Car versus camper challenge
So you’re off to New Zealand for a drive holiday but are deliberating over the choice of hire car and motels, or a freewheeling exploration by campervan. Kiwi holiday specialist, Toni Chambers of New Zealand Travel Experts, has done the legwork for you with this handy analysis of both options.
New Zealand’s compact nature makes it an ideal self-drive destination. The roads are excellent and uncrowded, the people are friendly and the scenery is just too breathtaking to miss by flying overhead.
Economics aside, the first thing to consider when choosing between car and campervan is that the two experiences will be significantly different.
A car will provide greater speed and ease for the driver, and hotel rooms are comfortable, more spacious and private – an appealing option for less confident drivers.
On the other hand, motor homes provide unparalleled flexibility and freedom in terms of your ability to stop and stay almost anywhere. Living in a virtual home-away-from-home means you only unpack once, and having a mobile kitchen allows you to take an impromptu snack or meal break, or take a diversion to explore some unexpected ‘treasure’ – as you please.
With young children this flexibility is priceless and makes the family holiday a stress-free pleasure. That said however, cars out-rent campervans by around three to one.
Rental cars offer greater flexibility when travelling across both islands. The car is simply left on one island, you take the InterIslander ferry across Cook Strait and pick up the new vehicle a few hours later on the other island. This is a common option in New Zealand so rental companies are set up to accommodate and the exchange is seamless and cheap.
Keep in mind that transporting a campervan by ferry costs NZ$230–$282, depending on the season.
We’ve priced both options for general comparison, based on a family of four (two adults and two children) for a 10-day package with Pacific Blue airfares.
