Campervan or Rental Car for Franz Josef and Fox Glacier?
Quick summary: The West Coast glaciers suit both a campervan and a rental car, and the right choice depends on how you like to spend the long driving days and the inevitable rainy ones. A campervan or motorhome carries your accommodation with you, which is useful when you need to stay an extra night for the weather to clear. A rental car with motels or lodges is quicker over Arthur’s Pass and the Haast Pass, and a warm room is welcome after a wet day.
| At a glance | Campervan | Rental car |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Holiday parks at Franz Josef and Fox | Motels, lodges, hotels |
| Weather days | Easy to stay an extra night | Depends on room availability |
| Mountain passes | Slower on steep sections | Quicker and easier |
| Long distances | Shorter driving days | Longer days are manageable |
| Pickup | Christchurch, Queenstown, Greymouth | Hokitika, Greymouth, Queenstown, Christchurch |
| Guides | The glaciers by campervan | Car rental for the glaciers |
Compare campervan and motorhome hire in Greymouth
When does a campervan make more sense?
On a longer loop of the South Island, where the glaciers are one stop among many. A campervan means you can extend your stay at Franz Josef or Fox if a flight is postponed, without hunting for a room. See campsites near the glaciers.
When does a rental car make more sense?
On a shorter trip or a fly-drive from Hokitika, and for travellers who’d rather cover the long distances quickly. A car is more comfortable on the steep western side of Arthur’s Pass and on the Haast Pass, and a motel room is a comfort after a day of West Coast rain. See glacier road trips by car.
How do they compare for common trips?
| Trip | Better fit |
|---|---|
| A 3-day fly-drive from Hokitika | Rental car |
| Christchurch to Queenstown in a week | Either |
| A two-week South Island loop | Campervan |
| A winter trip over the passes | Rental car |
Can you combine them?
Yes. Some travellers take the TranzAlpine to Greymouth and collect a car for a few days, or use a car on the West Coast and a campervan elsewhere. Time the swap so you aren’t paying for both on the same day.
What stays the same?
The flights and walks. Helicopter tours, heli-hike tours and small-group tours leave from the townships whichever way you arrive.
Compare car rental at Hokitika Airport
Frequently Asked Questions
A campervan suits longer loops and extra weather nights; a car suits shorter fly-drives and quicker passes.
Yes, with either. A campervan makes it easier, as you do not need to find a room.
A car is quicker and easier on the steep western side, though both are manageable with care.
Usually a rental car, as the mountain passes can have snow and ice.