How to Get the Cheapest Campervan Hire in Australia & NZ (2026)

1. Compare Prices Across Every Brand (This is the #1 Hack)

The single biggest mistake campervan renters make is booking with the first brand they find. Prices for the exact same type of vehicle can vary by 40–60% between brands for the same dates and route.

That's not a typo. A 2-berth campervan from Brand A might cost $89/day while Brand B charges $149/day for a near-identical vehicle — same pickup location, same dates, same insurance level.

This is why price comparison is the most important thing you can do. CamperCompare lets you search 20+ brands at once — Apollo, Britz, Maui, Jucy, Mighty, Cheapa Campa, Travellers Autobarn, and more — so you can see the cheapest option in seconds.

→ Compare campervan prices now

2. Use Our Exclusive 10% Discount Code

Here's something you won't find on any other comparison site: an exclusive 10% discount code that applies to any campervan hire in Australia or New Zealand.

The code is WelcomeCamper and it's guaranteed to beat any competitor price. Simply enter your email below to claim it — we'll send you the code and keep you posted on flash sales too.

Once you have your code, mention WelcomeCamper when you submit your booking enquiry through CamperCompare. The 10% discount will be applied to your final price — it's that simple.

Why does this matter? On a typical 14-day hire at $120/day, that's $168 saved. On a 30-day hire, you're looking at $360+ in savings — enough for a week's worth of fuel and campsite fees.

3. Travel During Shoulder Season (March–May or Sep–Nov)

Campervan hire pricing works like airline tickets — it's all about supply and demand. During peak summer holidays (December–February in Australia), prices can be 2–3x higher than the off-peak rate.

The sweet spot is shoulder season:

• March to May (autumn) — still warm, fewer crowds, prices drop sharply after Easter
• September to November (spring) — wildflowers in WA, perfect temperatures in QLD, whale watching in NSW

For New Zealand, the same logic applies but shifted slightly. March–April and October–November offer the best balance of weather and price. Winter (June–August) is cheapest but cold — great for South Island skiing if you don't mind the chill.

Pro tip: If you must travel in peak season, book at least 3–6 months ahead. Early-bird pricing can save 15–20% compared to last-minute bookings when availability is low.

4. Snap Up Relocation Deals ($1/Day or Even Free)

This is the best-kept secret in campervan travel. Rental companies constantly need vehicles moved between depots — for example, lots of people drive Brisbane → Cairns but fewer drive the reverse. Someone needs to bring those vans back.

That someone could be you, for as little as $1 per day. Some relocation deals even include free fuel credits.

The trade-off? You typically get:

• A fixed route (e.g., Cairns → Brisbane, Auckland → Christchurch)
• A tight timeframe (usually 3–7 days)
• Limited vehicle choice (you take what needs relocating)

If you're flexible on dates and destinations, relocation deals are unbeatable. Popular relocation routes in Australia include Cairns → Sydney, Darwin → Adelaide, and Perth → Melbourne.

Check relocation deals when you search on CamperCompare — we list them alongside standard rentals.

5. Choose the Right Vehicle Size (Don't Overpay)

It's tempting to book the biggest motorhome with a full bathroom, kitchen, and satellite TV. But ask yourself: do you actually need it?

Here's a rough pricing guide:

• 2-berth campervan (HiTop/pod) — $50–$100/day — Perfect for couples, has a kitchenette and bed
• 2–3 berth with bathroom — $100–$160/day — Self-contained, ideal for freedom camping
• 4-berth family campervan — $120–$200/day — Room for the family, more storage
• 6-berth motorhome — $170–$280/day — Full kitchen, bathroom, multiple sleeping areas

A couple doing the East Coast in a basic 2-berth saves roughly $50–$80/day compared to a 4-berth — that's $700–$1,120 saved on a 14-day trip.

Smart hack: Book a smaller van and use the savings for unique experiences — a Whitsundays sailing trip, a Great Barrier Reef dive, or a Milford Sound cruise. Those memories last longer than a bigger vehicle.

6. Insurance: Where Most People Waste Money

Insurance is the sneakiest cost in campervan hire. Here's what you need to know:

• Standard insurance (included) — Comes with a high excess, often $3,000–$5,000. If you have an accident, you pay this amount.
• Reduced excess — Costs $20–$40/day extra but drops the excess to $500–$1,000
• Full cover / zero excess — Costs $35–$60/day extra but you pay nothing if something happens

The smart move: Check if your travel insurance or credit card already covers rental vehicle excess. Many premium credit cards (like Amex Platinum or Citi Prestige) include this automatically. If so, you can skip the expensive add-on and pocket $400–$800 on a 2-week hire.

Also compare insurance inclusions between brands on CamperCompare — some brands include more generous standard cover than others.

7. Book Longer, Pay Less Per Day

Almost every campervan rental company offers tiered pricing:

• 1–6 days: Full daily rate
• 7–13 days: 5–8% discount on daily rate
• 14–20 days: 8–12% discount
• 21+ days: 10–15% discount

If you're planning a 12-day trip, it might actually be cheaper to book 14 days — the per-day rate drops enough that 14 days costs less than 12 at the higher rate. Always check both options on CamperCompare.

Stack this with the WelcomeCamper 10% discount code and you're looking at a combined saving of 20–25%.

8. Avoid (or Negotiate) One-Way Fees

Picking up in one city and dropping off in another usually incurs a one-way fee of $100–$400 depending on the distance. But there are ways around it:

• Return to the same depot — do a loop route instead of a one-way drive
• Book during periods when companies need vehicles moved — some brands waive one-way fees seasonally
• Choose popular one-way routes — routes like Sydney → Melbourne or Auckland → Christchurch often have reduced or zero one-way fees because they're high-demand
• Ask CamperCompare — we can flag which brands are currently waiving one-way fees

The Ultimate Savings Cheat Sheet

Here's your action plan to get the absolute cheapest campervan hire:

1. ✅ Compare prices on CamperCompare across 20+ brands
2. ✅ Claim the 10% discount code (WelcomeCamper) — enter your email above
3. ✅ Travel in shoulder season (March–May or Sep–Nov)
4. ✅ Book 3–6 months ahead for early bird rates
5. ✅ Check relocation deals for $1/day bargains
6. ✅ Right-size your vehicle — don't overpay for space you don't need
7. ✅ Check your credit card for rental excess cover before buying insurance add-ons
8. ✅ Book 14+ days for long-hire discounts that stack with the promo code

Follow these 8 tips and you'll easily save $500–$1,500+ on your campervan road trip. That's money better spent on experiences, fuel, and campsite fees.

Ready to find your perfect campervan? Compare prices now →