Coachbuilt motorhome
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Camper and RV rental — Christchurch Airport
Find a wide selection of campervans and motorhomes for hire in Christchurch Airport and the surrounding area. Discover unique vehicles offered by private owners — from compact campervans for 2, perfect for couples, to spacious 6-berth motorhomes, ideal for families. Flexible booking, competitive prices and insurance included.
Motorhomes available for hire — Christchurch Airport
From sleek A-class models to versatile coachbuilts and low-profiles, there’s a motorhome for every adventure—whether you need a compact getaway for two or a spacious multi-berth for the whole family.
Low profile motorhome
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Low profile motorhome
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Campervans available for hire — Christchurch Airport
The campervan is the ultimate all-rounder. Effortlessly practical and built for freedom, it’s just as at home navigating tight city streets as it is exploring the heart of the countryside.
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Why hire a campervan or motorhome in Christchurch Airport
Christchurch Airport — a region worth exploring
Christchurch Airport (CHC) serves as the main gateway to New Zealand's South Island, handling over six million passengers annually and connecting travellers to destinations across the Pacific and beyond. The city of Christchurch itself sits on the edge of the Canterbury Plains, with the Banks Peninsula just 65 km to the south-east and the dramatic peaks of Arthur's Pass roughly 150 km to the west. From the airport, you can reach the surf beaches of Sumner in about 25 minutes or head north to the Waipara wine region in under an hour. Key landmarks within easy driving distance include the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, the International Antarctic Centre located right beside the terminal, and the rebuilt Christchurch Transitional Cathedral in the city centre. The flat, well-maintained roads radiating out from Christchurch make it an ideal starting point for a campervan or motorhome adventure. State Highway 1 runs north to Kaikōura (180 km), where mountains meet the sea, while heading south brings you to the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo in around three hours. With Yescapa's peer-to-peer platform, you can hire a campervan or motorhome directly from local owners based in and around Christchurch, giving you a wider choice of vehicles at competitive prices. Whether you are planning a weekend escape to Akaroa or a full South Island loop, picking up from Christchurch Airport puts the best of the region right at your doorstep.
Best time to visit
The best time to hire a campervan from Christchurch Airport is between October and April, when longer daylight hours open up the South Island's best driving routes. The Christchurch Cup Week in November draws racing fans from across the country, while the World Buskers Festival in January fills the city centre with street performances. Summer (December to February) is peak season, so booking your motorhome on Yescapa early helps you lock in the best peer-to-peer rates. Shoulder months like October and March offer quieter roads and mild temperatures ideal for exploring Canterbury and beyond.
The best road trips in Christchurch Airport
To help you plan your trip, we have selected six unmissable road trips, suitable for all travelers.
Southern Lakes and Queenstown Run
650 km 7–11 days
From Christchurch Airport, head south through Timaru and Oamaru to Dunedin, then inland to Queenstown via the Kawarau Gorge. At 650 km one way, this route rewards a longer stay. Pick up a campervan in Christchurch and enjoy freedom camping near Lake Dunstan and Cromwell along the way.
Full South Island Grand Tour
1,200 km 10–15 days
Circle the entire South Island starting and finishing at Christchurch Airport. Head south through Canterbury to Dunedin, across to Milford Sound, up the West Coast through Greymouth, and back over Lewis Pass. At roughly 1200 km, this grand loop covers rainforests, fiords, and alpine passes — ideal for a motorhome adventure.
Banks Peninsula and Canterbury Loop
250 km 3–6 days
Start at Christchurch Airport and wind through the volcanic hills of Banks Peninsula to the French-settled harbour town of Akaroa, about 85 km away. Continue through the Canterbury Plains via Geraldine and return along SH1. Campervan-friendly freedom camping spots dot the route, and the roads suit all vehicle sizes.
Kaikōura Coastal Drive
280 km 3–6 days
Head north from Christchurch on SH1 through the Waipara wine region to Kaikōura, 180 km up the coast. Watch for seals at Ōhau Point and explore the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway. This route is well suited to motorhomes, with several holiday parks offering full hook-ups along the way.
Alpine and Glacier Explorer
420 km 5–8 days
Drive west from Christchurch Airport over Arthur's Pass on SH73 to Hokitika, then south to Franz Josef Glacier. The 420 km route crosses the Southern Alps and follows the wild West Coast. Campervan travellers will find powered sites at Hokitika and Franz Josef, with fuel stops well spaced.
Mackenzie Country and Mount Cook Circuit
480 km 5–8 days
Travel south from Christchurch through Ashburton and Fairlie to reach Lake Tekapo and Aoraki/Mount Cook, then loop back via Twizel and Geraldine. The 480 km circuit passes the Church of the Good Shepherd and offers dark-sky stargazing. Roads are sealed and suitable for all motorhome sizes.
Rent a campervan on Yescapa: how does it work?
Discover step by step how we work. We accompany you at every stage of the rental process, both owners and travellers.
Discover
Find the perfect vehicle
Find for a leisure vehicle near you or a destination idea according to your planned route, then specify the pick-up and return dates. The perfect vehicle for your road trip holiday is waiting for you!
Connecting people
Confirm your booking
Make one or more booking requests for leisure vehicles that have caught your eye and wait for the owners' responses. Once your request has been accepted, all you have to do is confirm your booking.
Pick-up
Go on an adventure
On the pick-up date, collect the vehicle and listen to the valuable advice of the owner for handling it; you are ready hit the road with family, as a couple or with friends.
Return
All good things must come to an end...
Once again, with the owner complete the vehicle condition check and sign the Rental Agreement as well as exchange your travel stories. All you have to do is imagine your next road trip!
Campsites and road information in Christchurch Airport
Recommended campsites
The Christchurch region offers a great range of campsites for both campervan and motorhome travellers. From well-equipped holiday parks close to the airport with powered sites, dump stations, and hot showers, to quieter rural spots in the Canterbury foothills, there is something for every style of trip. Many sites provide kitchen facilities, laundry, and Wi-Fi, making longer stays comfortable and convenient.
- Christchurch TOP 10 Holiday Park ChristchurchPowered sites, kitchen, laundry, playground, Wi-Fi, dump station
- Amber Kiwi Holiday Park ChristchurchPowered and unpowered sites, communal kitchen, showers, BBQ area
- Akaroa TOP 10 Holiday Park AkaroaPowered sites, hot showers, camp kitchen, harbour views, dump station
- Kaikōura TOP 10 Holiday Park KaikōuraPowered sites, kitchen, laundry, playground, close to town centre
- Geraldine TOP 10 Holiday Park GeraldinePowered sites, modern amenities block, BBQ, dump station, pet-friendly
- Lake Tekapo Motels and Holiday Park Lake TekapoPowered and unpowered sites, kitchen, showers, lake access, stargazing views
What you need to know about roads and motorways in Christchurch Airport
Christchurch sits at the junction of State Highways 1 and 73, giving motorhome travellers direct access to both the coast and the Southern Alps. New Zealand has no toll roads around Christchurch, though the Christchurch Southern Motorway has variable speed zones. Speed limits for campervans and motorhomes match standard vehicle limits — 100 km/h on the open road and 50 km/h in urban areas — but drivers of heavier vehicles should allow extra braking distance on mountain passes like Arthur's Pass (SH73). Rest areas with dump stations are well signposted along major highways heading south and north from the city.
Frequently asked questions
Campervan hire near Christchurch Airport typically ranges from around NZ$80 to NZ$250 per night, depending on the season, vehicle size, and included extras. Through Yescapa's peer-to-peer platform, you can often find competitive rates because you are hiring directly from local owners rather than through a traditional rental company. Booking outside the December-to-February peak can bring prices down further, and many owners offer weekly discounts for longer South Island trips.
Christchurch is the South Island's largest city and a major hub for motorhome pick-ups. On Yescapa, local owners list vehicles across the wider Christchurch area, including suburbs like Burnside, Riccarton, and Hornby — all within a short drive of the airport. You can also find listings in nearby towns such as Rangiora and Rolleston, giving you flexibility to choose a pick-up point that suits your travel plans.
To find affordable campervan or motorhome hire near Christchurch Airport, try booking during the shoulder season (October–November or March–April) when demand is lower. On Yescapa, peer-to-peer pricing means owners set their own rates, so comparing several listings often turns up a great deal. Filtering by vehicle type and dates helps you spot the best value, and some owners offer discounts for bookings of a week or more.
For couples or solo travellers exploring the South Island from Christchurch Airport, a compact campervan with two berths is easy to drive and park. Families or groups of four to six are better suited to a larger motorhome with more sleeping space and onboard facilities. On Yescapa, you can filter by berth number and vehicle layout to match your group size, and owner descriptions often include details about storage, seating, and which roads the vehicle handles well.
Yes, some owners on Yescapa near Christchurch Airport welcome pets in their campervans and motorhomes. You can filter listings to show only pet-friendly vehicles, and it is always worth messaging the owner to confirm any specific rules. Many campsites around Canterbury, including several DOC sites, allow dogs on leads, so travelling with your four-legged companion from Christchurch is straightforward with a little planning ahead.
What our users say about our campervans and motorhomes in Christchurch Airport
Kirsten
5 / 5
Great experience with TopCaravaning in Barcelona. Easy to use, amazing vehicle that looks like the pictures, and quick responses. Highly recommend!
Arnaud
5 / 5
Très belle expérience. Jean-Claude et sa femme Solène sont très disponibles. Ils prennent le temps de tout expliquer (Très important pour une première fois). S'il y a un soucis, une solution est très vite trouvée. Très arrangeant. Merci !
Matei
5 / 5
Very simple and straight forward. I really recommend
joshua
5 / 5
The rv was very nice a spacious, it looks even better than the pictures. The host was most helpful . I would definitely book with him again
Daphné H. F.
5 / 5
Hugo was verry friendly en kind during the whole vacation ( reachable, helpful,..). He gave us all the info wee needed en beyond. The Van is really nice and felt like home after 3 weeks.
Ieva
5 / 5
Our trip was wonderful from start to finish. The owners were extremely kind, helpful, and responsive. They explained everything clearly before departure, replied quickly to our questions, and were always available whenever we needed assistance. We were also provided with a detailed guidebook, which was very useful throughout the trip. Although it was my first time driving a camper van, I found it surprisingly easy and comfortable to drive. The van was very clean and well equipped. Everything we needed was already inside, including two tables, chairs, a frying pan, a cooking pot, and many other useful essentials. It was clear that a lot of thought had gone into making the van practical and comfortable for travelers. Overall, we had an excellent experience and would highly recommend both the camper van and its owners. Thank you for helping make our holiday so enjoyable! :)
Rent an RV — Christchurch Airport and its surroundings
Discover our converted vans for hire
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80
Large campervan
Riccarton
4 travelers
New
Starting at
NZ$80