Apollo vs Jucy: Mid-Range vs Budget Campervan Comparison (2026)

Choosing between Apollo and Jucy is one of the most common dilemmas for Australian and New Zealand road trippers — and for good reason. These two brands represent fundamentally different approaches to campervan travel. Apollo is the established mid-range operator with the biggest fleet in the southern hemisphere. Jucy is the bold, green-branded disruptor that made campervan travel accessible to backpackers and young travellers.

This comprehensive guide breaks down every key difference — pricing, fleet quality, insurance, depot locations, age requirements, one-way options, and more — so you can pick the right brand for your trip.

Company Background: Who Owns What

Understanding the corporate structure helps explain why these brands feel so different:

Apollo Tourism & Leisure was founded in Brisbane in 1985 and grew to become the largest campervan hire company in the southern hemisphere. In 2022, Apollo merged with THL Group (the New Zealand company that owns Britz, Maui, and Mighty). Today, Apollo operates as a brand within the wider THL family, though it retains its own identity, fleet standards, and pricing.

Jucy was founded in Auckland in 2001 by brothers Tim and Dan Alpe. It started as a car rental company before pivoting to campervans, and quickly became famous for its bright green vans and youth-friendly policies. Jucy remains independently owned and has expanded across Australia and New Zealand. In 2022, Jucy acquired the Star RV premium brand from Apollo — an interesting twist that shows how these two companies are intertwined.

Quick Comparison Table

Fleet & Vehicles: Size vs Specialisation

Apollo's Fleet

Apollo operates the largest campervan fleet in the southern hemisphere — over 5,000 vehicles across Australia and New Zealand. This sheer volume means better availability, especially during peak season (December–February) and school holidays when smaller operators sell out.

Apollo's range covers almost every need:

• Hitop — Their flagship 2-berth campervan built on a Toyota HiAce. Standing room inside, gas cooker, fridge, sink, and a comfortable double bed. Arguably the best-value 2-berth van in Australia.
• Euro Tourer — A 2-berth motorhome with a more car-like driving experience and built-in kitchen.
• Euro Star — 4-berth motorhome with a rear lounge converting to a double bed plus overhead sleeping.
• Euro Deluxe — 6-berth motorhome with full bathroom (toilet and hot shower), spacious kitchen, and multiple sleeping configurations.
• 4WD Adventure Camper — Purpose-built 4WD camper for unsealed roads, perfect for the Gibb River Road, Cape York, or Central Australia.

Vehicle age across the Apollo fleet typically ranges from 2–5 years. As the fleet has merged with THL's operations, some vehicles are now shared across brands (an older Maui becomes a Britz, then eventually may filter to Apollo's fleet).

Jucy's Fleet

Jucy takes a different approach — fewer vehicles, but highly specialised custom-built conversions designed in-house. Jucy's fleet of 1,500+ vehicles focuses on the budget to mid-range segment:

• Jucy Cabana — The brand's most popular van. A Toyota HiAce conversion with double bed, fridge, gas cooker, sink, and all cooking equipment. Sleeps 2 adults comfortably. This is the van that built Jucy's reputation.
• Jucy Condo — A 4-berth motorhome with a surprising amount of features for the price — including a toilet and shower, proper kitchen with microwave, and both a permanent double bed and convertible dinette bed.
• Jucy Crib — Not technically a campervan — it's a station wagon or SUV with camping gear (tent, cooker, etc.). The cheapest way to do a road trip with camping flexibility.

Jucy vehicles are typically 2–5 years old and maintained to a good standard. What sets them apart is the custom conversion work — Jucy designs its own interiors, which gives them a distinctive feel compared to the more generic fitouts from larger operators.

Pricing: How Much Will You Actually Pay?

Price is usually the deciding factor, so let's be specific about what you'll pay with each brand.

Base Rates (2026 Peak Season, 14-Day Hire)

Key insight: Jucy is typically 10–20% cheaper than Apollo for comparable 2-berth campervans. However, for 4-berth and above, the gap narrows because Jucy's Condo includes a toilet/shower (which Apollo charges more for in their higher-tier models).

Hidden Costs to Watch

The advertised daily rate is just the starting point. Here's what else you'll pay:

• Liability reduction (insurance): Both brands charge $25–$45/day for their comprehensive excess reduction packages. Without it, your liability is typically $3,000–$5,000 if something goes wrong.
• One-way fees: Both charge $100–$300 for dropping off at a different city than pickup. Apollo has more depot options, so you have more one-way routes available.
• Camping gear: Both include basic bedding and kitchen equipment. Extra gear (camping chairs, tables, GPS) costs $5–$15/day with both brands.
• Fuel: This is the same for both — you pay for your own fuel. Budget $150–$250/week depending on your route and driving style.

💡 Pro tip: Always compare the total cost including insurance and extras, not just the base rate. Use CamperCompare's search to see side-by-side pricing for your exact dates and route.

Insurance & Liability: Protecting Your Trip

Insurance is often where the real cost difference lies between brands. Here's how Apollo and Jucy compare:

Apollo Insurance Options

• Standard liability: $5,000 excess (included in base rate)
• Inclusive Pack: Reduces excess to $250 and covers windscreen, tyres, and single-vehicle rollover. Costs approximately $35–$45/day.
• Peace of Mind: Reduces excess to $0 with maximum coverage. Costs approximately $45–$55/day.

Jucy Insurance Options

• Standard liability: $3,000 excess (included in base rate)
• Safe Trip: Reduces excess to $500 and covers windscreen and tyres. Costs approximately $25–$35/day.
• Peace of Mind: Reduces excess to $0 with premium coverage. Costs approximately $35–$45/day.

Winner: Jucy — Lower starting liability ($3,000 vs $5,000), and their insurance upgrade packages are generally $10/day cheaper than Apollo's equivalent options. Over a 2-week trip, that's $140 saved on insurance alone.

Depot Network & One-Way Hires

Where you can pick up and drop off your campervan matters enormously, especially for one-way road trips.

Apollo's Depot Network (Australia)

Apollo has 10 depots across Australia, including remote locations that most competitors don't serve:

• Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide (major cities)
• Gold Coast, Hobart (secondary cities)
• Darwin and Alice Springs — these are Apollo's ace cards for outback and Top End road trips

The Darwin and Alice Springs depots make Apollo particularly strong for iconic Australian road trips like the Adelaide to Darwin Stuart Highway, Uluru circuits, and the West Coast. Few other brands offer pickup or drop-off in these locations.

Jucy's Depot Network (Australia)

Jucy has 6 depots in Australia, all positioned near major airports for convenience:

• Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide

Jucy's depots are airport-adjacent, making them extremely convenient for fly-and-drive holidays. However, the lack of Darwin, Alice Springs, Hobart, or Gold Coast locations limits one-way route options for outback trips.

Winner: Apollo — If you're planning an outback or Top End adventure, Apollo's remote depot network is hard to beat. For standard east coast or capital city routes, both brands are equally well-positioned.

Age Requirements: The 18+ Advantage

This is one of the biggest differentiators between Apollo and Jucy — and for younger travellers, it's often the deciding factor.

• Jucy: Minimum age 18 years with no young driver surcharge. This makes Jucy one of the most accessible brands for gap year travellers, university students, and young backpackers.
• Apollo: Minimum age 21 years. No exceptions, no young driver option.

If you're between 18 and 20, Jucy is your best mainstream option alongside Spaceships, Cheapa Campa, and Travellers Autobarn.

Driving Experience & Vehicle Quality

Both brands offer well-maintained vehicles, but the driving experience differs noticeably:

Apollo Driving Experience

Apollo's larger motorhomes (Euro Star, Euro Deluxe) drive like proper motorhomes — they're based on cab-chassis platforms with purpose-built living quarters. Expect:

• Automatic transmission on most models
• Reversing cameras on newer vehicles
• Cruise control on motorhomes
• Power steering and air conditioning
• Slightly higher fuel consumption (12–16L/100km for larger models)

Jucy Driving Experience

Jucy's Cabana is based on a standard Toyota HiAce, so it drives much more like a regular van:

• Automatic transmission
• Easy to park in standard car parks
• Comfortable for long-distance highway driving
• Better fuel economy (10–13L/100km)
• Easier for first-time campervan drivers to handle

Winner: Depends on your trip. For couples wanting an easy, car-like driving experience, Jucy's Cabana is ideal. For families or groups needing more space and amenities, Apollo's larger motorhomes offer a complete home-on-wheels experience.

Kitchen & Living Space

Apollo Hitop vs Jucy Cabana (2-Berth Comparison)

Both vans are remarkably similar in spec. The Apollo Hitop has a slightly larger fridge, but the Jucy Cabana often edges it on price. Either van will serve you well for a couple's road trip.

Customer Reviews & Reputation

Both brands have extensive review histories across Google, TripAdvisor, and independent review sites. Here's a balanced summary:

Apollo Reviews

• Positives: Fleet availability (rarely fully booked), well-maintained vehicles, efficient check-in/check-out process, responsive customer service
• Negatives: Some reports of older vehicles in the fleet, upselling of insurance at pickup, occasional inconsistency between depot locations
• Overall: 3.8–4.1/5 across major review platforms

Jucy Reviews

• Positives: Fun brand experience, easy-going staff, custom-built vehicles are well-designed, excellent value for money, great for first-time campervanners
• Negatives: Smaller fleet means availability can be tight in peak season, limited depot network, some vehicles showing age
• Overall: 4.0–4.3/5 across major review platforms

Winner: Jucy by a narrow margin — Jucy consistently scores slightly higher on review platforms, partly because their brand vibe attracts travellers who are predisposed to enjoy the experience. Apollo's sheer scale means more reviews overall, which naturally includes more outlier experiences.

Best Routes for Each Brand

Your planned route should influence which brand you choose:

Choose Apollo For:

• Outback & Red Centre trips — Alice Springs and Darwin depots are essential for Adelaide to Darwin or Uluru road trips
• Family holidays — 4–6 berth motorhomes with bathrooms are ideal for families with children
• Extended trips (3+ weeks) — Larger fleet means better long-term hire rates
• Tasmania — Hobart depot makes Tassie trips easier
• 4WD adventures — Apollo offers proper 4WD campervans for unsealed roads

Choose Jucy For:

• East Coast Australia — Sydney to Cairns (or reverse) is Jucy's bread and butter route
• Budget couples and solo travellers — The Cabana is unbeatable value for 2 people
• Young drivers (18–20) — Jucy is one of the few brands that hires to 18-year-olds
• Short city-to-city hops — Airport-adjacent depots make fly-and-drive trips seamless
• NZ road trips — Jucy was born in NZ and has deep local knowledge

One-Way Hire Comparison

One-way hires (picking up in one city, dropping off in another) are one of the most popular ways to do an Australian road trip. Here's how the two brands compare:

Who Should Choose Apollo?

• ✅ Families needing 4–6 berth motorhomes — Apollo's range of larger vehicles with bathrooms is unmatched at this price point
• ✅ Outback and remote area travellers — Darwin and Alice Springs depots, plus 4WD campervans, make Apollo the go-to for off-the-beaten-track adventures
• ✅ Travellers who prioritise availability — With 5,000+ vehicles, Apollo rarely sells out, even in peak season
• ✅ Long-term hirers — Better rates for 3+ week rentals due to larger fleet economics
• ✅ Drivers aged 21+ who want a wider vehicle range

Who Should Choose Jucy?

• ✅ Young travellers (18–20) — Jucy is one of the very few brands that accepts drivers from 18 with no surcharge
• ✅ Budget-conscious couples — The Jucy Cabana offers the best value-for-money 2-berth experience
• ✅ Backpackers and solo travellers — Jucy's vibe, pricing, and youth-friendly policies are perfect for backpackers
• ✅ East Coast road trippers — Jucy's depot network covers the Sydney–Cairns corridor perfectly
• ✅ First-time campervanners — The Cabana drives like a regular van, reducing the intimidation factor

The Verdict: Apollo vs Jucy

These are genuinely different brands serving different travellers, so there's no universal "winner":

Choose Apollo if you need a larger motorhome, plan to travel through remote/outback areas, are hiring for 3+ weeks, or need a 4WD campervan. Apollo's scale, depot network, and vehicle range make it the Swiss Army knife of campervan hire.

Choose Jucy if you're a couple or solo traveller on a budget, you're under 21, or you're doing a standard east coast road trip. Jucy's pricing, youth-friendly policies, and custom-built vans make it the best budget-to-mid-range option in the market.

The best approach: Compare both on CamperCompare for your specific dates. Pricing fluctuates daily based on season, availability, and promotions — and the cheaper option changes more often than you'd expect.

📍 City guides: Check our Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, or Auckland hire guides for location-specific pricing from both brands.

📖 More comparisons: Apollo vs Britz • Jucy vs Spaceships • Britz vs Jucy • Cheapa Campa vs Jucy

Compare Apollo vs Jucy prices for your dates →