Every year, thousands of European visitors come to New Zealand and rent a campervan. Many of them find the experience very different from campervanning in Europe – usually in a good way. This guide covers the key differences and practical information specifically for Europeans planning a New Zealand van trip.
Driving in New Zealand
New Zealand drives on the left – the same as the UK, but different from most of continental Europe. If you’re from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, or most other European countries, this takes about half a day to get used to. The main danger zone is turning at intersections – your instinct will pull you to the right lane. Take it slowly at first.
Speed limits: 100 km/h on open roads, 50 km/h in towns (unless signed otherwise). New Zealand has a zero-tolerance approach to speeding on winding mountain roads – a campervanz is not a sports car, and the roads reward patience rather than speed. Roads are generally well-maintained, but many scenic routes are narrow gravel roads. Always check road conditions before heading onto unsealed roads.
Driving Licence
You can drive in New Zealand on a valid EU driving licence for up to 12 months. An International Driving Permit is not required for EU licence holders but is recommended as a precaution. Non-Roman alphabet licences (Greek, Cyrillic) should be accompanied by a certified translation or IDP.
What’s Different About NZ Campervanning vs Europe
Freedom camping: New Zealand has a much more permissive approach to freedom camping than most of Europe. With a self-contained certified van, you can legally sleep at thousands of public sites that would be restricted or fined in France, Italy, or Germany. This is one of the great pleasures of the New Zealand van experience.
Distances: New Zealand is smaller than most Europeans expect – the South Island is roughly the size of Great Britain, but with a population of just over 1 million. Roads outside cities are quiet. You can drive for an hour without seeing another car in many parts of the South Island.
Mobile coverage: Patchy in mountain and rural areas. Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google Maps offline) before leaving a main town. The Campermate app works offline for campsite information.
Fuel: Petrol and diesel are available nationwide, but stations are less frequent in remote areas. Fill up when you can, especially before heading onto the West Coast or into Fiordland.
Languages – No Problem Here
At Campervanz Rentals, Ernesto and Marta speak English, Spanish, Italian and French. If you’re more comfortable discussing your rental in Spanish, Italian, or French, you can – no translation apps needed. We get a lot of French and Italian visitors and enjoy being able to have a proper conversation about route planning in your language.
Seasons and When to Come
New Zealand’s seasons are the reverse of Europe’s. December-February is summer (peak season, busiest, most expensive). June-August is winter – cold in the mountains, but the South Island is beautiful in snow and far less crowded. March-May (European spring = NZ autumn) is an excellent time: stable weather, autumn colours, far fewer tourists.
European summer (June-August NZ) is shoulder season in New Zealand – good availability, reasonable rates, fewer crowds. The South Island in NZ winter still has dramatic scenery; just pack warm clothes and check road conditions before alpine passes.
Getting Here
Most Europeans fly into Auckland (AKL) – direct flights from London Heathrow (about 24 hours), and connecting flights from most European cities. Christchurch (CHC) also has international connections. Flying into Christchurch directly saves you the Auckland-to-South-Island transit time.
Booking with Campervanz
We have 7 vans available from Christchurch, all self-contained certified. Our vans are built and maintained personally by Ernesto – not a fleet managed by a national hire company. Everything works, and if it doesn’t, you call us directly and we sort it out.
Book online or contact us in English, Spanish, Italian, or French. We’re happy to help you plan a route that covers the best of the South Island for your time and interests.
Check availability and book | WhatsApp: +64 21 143 2801
