The easiest way to search, compare and book a campervan hire at Christchurch Airport

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Aerial view of Chirstchurch, New Zealand.

Great value rentals from New Zealand’s most trusted campervan hire providers

  • Apollo
  • Britz
  • Jucy Rentals
  • Maui
  • Mighty

Christchurch Airport serves as a perfect starting point to those who are planning to visit the South Island. Renting a campervan in New Zealand will give you a different type of experience. You will not only get to spend the night in many incredible places, but also enjoy the freedom to explore at your own pace. VroomVromVroom can help you find a campervan hire at Christchurch Airport that will suit your budget and needs.

Location overview

Christchurch Airport is approximately 12 kilometres to the northwest of the city centre. It is located at the end of Memorial Avenue, off Durey Road. The famous landscapes of Canterbury region and the rest of the South Island are accessible. A journey down the East Coast should not be missed. For the ultimate South Island road trip from Christchurch, click here.

Christchurch Airport is the second busiest airport in New Zealand after Auckland Airport. It has a single terminal which caters for both domestic and international flights. The airport is open 24 hours a day but please note that the Domestic Hall closes at 11 pm, while the International Arrivals Hall is open throughout the night.

There are several companies that offer campervan and motorhome rentals close to Christchurch Airport. Nearest providers are Jucy Rentals, Britz, Maui, Spaceships and Mighty Campers which can all be found at Orchard Road in the suburb of Harewood. Several parking options are also available such as open-air short and long-term parking spaces, as well as multi-storey parking facilities not far from the terminal complex.

Recommended holiday parks and campgrounds near Christchurch Airport

North South Holiday Park: Located just off State Highway 1, the park is only a 5-minute drive from the Christchurch Airport. There are several accommodation options to choose from including Park Motel units and backpacker units so you are sure to find a place to stay that will fit your budget.

219 on Johns Motel & Holiday Park: Just 10 minutes away from the airport, the holiday park offers low-cost accommodation choices. It also has direct access to The Groynes recreational area where guests can enjoy walking, playing with their dogs and watching ducks and swans at the ponds.

Amber Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels: The park is situated between Christchurch Airport and downtown Christchurch so you can have easy access to the CBD. Amenities include two communal kitchens, laundry room, television room and barbeque area, free Wi-Fi and showers.

Featured attractions near Christchurch Airport

Visit the International Antarctic Centre: You can rug up and experience a realistic Antarctic snowstorm, hold on tight for a rough Hagglund ride, and hang out with the little blue penguins.

Drive through the Orana Wildlife Park: The park is the only open-range zoo, which is set on 80 hectares. You can hand-feed a giraffe, travel through a lion reserve in a protective cage for the ultimate close encounter, or see New Zealand's only gorillas.

Head over to Hokitika: It is a three-hour drive over Arthur's Pass in the Southern Alps to the greenstone country of Hokitika on the West Coast.

Visit the Re:START Mall: The mall is a two-block stretch of the old City Mall, a cluster of shops and restaurants made from shipping containers.

Take the waters in Hanmer Springs. Hanmer Springs is an alpine village just 90 minutes' drive from Christchurch, centred around a thermal pool and spa complex. It's close to skiing in winter, or have a blast on their water slides in summer.

Drive to Lake Tekapo for Star Gazing: Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mt Cook are part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest in the world.

Frequently asked questions

On hiring a campervan at Christchurch Airport

  • When should I book my campervan for Christchurch Airport?

    Unlike when hiring a rental car, people tend to book a campervan a bit further in advance, and there are a few reasons for this.

    When you’re hiring a campervan, you’re not simply hiring something with four wheels to buzz around a city for a few days, instead you’re hiring a vehicle that you could well be living in for days, weeks, or even months. As such, people tend to have far more specific needs — some may require a certain number of berths, perhaps an onboard kitchen, or more comfortable living space. All this means that doing your research to find the right campervan for you can pay off handsomely — but it also means that supply is more limited. When supply is limited, it is a good idea to book as far in advance as possible so that you know that the campervan you need will be waiting for you when you arrive.

    With this in mind, while it isn’t unusual for people to book a hire car the day before they need it, with campervans, people often book their vehicle months in advance. So our advice to you is if you’re planning to rent a campervan, start researching today, and when you find the right campervan for you, book it!

    One more point, another way campervan rentals differ from regular cars, is that bookings are not instant. Once you make a campervan booking it will need to be approved by the provider. Yet another reason not to leave your campervan rental until you’re sitting in the airport boarding lounge.

    If you’re new to campervans and not sure where to start, please give our campervan rental information page a read as it explains many of the basics you’ll need to know to make an informed decision.

  • What is the best type of campervan to hire at Christchurch Airport?

    We could start off by telling you that a typical customer hiring a campervan in Christchurch Airport tends to look at campervans with two or four berths (including a toilet and shower). This isn’t really all that helpful though, as they type of campervan you should hire at Christchurch Airport depends very much on the type of campervan you — rather than a typical customer — needs. Consider the following questions:

    How big is your travel group? What is your budget? What facilities do you need — or not need? Where are you planning to go? How long for? Knowing the answers to these questions — and plenty more — is the best way to make sure the campervan you hire at Christchurch Airport is the right one for you.

    Solo travellers or couples might find a compact campervan to be more than enough, while families — especially those with young kids — or larger groups might prefer a more spacious motorhome with multiple sleeping areas.

    Next, consider the facilities you need and the facilities you want. These might sound the same, but they are very different! Basic campervans often include a bed and simple cooking gear, while more luxurious options feature kitchens, bathrooms, and comfortable bedding. For example, if you’re planning on camping, perhaps paying the extra for comfortable beds isn’t really necessary, but if you’re not even packing a tent, then the extra expense required to get more comfortable beds might be a smart choice.

    Where you’re going also matters. If you’re planning to just potter around Christchurch Airport and its immediate surrounds, then you could probably get away with a standard campervan. That said, if you’re planning to drive from Christchurch Airport to Wellington — or Dunedin — something more spacious would be a sound investment.

    Think about your budget, as campervans vary in cost depending on size, amenities, and rental duration, and while shortening the length of your trip might bring different options within your budget, spending more to get a bigger van may mean you’ll spend even less on hotels. Either way, do the math!

    In conclusion, when you’re booking a campervan for pickup from Christchurch Airport, it pays to be honest when considering what you need versus what you want, along with what fits with your budget and overall travel plans. It’s the best way to maximise your chance of getting the perfect campervan for you.

  • How old do you have to be to rent a campervan at Christchurch Airport?

    For most rental caravan providers, the minimum age to rent a campervan is the same as for car rentals — 21 years of age. Depending on the campervan rental supplier, those under 21 may only be able to rent certain vehicles. Double check with the campervan rental provider to see what their specific requirements are.

  • What type of licence do you need to drive a campervan rental at Christchurch Airport?

    In most cases, you won’t need to present a special type of licence to rent a campervan — you’ll only be asked to present your standard and valid full driving licence. Keep in mind that a probationary, learner permit, or provisional licence are not accepted for campervan hire. If your licence is in a language other than English, you’ll need to provide an International Driving Permit in conjunction with your valid licence. If you’re unsure as to whether your licence will be accepted, you should contact your prospective campervan provider prior to booking.

Have a question we haven’t answered?

Have a question we haven’t answered?