Rental company category:Low cost
Rental partner · New Zealand · Painted vans

Escape Campervans campervan hire in New Zealand

Painted vans for two travellers, departing from Auckland on the North Island and Christchurch on the South Island

per day, from (observed prices)
€17
public rating, 94 reviews
4.4/5
branches
2
departure cities
2
models
3
countries
3
of the 24 offers recorded with unlimited kilometres
100%
excess recorded, the same on all three vans
€1,520
  • Vans decorated with murals, each one unique
  • One depot per island: Auckland and Christchurch
  • Unlimited mileage in all offers recorded
  • Automatic gearbox on all three models
  • Brand also present in the United States and Canada

Official website of the rental company

The rental company

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.

Rental company profile

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
The fleet

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

Observed prices

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.

Branches

Escape Campervans branches in New Zealand

Network

Escape Campervans also operates in 2 other countries

Comparison

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 Vans for two: Standard, Standard SC, SC Plus Campervan Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded Painted vans for couples, Auckland and Christchurch
Jucy Rentals Crib, Condo and Chaser vans Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded 4 departure cities, the largest network here
Happy Camper Happy Trail, Scout, Cruise, Horizon and Summit vans Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded Five van models, 2 cities
Lucky Rentals Lucky Rodeo, Roadie, Rover and Rambler vans Unlimited in 100% of offers recorded Wide choice of vans, 2 cities
Pacific Horizon 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
Our view

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
Practical tips

Our tips for booking with Escape Campervans

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

What travellers ask

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.

Verified customer reviews

They rented with Escape Campervans

4.3
818 reviews

Public rating of Escape Campervans

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

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

Quick and efficient response

Bruno S.
New Zealand · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés

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.

Lisa A.
New Zealand · Apr 2025
Avis Vérifiés

Reminder by phone, friendly welcome, quick responses to our questions... keep it up, until then, it's perfect...

H.
New Zealand · Feb 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions

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.

About us

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.