Campervan rental guide

Campervan vs Motorhome in New Zealand: What's the Difference?

Motorhomes and campervans of different sizes parked at the Tautuku Bay lookout in Otago — Photo: “Campervans, Tautuku Bay, New Zealand” by Benchill, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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The short answer

A motorhome is larger, usually with standing headroom, a toilet and shower, a full kitchen and a separate living area.
A campervan is smaller and closer to a van. It may have a compact toilet, or no bathroom at all.

Side by side

	Campervan	Motorhome
Typical length	Roughly 5–6.7 m	Roughly 6.7–7.6 m
Bathroom	None, toilet only, or occasionally toilet and shower	Toilet and shower
Standing room	Often limited, sometimes with a pop-top roof	Usually full standing height
Beds	1–2 doubles, sometimes one in a roof tent	2–3 doubles, often one over the cab
Driving and parking	Easier on narrow roads and in towns	More care needed on winding roads
Running costs	Lower fuel use	Higher. Many are diesel, with Road User Charges

Bathrooms: the biggest decision

Rental vehicles fall into three groups:

No toilet: the simplest, cheapest vans. Plan to stay at holiday parks or campsites with facilities.
Toilet, no shower: many compact campervans have a small fixed or hideaway toilet. You'll still shower at campsites.
Toilet and shower: standard in motorhomes, and available in a few compact campervans.

Self-containment isn't the same as size

A small campervan can be certified self-contained if it has a fixed toilet and the right water tanks. A motorhome is usually self-contained, but check each vehicle. See our self-contained campervan guide.

Which should you choose?

Couple, mostly at holiday parks, on a budget: a campervan.
Couple who want a shower and space on rainy days: a 2-berth motorhome, or a campervan with a shower.
Family or group of four or more: a 4 to 6-berth motorhome with enough rear seatbelts and child-seat anchor points.
Nervous about driving a large vehicle: a campervan, or a compact motorhome around 6 m long.

Frequently asked questions

Is a campervan or a motorhome better for New Zealand?

Neither is better overall. Campervans are easier on narrow roads and cheaper to run. Motorhomes give you a bathroom, standing room and more space. Couples staying at holiday parks often choose a campervan, while families usually prefer a motorhome.

Do campervans have toilets?

Some do. Many compact campervans have a small fixed or hideaway toilet but no shower, and some have no toilet at all. Check the vehicle's specifications before you book.