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Travellers Autobarn Review – Campervan Rentals & Prices

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Travellers Autobarn is a campervan rental company that we’ve used on several occasions, both in the U.S. and abroad. The Australia-based company has been around for over 30 years now, although it launched in the United States just a few years ago. Even so, it has quickly become one of the best places for RV rentals in the USA .

The company is concentrated in the Western U.S., so we’ve rented Autobarn campervans for a couple of trips around Las Vegas and the West Coast. More recently, we rented the Kuga campervan from Travelers Autobarn for an exciting journey through New Zealand. I can wholeheartedly recommend this rental service, especially if you’re looking for a vehicle that’s safe and comfortable, but also within your budget.

If you want to cut right to the chase and rent a camping van, you can go straight to the Travellers website . Otherwise, keep reading for my full Travellers Autobarn review , what we love about it, and why it’s one of the best campervan rentals in the U.S.

My honest Travellers Autobarn review – 3 campervan rentals later

As I said, we’ve used Travelers Autobarn a few times now, so we’ve become quite familiar with their campervans and the whole rental experience.

We rented the Kuga campervan each time, as it’s the perfect model for us. This high-roof campervan is efficiently designed and has a dining area, sleeping area, and a full kitchenette. I’ll share more about the Kuga van and the other Travellers camper van rentals in a bit, but just know that every rental comes with free unlimited miles, which is a huge bonus.

My honest Travellers Autobarn review

Since we travel as a couple, we have plenty of space in our campervan. That said, the Kuga model is designed to accommodate up to 3 people, which I can imagine would be a bit uncomfortable, but doable. The loft area converts into a single bed, but since we didn’t need it, we used it for extra storage space.

I also love that we can prepare our own meals in the van. This is perfect for when we want to explore more remote areas for extended periods of time. The campervan comes with a sink, fridge, and gas cooktop, powered by the van’s battery. There is also a microwave, but this is powered by the van’s solar panels, so that’s something to be aware of.

The campervan is tall enough for us to be able to stand up inside it, which makes it a lot easier to move around (Dan is 5’ 11”). Plus, we can convert the dining area into a bed in less than 2 minutes without having to open the doors. However, if you’re in the driver’s cab, you must exit the vehicle to get into the back part of the van.

Travellers Autobarn review

During the rainy days, we often use the dining area for work. We always travel with a portable Wi-Fi device , the Solis hotspot , so we can have reliable internet connection everywhere, but there are also other awesome options if you need internet while traveling .

As for driving, it’s an automatic transmission, so it’s quite easy to maneuver. It might take a bit of getting used to since it’s more top-heavy than a regular minivan, but it’s not difficult at all.

And, of course, the price for a Travellers camper van rental is very competitive. The company markets itself as a budget rental service, so you can find great deals. That said, the prices vary depending on the season, as well as where you pick up the vehicle. We’ve always picked up our campervan in Vegas, and the daily rate was around $120/day. Again, you get free unlimited miles as well as 24/7 roadside assistance, making this one of the best campervan rentals in Las Vegas .

The only con for us is that some of the vehicles are older, with some dating back to 2012. However, the company regularly services and updates its fleet, and the interiors were overhauled in 2020.

Travellers Autobarn locations in the USA

Travelers Autobarn USA has three locations in the Western U.S. At each location, the pick-up times are Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and the drop-off times are Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Las Vegas location is just a few blocks from the Strip, so it’s super convenient. You can pick up your Travellers campervan after visiting the top attractions in Vegas . The Travellers website even has popular road trip ideas to inspire your next adventure.

You can also find Travellers camper van rentals in Los Angeles , California. The office is in Inglewood, so you can check out LA’s best attractions , and then head out on the road to explore the more natural areas and parks.

There is a third Autobarn location in San Francisco , specifically across the San Francisco Bay, in Hayward. If you want to start your trip in this city, a good idea would be to see the best places in San Francisco , then hop aboard your campervan for a road trip adventure.

Travellers Autobarn announced that it has two more U.S. locations coming soon: Denver and Seattle . So, you’ll have even more options for renting a cheap Travellers campervan and exploring the great United States wilderness.

Other Travellers Autobarn locations around the world

There are additional Travellers Autobarn locations outside the United States. The company actually started in Australia , so there are offices throughout the country, including in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Perth, and Darwin.

They also offer campervan hires in Auckland and Christchurch, in New Zealand, as well as an office in Tokyo, Japan .

Types of Travellers Autobarn campervans

Choosing the right vehicle for your trip can be tricky, so Travelers Autobarn makes it easy by offering 4 types of campervans. You can find more details about each type below.

Keep in mind that an optional “living equipment” bundle is available with any rental for a one-time fee. It includes things like cutlery, pots/pans, cleaning supplies, sleeping bags, and linens. Also, Travelers campers in the USA aren’t self-contained, but you can purchase a portable toilet for a one-time fee, so it’s something to consider if you want to do some dispersed or free camping.

Minivan Rental – Seats 2-5 • Dodge Grand Caravan (2012 – 2017 Model)

The Travellers minivan rental is a converted Dodge Grand Caravan. It’s good for weekend tent camping trips to nearby locations. Since it’s smaller than the other vans, it gets slightly higher mileage plus, it’s easier to drive.

Travellers Autobarn minivan rental

You can add the living equipment bundle to this rental for $45, and it includes a 2-person tent, two camping chairs, an outdoor table, a gas cooktop, and cooking supplies. There is also the option to rent a folding foam mattress with sleeping bags and pillows.

Hi-Top Campervan – Seats 2-3 • Sleeps 2-3 • Chevrolet Express Campervan (2014 – 2016 Interior)

The Hi-Top Campervan from Travellers Autobarn is a Chevrolet Express campervan that sleeps 2-3 people. It has an older interior than the other campervans, but also tends to have lower daily rates, so it’s a cheaper alternative.

The van has a full kitchenette with a 2-burner gas stove, a fridge, a sink, and a microwave. It also has an 11-gallon water tank, 120V and USB plug-ins, a double bed fit-out, and a single bed in the loft area. You can add the living equipment bundle to this rental for $45.

Kuga Campervan – Seats 2-3 • Sleeps 2-3 • Chevrolet Express Campervan (2019 – 2021 Interior)

The Kuga campervan is Travelers Autobarn ’s most popular model and our personal favorite. It has a full kitchenette with a 2-burner gas stove, a fridge, a sink, and a microwave. You’ll also have an 11-gallon water tank, 120V and USB plug-ins, a double bed fit-out, and a single bed in the loft area.

Travellers Autobarn Kuga campervan

This Autobarn campervan has slightly newer interiors compared to the Hi-Top Campervan, as well as exterior lights and rooftop solar panels. You can add the living equipment bundle to this rental for $45.

Hi5 Campervan – Seats 4-5 • Sleeps 4-5 • Ford Transit Campervan (2022 or Newer)

Finally, the Hi5 Campervan is the largest Travellers campervan available, as well as the newest. It features a full kitchenette with a 2-burner gas stove, two fridges, a sink, and a microwave. There is also an 11-gallon water tank, 120V and USB plug-ins, two double beds, exterior lights, and rooftop solar panels.

The custom-built interior of this campervan hire grants you more storage room and a living area, plus a second row of seating behind the front cabin. It can sleep 4-5 people, so it’s ideal for families or groups. You can also add the living equipment bundle to this rental for a one-time fee of $75.

Travellers Autobarn insurance options

While Travelers Autobarn gives you the option to forego insurance, I always recommend purchasing insurance, so you’re covered in case anything happens. Besides, Travellers Autobarn’s insurance options are straightforward:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Covers damage to your campervan, includes protection for 2 tires and the front windshield. $13/day ($25/day for Hi5 Campervans).
• Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI): Up to $500,000 in protection against 3 rd parties (other vehicles, property, or people). $13.99 ($16.50 for Hi5 Campervans).
• Protection Plus : Includes CDW and SLI. $26.99 ($41.50 for Hi5 Campervans)
• Minimum Cover : $0. You’re responsible for any and all damages.

It’s always a good idea to purchase insurance! You don’t want to risk having to pay thousands of dollars for any damages caused by you or someone else.

If you’re traveling from outside the country, don’t forget your travel insurance for the USA . Health care is ridiculously expensive here!

Price of Travellers Autobarn campervan rentals

One of the best things about Travellers Autobarn is that it offers highly competitive rates. That said, the price of your rental depends on several factors, such as the pick-up location, the type of campervan, and the season.

Below, you can see the prices for a Travellers van rental for a 7-day trip and a 30-day trip. For this comparison, I selected Las Vegas as the pick-up and drop-off location.

*Sales tax and insurance not included

Travelers Autobarn ’s daily rates tend to be lower for longer trips, so you can save a lot of money if you’re traveling for several weeks or taking a month-long journey. You’ll find the lowest rates on the company’s website, and if you check the “Specials” page, you may find limited-time offers.

Also, your rental comes with free unlimited miles, 24/7 roadside assistance, a 30-day free trial to The Dyrt’s campground app, and discounts at select RV parks. All these benefits make Travellers Autobarn one of the best places to rent a campervan in the USA .

Travellers Autobarn promo codes & discounts

The Autobarn Travellers rates are already very good, but if you’re looking to save even more money, you can take a look at the website’s “Specials” page . Just make sure you read the terms and conditions to see what’s included and not included in these limited-time offers.

Travellers Autobarn discount for long hires

You can save on your Travelers camper van rental by extending the length of your trip. The “long-hire” discount is automatically applied to rentals over 7, 14, and 21 days. This discount lowers the daily rate 5%-20%, so you can save quite a lot. One-way fees are waived for any rentals over 28 days.

Travellers Autobarn special deals

Throughout the year, Travellers Autobarn offers special discounts for certain locations. For example, 15% off rentals out of Las Vegas and Los Angeles during some months. Check the website’s “Specials” page for more information on current Travellers Autobarn deals.

Travellers Autobarn relocation deals

Another special offer you can find on the website is a relocation deal. These types of discounts change throughout the year but can be a great deal if you’re flexible with your travel dates.

For example, you may find a Las Vegas to San Francisco relocation deal that includes 3 free days and 700 miles. However, the special only applies to certain Autobarn campervans . Also, you’ll be charged for any excess miles (50 cents/mile) and days ($99/day).

Travellers Autobarn discount for U.S. military personnel & veterans

Lastly, U.S. military service members and veterans can get 10% off their Travellers campervan for rental periods of 7 days or longer. To get the discount, you must contact Travellers Autobarn customer service and present valid documentation.

10 Things that make Travellers Autobarn the best campervan rental in the U.S.

There are plenty of reasons why Travellers Autobarn is considered one of the best campervan rentals in the USA . Below, I’ll share the top 10 reasons why Travelers Autobarn stands out from the rest.

1. Space-efficient conversions

Travellers campervans are ideal for couples, which is why they’re so perfect for us. The Kuga and Hi-Top vans can accommodate 2-3 people, while the Hi5 vans can sleep 4-5. In addition to a full kitchenette, there is a convenient dining area with a double bed fit-out, plus a loft area that can be used for storage or an additional bed.

One of the coolest things about the campers from Travelers Autobarn is that you can easily convert the dining area to a sleeping area in less than 2 minutes without having to open the van’s doors or stepping outside.

We visited New Zealand during our 10-month around-the-world trip and we were traveling with two big suitcases, plus two big camera bags. However, we had plenty of room in our campervan to move around comfortably.

2. Fully-equipped campervans

Travelers’ camper van rentals come with everything you need for life on the road. Your camper comes with a full kitchenette, which includes a decent-sized fridge, a microwave, a sink, and a gas cooktop. You’ll also have plenty of storage space for dry goods as well as luggage and equipment.

Fully-equipped campervans

The vans also have an 11-gallon water tank with a 25-foot hose, charging ports, and USB plug-ins. The Kuga and Hi5 campervans also have rooftop solar panels, so you can enjoy short-term off-grid living.

We also appreciated the battery capacity since on our New Zealand trip it rained non-stop for 3 days, and we were able to work on our laptops without driving around or draining the batteries.

3. Free unlimited miles

One of the best things about renting a campervan from Travelers Autobarn is that you get free unlimited miles, regardless of which vehicle you choose. So, there’s no need to worry about taking a detour or circling the lot looking for a parking spot.

4. Great campervan rental prices

In addition to free unlimited miles, Travellers Autobarn has highly competitive daily rates, making them one of the best options for budget-conscious travelers. You can get a campervan rental for as low as $50/day, and insurance costs as little as $13/day.

Of course, keep in mind that the prices depend on things like your rental location, the length of your trip, the type of van you rent, and the season.

5. 24/7 roadside assistance

Another perk of renting from Travelers Autobarn is that you’ll have 24/7 access to their roadside assistance team. So, if you get stuck with a flat tire, you need a jump-start, the vehicle breaks down, or anything else, help is just a phone call away.

24/7 roadside assistance

Travellers Autobarn can also help with any questions or concerns you may have, be it a mysterious light on your dashboard or you’re worried about running out of gas. To reach them, simply dial 1-800-469-4790.

So far, we haven’t had to use roadside assistance, and I hope to keep it that way!

6. Super quick pick-up/drop-off process

Once you confirm your reservation, you’ll receive email alerts in the days leading up to your pick-up time with all the necessary information. You can also complete the online check-in to make the in-person pick-up process super quick and easy. You’ll also receive email notifications before your drop-off date.

7. Friendly pick-up/drop-off times

Travellers Autobarn ’s pick-up hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and the drop-off hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday. If you need to arrange pick-up outside of these hours, you can contact customer support. However, contactless pick-up is only available in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

8. No young driver fee

Many campervan rental companies require drivers to be at least 25 years old, but with Travellers Autobarn , you can rent a van as long as you’re 21 or older. Plus, there is no young driver fee, making this the best option for young professionals or recent graduates.

9. Discounted caravan parks

When you rent a Travellers camper van , you’ll get a 10% discount for your stay at any KOA campground in the U.S. You’ll receive the discount code when you pick up the vehicle, and you can use that code when booking your campsite reservation on the KOA Campgrounds website .

Be aware that this 10% discount applies to your first stay, and for a maximum of 4 nights.

10. Free 30-day campground app

Travellers Autobarn is partners with the online campground platform, The Dyrt. With your Travelers camper van rental , you’ll get a 30-day free trial for The Dyrt’s Pro Camping app .

The app helps you find top-rated campgrounds in your area, download campsite maps, create your own itineraries, and more. You can even get exclusive discounts at hundreds of campgrounds nationwide.

Travellers Autobarn terms and conditions

It’s always important to read the fine print so you know what you’re getting with your campervan rental. You can read the full Travellers Autobarn terms and conditions here , but I think the most essential information pertains to cancellations and changes to your rental.

For example, if you want to extend your rental period or change your drop-off location after picking up the camper, you must contact Travellers Autobarn and obtain written consent. Also, these types of changes may result in an additional fee (up to $500)

There is also a $25 fee if you make any changes to your rental reservation within 28 days of your pick-up date or during your rental period. No refunds will be given if you change to an earlier pick-up or drop-off date within 28 days of the original date.

Regarding cancellation fees, it depends on when you cancel:

• Up to 14 days before pick-up : free cancellation
• Within 14 days of pick-up : $200
• Within 7 days of pick-up : 50% of the rental price
• Same-day cancellation/no-show : 100% of the rental price

Again, you can read the full terms and conditions for Travellers Autobarn online or contact them if you have any questions.

How to contact Travellers Autobarn in the U.S.

If you have to contact an Autobarn location or the customer support team, you have a few ways to do so:

Travellers Autobarn phone number (for customer support)

You can contact the customer care team Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Reach them by phone at 1-800-469-4790.

Travellers Autobarn email

If you have a question or request that isn’t urgent, you can send Travellers Autobarn an email via the official website or at [email protected] . They usually respond within 24 hours.

Travellers Autobarn roadside assistance

You can use Traveler Autobarn roadside assistance 24/7 at 1-800-469-4790. The assistance team is on Skype, WeChat, and WhatsApp.

Travellers Autobarn reviews from other road trippers

You don’t have to take our word for it; there are plenty of others who have had great experiences with Travelers Autobarn . Across its three U.S. locations, the company has an average of 4.5 stars on Google, with over 340 reviews.

Here is a positive Travellers Autobarn review from a customer who took their campervan across different terrains and elevations. They point out how reliable the vehicle was, allowing them to enjoy total freedom and convenience:

This is another review from a customer who chose the Kuga camper van rental from Travellers . They noted how flexible and functional the van’s layout was, and the overall efficiency of the vehicles and the company:

No company is immune from negative reviews, so here is an example from a customer who gave the company a 1-star rating. However, it seems that there was a communication issue, and they called the wrong phone number:

Here is how Travellers Autobarn responded:

Overall, the majority of customers are super satisfied with their Autobarn campervans , regularly praising the vehicles’ useful storage areas and bed fit-outs, as well as the seamless renting process. You can read more reviews for Travellers Autobarn here .

Summing up: Main pros & cons of renting from Travellers Autobarn

After reading this Travellers Autobarn review , it’s clear that this rental company has way more advantages than disadvantages. To summarize, here are the most important pros and cons of Travellers Autobarn :

Overall Travelers Autobarn is an amazing choice, especially if you’re looking for a budget-friendly campervan rental. The Kuga van from Travellers is the perfect vehicle for our road trip adventures, providing plenty of storage, sleeping space, and a full kitchenette. Best of all, we get free unlimited miles with every rental, on top of the already competitive rates.

Travellers doesn’t allow pets, but that’s not a problem for us. And while some of the models are older, all of the vehicles are regularly serviced. So far, we have never had to call roadside assistance! If you’re in the western USA, this is by far one of the best companies you can rent from.

FAQs – Travellers Autobarn review

To finish up this Travellers Autobarn review , I’m sharing the answers to some common questions. If you have any concerns about renting a Travelers camper van , check if your question is answered below!

What is Travellers Autobarn cancellation fee?

The Travellers Autobarn cancellation fee depends on when you cancel:

What are the Travellers Autobarn pick-up & drop-off times?

Travellers Autobarn ’s pick-up times are Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The drop-off hours are Monday – Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Are bedding kits and cooking utensils included with your Travellers Autobarn rental?

No, but you can purchase the living equipment bundle for a one-time fee, which includes bed linens, cutlery, pots/pans, and more.

What should I do if my Travellers Autobarn campervan breaks down?

The Autobarn campervans undergo regular service and maintenance checks, but if you experience a problem, you should contact the roadside assistance team at 1-800-469-4790 (for the USA).

What is the minimum rental period at Travellers Autobarn?

Depending on the season, the minimum rental period is 4-10 days.

Can a child seat be fitted on Travellers Autobarn rental campervans?

Yes, you can request baby and child seats for your Autobarn campervan .

Do I require an international driving license to rent a campervan at Travellers Autobarn?

No, you don’t need an international driver’s license to rent from Travelers Autobarn , but it’s recommended when traveling from abroad.

Does Travellers Autobarn allow you to travel into Canada?

Yes, travel into Canada is allowed at no extra cost.

Does Travellers Autobarn allow you to travel into Mexico?

No, Travellers Autobarn USA does not allow travel into Mexico.

Does Travellers Autobarn allow you to travel through Death Valley?

Yes, the company allows travel through Death Valley, but only between October 1 st to April 30 th .

Can you travel with a pet on a Travellers Autobarn campervan?

No, Travellers camper van rentals do not allow pets.

Can you take a Travellers Autobarn campervan to Burning Man?

No, you aren’t allowed to take your Travelers camper van rental to Burning Man.

That’s it for this Travellers Autobarn review ! I hope this answered any questions or concerns you had, but if you’re still unsure, feel free to leave me a comment below. I’d be happy to help you out as best I can.

I’d also love to hear about your experience with Travellers Autobarn in the USA or elsewhere. Let me know what you think!

Stay safe and have a great campervan adventure!

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Stationwagon

The backpacker classic! Nothing beats a stationwagon for touring New Zealand. Perfect for tourists on a budget who still want to experience New Zealand up close – not through the window of a bus!

HiTop Campervan

The Hitop Campervan is a thoughtfully designed vehicle that sleeps for 2 to 3 people.

Kuga Campervan

Travellers Autobarn has launched its brand new Kuga Campervan models in New Zealand – which come with brand-new fit-out (2016 - 2018). So if you like something NEW this is the right camper for you!

HI5 Campervan

Travellers Autobarn is launching our custom-built Hi5 Campervans in New Zealand! The Hi5 Camper is our biggest camper yet, seating and sleeping up to 5 people.

Chubby Camper

There is a new 2-berth campervan hire on the block in New Zealand! The Chubby Campervan is the perfect two-person campervan for the New Zealand road trip of a lifetime.

Information

Travellers Autobarn is a budget/backpacker campervan rental company with locations all around Australia & New Zealand

Travellers Autobarn is offering a wide range of campervans, campers, and vans for hire from two locations in New Zealand – Auckland and Christchurch. As a proud and well established Australian campervan company, Travellers Autobarn (est. 1993) has been operating in New Zealand since 2009 and is the perfect ’one stop shop’ for backpackers and budget travellers planning their self drive trip around New Zealand in a campervan. Our campervans are all factory built, purpose built for you to rent. They are reliable and functional, there’s plenty of space, and they are about the smallest vehicle that can truly to be called a campervan.

Online Maps

Offices in Auckland and Christchurch

Camping near Auckland

Camping near Christchurch

• Quick Quotes
• Distribution
• Fantastic site!
• Took a van from Auckland to Queenstown.

Correct, no problems with the van whatsoever.

• Amazing camper!
• Outstanding Campervan Rental Experience!

Outstanding Campervan Rental Experience! I rented a campervan from Travellers Autobarn Christchurchand had an incredible experience. The van was in great condition, Chris and Craig were friendly and supportive, and the service was excellent. Highly recommend them for a hassle-free and enjoyable trip!

Reviewed 11 months ago

Took a van from Auckland to Queenstown. They upgraded us to a tall van from a Chubby Camper. Pros and cons: slower, older (200k on the clock) , used more petrol, but more space (able to stand inside to cook etc). The pick-up and drop off were easy and the explanation/briefing on the vehicle was great. Very happy with the company and value for money and would certainly use them again

Reviewed over 1 year ago

Steve Brooking

Camper is very nice! We really enjoyed our time in the Hi-Top campervan. But…. they definitely have to invest in better sleepingbags. Please do yourself a favour and ask for an extra blanket. Even in high summer nights could be very cold (5-10 degrees) in New-Zealand. The sleepingbags they offer are so thin it’s not enough..

6000$ for 3 weeks. Kuga van 2011 more than 200k km When we got our van we where happy but quickly unhappy after. The van is slow for hills drive no more than 40km no matter what you do. Drinks a lottttt of gaz. When we took the car the guy insisted we need to make oil change before bringing back the van!! WTF also said we have to check oil level everyday and put more oil onto engine will be necessary every now and then. Also ask before bringing the van back we get it clean by professional ??! Also didn’t not check with us the car for inspection- back light was broken and a lot of scratches on windshield. Answer of the company guy: don’t care because you bought insurance we will pass those problems on your insure after even if I’m not responsible for those car problems and noticed them before leaving Very weird and uncommon for a rental company In march cold night in the van didn’t give us adequate sweeping blanket or sleeping bags. No heat in the van included even for 6000$

Jessica Delattre

Had the best experience with travellers autobarn! my friend and I travelled around in the chubby Campervan and it had everything we need! Great bed, tools for cooking, power for charging our laptops. We managed to travel all around the south island with ease and woke up in some amazing camp spots. Highly recommend.

Reviewed over 2 years ago

joanne hollings

Had the time of my life travelling around the South Island in December! My friend and I had the chubby camper and we road tripped to some of the best destinations in the country and had the convenience to stay at the many campsites along the way! The chubby camper van came equipped with a very comfortable double bed, table, fridge, sink, gas cooker and more. We never had any problems with the van and the staff working at Travellers Autobarn were very friendly and helpful with any questions we had! I'd highly recommend travelling with Travellers Autobarn and I can't wait for my next van life roadie!

Samantha Jayne

Road trip round NZ south and north islands. The van was easy to drive and equipped with everything I needed. Joseph at the Christchurch depot was fantastic.

Reviewed about 3 years ago

Very good rental agency experiences with minor to be let for wishing.

Reviewed over 4 years ago

axel schulze

Fantastic site! How often this site has saved our holiday and provided vital information is impossible to count. Some improvements and/or additions could be made: such as route maps to your destinations, and listing recycling centers.

Joe Culbertson

Eaay process and great value.

Reviewed almost 5 years ago

We rented a van through them from 23rd Dec to 09 Jan. Paid more than 5,000 dollars. Our flight got cancelled and reschedule for the 25th Dec. I called them 4 times to try to get a pick up out of office since they were closed from 24th to 27th. It was not possible, even if they say contactless pick up available on their website. They extra charged me 200 dollars to pick up the van on the 27th saying they were sending someone just for me. The truth was they were open on the 27th as well and they just wanted to extra charge me a fee that doesn't exist. In general the van was ok, but really slow. It couldn't make more than 40 km/h where the road was ascent. People at the branch was helpful, but custom service is poor.

I booked a campervan for 6 weeks with autobarn and was really excited about the road trip of my life. Since the beginning we noticed small issues with the van like some leak which could have been easily spotted and fixed if the van was checked properly before check in. When we call them about the issue they did not offer us any solution to fix the issues. Then we had mechanical issues , bad one that forced us to changed our itinerary because of the road condition ( too steep for example ) . Since those incident happened during Christmas and new years eve it was really hard to reach someone. Until the van literally stopped moving and left us on top of an hill. After that we had three days stucked at the mechanic and then we decided to rush to Christchurch to get a new van. I understand that mechanical issue are nothing related to the company but the help we had was not enough. The second van we had was great , I would be more than happy if I've had this van since the beginning but it was not the case . I spend more than 5000 for a van half broken when I could have had a nice and shinny van , How is this fair ? The only compensation I had was 3 days refund for the days spent at the mechanic. I work a full year to afford this roadtrip and definitely did not received the service I paid for.

Reviewed about 3 years ago and experienced in January 2020

Victorine MARIE

We had a wonderful experience thanks to Joseph from Travellers Autobarn in Christchurch! He assisted us with the pick up and drop off of our van and helped us with questions that came up during our travels. He explained everything so well and could always reach him in case of questions/emergencies etc. He even took us to the airport at the end of our travels! :)) The van itself was just great, it was wonderfully equipped and we had the best time during our 3 weeks of travelling the South Island. Very easy to drive and to keep clean, we would definitely rent with Travellers again. Thank you Joseph for everything! We will hopefully see you again soon! Jess and Mariana

Reviewed about 5 years ago

Jessica Rose

Have used them twice now, both in New Zealand and in Australia in different vans and have loved both experiences. Have used them twice now, both in New Zealand and in Australia in different vans and have loved both experiences. Really helpful service insuring that we had everything we wanted for our trip and the van worked great. We had a slightly older model with a few bumps and dents on the body work, but the internal fit was still very good and we had no problems with the engine. Would highly reccommend and if we are ever back this way, we will book again with TA!!

Campervan was good, refridgerator was making terrible noise and battery only holding max 12 hours from full charge. When calling customer service you end up in Australia at a friendly person but unable to solve any issue.

Reviewed over 5 years ago

Arnold van der Linden

Easy pick up and drop off. Clear and easy to understand rental agreement and online pre check in procedure. Loved driving the van,it’s not as glitzy as others you see on the road but it had loads of storage, good fridge and lots of worktop space for food preparation. It was a little scuffed on thecinternal paintwork but if I’m honest that made it less intimidating to drive and use. Bit slow going up hills but we were there to see the scenery so that was fine. My daughter and I had a great time and would definitely recommend these vans,

Karen Gething

Hired from the Christchurch depot of Travellers Autobarn their newly remodelled/refitted Hi5 Campervan. We needed a vehicle that seated and slept 4, this hi top van accommodated 5. Pick up and drop off was absolutely smooth and very professional. Their depot is very easy to get to catching the No. 29 bus and then a 10 minute walk if you want to use public transport. We had our nominated drivers collect the vehicle and drive to our accommodation to pick up the other passengers, this saved having to take our luggage to the depot. No issues with the van whatsoever during our month long trip of the South Island, all ran well. The remodel is fabulous making it easier to have separate areas for cooking and leisure seating/sleeping with easier access to the seating area from the sliding door access. Very happy with it's handling of some of the windy roads we travelled, would not have wanted the stress of driving a larger vehicle as some roads and bridges are very narrow. In all a great hire choice and would strongly recommend for a stress free travel experience.

Anne Wallace

Rented a Kuga campervan for 20 days, great experience! Campervan was great, everything worked as expected. Very comfortable bed, fridge was big enough and microwave was an awsome plus. We had 2 big suitcases and were able to store them in the upper level. May be too small for 3 people.

Amazing camper! Amazing Times! Thanks a bundle!

Christian Cippis

Excellent service and vehicle, we had a great time!

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

We had an incredibly stressful and disappointing experience with Travellers Autobarn after booking one of their vans via the recommendation of a travel agent for a 10 day trip around the south island. The trip started off smoothly and we were thrilled with how clean and spacious the van was. After trouble with a dead battery in Milford Sound, we jumped our car twice after it stalled mid-drive- the break assist, power steering, and gas all stopped. This was absolutely terrifying, especially with the steep drive back to Queenstown. After driving 4 hours nonstop with no air or radio on for fear of draining the battery. We were confident that the battery would be recharged and the van safe to drive after this, but it stalled again 3 times when we arrived back in the town center in Queenstown which was super concerning. We called the Christchurch office the next day and encountered a pretty rude staff member who insisted that this was all our fault because of the dead battery, even though that is not normal after a jump start and 4 hours of driving to recharge. She told us to call someone to diagnose the problem which we paid for out of pocket. This man wasn't a mechanic and couldn't tell us what was wrong besides that it was not due to the previous death of the battery. So we ate that cost and had no answers. We called customer service in Australia and had much better service with a woman who showed concern and put us in touch with her personal mechanic in Queenstown. This mechanic was very helpful and seemed qualified and smart. However after hours of looking at our van, he came up with hundreds of solutions that could fix our van but concluded that it was a really complex issue and that the van needed to be taken out of commission and looked at. He did say that the battery was 8 years old and overdue to be replaced as well as the spark plugs which made us furious, as we assumed we were renting a safe and up to date van........

Reviewed about 6 years ago and experienced in March 2018

Hi Avery, Thank you for your feedback and we are sorry that you did not enjoy your road trip with us. It’s very tricky situation when you have a breakdown on the road, we try our best to source the best professionals to assess and fix these problems as they happen. In this case, you advised you had an issue and when we sent you to a mechanic, but they indicated there is no problem with the vehicle. Three different mechanics assured us on each occasion that there were no safety issues with the vehicle. We would not allow you to continue with an unsafe vehicle. In the event of a mechanical breakdown we refund you for the time spent off the road and in this case, we refunded $330. It's difficult to predict if a vehicle is going to break down and we think this is the fairest to compensate for lost time. We are sorry you had a to deal with a breakdown and that you felt unsafe, that is not the outcome we want for our customers. I hope you we able to achieve some enjoyable experiences on your trip and enjoyed New Zealand overall.

Bastian Graf

Representative

Everything was perfectly good with TA. The van was clean and well maintained. The pick up and drop off were easy going, effective and fluent. I would recommend it without any doubt. Laurent

Reviewed about 6 years ago

laurent twardowski

Very satisfied. The Kuga campervan didn't present any problem during the 17 days. Confortable bed and all commodities as advertised.

João Carvalho

Nice campervan, all the facilities you need. Cold inside once summer is over.

Tim Pellenkoft

We have rent a kuga van for 5 weeks and we really enjoyed it! Great service and clear communication at arrival in Auckland and drop of in Christchurch. The van was in good condition. Good value for the price, so we definitely recommend it!

Reviewed over 6 years ago

yvonne smolders

We have picked up our KUGA campervan at Christchurch office. The process was quite fluent. The van was in good conditions with some minor scratches. It served us well during our 23 day rental period. The only issue we had was with additional heater which didn't work. We were offered the reimbursement. Kuga van was spacious enough for two (OK, sometimes we missed some extra space). Fuel consumption was less than described on spec sheet. When deciding about choosing KUGA campervan we were not sure if it is manual or automatic since data on web page and on PDF spec sheet were different. After inquiry the data sheet was updated. Kuga is automatic. The drop off proces in Auckland depot was so fast we forgot to claim reimbursement for the heater:)

Sasa Jamsek

Pieterjan Tuybens

Tue Service at office was very good. Technical condition of caravan car was also good. But it is very expensive for what you get. Cheap and not very qualitative equipment ( e.g.camping chairs, dishes )...the kuga van does not really have a space for storage ( it is always mess in the van) ..it could be some more shelves/ closed storage space...

Alexandra Alles

Such a great help in finding the right campervan and our trip was made so much easier/better with the rankers app!

Kate Brandist

Great service and the van was well kitted out for our needs. The TA app was very useful too.

Allyson Ekin

Budget Campervan Rental for Your Road Trip Adventure: Travellers Autobarn Review

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Want to test-drive the van life, literally? Travellers Autobarn has campervans for hire. We took one on the road to try it for ourselves.

Living out of a camper is no longer just for dirtbag climbers or travel-hungry globetrotters. People of all ages and from all walks of life have embraced either traveling or living full-time by campervan. And that’s just as true with renting the van life. For those not ready to purchase, there are plenty of great applications to using a van for adventures.

Who are campervans for? Really, anyone. Recent grads, remote workers, seasonal park employees, travel nurses or travel writers, retirees, and more are hitting the road, sleeper-style.

And Travellers Autobarn offers fully built-out campervans — with tons of room for gear — at an unbeatable price. I loved the van itself. But I also liked the services and features the company provides. These include unlimited mileage, access to a campground app subscription, solar panels for off-grid living, and more.

Kuga Campervan Rental: On-the-Road Review

Travellers Autobarn, an Australian company, just upgraded its fleet of Kuga campervans . The company is also fairly new to the U.S. It’s been running in Australia since 1993, but operations began here in 2019.

I lucked out and took one out for a 7-day road trip through California. Here are my thoughts on the experience. 

Overall Quality

The van excelled in some areas. In others, it was pretty standard.

The overall essentials provided in the van were really great, and they were certainly everything I needed. The company thought of lots of little details, including USB charging ports for phones, a can opener in the kitchen, and exterior lighting for sitting outside at night.

All of the company’s Kuga Campervans were updated in 2020; however, the actual vans date back as far as 2012. This means that the cab, engine, and driver’s area aren’t quite new.

Now, I can’t totally fault Travellers Autobarn on this — the brand does market itself as a budget rental service. Just know that you might get a campervan, fully built out and functional, but older.

Appliances and Functionality

The appliances in the campervan are awesome. I tested every aspect and the features rocked it.

The Dometic gas cooktop sports two burners, and the Dometic fridge worked like a charm. The solar lights, panels, and outlets were all easy to navigate. And the electric hookups did the job as well.

Also worth noting, unlike an RV, the solar batteries are quiet — there’s no generator humming or groaning in the night.

Now, as someone who usually backpacks or tent camps, I only used the electric hookups one night (which power an added 12V microwave). Everything else in the van ran off solar . In my opinion, the hookups are great, but totally optional — with solar power, you can choose whether or not to stay in a developed campground.

The campervan I tested sleeps up to three folks. I never had three people inside, but the length and width of the bottom-level bed are spacious enough for two, and the upper loft (purely for sleeping) is adequate.

There’s not much headroom for the third person up top — about a foot — but hey, it can sleep three. And when the loft is stored away, there’s still plenty of livable space for one or two.

I used the upper loft section for bedding and extra gear storage. It’s worth noting that the max standing height in about two-thirds of the van is 6’5”, more than ample for most travelers.

Gear and Storage

Let’s talk storage, which is arguably the most important part of a campervan. No one wants to take a 2-week road trip or embrace the van life if there’s no room for toys and luggage on board.

There are three storage bins under each bench in the living space of the van: two cubby-sized bins and one large main compartment. I was impressed. This room provided stash space for climbing gear and shoes , carry-on luggage, camp blankets, furniture, chairs, dirty hiking boots, and more.

On this trip, I had a 50L duffel bag, camp chairs, a blanket, a paddleboard , a daypack, a hydration bladder pack, and a travel Dopp kit all stashed away.

That’s in addition to the water hosing and electric hookups, bedding, sleeping bags, pillows, and a full cookware and kitchen set (teapot, mugs, utensils, dinnerware) provided and stored in the van.

For a one-week road trip, I had everything I needed and more. For anything longer, I would have still had ample room for gear, but I would probably have to be more strategic about food storage. (The campervan included a fridge, so I didn’t bring a cooler.)

Based on what I packed, I was able to utilize the storage for both living essentials and my personal gear. Converting the storage benches from a dining area to a bed was also fairly easy, though most days I opted to forgo the interior table. I picnicked, ate, and aprés outdoors instead.

Water, Gas, Solar, and Electric

The Dometic cooktop uses standard propane, and it’s a great size. Additionally, the fridge fit more than I thought it could. Anything not stored in the fridge went into the cupboards, which had extra room for dry goods in addition to the van’s cookware.

The water tank in the Kuga campervan holds an impressive 13 gallons (some van builds have tanks as small as 5), providing plenty of water storage for a week or several weeks.

The hose that came with the van (for refilling the tank, which I never needed to do but did test) is a standard 25-foot hose. The water pressure in the sink was great, and this aspect was seamless to operate.

The solar panels on the roof also worked great, and — thanks to California’s sunny disposition — it provided plenty of power along my trip. And the battery system was quiet.

The solar panels powered outlet and USB charging ports, the fridge, and interior and exterior lighting. In one national park, it took less than 2 hours from sunup for the two solar panels to fully charge. Impressive.

This campervan rental and road trip experience would have been miles different without this awesome solar-powered feature included on the Kuga Campervans.

Travellers Autobarn: Pick Up/Drop Off Process, Customer Service

Picking up my campervan had some ups and downs.

First, the company does an awesome job with communication, namely pre-check-in emails and digital information about your trip. I got an email several days before, a day before, a receipt upon arrival, and several at the end of the trip.

The Los Angeles Travellers Autobarn office, which I assumed would be a sunny and busy mecca, was a fairly low-key van depot. The public-facing company storefront was closed due to COVID, so take the following with a grain of salt. There was only one other person waiting to check in and pick up a van, so it didn’t take long.

The staff member who checked me in was helpful but didn’t seem the most engaging. He gave a full overview and walkthrough of the van features, answered a few questions I had, and (after a short mixup with a set of keys) I was on my way.

Returning the van at my final destination was a much smoother experience. The staff was super friendly, and the office seemed a bit more organized. Overall, my experience with Travellers Autobarn staff and customer service (in person and over the phone) was positive.

Renting With Travellers Autobarn: Why You Should

Now, I’ll dig into all the behind-the-scenes, fine-print details. Here are the pros (there are lots) and cons of renting a campervan with Travellers Autobarn.

Campervan: Fully Equipped

It’s a campervan! Sure, you could rent a car from Budget and road trip to hit some national parks, or stealth camp in a U-haul .

But really, if you are going to give someone else (or yourself) a road trip adventure, go all out. Bring refrigerated goods, bring your favorite pillow, bring the surfboard, and the trad climbing rack.

Bask in the convenience of solar panels and running water. Glamp it up.

Low Renter’s Age

Unlike Outdoorsy , GoCamp , and several other van rental services, you don’t have to be over 25 to rent with Travellers Autobarn. (There’s no young driver fee, either!) All you need is to be 21 or older.

This is a huge perk for recent grads (like my younger sister), young professionals, and millennials looking to dip their toes into the ever-trendier “living out of a van” lifestyle.

No Mileage Fees

Repeat after me: Free. Unlimited. Mileage. Take that unexpected road detour. Stop at your friends’ house. Don’t stress about how many miles you spend driving around looking for the perfect spot to camp .

Don’t worry about added costs if you go over. Travellers offers unlimited miles on every campervan rental. I love this aspect of its service.

Budget-Friendly

Travellers Autobarn told us that the all-inclusive (campervan rental, insurance, supplies) average cost per trip is $20-40 per day. (My trip came to almost exactly $33 a day.) We’ll do the math for you: A 2-week road trip is about $420. That’s cheaper than most airline costs — and definitely cheaper than a week of lodging.

Even on a DIY road trip, I can see myself spending at least $20 per day on what the campervan provides: a vehicle, lodging, a place to cook and eat (stove and fuel), and a gear room on wheels. Now, the cost does go up when you factor in things like campground fees and gas, but that’s all part of being on the road.

To make the deal sweeter — or if you are on a tight budget ( ahem , young professionals) — and worth your while, Travellers tosses in things like discounts for more days on the road, a free subscription to a campground app (with discounts) for all renters, and free 24-hour roadside assistance (which you hopefully won’t need!).

Campervan Cons, Other Logistics

I experienced very few cons with this campervan rental service. But, there were a few.

Driver and Vehicle Safety

Travellers Autobarn is a budget campervan rental company. Its vans are affordable and accessible to nearly everyone. If you are looking for a luxury, $200-per-night van getaway, this isn’t it.

The company discloses that its vans are older (as old as 2012) GMC and Chevrolet vehicles, meaning the cab isn’t the most up to date, and its controls may be manual (side mirrors, windows).

I imagine for renters not familiar with driving 18-foot vans, high-tech vehicle features like smartphone compatibility for directions and automatic controls in all vans would be nice. And that may even make the driving experience safer.

For context, we not only test-drove a campervan, but we also took a look at Travellers Autobarn’s whole California fleet for a better perspective. I’d guess a bit more than half of the vehicles had newer, automatic controls.

However, I also had a few issues on the topic of vehicle safety. One, the van I got had over 130,000 miles on it (this is not a con, just more mileage than I expected). And two, I had a few engine/service lights go on and off while driving.

When you are 80 miles from the nearest town or driving up a mountain road, this can be nerve-wracking. I had cell service, and I was able to call the company’s customer service (the team member I reached was helpful and knowledgeable) to determine whether it was safe to continue driving. But no one wants to have to deal with that on a road trip, especially when the company is marketing travel to remote places.

Slightly newer vans should be in Travellers Autobarn’s future plans. And unofficially, they are, as the company told me it plans on updating the vans every few years.

Because these are rental vehicles, Travellers Autobarn does not allow pets. So if you’re a pup parent, you will need to make arrangements for when you’re away.

Itineraries

For a vehicle rental service, it’s cool that Travellers also provides itineraries for those looking for more structure and trip ideas. This takes them up a level in my mind from just a rental service to more of a campervan and adventure company.

It even designs itineraries around specific activities, like climbing and winter sports.

I followed one of its itineraries as I tested the campervan. And while I loved the stops, national and state park recommendations, and pace, I do wish a few more details were included.

Things like two or three recommended options of where to stay, maybe a few “locals’ tips,” and a labeled estimated driving time for each day would be helpful additions.

Limited Pick-Up Locations

If you visit Travellers’ website, the first thing you’ll probably notice is its extensive, nationwide itineraries.

We’re talking Seattle, Los Angeles, Lake Tahoe, Denver, Miami. The contiguous U.S. is your oyster (kind of). However, Travellers’ home bases for the brand new Kuga Campervans are only in L.A. and San Francisco, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

This is in addition to Travellers’ home stomping ground of Australia and New Zealand .

So, if you are super set on renting a campervan from these folks, you’ll want to factor travel to those locales in.

I will add that Travellers Autobarn is expanding to home bases in Denver and Seattle this year. So hopefully, you won’t have to wait long to get more options near you!

Final Thoughts

I traveled over 1,000 miles around and across California, hit up four National Parks, and a half dozen state parks as well. The van was fairly easy to drive, the interior living space functioned really well, and there was room for gear.

Short of not quite feeling like home (though this rental was better than some other rental “lodgings” I’ve experienced), this van delivered. It gave me comfort, convenience, and access to outdoor spaces.

And given everything that was included, the price is a huge positive that you really can’t turn down. I’d consider renting from Travellers Autobarn again, unless I catch myself buying and building out my own van first.

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Mary Murphy is the Managing Editor of GearJunkie. She has been writing about hiking, running, climbing, camping, skiing, and more for eight years, and has been on staff at GearJunkie since 2019. Prior to that, Mary wrote for 5280 Magazine in Denver while working as an outdoor instructor teaching climbing, kayaking, paddleboarding, mountain biking, and the love of nature to kids. Based in Denver, Colorado, Murphy is an avid hiker, runner, backpacker, skier, yogi, and pack-paddleboarder.

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Highlights from the Business

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Review Highlights

“ I really enjoyed the double fridge, the open layout, and how smoothly the van handles the road. ” in 39 reviews

Location & Hours

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500 W Florence Ave

Inglewood, CA 90301

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Travellers Autobarn offers campervan rentals on the West Coast of the US. All our rentals come with unlimited miles allowing you to explore the USA without worrying about mileage cost. …

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Recommended Reviews

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Overall rating

Yeah everything was pretty good man I will recommend others for renting service rice was pretty good

Business owner information

Business Owner

Jun 25, 2024

Thanks for your review and recommendation Ton!

We took the Hi5 Campervan which slept 4 of us perfectly. The Van right away had all of the sleeping gear, pots, pans, and plenty of storage for our trip up the west coast of California! We went up plenty of steep hills and the Van carried us to the top every time. Traveling the world with our best pals waking up to the most amazing views thanks to the ability of the Hi5 Campervan. The service of droping off and picking up the vichle was smooth and quick. Great people who are always willing to help and answer any questions you have. Couldn't ask for a better trip nor a better Van that made all of our memories. The Hi5 Campervan was definitely the way to go!

Jan 23, 2024

Many thanks for your review Noah L! Happy to hear you and your friends had a great road trip experience with us :)

The Kuga campervan was our home for couple nights and was a great experience! We enjoyed our roadtrip and we're def considering them for our future adventures. It has enough room for two ppl and the price was fair for what they delivered. Also, the service during pick up was great, we received good advice from the staff. Thank you!

Kuga campervan

Nov 28, 2023

Many thanks for your review Paula L!

i had a great experience renting out a van and had such an amazing experience with my family we spent a couple days in the van and everything went great ! and everyone at this company was friendly and very kind ! 10/10 experience definitely coming back when we visit california again !!!

Many thanks for your review Yofave! Happy to hear you had a great experience with us, and we look forward to having you again in the future!

We rented the Kuga Campervan out of LA and everything about this trip was amazing! From the moment we picked up to the moment of drop off we couldn't have asked for a better experience! The employees at the location were super friendly and easy to work with, the Van ran and functioned exactly as it should, and both me and my girlfriend loved calling it our little home on wheels for the week we had it exploring Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. This was our first time ever living out of a van and it was all super easy to use, drive, and fit into the places not all campervans could! We couldn't be more grateful the the experience Travellers Autobarn provided and cannot wait to do another trip!

May 7, 2024

Hey Mike, many thanks for your recommendation! Happy to hear you had a great road trip experience with us and look forward to having you again in the future - beautiful photos too :)

We had a good time with the van. The only problem we had was a leak on the roof when we were in Oregon and Seattle.

Jan 9, 2024

Thanks for your review and feedback Angel H!

We rented the Kuga Campervan for a 3 week road trip around the US. Cheyenne and Derek were super friendly and helpful during pick up. We drove from Vegas to the Grand Canyon, then on to explore Utah's mighty 5! Having a camper was the perfect way to see the South West and allowed us to wake up in some of the most beautiful spots. The van itself was reasonably well equipped and had lots of storage space for all our belongings. We travelled in March's unpredictable weather and it got pretty chilly. If we were to travel in winter again, I would choose a van with integrated heating where possible.

Apr 23, 2024

Hey Alongwithmatt, thanks for your review!

We just got back from a trip rented the five person van and loved it we took it to Zion national park and Yellowstone national park my two kids and wife loved it too we will definitely use them again

The van by a lake

Zion background

Jul 25, 2023

Thanks for your review Orlando J! We look forward to having you again in the future, also nice photos :)

Wow, everything was absolutely perfect! I can't say enough good things about how amazing they were to work with. Their laid back attitude made the entire experience a breeze and the customer service was simply outstanding. I am already looking forward to using their services again in the future!

Apr 9, 2024

Hey Julia, thanks for your review! We look forward to having you again in the future :)

I had SUCH an amazing experience with Travellers Autobarn! It was nice having a kitchen in the van and it was the perfect size for my boyfriend and I to store our luggage, cook, and enjoy nights in nature. I would totally book with this company again! I also enjoy that you can add camping equipment to your van as well as a part of a package. Such a fun experience :)

Many thanks for your review Maxjesty J! Happy to hear you had a great experience with us :)

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Travellers Autobarn: What is it Really Like to Hire a Campervan in NZ?

NZ Pocket Guide is 10 years old. Thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade!

A review of travellers autobarn (more specifically, the kuga campervan)….

Road tripping around New Zealand’s glorious landscapes is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most of us. Finding a worthy vehicle while sticking to your budget is, therefore, one of the most important decisions you’ll make for the road ahead. With that in mind, the team behind NZ Pocket Guide have checked out one of the most prominent campervan brands gracing New Zealand’s roads, Travellers Autobarn , with a sole focus on their ultra-popular camping vehicle, the Kuga campervan .

Travellers Autobarn Kuga Campervan Hire: The Specs

Before we dive into the complete review of Travellers Autobarn’s Kuga campervan, here are the most important specifications:

• Transmission : Automatic
• Fuel : Unleaded
• Fuel consumption : 12-15 litres/100km
• Dual battery : Yes
• Power supply : 2* 240V to charge electrical appliances
• Length 5 m, Height 2.7m, Width 1.7m, Internal height 1.85-1.9m

Campervan Living Amenities (Included)

• Sleeps : 3 in one double bed (1.9m x 1.55m) and one single bed (1.6m x 1.4m)
• Air conditioning in the front cabin
• Kitchen : gas stove, fridge, sink, microwave and fire extinguisher
• Water supply : fresh water tank and grey water tank
• Electric supply : 12V Plug, 2 x USB chargers, internal lights, cigarette lighter/charger, radio and CD player
• Winter inclusions : heater, hot water bottle and sleeping bag

Optional Extras (for a Fee)

• Living equipment (all under the same fee) : kettle, cutlery, pots and pans, tea towels, cleaning equipment, sleeping bags, pillows and sheets
• Porta Potti (portable toilet – needed to be certified self-contained to enable you to freedom camp )
• Child booster seat (4-7 years old)
• Other extras include insurance, GPS, camping chairs, snow chains, extra drivers, etc. Use the booking page of Travellers Autobarn to see all of the extras.

Where to Hire

These vans can be picked up and/or dropped off at their depots in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Queenstown.

Finally, rental with Travellers Autobarn also includes unlimited kilometres ,  24/7 roadside assistance and 10% at Kiwi Holiday Parks.

Is Travellers Autobarn Cheap?

Budget is important, so we’ll waste no time in answering the question: is Travellers Autobarn cheap? More to the point are they good value for the price?

One of the Best-Value Campervan Rentals (But Check Those Additional Fees)

Like any campervan rental company in New Zealand, daily rental rates with Travellers Autobarn fluctuate with the seasons but even then, their prices always stay competitive. When looking for affordable campervans, i.e. those in the budget range, TA is among the first we recommend in The Best Budget Campervan Rentals in New Zealand . Be aware, however, that you’ll come across some additional fees throughout the booking process. For instance, the portable toilet required to make the Kuga campervan legally self-contained is an additional one-off fee of NZ$50. This doesn’t put too much of a dent in your budget if hiring for a few days, but might be off-putting for short-term hires.

Additionally, you’ll notice that “Living Equipment” also comes at an additional fee. Although this may initially raise a red flag, it’s only a one-off fee no matter how many days you hire. Plus, rental rates start so low that this minor fee still puts Travellers Autobarn in the run for being one of the best value budget rental options in New Zealand.

Where to Get the Best Deals and Discounts for Travellers Autobarn

With regular deals listed on the Travellers Autobarn website, plus, campervan relocation opportunities , the TA website tends to be the cheapest place to book their rental vehicles.

Are Travellers Autobarn Campervans Easy to Drive?

If you’re new to driving a camping vehicle, then the Kuga campervan is ideal. Travellers Autobarn’s Kuga vans are a Toyota Hiace, a popular campervan model in New Zealand and one of the best models for starting out on the camping vehicle scene. The vehicles are only a little longer than you’re standard car and approximately the same width. You won’t need to worry too much about following our advice in The Best Tips for Parking a Campervan or Motorhome in New Zealand . Just remember to reopen all of the curtains before driving (not that we’re speaking from experience).

What’s more, all of Travellers Autobarn’s campervans have automatic transmission with power steering so it’s a mostly smooth drive. The lever handbrake might throw you off at first if you’re not used to that sort of handbrake, but it’s well-labelled on how to use it. You’ll get used to it in no time!

One thing that you might want to be more mindful of, however, is the height of the car – you get that sense of being a little “top-heavy” unlike driving a car. While this isn’t too much of a problem, just note that you’ll want to take those corners a bit slower. There’s a reason why “single vehicle roll over” is one of the cover options in the insurance…

What’s it Like to Live in a Travellers Autobarn Campervan?

The interiors of Travellers Autobarn’s Kuga model are simple yet cleverly designed to make the most of the space without sacrificing room for storage.

Everything you need for campervan maintenance – fresh water pipe, grey water pipe, boards required to fold out the bed, etc. – are all tucked away in one corner of the van. Then all of the space under the rest of the seats and above the cabin is yours! We found that large backpacks and small suitcases work best with the space.

Keeping Warm in the Campervan

Travellers Autobarn is one of the few rental companies in New Zealand that provide sleeping bags and pillows rather than duvets. While sceptical at first, we found that this keeps the van easier to tidy and are, arguably, warmer than a duvet on those crisp New Zealand nights. Speaking of the cold, you get extra sleeping bags, hot water bottles, an electric heater, etc. with a free “winter pack” during the colder months. If you need more tips on the subject, head over to How to Stay Warm When Camping in New Zealand .

The Kitchen: Self-Catering in a Campervan

As for the kitchen, the gas stove is easy to use but you may need a match or a lighter to get it started. Travellers Autobarn included some matches with our rental vehicle – but just make sure some are included or the spark on the stove works before setting off. The fridge runs on the van battery, but you’ll need to be plugged into a powered site if you want to use the microwave or kettle.

All the necessary kitchen equipment is also included in that “Living Equipment” package mentioned previously but some drinking glasses are a bit loose on the shelves so either pack them in with groceries or take those speedbumps extra slowly!

Staying Inside the Van: Moving Between a Living and Sleeping Space

An aspect of this campervan that our team were excited to mention is that you can enjoy living in the van without having to step outside (especially during a classic New Zealand rainy spell ). Many rental campervans in New Zealand require you to open the back door to have full access to your kitchen, for example, but you can transition your space from dining room to bedroom (and do the cooking) without opening the doors. Or, at least, this is more the case for two people. When three adults are staying in the van, we imagine that this can be a little more challenging.

Are They Self-Contained? (Can You Freedom Camp)?

In New Zealand, it’s not as straightforward as parking up a campervan and staying the night. There are rules and regulations on what type of vehicle you can use for what’s commonly known as “freedom camping”. In order to legally use many freedom camping areas in New Zealand, you need a certified self-contained vehicle. You can read up on the details in our guide, What it’s Really Like to Freedom Camp in New Zealand . While Travellers Autobarn’s Kuga campervan isn’t legally self-contained at the base cost, it can be made legal by renting a Porta Potti (portable toilet) for a one-off fee. For the money you’ll save on campsites and holiday parks in the long run, the addition is worth considering.

For travellers solely staying in holiday parks, campsites with toilets and Department of Conservation campsites , a certified self-contained vehicle isn’t necessary. Plus, you’ll probably prefer using campsite toilets.

Final Thoughts

Should you hire a campervan from Travellers Autobarn ? Solo travellers, couples or a couple of friends on a budget will find that the Kuga campervan has everything they need for a comfortable and affordable road trip across New Zealand. First-time campervanners will also find the Kuga less threatening than some of the motorhome monsters on the roads. We also respect the fact that Travellers Autobarn is one of the very few campervan rental companies that offer self-contained vehicles for drivers as young as 18 years old .

While the campervans don’t have too many bells and whistles, they have all of the necessities that are easy to use, flattening the learning curve of living the van life. If you find the deal that’s right for you, the Kuga campervan is a worthy companion for your road trip around New Zealand.

More About Campervan Hire in New Zealand

That’s it for our complete Travellers Autobarn review. Compare Travellers Autobarn NZ to other campervan rentals by browsing the following guides and comparisons:

• The Best Campervan Rental Companies in New Zealand
• The Best Budget Campervan Rentals in New Zealand
• The Best Affordable Campervan Rentals in New Zealand

Finally, get all the tips you need for road tripping in the campervan using  How to Plan a Campervan Trip in New Zealand .

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

• Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
• Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
• Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
• Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
• Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
• DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
• Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
• AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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Campervan & RV Rental locations in the US

Campervan rental locations.

Start your road trip around the US from any of our Travellers Autobarn locations.

From any other country: +61 1800 674 374 (local call costs apply)

Opening Hours Reservations

Monday – 9:00am – 11:59pm Tuesday – 9:00am – 11:59pm Wednesday – 9:00am – 11:59pm Thursday – 9:00am – 11:59pm Friday – 9:00am – 11:59pm Saturday – 9:00am – 17:00pm Sunday & Public Holidays – Closed

(Pacific Daylight Time)

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Our Campervans

Tent Optional

Chairs Optional

Ice Box Optional

Ext. Table Opt.

Gas Cooker Opt.

Kuga Campervan

Seats 2-3 • sleeps 2-3.

Solar panel

Hi5 Campervan

Seats 4-5 • sleeps 4-5.

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Reviews 3.2.

Most relevant

The worst experience with a rental car

The worst experience with a rental car. DO NOT use this company. We had to drive back several km 4 times to have things fixed. Fridge stops working after 2 hours nonpowered despite an extra battery, Emergency exit closed due to a faulty lock, broken ladder, faulty seatbelts etc. Beds are horrible, cushions falls apart, sleeping bags very thin, bad pans and no sharp knives. Our list is very long. We had to buy many stuff to live in the car, and we are experienced backpackers. They gave us a new car, but a defect waterpump after just 2 hours ment we had to drive back. Better of renting from other company even though more expensive, in the end less time with damage stuff and less problems. They wouldn't refund money even though experience was horrendous and they didn't keep their contract with the standard of the car.

Date of experience : February 04, 2019

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carnet d'aventures

Making memories on the road

Mon avis sur Travellers Autobarn, le van que l’on a loué aux USA

✏  Articles sur le   road trip aux USA.

⇟ Ma vidéo youtube van tour ⇟

Présentation du van

Bien choisir son van est extrêmement important puisque ce sera votre maison dans laquelle vous dormirez, vous mangerez, vous vous laverez et où vous allez parcourir des centaines de kilomètres. Nous avons été TRES satisfaits du van que l’on a loué et n’avons rencontré aucun problème majeur. L’espace était largement suffisant pour deux avec la possibilité de tenir debout pour cuisiner ou s’habiller ce qui est un luxe.

Dans cet article, je vous présente le van que l’on a loué pour 15 nuits et 16 jours pour traverser 4 états de l’ouest américain : la Californie, le Nevada, l’Arizona et l’Utah. 

La compagnie Travellers Autobarn

On est passés par l’agence Travellers Autobarn (lien ici:  https://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au ) . Un choix? À vrai dire non. Nous voulions réserver avec la compagnie Escape Campervan (très très connue). Cependant lors de notre réservation, nous avons reçu un mail disant qu’il n’y en avait plus de disponibles aux dates voulues. Il faut dire que l’on s’y est pris un mois avant le départ ce qui nous laissait peu de chances. On continue nos recherches de location et on tombe sur ce site. Hop! On réserve. Le mail de confirmation disant que tout est OK. YES!

Le paiement

◊ A savoir: dans les pays étrangers, les locations de voitures/van/camping-car etc préfèrent lorsque vous disposez d'une carte de crédit ( carte VISA PREMIER débit différé ). La différence entre les deux est qu'avec une carte de crédit, les agences de location ont la certitude que vous avez les fonds nécessaires pour louer le véhicule et honorer la caution (ce qui ne pourrait pas se voir avec une carte de débit). De plus, lors de vos passages aux stations essences, il est préférable d'avoir une carte sans frais (carte ULTIM)  pour payer (détaillé plus bas). Si aucune de vos cartes ne passent: je vous conseille d'avoir une carte bancaire simple pour retirer de l'argent (carte ULTIM) . Voyageant souvent autour du monde j'ai fait l'acquisition d'une carte bancaire gratuite où les retraits à l'étranger sont sans frais. J'ai bien-sûr choisi la banque en ligne Boursorama pour cela. 

→ Si vous aussi vous voulez obtenir une carte bancaire gratuite   sans frais lors des retraits et paiements à l’étranger, cliquez sur mon lien de parrainage:  ICI  qui vous offrira 80€ d’office . La carte bancaire que vous devez sélectionner s’appelle “ CARTE ULTIM “. 

→ Si vous souhaitez obtenir la carte de crédit gratuite pour louer le van, sélectionnez “ CARTE VISA PREMIER ” en débit différé . L’offre de 80€ est également appliquée:   ICI

Les options et les prix

Lorsque vous réservez un van, le prix ne comporte rien, si ce n’est le véhicule. Vous devrez alors sélectionner les options qui vous intéressent. Voici la liste de ce que l’on a pris:

• Le kit cuisine (détaillé ci-dessous) + l e linge de lit +  les chaises (le tout proposé ensemble): $45
• Une bouteille de propane (pour cuisiner au gaz): $35
• Une douche solaire $30
• Le kilométrage illimité FREE au moment de notre réservation mais ce n’est pas toujours le cas.

Le total du van pour 2 personnes pour 15 nuits était de: $1577 (=1421€).

Le type de van

Notre van était un chevrolet express (2014) qui avait la patate et un côté plutôt baroudeur avec un large garde au sol, nous permettant l’accès à des routes non praticables avec un véhicule classique. Sa consommation était en conséquence du gabarit, avec ses 12,5 litres au 100km, mais le prix de l’essence au USA permet d’accepter, du moins financièrement, cet appétit. Pour donner un ordre d’idée, sur l’ensemble de notre périple nous avons donné à boire pas moins de 615 litres à notre van ce qui représente $585 soit €528 à ce moment-là.

◊ A savoir: les stations essences américaines sont un peu différentes de celles que l'on trouvent en France. Si vous disposez d'une carte bancaire simple vous devrez rentrer dans le shop et choisir le montant souhaité en indiquant votre pompe. Si vous annoncez un montant trop élevé par rapport à ce que votre van a besoin, exemple: vous demandez $60 mais votre réservoir indique plein à $58, vous serez débités $58 et la pompe s'arrêtera automatiquement.

Les équipements

Il faut savoir que le van comporte un panneau solaire sur le toit pour l’électricité à l’intérieur du van. Il a également un ventilateur  au plafond que vous pouvez activer en cas de mauvaises odeurs ou de trop fortes chaleurs et des rideaux sur tous les côtés du van pour pouvoir préserver votre intimité le soir quand vous mangez ou dormez. A l’avant: vous disposerez de deux prises USB (je vous conseille d’acheter une multi-prise USB pour pouvoir tout brancher lorsque le véhicule est en mouvement!).

Les rangements

En ce qui concernent  les rangements : on a trouvé qu’il y avait BEAUCOUP de rangements pour deux personnes. Il y en a sur le tableau de bord pour poser des documents et dans les portières pour poser des bouteilles d’eau ou autres. A l’arrière, il y a des rangements au dessus de la cuisine, en dessous avec la vaisselle et en dessous des canapés (vous pouvez voir ma vidéo Youtube pour plus de précisions). Nous avions pris deux valises cabines et nous pouvions les ranger en dessous des canapés. Le van est prévu pour 3 personnes puisque vous pouvez rajouter un lit juste au-dessus du king size bed. Passons maintenant au détail des kits.

Pour la cuisine, nous avions pris l’option “ kit cuisine ” qui comportait tout le nécessaire pour cuisiner. Nous avions: 3 assiettes, 3 petites assiettes, 3 bols, des couverts (3 de chaque: petites cuillères, grandes cuillères, fourchette, couteaux), 1 grosse casserole avec couvercle + 1 plus petite, 1 passoire, 1 poêle, 1 théière, 3 tasses, 3 verres, 1 ouvre-boîte, 1 économe, 1 planche à découper, 3 ustensiles pour cuisiner.

Les indispensables pour voyager en van confortablement

Dans cette rubrique je vais lister les indispensables selon moi pour voyager en van pendant plusieurs semaines 

• Une multi-branchement USB pour charger vos appareils électroniques (il y a 2 allumes cigares à l’avant)
• Une bouteille isotherme 
• Un gant de toilette (il y a un seau fourni dans le van pour vous laver si vous ne prenez pas la douche solaire ou si tout simplement vous n’avez plus d’eau du robinet. NB: pensez à acheter des gros packs d’eau également en cas de panne d’eau)
• Un sac de linge sale (oui oui)
• Privilégiez les valises cabine pour qu’elles rentrent dans les rangements prévus à cet effet
• Vêtements chauds pour vos randos ou s’il fait froid la nuit
• Paquets de mouchoirs (et ça c’est super important)
• Tongs quand vous vous doucherez dehors et que vous aurez les pieds plein de boue
• Sacs poubelles (on avait pris des sacs qui étaient parfumés pour éviter les mauvaises odeurs dans le van –> Walmart)

Mais aussi:

• Papiers toilette biodégradables (chez Walmart)
• Des produits de beauté en petit format
• Une batterie externe
• Si vous avez un appareil photo/drone: plusieurs cartes SD (ca va de soit mais j’ai failli les oublier…)
• Si vous partez longtemps: n’emmenez pas votre garde-robe entière. Il y a beaucoup de laveries aux US et sachez que toutes les routes sont plus ou moins aménagées pour les voyages en van.

Voir cette publication sur Instagram Une publication partagée par ℳaeva ✈ | travel | blog (@maevoyage8)

En espérant que cet article vous a plu! Comme je l’ai annoncé en introduction, cette première expérience a été super et nous recommandons vivement cette agence. Le seul bémol que nous avons rencontré est que l’eau du réservoir n’a pas coulé pendant 3-4 jours ce qui fait que l’on ne pouvait plus faire la vaisselle mais nous avions prévu le coup en achetant des bidons d’eaux pour pouvoir les verser dans la douche solaire. Ce petit problème technique était dû au fait que l’on ait emprunté des routes escarpées ce qui a un peu trop secoué la pompe à eau. C’est à ce moment là que l’on se rend compte de l’importance de l’eau! Mais quel serait le but d’une aventure en van sans problème technique ? Nous avons fait un stop à Las Vegas dans une de leurs agences pour voir le problème et lorsque nous avons rendu le van ils nous ont remboursé la journée!

Maeva De Poorter

23 comments.

Thank you for your post. It was really useful! We are travelling to California in February and we rented a Kuga Campervan with Travellers Auto Barn.

Did you sleep in campsites or in nature (dispersed camping)? How many days does the battery power last before we have to connect it to an rv charging station? We would like to rely as little as possible on the campsites!

Thanks for your help!

Hi there! Thank you for your comment I really appreciate!

Well, you chose the right company, Travellers Auto barn is very very nice! We slept in nature or free places. American roads are very good for RV, van or camping-car, you won’t need to sleep in campsites and you’ll easily find very nice places surrounding lakes or spots like that! I recommend you to download the “Park4night” app to find free and wild places to sleep in!

During our 3 weeks road trip, we didn’t connect the van to an rv charging station! You can do so if you want to use the microwave or plug your stuff but otherwise you don’t need to go to an rv charging station! The van has a solar panel so that you can always have light in it! To fill water in your van you will find gas station that sometimes provides water for RV/van.

Enjoy your stay in California! (I’m actually working on translated my blog into English – it takes time but I’d love to share my adventures with English speakers!)

Thank you for your response! Wow! so the energy from the solar panels is enough for the fridge and lights with no need to charge the van to an rv charging station? I thought you should charge it anyway every 2-4 days.

So did you charge your phones when driving right? With the engine’s energy.

Also, I’m aware you need and Adventure Pass to sleep in National Parks. Do you have any information about this? All places where you slept were found in the parking4night app? I would love to sleep close to lakes and so!

Yeah that’s right! There is enough energy for the fridge and the lights. We charged our phones when driving yes and we had multi plugs so that we could charge our phone, cameras battery, drone etc. You can buy the annual Pass called America The Beautiful for $80 and you can go to any national park. We basically found every places in this app yes but sometimes we slept in a parking (that was not very nice but we didn’t find anything else). I don’t know about the Adventure Park to sleep in NP.

Merci pour ce partage d’expérience qui donne de précieuses informations ! J’hésite encore à louer un van avec ce loueur car j’ai vu que l’assurance LIS responsabilité civile n’est que de 500 000$ et il est conseillé que ce soit à 1 M$ …est ce que cela pose problème ? Et je voulais savoir si tu avais conduit sur des routes en terre? J’ai vu que l’assurance ne marchait pas si on emprunte ce genre de route…Ton avis m’aidera sûrement. Merci

hello et merci pour ton commentaire! aucune idée pour l’assurance responsabilité civile… mais pour ce qui est des routes en terre oui, nous en avions pris une à Monument valley et tout s’est bien déroulé 🙂 bon voyage!

Great blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!

What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

hey! thank you so much for your comment I appreciate 🙂 I use OVH but i don’t think i have any affiliate link to give you…

• Ping : Yosemite National Park -

Bonjour, Merci pour toutes ces informations. Nous avons louer un Van chez cette compagnie pour le mois d’août 2022 pour un road trip de 20 jours. J’ai deux questions La douche solaire fait partie de la location ou bien ets-elle en option. Les sacs de couchage dont vous parler dans la présentation du Van sont-ils fournis par la Cie de location et prévus dans le Kit “équipement de base”. Merci pour votre réponse. et encore bravo pour votre Blog. Cordialement Yves

Bonjour Yves et merci pour votre commentaire! J’ai adoré l’expérience avec Travellers Autobarn j’espère que vous aussi! J’ai écrit un petit paragraphe concernant les options et les prix dans mon article. La douche solaire était (en 2019, cela a peut être changé depuis..) en option pour $30! Elle nous a été pas mal utile pour principalement se laver les cheveux. Autrement on se lavait au gant de toilette avec une bassine d’eau chaude (présente dans le van). Ensuite, vous devrez également prendre une option supplémentaire pour les sacs de couchage. Il nous était vendu sous forme de “package” avec le kit cuisine + le linge de lit + les chaises de camping (le tout proposé ensemble): $45. Bon voyage à vous! Maëva

Bonjour Maéva, merci pour tous ces renseignements,c’est un super road trip ! Pour ce qui est de l’assurance quelle formule aviez vous choisi ? est ce vraiment nécéssaire de prendre la plus complète ? Merci d’avance . Marie

Bonjour Marie et merci pour ton commentaire! Je ne me rappelle plus exactement l’assurance que l’on avait prise mais j’ai retrouvé un PDF que j’avais imprimé, je te mets ici toutes les options qui étaient inscrites sur notre résa (avec les prix pour la durée de notre séjour du 16/09/19 au 30/09/19): – collision damage waiver $150 (je pense que cela correspond à l’assurance que l’on a prise) – cooking utensils, bedding gear and chairs $45 – free roof solar panel – free unlimited miles/km – pre paid propane bottle refill $35 – solar shower $30 – payment card administration fee $2.20

Bon voyage 🙂

bonjour maeva,

j’ai loué un van chez la meme compagnie cet été. on aimerait faire en 15j : SF-yosemite-death valley-LV-LA-SF je ne sais pas si tu as fait ca mais est-ce faisable? facile de dormir dans les grandes villes en van? Merci

Bonjour Samir: oui sans soucis! Tu peux regarder mes articles de blog sur mon road trip américain j’ai détaillé chaque étape! Nous avions pris un Aibrnb à SF. LV c’était un peu compliqué (on a dormi dans le parking d’un casino pour une nuit…) et LA pareil, c’est bruyant et payant. Je te conseille d’aller dormir vers Malibu! Bon voyage à vous 🙂

Nous venons de réserver pour le van. Mais nous avons quelques questions technique. Aviez vous un permis international ? Ou traduit en anglais accrédite ? Ou notre permis français suffisait ?

Avez vous eu besoin de làssurance souscrite ? Comment rechargez la bouteille de propane ? Avez vous rencontrer des difficultés de passage suite à la hauteur

Merci beaucoup de ton aide ☺️

Salut Valentine! Non nous n’avions de permis international, le français a suffit 😉 Voici toutes les options auxquelles nous avions souscrits: – collision damage waiver $150 (insurance) – cooking utensils, bedding gear and chairs $45 – free roof solar panel – free unlimited miles/km – pre paid propane bottle refill $35 – solar shower $30 – payment card administration fee $2.20

On n’a pas eu besoin de recharger la bouteille de propane et pas de difficultés pour la hauteur! Bon voyage 🙂

Bravo pour votre blog ! Une question bête sur le Kuga : y a-t-il bien la clim ? Et le régulateur de vitesse ?

Bonjour Adeline merci beaucoup! Oui il y avait la clim et je ne me souviens plus du tout pour le régulateur de vitesse… Bon voyage 🙂

Super, merci beaucoup pour la présentation, super utile pour nous qui partons dans une semaine avec un van identique !!

génial contente de vous avoir aidé! bon voyage!

Bonjour Maéva! Merci pour ce jolie partage d’expérience! Sais tu s’il est possible de payer en plusieurs fois ou de payer un acompte et le restant plus tard ?

Merci infiniment

Hello merci pour ton commentaire! Je ne me souviens plus du tout comment on avait fait de notre côté, ça commence à dater un peu… Le mieux est de contacter l’agence pour lui poser la question! Bon voyage 🙂

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Travellers Autobarn New Zealand Review

Read our detailed review or leave your own to share your experience with other travellers.

New Zealand

Editors review.

Last updated: 7/24/19

Travellers Autobarn welcomes the 2 berth Chubby Camper to its budget fleet. Get to know more about the latest add-on and learn why it's a popular choice among travellers. 

Travellers Autobarn is a large campervan rental that offers affordable 2 to 3-berth campervan deals in New Zealand. They have depots in Auckland and Christchurch, with their parent company located in Australia. Whilst the company specializes in the budget market, there have been some upgrades to their fleet as they welcome new models to their selection.

About Travellers Autobarn New Zealand

With partnerships from Escape Campers , Travellers Autobarn focuses on providing a variety of campervan deals suited for different types of travellers on a budget. At present, they have five campervan options, which are mostly for couples or small families. Youngsters certainly appreciate them as they allow rentals starting the age of 18. Compared to their branch in Australia with six depots, they only have two in NZ— both located in prime locations— in Christchurch and Auckland. Since they partnered with Escape, renters can pick-up/ drop-off the Escape campervan directly from/ to Escape's depots. Recently, Travellers Autobarn has been slowly adding campers, which are still aimed at the budget market.

Whether you travel around Christchurch or Auckland, it's best to know the rules per city. Check out this freedom camping tool that will surely make your Kiwi road trip more comfortable and memorable!  

Travellers Autobarn offers a fleet of mostly older models that have miles on the clock. Most of the models have catchy exteriors and well-fitted interiors that include cooking essentials and sleeping gears. Most of these vehicles can sleep 2 to 3 people, except the Hi5 Campervan that accommodates up to 5. Only certain units come with a baby seat option. All campervans, except the Station Wagon, are equipped with sleeping bags, pillows, sheets, kitchen cutlery, pots and pans, and tea towels. You need to avail of the living equipment at $45 good for two if you're renting the 2 berth Station Wagon.

Chubby Camper

The newest and the most popular campervan on the fleet, the Chubby Camper is a Toyota Hiace model with 2019 fit-out. Since this is a recent camper with newer features, no wonder this camper easily books out. This compact camper is a perfect unit for 2 persons who want extra comfort and style. It has plenty of internal space for you to eat, relax, and sleep comfortably. In the middle area are two storage spaces and a table that convert into a double bed. The built-in kitchenette at the rear comes with a sink, icebox, and another storage area. Plus, you have two electrical power-plugs for your electrical appliances.

Station Wagon

Travellers Autobarn begins with their Station Wagon— the cheapest campervan on offer. This 2006- 2010 Toyota Estima model is the ideal choice for travellers in big groups. It is tagged as the company’s backpacker classic because of its well-designed layout and vehicle features. Travellers could either sleep at the rear area or at the 2-dome tent, for an additional price. Being an economical campervan, you might not be surprised that the cooking and kitchen facilities, along with the mattress and pillows are not free of charge, creating an additional expense to the budget. As with all older models you must expect some wear and tear on the vehicle and quite some miles on the clock, however, you are also getting an exceptionally cheap camper.

Hitop Campervan

The Toyota Hitop campervans are typically ranging between 2009 and 2012— all of which are designed for a 2 to 3 berth hire. As a Hitop campervan with extra headspace, taller people will enjoy longer trips without compromising their comfort. Aside from the campervan’s upgraded dimensions and certain additions such as gas stove, microwave, fridge, and the optional porta potti, there’s nothing more special with this Hitop campervan. And just like the Escape campervans, you still need to deal with a manual gear vehicle and you will need to visit external facilities for a shower. The bigger vehicle dimension may also be hitch as you need to carry the extra dash of weight all throughout your vacation – yes the hi-top will add drag and weight and cost more to run, so factor that in, but it has a lot more luxury than the previous 2 models.

Kuga Campervan 

Seating and sleeping up to 3 people, the Kuga Campervan is one of the latest vehicles with 2016 - 2018 fit-out and the most popular option among travellers. Generally, the vehicle design and dimension are likely the same with Hitop campervans from many other competitors, but there are more unique features like attractive fittings, nicer upholstery, and some large compartments. The campervan is second to none when it comes to its high-quality fit-out and its easy-to-change configuration— from using the tables at lunchtime to getting ready for bedtime. Kuga is well-fitted for longer, comfortable trips because of its spacious cooking area and roomy sleeping space. The large windows also complete your scenic NZ road trip.

Hi5 Campervan

To complete the Travellers Autobarn fleet, we give you the Hi5 Campervan. This up-to-date and top-of-the-line campervan hire may be priced a bit more than any other campervans on selection, it takes pride with its 2016 interior fit-out, and not to mention its added sleeping capacity. The priciest yet newest among all campervans on the fleet, this campervan is still within the economical rate that features extra storage, an additional height dimension, and full kitchenette. There are only two double beds, so practically this 5 berth model is recommended for a couple with 2 to 3 kids or 4 adults.

The insurance is included in the daily rental rate, but you may still be liable for the insurance excess up to $3,000. However, you can limit the liability by choosing their additional protection coverage. The Midway Protection ($20 per day) will reduce the excess to $1,500. And if you want a carefree NZ campervan experience with $0 excess, the inclusion of single-vehicle write-off and single-vehicle roll-overs, opt for the Protection Plus by paying $30 per day – which is actually quite cheap for that much coverage.

Thoughtfully designed for the budget economy, Travellers Autobarn remains to be a good option to save money while still enjoying the scenic NZ views. The company has already created a name in the campervan rental industry all over the world, consequently giving them an edge among small, family-owned campervan hires in the country. However, since you are paying less for your vehicle, you cannot expect a refined accommodation on wheels. The choices may not be as big and striking compared to other classy campervans on the road, but these are well-fitted for a reliable road trip because each camper still provides you with the needed camping essentials.

All in all, Travellers Autobarn can be a great deal if you’re on a shoestring budget. But of course, you should also take into account that a lower price might take a toll on the campervan’s efficiency and overall amenities. Well, you just can’t expect older models to run perfectly without any glitches. You may need to spend a little more money for a more pampering road trip.

From the Agency

Travellers autobarn kuga campervan walk through.

• New models being added to the fleet regularly
• Reputation for great customer service
• Cheap campervans
• Not as developed in NZ as in Australia
• Will have some older models with wear and tear

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