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Escape Campervans8A Stoddard Place, 1041 Mount Roskill - Auckland
Escape Campervans, colourful vans to criss-cross both islands
Escape Campervans stands out from a distance: its vans are covered in colourful murals, each one different. In New Zealand, the brand hires out its vehicles from one city on each island: Auckland, in the north, with a depot in Mount Roskill, and Christchurch, in the south, in the Sydenham district. It is also present in the United States and Canada.
The three models listed are converted vans for two people, with automatic gearbox: the Standard, the Standard SC and the SC Plus Campervan. According to the rental company's description, each one combines a bed, storage and a kitchen area with a stove and fridge. The SC label generally refers to self-contained certification; each vehicle's sheet details its equipment.
Of the 24 offers recorded by CoolDrive in October 2026, all include unlimited mileage, and the excess is around €1,520 for all three models.
Our verdict: vans full of character, easy to handle and very affordable during the southern winter, perfect for a couple. On the other hand, the network is limited to two cities, no model takes a family, and the options (excess cover, equipment, cleaning) can push up the total: read the whole offer before paying.
Escape Campervans in detail: what you need to know
The key facts to decide whether Escape Campervans suits your trip.
General information
- Brand
- Escape Campervans · vans with painted bodywork
- Vehicle type
- Converted vans · no coachbuilt motorhome among the models listed
- Models
- Standard, Standard SC, SC Plus Campervan · all present in our October 2026 records
- Capacity
- 2 seats, 2 berths · the same on every model
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Official website
- escapecampervans.com
Rental conditions
- Kilometres
- No cap · 24 out of 24 offers recorded
- Excess
- Around €1,520 · recorded on 21 October 2026, no difference between models
- Minimum age
- Stated in the offer · together with the required years of driving licence
- Licence
- Car driving licence · approved translation or international driving permit if it is not in English
- Security deposit
- Set by the offer · a credit card is generally required
- One-way hire
- Auckland ↔ Christchurch depending on the offer · any fees included in the price shown
- Freedom camping
- Generally reserved for certified vehicles · check the certification in the van's sheet
Insurance and extras
- Excess reduction
- Offered depending on the offer · paid, on top of the base rate
- Extra equipment
- Listed in each offer · to be added before departure
Network and availability
- North Island
- Auckland · 8A Stoddard Place, Mount Roskill; off-airport
- South Island
- Christchurch · 15 Kingsley Street, Sydenham; off-airport
- Other countries
- United States, Canada
Escape Campervans vehicles in New Zealand
Models offered by the rental company. Not all of them are available at every branch: the search form shows availability and prices.
Sleeper van
Prices recorded at Escape Campervans in New Zealand
| Vehicle | Winter July | Spring October | Summer January | Autumn April |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €17/day median €20/day | from €52/day median €56/day | from €58/day median €73/day | from €27/day median €41/day |
Daily prices recorded at Escape Campervans on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental from its branches in New Zealand: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,520.
Escape Campervans branches in New Zealand
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Escape Campervans15 Kingsley Street, 8023 Sydenham Christchurch
Escape Campervans also operates in 2 other countries
Escape Campervans compared with other rental companies in New Zealand
Our comparison of the country's rental companies: each has its strengths depending on your trip.
| Rental company | Vehicles | Mileage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Escape Campervans
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Vans for two: Standard, Standard SC, SC Plus Campervan | Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded | Painted vans for couples, Auckland and Christchurch |
Jucy Rentals
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Crib, Condo and Chaser vans | Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded | 4 departure cities, the largest network here |
Happy Camper
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Happy Trail, Scout, Cruise, Horizon and Summit vans | Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded | Five van models, 2 cities |
Lucky Rentals
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Lucky Rodeo, Roadie, Rover and Rambler vans | Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded | Wide choice of vans, 2 cities |
Pacific Horizon
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SAM, Max 4Berth, GEM-4 and 2+1 motorhomes, as well as vans | Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded | From van to large motorhome, 3 cities |
Escape Campervans: who is it for, and who should look elsewhere?
Escape Campervans is ideal if…
- You are travelling as a couple and a well-designed van is all you need
- You like the idea of a painted vehicle that no one could mistake in a car park
- You want to travel both islands without counting the kilometres
- You are travelling in July or August and looking for the gentlest rate of the year
- Driving on the left makes you nervous and an automatic gearbox reassures you
Escape Campervans is not ideal if…
- You are travelling as three or more: each model has two berths
- Your trip starts in Queenstown or Wellington, where Escape has no depot
- You want a large motorhome: Pacific Horizon and Star RV Rentals offer them in our records
- You prefer a discreet vehicle, without an eye-catching design
Our tips for booking with Escape Campervans
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Standard or SC: think about nights in the wild
In New Zealand, sleeping outside campsites on public land is generally reserved for certified self-contained vehicles. If you are counting on these free nights, check in the sheet that the Standard SC or the SC Plus Campervan does carry this certification. With the Standard, plan on campsites and paid sites instead.
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Plan the Cook Strait crossing
To get from Auckland to Christchurch, you need to board the ferry between Wellington and Picton. Check in the rental company's terms that the van can go on the boat, then book the crossing early during the southern summer, when vehicle spaces fill up quickly.
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The southern winter, the season of low prices
Our records put the lowest Escape rates in July, around €20 per day as a median, compared with over €70 in January. On the South Island, mountain passes can then be snowbound: follow the road reports, find out about snow chains and keep your stages short.
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Inspect the van before setting off
With the agent, walk round the bodywork, photograph every scratch and note it on the contract. Test the stove, fridge and lighting, check the kitchen inventory and save the assistance number in your phone. These few minutes avoid a lot of discussion on return, as the excess is around €1,520.
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Pack light, stow well
In a van for two, every litre counts. Choose foldable travel bags over hard-shell suitcases, and leave anything superfluous at home. New Zealand weather changes fast: a waterproof layer and a warm jumper take up less space than a full wardrobe.
Your questions about Escape Campervans
How much does an Escape Campervans hire cost in New Zealand?
The rates we recorded in October 2026, for a 15-day hire with mandatory fees included, start an Escape van at €17 per day for a July departure. Medians are around €20 in July, €41 in April, €56 in October and €73 in January. The SC Plus Campervan, the best-equipped in the range, goes up to around €115 per day.
What does SC mean in Escape Campervans models?
In New Zealand, SC generally refers to a self-contained vehicle, that is, one equipped to be self-sufficient in fresh water and waste water, which opens up access to more freedom camping spots. The Standard SC and the SC Plus Campervan carry this label; check the certification and exact equipment in their sheet before booking.
Where are the Escape Campervans depots in New Zealand?
Escape has two addresses: 8A Stoddard Place, in Mount Roskill, south of central Auckland, and 15 Kingsley Street, in Sydenham, near the centre of Christchurch. Neither is at the airport: allow for a taxi or shuttle, and check the key handover times on your booking voucher.
Is mileage unlimited with Escape Campervans?
Yes in our records: the 24 Escape Campervans offers recorded in October 2026, across all three models, include unlimited mileage. Enough to string together Northland, the volcanic region in the centre of the North Island, then the West Coast and the southern lakes without watching the odometer. Still, check this line in the offer you choose.
Is an Escape van suitable for a family?
Not really: the Standard, the Standard SC and the SC Plus Campervan all offer two seats and two berths. For three or more, look at four-berth vans or motorhomes from other rental companies in the country, such as Pacific Horizon. The CoolDrive search engine lets you filter results by number of travellers.
They rented with Escape Campervans
Public rating of Escape Campervans
Public rating of the rental company: 4.4/5 (94 reviews)
- Reviews.io 4.4/5 94 reviews
Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.
Quick and efficient response
The car was very good. It's just that for tall people (I am 1.89m), it's short for sleeping lengthwise. With 20 cm more, it would have been more comfortable. But that's just something to know when you are tall. We also hadn't been really warned about the legislation regarding Self Contained vehicles in New Zealand. Since the vehicle did not meet these standards, we spent two months looking for free camping spots, often stressing about getting caught. But we faced zero fines in 2 months. Finally, the fridge never worked in the car, but we had just experienced that for a month and a half in Australia as well, so we were used to living without a fridge.
Reminder by phone, friendly welcome, quick responses to our questions... keep it up, until then, it's perfect...
FAQ — Escape Campervans campervan hire in New Zealand
Why book Escape Campervans with CoolDrive?
In a single search, CoolDrive places Escape vans alongside offers from other New Zealand rental companies, each time with a total that includes mandatory fees. You know the excess, the mileage and the options before paying. Our experts can also help you choose between departing from Auckland or Christchurch depending on the season and your route.
What is the excess with Escape Campervans in New Zealand?
Our October 2026 records show an excess of around €1,520, identical for the Standard, the Standard SC and the SC Plus Campervan. This is the maximum amount you pay in the event of damage. A paid option can reduce it depending on the offer, and the security deposit, specified before booking, is generally paid by credit card.
Can I pick up the van in Auckland and return it in Christchurch?
This is the most logical route with Escape, since the brand has a depot on each island. Its availability does, however, depend on the dates and may incur fees. Choose Christchurch as your arrival city when searching: the search engine then shows only compatible offers, with the total price included.
Can the van take the ferry between the two islands?
To get from one island to the other, you need to board one of the ferries crossing the Cook Strait at Wellington or Picton. The hire terms specify whether the vehicle is allowed on board and how to book. Budget separately for the crossing, which is generally not included in the hire rate.
What licence do I need to drive an Escape Campervans van?
A car driving licence is enough for these vans. If it is not in English, New Zealand regulations require you to carry an approved translation or an international driving permit with it. The minimum age, years of driving licence and any young driver fees are stated offer by offer: read them before confirming.
Should I expect fees on top of the price shown?
The CoolDrive price already includes mandatory fees. Depending on your choices or the rental company's terms, you may add cover to reduce the excess, extra equipment or cleaning fees if the van comes back dirty. Read the offer details, return the vehicle clean and refuel as requested.
Hire an Escape Campervans van in New Zealand with CoolDrive Nomad
Escape Campervans offers vans for two, painted with colourful designs, departing from Auckland and Christchurch. One depot in the north, one in the south: the formula lends itself well to a tour across the country, from Northland to the Southern Alps, via the Cook Strait ferry. The three models, Standard, Standard SC and SC Plus Campervan, are automatic, and none of the offers recorded caps the kilometres; the excess is around €1,520.
The rental company will suit families, fans of large motorhomes or those departing from Queenstown less well. On CoolDrive Nomad, you compare Escape with Jucy Rentals, Happy Camper, Lucky Rentals or Pacific Horizon, with the full price shown. Our experts then help you choose the model, the departure city and the best period for your trip.
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