Rental company category:Low cost
Rental partner · New Zealand · Small campervans

Spaceships campervan hire in New Zealand

Small campervans, from the Beta to the pop-top Cosmo VW, to collect in Auckland or Christchurch

per day, from (observed prices)
€16
public rating, 601 reviews
3.9/5
branches
2
departure cities
2
models
10
countries
4
excess observed, the same on all six models seen
€2,532
of the 36 offers observed with unlimited mileage
100%
  • Airport branch
  • One departure on each island: Auckland and Christchurch
  • Auckland depot at Airport Oaks, near the airport
  • Unlimited kilometres in the 36 offers observed
  • Automatic gearbox on almost the whole range
  • Pop-top Cosmo VW for three travellers
  • Brand also present in Australia and the United Kingdom

Official website of the rental company

The rental company

Spaceships, clever campervans for touring both islands

Spaceships has made small campervans its speciality, a far cry from the size of a coachbuilt motorhome. In New Zealand, the brand welcomes its customers in two cities: Auckland, at Airport Oaks, on the edge of the international airport, and Christchurch, on Orchard Road, in Harewood. It also rents in Australia and the United Kingdom.

The listed range has ten models. Most are two-berth vans with automatic gearboxes: the Beta Standard, the Rocket Budget, the Sigma, the Dream Sleeper Mini and the Beta 2S, including a Self Contained version. Two “Stealth” variants are advertised without exterior branding. The Cosmo VW, a pop-top Volkswagen, offers three berths, in manual or automatic. A four-berth Luxury Motorhome also appears in the list, but not in our observations.

The 36 offers observed by CoolDrive in October 2026, spread across six models, all include unlimited mileage, with an excess of around €2,532 whatever the vehicle.

Our view: a clever, affordable formula, especially off-season, for a solo traveller or a couple who want a vehicle that is easy to park. On the downside, the network is limited to two cities, a van for two leaves little room for luggage, and vehicles go quickly in the southern summer: book early and read the insurance and security deposit terms before paying.

Rental company profile

Spaceships Rentals in detail: what you need to know

The key facts to decide whether Spaceships Rentals suits your trip.

General information

Brand
Spaceships · Spaceships Rentals, small campervan rental company
Vehicle types
Converted vans, pop-top van · one low-profile motorhome listed, absent from our observations
Models observed
Beta Standard, Beta 2S Self Contained, Dream Sleeper Mini, Sigma, Cosmo VW · six variants, the Cosmo VW being observed in manual and automatic
Other models listed
Rocket Budget, Beta 2S Stealth, Dream Sleeper Mini Stealth, Luxury Motorhome · Stealth versions advertised without branding
Capacity
2 berths, 3 on the Cosmo VW · 4 seats on the Beta Standard and the Rocket Budget
Transmission
Automatic · the Cosmo VW also comes with a manual gearbox

Rental conditions

Distance driven
Unlimited · 36 offers observed out of 36
Excess
About €2,532 · identical on all six models, observed on 21 October 2026
Driver’s age
Set in each offer · with the required years of licence holding
Licence
Car licence · with an approved translation or an international permit if not in English
Security deposit
Amount specified in the offer · a credit card is generally required
One-way hire
Depending on dates · to test by choosing another return city
Freedom camping
Subject to certification · Self Contained label on the Beta 2S; to check for other models

Insurance and extras

Excess reduction
Offered depending on the offer · on top of the base price
Optional equipment
Listed in each offer · to book before departure

Network and availability

North Island
Auckland · 5 Aintree Avenue, Airport Oaks
South Island
Christchurch · 160 Orchard Road, Harewood
Airports
Depots nearby · no counter in the terminals
Other countries
Australia, United Kingdom
Observed prices

Prices recorded at Spaceships Rentals in New Zealand

Vehicle Winter July Summer January Autumn April
Campervan from €16/day median €33/day from €73/day median €122/day from €23/day median €36/day

Daily prices recorded at Spaceships Rentals 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: €2,532.

Branches

Spaceships Rentals branches in New Zealand

  • Spaceships Rentals Airport
    5 Aintree Ave, Airport Oaks, Auckland
    Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (27 reviews)

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

  • Spaceships Rentals Airport
    160 Orchard Road, 8051 Harewood, Christchurch
    Public rating of the rental company: 4.0/5 (25 reviews)

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

Network

Spaceships Rentals also operates in 3 other countries

Comparison

Spaceships Rentals 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
Spaceships Rentals Small vans (Beta, Dream Sleeper Mini, Sigma) and pop-top Cosmo VW Unlimited in 100% of offers observed Six models observed, up to 3 berths, 2 cities
Jucy Rentals Crib, Chaser and Condo vans Unlimited in 100% of offers observed Four departure cities, two per island
Travellers Autobarn Stationwagon estate and Chubby, Kuga and Hi5 Camper vans Unlimited in 100% of offers observed Three Self Contained vans, 2 cities
Kiwi Campers Kiwi 2 Dart, Kiwi Traveller 2 ST, Kiwi Deluxe Euro vans… Unlimited in 100% of offers observed Wide choice of vans (8 models), 2 cities
Escape Campervans Standard, Standard SC and SC Plus Campervan vans Unlimited in 100% of offers observed Painted vans for two, 2 cities
Our view

Spaceships Rentals: who is it for, and who should look elsewhere?

Spaceships Rentals is ideal if…

  • You are travelling solo or as two and a small van is all you need
  • Your flight lands in Auckland or Christchurch: both depots are next to the airports
  • You are leaving in April or July, when our observed prices are at their lowest
  • You prefer to go unnoticed: the Stealth versions are advertised without branding
  • A pop-top Volkswagen appeals to you: the Cosmo VW takes three travellers

Spaceships Rentals is not ideal if…

  • You are four wanting to sleep on board: the vans observed stop at three berths
  • Your trip starts in Queenstown or Wellington, two cities without a Spaceships depot
  • You are looking for a large motorhome: Pacific Horizon and Star RV Rentals rent them in our observations
  • An excess of around €2,532 seems heavy to you without an option to reduce it
Practical tips

Our tips for booking with Spaceships Rentals

  1. Beta, Sigma or Dream Sleeper: read the vehicle pages

    Spaceships’ vans for two look alike on paper: two berths and an automatic gearbox. The differences lie in the layout, detailed on each model’s page. In our observations, the Beta Standard and the Dream Sleeper Mini come out as the most affordable, the Sigma and the Cosmo VW as the most expensive.

  2. Self Contained: check the certificate

    At most New Zealand freedom camping sites, only certified self-contained vehicles are allowed. The Beta 2S Self Contained carries this label in its name; for other models, look for the information on the vehicle page. At pick-up, check that the certificate is on board and remains valid until the last day of the trip.

  3. April, the low-cost shoulder season

    In our observations, the April median stays very close to July’s, whereas January costs more than three times as much. The start of the southern autumn often brings mild days, golden trees around Wanaka and Arrowtown, and fewer people at campsites. A good window for a small campervan.

  4. Manual Cosmo VW: get used to driving on the left

    The Cosmo VW comes with a manual or an automatic gearbox. With the manual version, the gear lever is operated with the left hand, since the steering wheel is on the right. If you have never driven this way, choose the automatic or do a few laps of the car park before tackling mountain roads.

  5. A full handover inspection at departure

    Before leaving the depot, film the bodywork and windscreen, try out the kitchen area and lighting, then go through the crockery and bedding. Have every defect noted on the contract and keep the rental company’s assistance number in your phone. With an excess of around €2,532, these precautions are well worth the time spent.

What travellers ask

Your questions about Spaceships Rentals

How much does a Spaceships hire cost in New Zealand?

Over a 15-day hire, mandatory fees included, our prices observed in October 2026 start a Spaceships campervan at €16 per day in July. The median stands at around €33 in July, €36 in April and €122 in January, in the height of the southern summer. The Cosmo VW, the most expensive of the models observed, exceeds €200 per day at the peak of the season.

Which Spaceships campervan should you choose?

For two, the Beta Standard and the Dream Sleeper Mini are the most affordable in our observations. The Beta 2S Self Contained is aimed at those who want to sleep outside campsites, subject to certification. The Sigma sits a notch higher in price. For three, only the pop-top Cosmo VW offers a third berth. The vehicle pages detail each one’s layout.

What does “Stealth” mean in Spaceships models?

The rental company lists two Stealth versions, the Beta 2S and the Dream Sleeper Mini, with the label “unbranded”: they are presented without Spaceships’ colours on the bodywork. A choice for those who prefer a discreet vehicle in car parks or villages. These variants do not appear in our October 2026 observations: ask our experts about their availability.

Where do you collect a Spaceships campervan in New Zealand?

Two addresses are listed. In Auckland, the depot is at 5 Aintree Avenue, in the Airport Oaks area, very close to the international airport. In Christchurch, it is at 160 Orchard Road, in Harewood, north-west of the city, not far from the terminal. Neither is in a terminal: check the opening hours and transfer arrangements on your confirmation.

Do you need to watch the odometer with a Spaceships van?

No, according to our observations: the 36 Spaceships offers seen in New Zealand in October 2026, across six models, come with unlimited mileage. You can string together the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, the West Coast and Fiordland without a distance allowance. You still need to budget for fuel and the ferry crossing, and to re-read the mileage line of the offer you choose.

Verified customer reviews

They rented with Spaceships Rentals

4.3
818 reviews

Public rating of Spaceships Rentals

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

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

Very professional and attentive during the preparation of our trip. Very responsive to email and phone exchanges. I am satisfied with the service but not with the rental company that Cooldrive works with in New Zealand.

(anonymous)
New Zealand · Mar 2020
Avis Vérifiés

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
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Spaceships campervan hire in New Zealand

Why book Spaceships with CoolDrive?

With CoolDrive, Spaceships campervans are compared with other New Zealand rental companies’ vans in a single search, for your dates. The price shown already accounts for mandatory fees, and the excess, mileage and options appear before payment. An expert can help you decide between the Beta, Sigma and Cosmo VW, and our complimentary packs complete the hire.

What excess and security deposit with Spaceships?

In our October 2026 observations, the excess is around €2,532 on each of the six models seen, from the Beta Standard to the Cosmo VW. This is the maximum payable in the event of damage with the basic cover. The security deposit, whose amount appears in the offer, is generally blocked on a credit card; a paid option often allows the excess to be reduced.

Is one-way hire between Auckland and Christchurch possible?

With a depot on each island, it is the most natural route for a north-to-south trip, or the reverse. It does, however, depend on dates and availability, and fees may be added. In the CoolDrive engine, enter a return city different from the departure city: the engine keeps only compatible offers, fees included.

How do you get from one island to the other with a Spaceships?

No road links the two islands: the van boards a ferry between Wellington and Picton, across Cook Strait. The hire terms state whether the crossing is permitted and how to arrange it. The ticket is generally not included in the hire price; for the southern summer, buy it as soon as your itinerary is fixed.

Which licence do you need to drive a Spaceships in New Zealand?

A valid car licence is enough for these campervans. If it is written in a language other than English, New Zealand requires an approved translation or an international driving permit to accompany it. Each offer states the age required by the rental company, the number of years of licence holding required and, where applicable, a young driver surcharge. A useful reminder: traffic drives on the left.

In which season can you hire a Spaceships at the best price?

Our observations place July and April at almost the same level, with the lowest medians of the year, and January well above, at more than three times as much. The southern autumn therefore combines gentle prices and often still pleasant weather. Winter suits small budgets, provided you are comfortable on the South Island’s sometimes snowy passes.

About us

Hire a Spaceships campervan in New Zealand with CoolDrive Nomad

Spaceships suits travellers who want to discover New Zealand in a small campervan, easier to handle than a motorhome on the country’s narrow roads. Departures are from Auckland, at Airport Oaks, and Christchurch, in Harewood: one depot per island, ideal for planning a north-to-south itinerary. The range goes from the Beta Standard for two to the pop-top Cosmo VW for three, with Self Contained and Stealth versions. All the offers observed come with unlimited kilometres, and the excess is around €2,532.

On CoolDrive Nomad, put Spaceships up against Jucy Rentals, Travellers Autobarn, Kiwi Campers or Escape Campervans, with a price that includes mandatory fees. Before confirming, look at the van’s certification, the ferry rules and the security deposit terms. Our experts then guide you on the model, the departure city and the season.