales of Kaikoura are one or two days' drive away. With 20 partner companies, the choice ranges from small vans to family motorhomes: Apollo, Britz, Maui, Jucy, Escape Campervans, Travellers Autobarn, McRent and many more.

Almost all depots surround the airport, north-west of the city: you hit the road without crossing the centre.

19 rental partners

Where to pick up your vehicle in Christchurch?

Apollo Rental company category:Standard

  • Airport
    159 Orchard Road, 8053 Christchurch
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Britz Rental company category:Standard

Public rating of the rental company: 3.2/5 (16 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • Britz Campervan Hire Airport
    159 Orchard Road, 8053 Christchurch
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Campervan Village Rental company category:Economy

Public rating of the rental company: 2.9/5 (139 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • Airport
    9 Pukaki Road, Yaldhurst - Christchurch
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Chill'd by JUCY Rental company category:Economy

  • Jucy Rentals Airport
    157 Orchard Road, Mustang Park, 8051 Christchurch
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Escape Campervans Rental company category:Low cost

Public rating of the rental company: 4.4/5 (94 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • 15 Kingsley Street, 8023 Sydenham Christchurch
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Happy Camper Rental company category:Low cost

Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (169 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • Happy Campers c/o Lucky Rentals Airport
    791 Wairakei Road, 8053 Christchurch Airport
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Jucy Rentals Rental company category:Economy

Public rating of the rental company: 3.5/5 (1,223 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • Airport
    157 Orchard Road, Mustang Park, 8051 Christchurch
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Kiwi Campers Rental company category:Economy

Public rating of the rental company: 1.5/5 (27 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • Airport
    2 Export Ave Harewood, 8051 Christchurch
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Lucky Rentals Rental company category:Low cost

  • Airport
    791 Wairakei Road, 8053 Christchurch Airport
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Maui Rental company category:Premium

Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (499 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • Maui Camper Rentals Airport
    159 Orchard Road, 8053 Christchurch
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McRent Rental company category:Standard

  • McRent Christchurch c/o McRent New Zealand Ltd Airport
    Holt Place 12, 8053 Burnside
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Mighty Campers Rental company category:Low cost

Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (334 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • Mighty Campervans New Zealand Airport
    159 Orchard Road, 8053 Christchurch
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MightyLITE Rental company category:Low cost

  • MightyLITE Campervans New Zealand Airport
    159 Orchard Road, 8053 Christchurch
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Pacific Horizon Rental company category:Premium

  • Airport
    31 Sheffield Crescent, Burnside, 8053 Christchurch
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  • 31 Sir John McKenzie Avenue, Yaldurst Christchurch
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Spaceships Rentals Rental company category:Low cost

Public rating of the rental company: 3.9/5 (601 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • Airport
    160 Orchard Road, 8051 Harewood, Christchurch
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Travellers Autobarn Rental company category:Low cost

Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (305 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

  • Airport
    238 Roydvale Avenue, Burnside, 8053 Christchurch
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Observed prices

Rental prices observed in Christchurch

Vehicle Winter July Spring October Summer January Autumn April
Campervan from €16/day median €36/day from €18/day median €54/day from €40/day median €95/day from €18/day median €57/day
Low-profile motorhome from €83/day median €227/day from €77/day median €161/day from €186/day median €253/day from €154/day median €217/day
Large motorhome from €78/day median €139/day from €124/day median €175/day from €188/day median €280/day from €94/day median €175/day

Daily prices observed on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 13 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €2,532.

Road trip ideas

Road trips from Christchurch

1 Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Waitaki Valley 5 to 7 days about 850 km
  1. Christchurch
  2. Geraldine
  3. Lake Tekapo
  4. Lake Pukaki
  5. Aoraki/Mount Cook
  6. Omarama
  7. Oamaru
  8. Christchurch

Across the Canterbury Plains and Geraldine, the road climbs over Burke Pass to Lake Tekapo, an international dark sky reserve, and its small church on the turquoise shore. Lake Pukaki leads to Aoraki/Mount Cook village and the Hooker Valley Track, at the foot of the country's highest peak. The way back follows the Waitaki Valley down to Oamaru, its Victorian old town and its penguins, then runs along the coast.

Distance
about 850 km
Recommended vehicle
All types of motorhomes
2 Arthur's Pass, the West Coast and the glaciers 8 to 10 days about 1,050 km
  1. Christchurch
  2. Arthur's Pass
  3. Hokitika
  4. Franz Josef
  5. Fox Glacier
  6. Punakaiki
  7. Reefton
  8. Lewis Pass
  9. Hanmer Springs
  10. Christchurch

State Highway 73 crosses the Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass, its mountain village and the Otira Viaduct, before reaching the Tasman Sea at Hokitika. To the south, the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers descend to the rainforest; to the north, the Pancake Rocks of Punakaiki face the ocean. The return via Reefton, Lewis Pass and the hot springs of Hanmer Springs closes the loop.

Distance
about 1,050 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or low-profile motorhome
3 Kaikoura and Marlborough to the Picton ferry 3 to 4 days about 340 km, plus the ferry crossing
  1. Christchurch
  2. Kaikoura
  3. Blenheim
  4. Picton
  5. Wellington

Heading north, State Highway 1 reaches Kaikoura, where whales, dolphins and fur seals live between snowy mountains and the ocean. It then follows a wild coastline to the Marlborough vineyards around Blenheim, and on to Picton, deep in the Marlborough Sounds. The ferry crosses Cook Strait to Wellington, another departure city of our partners, for a one-way trip to the North Island.

Distance
about 340 km, plus the ferry crossing
Recommended vehicle
All types of motorhomes
Weather and seasons

When to go in Christchurch?

Best time

March and April

March to April
highs 17 to 19 °C, lows 9 to 12 °C

The southern autumn is the best time to leave from Christchurch: eight to nine hours of sunshine a day, a sea still at 16 or 18 °C on the beaches of Sumner and New Brighton, golden poplars in the Mackenzie Basin and campsites quieter than in summer.

High season

December to February

December to February
highs 20 to 22 °C, lows 12 to 13 °C

The southern summer brings up to twelve hours of sunshine a day in January and a sea at 19 or 20 °C, the warmest of the year. It is peak season: campsites at Mount Cook and on the West Coast are in high demand, and the nor'wester, a hot dry wind, sometimes blows hard across the Canterbury Plains.

September to November

September to November
highs 14 to 18 °C, lows 6 to 10 °C

The southern spring is changeable: sunshine, showers and lingering snow on the Southern Alps alternate within the same week. Lambs fill the Canterbury fields, lupins bloom around Lake Tekapo in late November and the roads stay quiet until early summer.

Winter

May to August

May to August
highs 11 to 15 °C, lows 4 to 7 °C

The southern winter, with short and cool days, is the quietest season: skiing at Mount Hutt or Porters, the hot pools of Hanmer Springs and clear skies over Lake Tekapo. July is also when campervans are hired at the lowest rates of the year.

Climate in Christchurch, month by month

Most pleasant months: November to April.

Month High Low Rain Sun Sea
Jan 21 °C 13 °C 57 mm 12 h/day 19 °C
Feb 22 °C 13 °C 52 mm 10 h/day 20 °C
Mar 19 °C 12 °C 52 mm 9 h/day 18 °C
Apr 17 °C 9 °C 63 mm 8 h/day 16 °C
May 15 °C 7 °C 56 mm 7 h/day 13 °C
Jun 12 °C 5 °C 60 mm 6 h/day 11 °C
Jul 11 °C 4 °C 75 mm 7 h/day 10 °C
Aug 12 °C 4 °C 43 mm 8 h/day 9 °C
Sep 14 °C 6 °C 46 mm 9 h/day 11 °C
Oct 16 °C 8 °C 61 mm 10 h/day 13 °C
Nov 18 °C 10 °C 62 mm 11 h/day 16 °C
Dec 20 °C 12 °C 71 mm 11 h/day 18 °C

Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).

Practical tips

Everything to know before hitting the road

Pick up the vehicle the day after you arrive

Christchurch is often reached after a long flight and one or two connections. As the depots are next to the airport, a night in a hotel in that area lets you collect the vehicle rested, the next morning, rather than discovering left-hand driving after hours of travel. Then do your shopping in town: supermarkets become scarce towards the passes.

Freedom camping: certified self-contained vehicle

In most areas, freedom camping is reserved for certified self-contained vehicles: fixed toilet, fresh and grey water tanks and the green sticker of the current certification. In Christchurch and on Banks Peninsula, a council bylaw bans or restricts it in many places: follow the signs, as fines are heavy. Models such as the Beta 2S Self Contained or the Chubby Camper Self Contained are certified.

One-lane bridges and slow roads

Beyond the plains, South Island roads become winding, with many one-lane bridges, especially on the West Coast: a sign shows who must give way. Expect a modest average speed, use passing lanes and pull-over bays to let faster vehicles by, and avoid driving at night.

Akaroa and Banks Peninsula

About 80 km south-east, Banks Peninsula, an ancient volcano, is home to Akaroa, a village founded by French settlers, whose harbour hosts Hector's dolphins. The main road crosses the ridge at Hilltop, winding but accessible; the bay roads, narrow and sometimes gravel, suit campervans better than large motorhomes.

What travellers ask

Your questions about a road trip in Christchurch

Where can I pick up a campervan in Christchurch?

Eleven of the twelve sites surround the airport. Apollo, Britz, Maui, Mighty Campers, MightyLITE, Cheapa Campa and Hippie Camper share a depot on Orchard Road, also home to Jucy, Star RV Rentals and Spaceships. Lucky Rentals and Happy Camper are on Wairakei Road, Kiwi Campers in Harewood, Travellers Autobarn, McRent, Indie Campers and Pacific Horizon in Burnside, Campervan Village in Yaldhurst. Escape Campervans is in Sydenham, south of the centre.

How much does campervan hire cost in Christchurch?

Our searches in October 2026, covering 235 offers from 13 companies for a 15-day hire, mandatory fees included, found campervans from €16 per day for a July departure, with a median of €36, against a median of €95 in January. Low-profile motorhomes start at €77 in spring. Run a search with your dates to get the actual rates.

Can I do a one-way trip to Queenstown or Wellington?

Yes. Queenstown, 357 km as the crow flies, is also a departure city of our partners, as is Wellington, reached via the Picton ferry. One-way fees may apply: they are included in the displayed price if you enter the return city. For the North Island, check whether the vehicle boards the ferry or is swapped on either side of the strait.

Can I drive to Milford Sound from Christchurch?

Yes, but it is far: allow about 800 km via Tekapo, Queenstown and Te Anau, so at least two long days of driving. The easiest option is to include it in a two-week loop combining Mount Cook, Fiordland and the West Coast, or to end the trip one-way in Queenstown. In summer, book the fiord cruise in advance.

Which campervans are available from Christchurch?

The offers we found range from two-seat vans, such as the Aventus or the Beta 2S Self Contained, to the 2+1 Motorhome for three people, the family Comfort Plus and Comfort Luxury models with four berths, up to the 6-Berth Big Kahuna, which sleeps six. Check the number of berths, sometimes lower than the seats: the 2-Berth Cloudbreak has four seats but two berths.

Verified customer reviews

They rented in Christchurch with CoolDrive Nomad

4.3
818 reviews

Quick and efficient response

Bruno S.
New Zealand · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés

Top responsiveness

W.
New Zealand · Nov 2024
Trustpilot

Responsive to emails and good advice

(anonymous)
New Zealand · Feb 2024
Avis Vérifiés
All Avis Vérifiés reviews All Trustpilot reviews
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Christchurch

Do I need an international driving permit in New Zealand?

A valid foreign licence lets you drive for a limited period if it is written in English; otherwise, it must be accompanied by an approved translation or an international driving permit. A car licence is generally enough for rental campervans and motorhomes. Each company also sets a minimum age and a minimum licence holding period, shown in the offer's conditions.

Where can I sleep in a campervan around Christchurch?

Department of Conservation campsites, simple and inexpensive, dot Arthur's Pass, Mount Cook and the West Coast; the busiest ones can be booked online in summer. Holiday parks offer showers, shared kitchens and dump stations, in town and on Banks Peninsula. Apps list both, as well as the sites where freedom camping is allowed.

Is mileage unlimited and what excess should I expect?

All the offers found in our Christchurch searches included unlimited mileage, a real advantage given the distances on the South Island. The median excess was €2,532, the amount withheld in case of damage: compare the reduction options offered with each deal, especially if you plan gravel roads or mountain passes.

What do travellers who left from Christchurch say?

Eleven customers who left from Christchurch gave us an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. They especially praise our responsiveness: “Quick and efficient reply”, “Responsive to emails and good advice”. Our experts help you compare companies and vehicles for your itinerary, before departure and during the trip.

When should I book a campervan in Christchurch?

For December, January and February, which coincide with the long New Zealand school holidays, book several months ahead: campervans and certified self-contained models go first. From March to November, the choice remains wide a few weeks before departure, especially for family motorhomes.

Can I travel by campervan during the southern winter?

Yes, but Arthur's Pass, Lewis Pass and Burke Pass can be snowy or icy from June to September. Ask the company for snow chains, check the road conditions published by the New Zealand transport agency every morning and choose a heated vehicle for the frosty nights of the Mackenzie Basin.

About us

Why start a motorhome trip from Christchurch

Christchurch is the most central starting point on the South Island: in one day, you can reach the turquoise lakes of the Mackenzie as easily as the Tasman Sea via Arthur's Pass or the whale-rich waters of Kaikoura. The city makes it possible to plan a full loop, from the West Coast glaciers to the peaks of Aoraki/Mount Cook, without ever driving the same road twice.

With twenty partner companies, almost all around the airport, the offer suits every budget, with campervans observed from €16 per day in October 2026 for a departure in the southern winter. Queenstown, Wellington and Auckland, other departure cities of our partners, open the way to one-way trips, as far as the North Island by ferry. The climate, pleasant from November to April, also lends itself to winter trips, quieter and cheaper.

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