Last updated on October 25th 2026
HOW MUCH DOES A NEW ZEALAND CAMPERVAN TRIP COST? OUR REAL 10-DAY BUDGET.
Our 10-Day South Island Budget Explained
So, is New Zealand expensive for travellers? In our experience, yes, certain parts of the trip were expensive, but others were surprisingly manageable. New Zealand is probably one of the best countries in the world for a road trip. It is also very easy to underestimate how much said road trip is going to cost you.
You look at a campervan/motorhome and think, perfect, transport and accommodation in one. Then you add insurance. Diesel. Campsites. Groceries. Activities. Coffee. Shopping.
Suddenly, that cute little campervan adventure has developed expensive taste. So, if you’re wondering how much it costs to go to New Zealand, this breakdown shows exactly what we spent on our South Island campervan trip.
START HERE
Our 10-Day SOUTH ISLAND ROAD TRIP BUDGET EXPLAINED
We spent 10 days road-tripping around New Zealand’s South Island, travelling from Christchurch across the West Coast to Hokitika and the glaciers before continuing through Wānaka, Queenstown, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Lake Pukaki and then Lake Tekapo.
And because I wanted to know exactly how much a New Zealand campervan trip costs in real life, I kept track of everything we spent.
This guide breaks down our complete 10-day New Zealand South Island road trip budget, including our motorhome rental, campervan insurance, fuel, road user charges, campsites, food, activities and all those smaller expenses that quietly sneak into your bank account.
If you’re still at the beginning of planning your trip and want the bigger picture first, head over to my New Zealand South Island Travel Guide.
THE BIG NUMBER
New Zealand Trip Cost: Our 10-Day Budget at a Glance
First, the number everyone actually came here for. Our New Zealand trip cost came to NZ$8,216 for two people over 10 days. That included our campervan, insurance, fuel, campsites, groceries, eating out, activities and miscellaneous road trip expenses.
All prices in this guide are in New Zealand dollars (NZD) and reflect what we actually paid as two adults in September: ten rental days, nine campsite nights and one larger motorhome. International flights to and from New Zealand are not included because those vary enormously depending on where you’re travelling from. It is one real trip budget, not a universal New Zealand travel price.
| Expense | Cost for 2 people |
|---|---|
| Motorhome rental | NZ$3,600 |
| Full Cover insurance | NZ$840 |
| Unlimited onboard WiFi | NZ$170 |
| Fuel | NZ$460 (1800 km driven) |
| Road User Charges | Included in Full Cover |
| Toll Road Fees | Included in Full Cover |
| Campsites | NZ$276 |
| Groceries | NZ$500 |
| Restaurants, alcohol, cafés & snacks | NZ$270 |
| Activities | NZ$2000 |
| Parking, laundry & miscellaneous | NZ$100 |
| TOTAL | NZ$8,216 |
EXPENSIVE?
Is New Zealand Expensive? What Our Trip Actually Cost
Yes, New Zealand can be expensive, especially once you add a campervan rental and a few big-ticket activities, but not every part of the trip destroyed our bank account equally. We travelled in September, outside New Zealand’s busiest summer period. Campervan rates can change substantially by season, so the exact daily price we paid shouldn’t be treated as a year-round Wilderness rate. December to February can be considerably more expensive depending on demand and availability.
So, how much is a trip to New Zealand in reality? For us, 10 days on the South Island cost NZ$8,216 for two people, excluding international flights. That works out at roughly NZ$410.80 per person per day. The total cost of our trip to New Zealand was heavily influenced by the motorhome rental and paid activities. Our wilderness Motorhome and Full Cover insurance came to NZ$4,440 before additional extras such as onboard WiFi. While fuel cost us NZ$460 and campsites came to just NZ$276 for the entire trip. Food was another NZ$770 for two, including groceries, restaurants, cafés, snacks and, admittedly, a healthy commitment to New Zealand wine.
Activities are where the budget can really explode. We spent NZ$2,000 on the activities we actually completed. So yes, New Zealand isn’t cheap, but you have a lot of control over how expensive the trip becomes, particularly through your campervan choice, paid activities, campsites and how often you cook for yourself.
Total Cost: NZ$8,216
Daily Cost pp: NZ$410.80
THE ROAD TRIP
Our 10-Day South Island Campervan Route
Our route looked roughly like this: Christchurch → Arthur’s Pass → Hokitika → Franz Josef → Fox Glacier → Haast Pass → Wānaka → Queenstown → Glenorchy → Cromwell → Lake Pukaki → Aoraki/Mount Cook → Lake Tekapo → Christchurch
You can see every overnight stop, scenic drive and activity in our 10-Day New Zealand South Island Itinerary. Otherwise if you are specifically looking for the most scenic routes, have a look at my Best Scenic Drives on New Zealand’s South Island. If you’re still figuring out the stops before choosing a route, start with my Must See Spots in New Zealand’s South Island first.
OUR MOTORHOME
How Much Did Our Campervan Cost in New Zealand?
Campervan prices in New Zealand vary enormously depending on the season, vehicle size and insurance package.
For our South Island road trip, we rented from Wilderness Motorhomes in Christchurch. Specifically we chose the Wilderness Double for 2 motorhome for 10 days. This definitely wasn’t the tiny backpacker-style campervan option. The Double for 2 is a 7.4-metre two-berth motorhome with a permanent island bed, separate shower and toilet, kitchen, spacious living area and central heating. Basically, a small apartment that we then attempted to drive through the New Zealand mountains.
Motorhome rental: NZ$3,600
Rental period: 10 days
Daily rental rate: NZ$360
We deliberately chose something larger and more comfortable because we were travelling around the South Island in September, when evenings can get cold, and we knew we’d actually be living inside the vehicle rather than just using it as somewhere to sleep.
The Wilderness Double for 2 has a permanent double bed, kitchen, bathroom, shower, toilet and heating, which made a huge difference travelling around the South Island in September.
What Was Included With Our Wilderness Motorhome?
Base hire: bedding, kitchen equipment, towels, motorhome facilities
Full Cover: RUC, table/chairs, BBQ grill, snow chains, LPG refill
Paid extra: onboard WiFi
That might sound like a small thing, but rental companies can sometimes charge separately for road trip extras, so it is worth checking exactly what your campervan price includes when comparing companies. The cost of hiring a campervan in New Zealand isn’t just the advertised rental rate, because insurance, WiFi, fuel and campsite fees can add significantly to the final total.
The snow chains were particularly useful to have included because we were travelling through alpine areas during September.
We also added Wilderness’ prepaid unlimited onboard WiFi for NZ$17 per day, which came to NZ$170 for the trip. The SmartTV itself was already fitted inside the motorhome, so the extra cost was for the WiFi connection rather than the screen.
Was Our Campervan Expensive?
Yes and no. NZ$3,600 (excluding Full Cover) for 10 days is not budget travel.
But campervan prices in New Zealand vary massively depending on:
- The season
- Campervan size
- How early you book
- Pick-up location
- Rental duration
- Vehicle age
- Whether it is self-contained
- Facilities inside the vehicle
You could absolutely rent something cheaper.
But you’re also combining your accommodation and transport costs, so comparing a campervan purely against the price of a rental car doesn’t really tell the whole story.
PEACE OF MIND
How Much Did Campervan Insurance Cost?
We chose Wilderness’ Full Cover liability reduction option, which cost NZ$84 per day, or NZ$840 for our 10-day rental.
Without the upgrade, the standard Wilderness cover came with a NZ$7,500 liability. Full Cover reduced that liability to NZ$0, subject of course to the rental terms and exclusions. With a 7.4-metre motorhome, narrow South Island roads and my lack of enthusiasm for potentially donating NZ$7,500 to the side of a campervan, this was one expense I was very happy to pay.
Full Cover also included more than just the reduced excess. Road User Charges, toll road fees, an LPG refill, outdoor table and chairs, BBQ and snow chains were included, which matters when comparing the real cost against cheaper insurance options.
Our complete upfront Wilderness booking therefore came to NZ$4,440, consisting of NZ$3,600 for the motorhome + NZ$840 for Full Cover.
Could you save money by choosing less insurance?
Yes. Whether you actually want to is another question. One small bump to a giant motorhome is a remarkably efficient way to destroy whatever savings you made by skipping proper cover.
ON THE ROAD
How Much Did We Spend on Fuel?
Our total diesel cost for the 10-day South Island road trip came to around NZ$460.
Over the entire trip we drove roughly 1800 kilometres and filled up 2/3 times, which is a lot of ground for ten days.
Wilderness says its motorhomes average around 11 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres. In reality, I would always allow a little extra on a South Island road trip because mountain passes, strong winds and a 7.4-metre motorhome aren’t exactly a recipe for Prius-level efficiency. Wilderness lists its average motorhome fuel consumption here.
What Are Road User Charges in New Zealand?
Road User Charges, usually shortened to RUC, are distance-based charges that apply to vehicles such as diesel and electric vehicles in New Zealand. Petrol vehicles generally contribute through fuel tax included in the price at the pump, while RUC vehicles pay separately according to the distance they travel and their vehicle type and weight. NZTA sells RUC licences in 1,000-kilometre units. You can read the full explanation on the official NZ Transport Agency Road User Charges guide.
If you’re renting a campervan, check exactly how your rental company handles RUC because they may be included in your package or charged separately. We didn’t pay Road User Charges separately because Wilderness included them in our Full Cover package. That is worth checking when comparing campervan prices, because a cheaper-looking daily rental can suddenly become less cheap once mandatory road charges and extras are added.
WHERE WE SLEPT
How Much Did Campsites Cost in New Zealand?
One of the reasons campervan travel can be affordable in New Zealand is that you don’t necessarily need to pay for a commercial campground every night.
For DOC campsites, I used the official Department of Conservation campsite finder rather than relying on old campsite lists from blogs. DOC manages hundreds of campsites around New Zealand, ranging from very basic sites to serviced campgrounds, and the facilities and prices vary considerably. Their official campsite facilities and fees page explains the different campsite categories and current pricing.
We used a mixture of:
- Freedom camping
- DOC campsites
- Paid campgrounds
- Holiday parks
Our total accommodation cost for 9 nights was: NZ$276
Our Campsite Costs by Night
| Night | Location | Campsite Type | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hokitika – Woodstock Domain | Responsible Freedom Camping | NZ$10 for 2 people |
| 2 | Fox Glacier – TOP 10 Holiday Park | Holiday Park | NZ$40 for 2 people |
| 3 | Lake Hāwea – The Camp | Holiday Park | NZ$40 for 2 people |
| 4 | Queenstown – Twelve Mile Delta | DOC Campsite | NZ$30 for 2 people |
| 5 | Boundary Street | Freedom Camping | FREE (NZ$400 infringement later waived) |
| 6 | Bannockburn Domain Camping Ground | Community Campground | NZ$40 for 2 people |
| 7 | Lake Pukaki Overnight Camping Site | Freedom Camping / Council CSC Site | FREE |
| 8 | Aoraki / Mount Cook – White Horse Hill Campground | DOC Campsite | NZ$40 for 2 people |
| 9 | Lake Tekapo – Lakes Edge Holiday Park | Holiday Park | NZ$76 for 2 people |
| TOTAL | NZ$276 |
!!! Boundary Street freedom camping is restricted to designated spaces and specific QLDC conditions. Always check the current signage and responsible camping map before staying. We were in fact fined NZ$400 for not having checked the rules properly. This fine was issued at 02:00 AM so don’t think you can get away with it. Thankfully, Queenstown Lakes District Council later waived the fine, so it did not become part of our final trip cost. It was still a very good reminder that free parking does not automatically mean legal freedom camping.
Freedom Camping vs Paid Campsites
Freedom camping obviously helped keep our accommodation costs down, but we didn’t try to freedom camp every single night.
Paid campsites were useful whenever we wanted things like:
- Power
- Proper showers
- Laundry
- Fresh water
- Waste facilities
- A convenient location
- A break from living like two suspicious people in a car park
DOC campsites were usually the middle ground between the two.
The Department of Conservation manages campsites throughout New Zealand, many of them in ridiculously beautiful locations.
You can check official campsites here: DOC Campsites
Freedom camping also doesn’t mean you can simply pull over anywhere because your campervan happens to have a toilet. Restrictions vary by location, and from 7 June 2026, vehicles using areas restricted to certified self-contained vehicles need the new green self-containment warrant. I checked the official DOC freedom camping information while planning our overnight stops because the rules and permitted areas can change.
Tourism New Zealand also has a useful responsible freedom camping guide covering the basic rules and how freedom camping works around the country.
How Much Did We Spend Per Night?
Our average campsite cost came to: NZ$30.67 per night for 2 adults (9 nights).
But that average is slightly misleading because some nights cost nothing while others were considerably more expensive.
If you’re willing to freedom camp more frequently, this is one of the easiest areas to reduce your New Zealand campervan trip cost.
FOOD & GROCERIES
How Much Did We Spend on Food?
Having a kitchen inside the campervan was one of the easiest ways to keep our New Zealand road trip budget under control.
We did a larger supermarket shop at the beginning of the trip and then topped things up along the way.
Groceries
We spent: NZ$500 on groceries for two people over 10 days. But I have to admit here, we do love a good glass of wine, so no expense was spared here.
Our campervan had a proper fridge, freezer and cooking facilities, so we could make breakfast, lunch and dinner ourselves whenever we wanted. That saved a lot compared with eating in restaurants three times a day. Our campervan staples included things like:
- Eggs
- Bread
- Pasta
- Vegetables
- Fruit
- Yoghurt
- Snacks
- Coffee
- Wine
- Easy meals for long driving days
The biggest lesson? Do your bigger grocery shops in larger towns.
Small shops in remote tourist areas are convenient, but convenience has a remarkable ability to add several dollars to absolutely everything.
Restaurants, Alcohol, Cafés and Coffee
We still ate out a little bit. We spent: NZ$270 on restaurants, cafés, takeaway food, coffee and snacks.
Combined with groceries, our total food budget therefore came to roughly NZ$770 for two people, or about NZ$38.50 per person per day.
If you’re travelling on a tighter budget, this is an incredibly easy category to reduce. Cooking most meals inside the campervan makes a big difference.
THE FUN STUFF
How Much Did We Spend on Activities?
This is the category that can completely change your New Zealand road trip budget. You could spend almost nothing and focus on hiking, viewpoints and scenic drives. Or you could go skiing, jet boating, skydiving, bungee jumping, cruising through Milford Sound and financially ruin yourself before lunch.
We landed somewhere in between.
Our Activity Costs
These are the activities we paid for during our trip, with prices shown for two people. Unfortunately our skydiving activitity got cancelled twice due to bad weather, so they ended up refunding us fully for that.
| Activity | Cost for 2 |
|---|---|
| Secret Sauna Wanaka | NZ$200 |
| Half day Skiing Pass + Rental | NZ$400 |
| Hot Springs Queenstown | NZ$200 |
| Skydiving Mount Cook | NZ$1000 |
| Mt Rosa wine tasting, Gibbston | NZ$200 |
| TOTAL | NZ$2000 |
One of the nice things about the South Island is that many of its best experiences are completely free. Some of our favourite days revolved around:
- Hiking
- Lakes
- Glacier viewpoints
- Waterfalls
- Scenic drives
- Mountain passes
- Beaches
- Viewpoints
So you absolutely don’t need a giant activity budget to have an incredible trip here.
But if something genuinely interests you, I’d budget for it rather than crossing the planet and then refusing to do it because it costs too much.
Other popular activities that many travellers end up adding to their South Island road trip include jet boating in Queenstown, bungy jumping, cruising through Milford Sound, stargazing at Lake Tekapo, soaking in the Tekapo Springs hot pools and whale watching in Kaikōura. These can add up surprisingly quickly.
These are example prices checked in September 2026, mostly per adult, so double them for two people. They are not part of our own spending:
Other popular activities that can quickly push up your New Zealand road trip budget include KJet jet boating in Queenstown, which costs NZ$149 per adult, and bungy jumping with AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand, where the Kawarau Bridge Bungy costs NZ$320 per person and the Nevis Bungy costs NZ$395.
A Milford Sound cruise with Southern Discoveries currently starts from NZ$143.20 per adult for the Nature Cruise, while their Discover More Cruise starts from NZ$199.
At Lake Tekapo, the Dark Sky Project Crater Experience costs NZ$129 per adult, while the more extensive Mount John Summit Experience costs NZ$219. An all-day pass to the Tekapo Springs hot pools costs NZ$42 per adult.
If your South Island route takes you north to Kaikōura, a Whale Watch Kaikōura Ocean Cabin tour cost NZ$175 per adult when I checked in September 2026, with an announced increase to NZ$185 from 1 October 2026. Check the operator’s website for the current price.
Prices checked in September 2026 and shown in New Zealand dollars. Activity prices can change, so check the official operator website before booking.
THE SMALL EXTRAS
Extra Campervan Costs We Didn’t Want to Forget
Then there are the little things. Individually they don’t seem particularly dramatic. Together they start plotting against you.
We spent another: NZ$100 on miscellaneous expenses.
Depending on your route, you may also need to account for:
- Paid parking
- Laundry
- Gas refills
- Dump station fees
- Showers
- Campervan accessories
- SIM or eSIM data
- Last-minute groceries
- Campsite booking fees
None of these destroyed our budget individually, but they’re worth including if you’re trying to calculate the real cost of a New Zealand campervan holiday.
KEEPING COSTS DOWN
How to Keep Your New Zealand Budget Under Control
New Zealand isn’t exactly Southeast Asia when it comes to travelling cheaply, but there are definitely ways to stop your South Island road trip budget from getting completely out of hand.
Book Your Campervan Early: Campervan rental prices depend heavily on demand. If your dates are fixed, I wouldn’t leave the rental until the last minute, particularly during the New Zealand summer.
Travel Outside Peak Summer: We travelled in September, which meant colder weather but fewer crowds than the busiest summer months. The trade-off is that you’ll need to be prepared for more unpredictable weather and potentially wintry road conditions.
Mix Freedom Camping With Paid Campsites: You don’t need a holiday park every night. Freedom camping some nights and paying for facilities when you actually need them keeps costs much more reasonable.
Cook Inside the Campervan: Probably the easiest saving of the entire trip. Even cooking one or two meals yourself each day adds up quickly over 10 days.
Do Your Main Grocery Shops in Larger Towns: Stock up before heading into remote areas. Your wallet will thank you.
Prioritise Paid Activities: New Zealand has an absurd amount of free nature. Choose the paid experiences you genuinely care about and let the mountains entertain you the rest of the time.
Don’t Try to Drive Everywhere: This sounds counterintuitive on a road trip, but trying to cram the entire South Island into 10 days will cost more money and make your trip considerably more exhausting. Pick a route and actually enjoy it.
If you’re still putting the route together, my 10-Day New Zealand South Island Itinerary shows exactly how we connected the West Coast, Wānaka, Queenstown, Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo without trying to squeeze the entire South Island into one trip.
THE VERDICT
Is a Campervan Worth It in New Zealand?
For us, yes. It wasn’t the cheapest way we could possibly have travelled around New Zealand. But I’m not convinced the cheapest option would have given us the same trip.
The best thing about travelling around the South Island by campervan was the freedom. We didn’t just travel between destinations. We woke up near lakes, stopped whenever the scenery became ridiculous, cooked with mountains outside the window and changed plans according to the weather.
And in New Zealand, the weather absolutely believes it should be involved in your itinerary.
A campervan also suited our route incredibly well because places like the West Coast, Haast Pass and Mount Cook aren’t destinations where I’d want to rush from hotel to hotel.
The road itself is part of the experience. If you’re travelling purely to save money, campervan travel isn’t automatically cheaper than renting a car.
But if you want the flexibility, road-trip atmosphere and ability to sleep close to some of the South Island’s best landscapes, I completely understand why it’s become such a classic way to see New Zealand.
New Zealand Campervan Trip Cost FAQ
How much does a campervan cost to rent in New Zealand?
We paid NZ$3,600 for 10 days for our Wilderness Double for 2 motorhome, travelling in September. Rental prices vary significantly according to season, campervan type, availability and booking dates. Our campervan was a larger two-person motorhome with a permanent bed, kitchen, bathroom, shower, toilet and heating, so cheaper campervan options are available.
How Much Does a Trip to New Zealand Cost?
Our full 10-day South Island campervan trip cost: NZ$8,216 for two people (excluding flights to New Zealand). That included campervan rental, insurance, fuel, Road User Charges, campsites, food, activities and miscellaneous expenses.
How much should I budget per day for a New Zealand campervan trip?
Our trip worked out at approximately: NZ$410.80 per person per day. However, your budget could be significantly lower or higher depending on the campervan you rent, how often you freedom camp, how much you eat out and how many paid activities you book.
Is freedom camping free in New Zealand?
Most legal freedom camping areas are free, but local restrictions vary and some community-operated responsible camping areas may request a donation. DOC campsites and holiday parks are separate and may charge nightly fees. A self-contained vehicle also doesn’t mean you can simply sleep anywhere you like.
Are campsites expensive in New Zealand?
They vary enormously. We used everything from free overnight camping areas to paid campsites and holiday parks. Across the full trip, we spent NZ$276 on campsites.
Is fuel expensive on a New Zealand road trip?
We spent NZ$460 on diesel during our 10-day South Island road trip. We didn’t pay Road User Charges separately because they were included in our Wilderness Full Cover package. Your own fuel cost will depend on the vehicle, total distance, terrain and fuel prices during your trip.
Do diesel campervans pay Road User Charges in New Zealand?
Diesel vehicles in New Zealand are subject to Road User Charges.
With rental campervans, how those charges are handled depends on the rental company, so check your rental agreement carefully rather than assuming they are included in your fuel price.
Is campervan travel cheaper than staying in hotels?
Not necessarily. The big advantage is that your transport and accommodation are combined, and you can reduce costs through freedom camping and cooking your own food. But campervan rental, insurance, diesel and associated costs can still make it an expensive trip. For us, the bigger advantage was flexibility rather than simply saving money.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Campervan in New Zealand for 2 Weeks?
For anyone researching a two-week trip to New Zealand cost, If we had travelled for 14 days at roughly the same daily spending level, a two-week New Zealand campervan trip would have cost approximately:
10-day total for two: NZ$8,216
Average per person per day: NZ$410.80
Estimated 14-day total for two: ~NZ$11,502
Estimated 14-day total per person: ~NZ$5,751
This is not a fixed quote or standard New Zealand campervan price, just an estimate based on what our own trip actually cost. It simply scales our 10-day total, so it also multiplies one-off activities that you would not necessarily repeat. For a better estimate, add four extra days of rental, cover, fuel, campsites and food to our total and decide separately which paid activities you want. Our total included the motorhome rental, Full Cover liability reduction, WiFi, fuel, campsites, groceries, eating out, activities and miscellaneous expenses.
Your own two-week trip to New Zealand cost could be considerably lower or higher depending on the campervan you choose, the season, how often you freedom camp, how much you eat out and which paid activities you book. We travelled in September, so December to February peak-season prices may look very different.
More New Zealand guides
New Zealand Travel Guide →
10-Day South Island Itinerary
Our campervan route through glaciers, mountain passes and turquoise lakes, day by day.
View the itinerary →
Best Places to Visit on the South Island
The viewpoints, waterfalls, short walks and lakes worth adding to your route.
Explore the stops →
Best Scenic Drives on the South Island
Mountain passes, lakeside roads and rainforest highways worth taking the scenic route for.
Explore the drives →
How to Plan a New Zealand Road Trip
Build your route, allow realistic driving time and organise the practical details.
Read the guide →
Freedom Camping on the South Island
Camping rules, self-containment requirements and the overnight stops from our trip.
Explore camping →
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