If you're a backpacker, working holiday maker, or just someone who wants the most affordable wheels possible for an Australian road trip, two brands come up again and again: Travellers Autobarn and Jucy. Both cater specifically to the budget end of the market, but their approach is very different.
Autobarn started as a backpacker vehicle buy/sell operation and evolved into a rental company. Jucy is a purpose-built campervan brand with distinctive livery and a social media presence. Which one gives you a better experience on a tight budget? Let's find out.
Brand Overview
Travellers Autobarn has been serving the Australian backpacker market since 1993. Their fleet is unique — alongside traditional campervans, they offer station wagon conversions (the Kuga and Chubby models) that are essentially cars with a sleeping setup in the back. These are the cheapest "campervans" you can rent in Australia, sometimes as low as $30/day for multi-week hires. They also offer a buy-back program for travellers wanting to purchase a vehicle for extended stays.
Jucy was born in New Zealand in 2001 and has become a backpacker icon with its bright green-and-purple branding. Jucy vehicles are purpose-built campervans — proper sleeping areas, kitchenettes, and clever storage. The Jucy Crib (a converted Toyota) and Jucy Chaser are designed specifically for the road trip lifestyle, with better tech and more comfortable sleeping than a station wagon conversion.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Travellers Autobarn | Jucy |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Vehicle | ~$30–$40/day (station wagon) | ~$45–$65/day (Crib/Chaser) |
| Vehicle Types | Station wagons, basic campervans, hitops | Purpose-built campervans |
| Vehicle Age | 3–8 years (varies widely) | 2–5 years |
| Kitchen | Basic (portable stove, esky) | Built-in kitchenette with gas stove, sink, fridge |
| Long-term Rates | Excellent (1–3 month discounts) | Good (weekly discounts available) |
| Buy-Back Option | Yes | No |
| Best For | Working holiday makers, ultra-budget, long-term | Short-term backpackers, couples, road trips |
The Vehicle Experience
This is the biggest difference. An Autobarn Kuga is essentially a Toyota SUV with a mattress in the back, a portable stove, and an esky (cool box). It's not glamorous, but it's incredibly cheap and easy to drive and park. You can fit into regular parking spots, drive through city traffic comfortably, and fuel costs are lower than a van.
A Jucy Chaser or Crib is a proper mini-campervan — built-in bed, gas stove, sink, fridge, storage compartments, and often Bluetooth/USB. It's a noticeably more comfortable camping experience, especially if you're cooking regularly or spending rainy days inside.
Think of it this way: Autobarn gives you a car that you can sleep in. Jucy gives you a van that's designed for living in.
Pricing and Long-Term Value
For short trips (1–2 weeks), the daily rate difference is $15–$25/day — adding up to $200–$350 over a 14-day hire. That's meaningful but manageable.
For long-term hires (1–3 months), Autobarn pulls ahead significantly. Their monthly rates can be as low as $25–$30/day all-in, while Jucy's long-term rates start around $35–$45/day. Over 3 months, that's a $900–$1,350 difference.
If you're doing a working holiday and need wheels for 3–6 months, Autobarn's buy-back program might also be worth considering — buy a vehicle outright, use it for your trip, and sell it back at a guaranteed price.
The Verdict
Choose Travellers Autobarn if you're on the tightest possible budget, doing a working holiday, need a vehicle for more than a month, or don't mind a basic setup where the priority is just having wheels and a bed.
Choose Jucy if you want a proper campervan experience, are on a 1–4 week road trip, value built-in cooking facilities and a comfortable sleeping setup, or want that iconic van life vibe for your Instagram.
Planning your trip?
Compare campervan & motorhome hire prices across Australia:
