It’s your holiday of a lifetime, and you have limited time to see as much as possible. There’s one thing you’ll want to avoid at all costs — backtracking.
Fortunately, one way campervan and motorhome rentals are available in NZ, offering superior flexibility so you can road trip at your own pace.
In this blog, we look in-depth at how one way campervan rentals in New Zealand work and how they can be beneficial. We also discuss costs, planning, drawbacks, tips, which local operators offer one way travel and the types of RVs available for one way hire.
A one way motorhome or campervan hire gives you the flexibility, freedom and time efficiency to experience a greater array of destinations. You’re liberated from travelling within the constraints of a circular route — and empowered to maximise your experience of New Zealand’s diverse landscapes.
How one way campervan rentals work
Organising a one way motorhome hire in New Zealand is relatively easy. It begins with the booking process.
Booking your one way motorhome
Run through the following steps to book a one way rental vehicle.
- Choose your preferred pick up and drop off locations
Auckland and Christchurch are the two main centres for picking up and dropping off motorhomes and campervans because these cities are home to the country’s two largest airports. In addition, some rental operators may have bases in Wellington or Queenstown.
You can also pick up and drop off RVs in smaller locations like Hamilton, Picton, Nelson, Dunedin, Blenheim and Greymouth. However, smaller operators likely have bases in these locations and may not offer one way travel or do so at a high cost. - Select your ideal dates and type of vehicle
You’ll find a wider selection of motorhomes and campervans for hire in the larger cities, like Christchurch and Auckland, where the major rental operators have bases.
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Check for any fees
As you work through the booking process, look for additional fees — particularly one way fees. Most rental operators charge a one way fee to cover the cost of returning the RV to its original location. The fee amount can vary depending on the season and the distance back to the pick-up base.
A few rental companies may offer discounted one way fees — and very few, like Wilderness, waive them.
On arrival at the rental operator’s depot, you’ll pick up your campervan or motorhome, go on your New Zealand adventure, and then return the recreational vehicle to your selected drop off destination.
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Take your time travelling one way However, New Zealand is a geographically long country with winding roads that take time to navigate. With most bases in Christchurch and Auckland, a two to three-week journey is the minimum length of time we’d recommend. Take your time to travel New Zealand by aiming to drive 200km a day or less. |
The benefits of one way motorhome rentals
Why choose a one way rental? It’s a valid question, as most vehicles rented worldwide are picked up and dropped off in the same place. This is often due to cost considerations and logistical reasons.
The advantages of travelling in one direction across New Zealand are:
- More diverse experiences — both islands are vastly different, as are the landscapes and culture as you drive further north into Northland, towards the East Cape, west towards Haast and into the heart of Southland
- Cost savings if you don’t take the Cook Strait ferry — you may have to pay a one way fee, but you can save time and money on fuel by not having to double back
- Maximum exploration time — without backtracking, you’ll have more time to see additional destinations or to get to know places a little deeper by freedom camping in New Zealand
- Optimal route planning — your itinerary will be more efficient, less constrained and potentially more fulfilling than a loop route due to the greater freedom of travelling in a single direction
- Additional sea travel — you’ll likely have to cross Cook Strait to drop off a one way motorhome rental, so add a bonus ferry cruise to your list of fun activities.
Read our blog about travelling from Christchurch to Auckland by motorhome.
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Book well in advance Book early to secure the best price for the recreational vehicle you want — unless you're holding out for a relocation deal. |
Disadvantages of one way motorhome hires
It’s not all positive when travelling one way in a rental vehicle. A few drawbacks you may face when planning your one way RV adventure include:
- Fees — an additional cost with most motorhome and campervan rental operators
- Availability — a rental operator may have less availability to offer one way hires in the high summer season due to increased demand
- Ferry costs — if you want to reduce costs, the extra money required to take your motorhome rental on the Cook Strait ferry can make a one way hire prohibitive
- Ferry cancellations — extreme weather conditions can disrupt ferry sailings across Cook Strait, so it’s wise to have a plan B and to know how flexible your rental operator will be, even though it’s a small risk.
Find out about travelling with a motorhome on the Cook Strait ferry between the North and South Islands.
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Book your ferry early Secure ferry tickets as soon as you know you’ll need them — because prices tend to increase as supply decreases and the ferry travel dates get closer. |
The best campervan rental operators offering one way hires in NZ
Looking at the top five motorhome rental companies that offer one way hires, we can see what aspects of their policies stand out.
- Wilderness Motorhomes
With a wide range of recreational vehicles to suit individuals, couples and groups, Wilderness Motorhomes notably stands out as a company that doesn’t charge one way fees.
We’re well-known for providing premium motorhomes for hire and excellent customer service. Our customer reviews speak for themselves.
You can rent one of our Wilderness motorhomes in Christchurch and drop it off in Auckland — or pick it up in Auckland and drop it off down south. We’re a family-run business that occasionally offers relocation deals — which could be your opportunity to travel one way at a discounted price. - Maui
Maui has a large fleet of well-maintained RVs and offers one way motorhome hire from Queenstown, Auckland and Christchurch.
You can pick up a Maui motorhome from one depot and drop it off at another — but you’ll be charged a one way fee. The company’s fees can vary depending on the season and the route, and a minimum rental period may apply.
Maui sometimes also offers relocation deals where you can drive an RV in one direction at a special price. - Britz
Britz is owned by Tourism Holdings Limited (THL) — the same company that owns Maui. Britz’s one way fees are structured similarly to Maui, changing with the time of year and the route you intend to travel. A minimum rental period may also apply.
The company has a wide selection of motorhomes and campervans — and often offers one way relocation deals with significant discounts. - Jucy
Jucy targets the budget side of the market with a fleet of campervans and one motorhome model. The company has bases in Queenstown, Christchurch and Auckland and allows one way hires between these locations — with varying fees depending on your itinerary and the season.
The business frequently offers relocation deals that are highly attractive if you’re travelling on a tight budget. - Apollo
Apollo operates a diverse recreational vehicle fleet consisting of campervans and motorhomes. Like others on this list, the company is located in the key centres of Auckland and Christchurch, as well as the tourist mecca of Queenstown.
One way rentals with minimum rental periods are possible, but they do come with fees that depend on the season and the route you plan to take. Relocation offers are infrequent compared to the other rental operators listed here.
Another option may be hiring from a private owner. Read our blog on how hiring from a private owner compares to hiring from a rental company.
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Check flight and RV prices at the same time If you’re thinking about hiring a one way recreational vehicle, it’s worth looking at flight and motorhome prices in unison.
The price of your flight is often a primary factor in hiring a motorhome from one location over another. However, it’s wise to consider the combined price of your flight and campervan rental — from all of your possible departure locations.
One motorhome hire direction will usually be cheaper than the other — which could outweigh your potential airfare savings. |
How RV rental operators price their one way fees
Motorhome rental operators determine their one way fees based on a combination of factors, which may include:
- The distance between pick up and drop off — with longer distances usually being reflected in higher fees to account for the greater cost of relocating the hire company’s RV
- Seasonality — vehicle availability fluctuates depending on the season, with summer and school holidays seeing increased demand and potentially higher one way fees
- Policy — some rental operators may have a fixed one way fee, others might have a per-kilometre rate and a few may waive the fee
- The type of recreational vehicle — and even its size can impact the cost of a one way fee
- Discounts — from relocation deals can be significant, though they tend to have specific travel dates and certain route requirements.
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The relocation rental rush A unique opportunity presents itself during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn. If you’re planning to travel on a strict budget, you may be able to find a rental campervan that needs to be relocated — part of the relocation rental rush.
One catch is that you’ll probably only have a limited timeframe to complete the relocation — often just a few days to a week. Plus, it’s important to weigh up waiting for an available relocation deal, with hire rates likely rising the closer you get to your ideal travel period. There’s no guarantee your perfect relocation deal will be possible.
However, if you can find a deal that works for you, it’s a win-win situation — the rental operator saves on relocation costs, and you can travel at a substantial discount.
To stay in the loop, sign up for relocation deal notifications from the rental operators you’re considering. |
Types of campervans available for one way rentals in New Zealand
A variety of RVs are available to rent one way in New Zealand. Spend time researching what’s out there to find the ideal RV, motorhome, or campervan for your travel group, budget and itinerary. Some options are:
- Two berth motorhomes — like our Compact for 2 model, which is a very drivable and easy to manoeuvre 6m long with a permanent double bed in the rear
- Two plus one berth campervans — such as the Ultima Plus from Maui that features an additional bed
- Hitop campervans — for example, the Apollo Hitop Camper with a raised roof for extra headroom and space
- Four berth motorhomes — including our King/twin for 4 and Double for 4 options, which feature drop down beds and are popular with families and small groups
- Six berth motorhomes — such as the 6 Berth Big Six from Mighty Campers that can accommodate a larger group
- Luxury motorhomes — like The Suite offer a premium travel experience from your starting point to your destination.
Choose the right Wilderness motorhome for your one way travel adventure.
Planning your one way motorhome trip
Once you decide on a one way adventure in a campervan or motorhome, it’s time to get excited about what your trip could look like. You’ll want to optimise your itinerary so your one way journey from A to B covers all you want to see.
One of these New Zealand road trip itineraries may be best depending on which motorhome rental operator you choose.
Christchurch to Auckland
The most direct route north from The Garden City to the City of Sails closely follows State Highway 1 (SH1). If you only have a week, it’s best to stick near this main thoroughfare and spend your nights at Kaikoura, Picton or Wellington, National Park, Taupo, Rotorua and the Waitomo Caves.
A two week schedule gives you more time to branch off the main highway with options to stay at Hanmer Springs, Nelson, the Kapiti Coast, Napier, New Plymouth, Whangamōmona, Gisborne, Whakatāne and Tauranga.
Take a look at our Christchurch to Auckland road trip itinerary.
Auckland to Christchurch
Depending on your flights and the time of year, a campervan rental from Auckland to Christchurch may work better.
Consider similar night stops to those highlighted above. However, if you’re planning a more extended three or four week adventure, look to spend quality time on the West Coast, Golden Bay, the Eastern Cape and the Coromandel Peninsula.
Check out our Auckland to Christchurch road trip itinerary.
Christchurch to Queenstown
A hugely popular route, whether completed as a loop or as a one way road trip, Christchurch to Queenstown takes you from the South Island’s largest city to its most famous one.
You have three main routes that will take you to Queenstown, which are:
- The West Coast — via Arthur’s Pass, south towards Haast, then inland through Wānaka
- The Mackenzie Country — passing Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, near Aoraki Mount Cook and over the Lindis Pass
- The Pig Route — via Timaru and Oamaru, plus Ranfurly and Alexandra on State Highway 85.
See our Christchurch to Queenstown road trip itinerary for great places to park up for the evening on your motorhome adventure.
Queenstown to Auckland
If you’re planning an epic month-long journey across Aotearoa New Zealand, beginning in Queenstown and heading north to Auckland could be your best choice.
You’ll have time to experience Milford or Doubtful Sound, Te Anau, Glenorchy, the Abel Tasman National Park, the Wairarapa and possibly even Northland.
Our epic New Zealand road trip itinerary features a few off-the-beaten-track locations you may want to add to your travel plan.
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Plan strategically Plan for your preferred weather — this is especially relevant on a long hire where you may be able to start in the south and travel north as winter approaches. |
Check out our top ten tips for planning your first New Zealand motorhome adventure.
FAQs when booking a one way New Zealand motorhome road trip
We answer some common queries people have when organising a campervan or motorhome hire for a New Zealand road trip.
By travelling one way, you may enjoy cost savings and gain more diverse experiences. You may also get to cruise by ferry and have a little more time to appreciate your favourite locations — without having to backtrack.
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Be sure to look through our range of one way itineraries — and gather extra ideas from our many circular routes. |
