Campervan vs. tenting: What we prefer and why

Planning a New Zealand road trip and torn between the charm of a campervan or the simplicity of a tent? I’ve been there too! After countless adventures across the country, I’ve had the chance to experience both campervanning and tenting and while each option has its own unique appeal, I’ve developed a preference that suits my travel style best. The team at Cheapa have asked me to break it down for those unsure about which option to go for, so I’m here to help.  

In this guide, I’ll share my insights on the pros and cons of both options. Whether you’re craving that authentic, back-to-nature camping vibe or seeking more comfort and convenience on the road, here’s what I’ve discovered. 

Why I love campervanning

For me, campervanning is all about travelling in comfort and convenience, with your accommodation, kitchen, and storage all packed into one vehicle. From compact campervans to larger motorhomes, there’s a range of options to suit your style and budget. You can hit the road, explore at your own pace, and park up in a cool campground or freedom camping spot. The major benefit? There’s something reassuring about knowing that, wherever you go, your bed, kitchen, and essentials are right there with you. Having a cosy, weatherproof space to retreat to after a long day of adventuring takes your road trip to the next level! 

What tenting brings to the table

Tenting is the classic camping experience, where you pitch your tent under the stars and get as close to nature as possible. It’s simple, raw, and all about embracing the outdoors. The big benefit of tenting is its simplicity and connection to nature – I love that you can set up almost anywhere and enjoy a true back-to-basics experience. However, after a few too many nights of battling the elements and wrestling with tent poles, I’ve found myself appreciating the comfort and reliability that a campervan offers even more. 

Comparing campervanning to tenting

When it comes to hitting the road in New Zealand, the choice between campervanning and tenting can shape your entire adventure. Having tried both, I've found that each has its own set of perks and challenges that cater to different types of travellers. 

Let's dive into what each experience offers and how they compare, so you can decide which suits your road trip style best. 

Comfort and convenience

You really can’t beat campervan travel for the comfort and convenience factor. With a campervan, setting up camp takes a matter of minutes. Find your spot, get level, plug in, and kick back!  

If you’re like me and you like to explore a few different locations in a single road trip, campervan travel makes it super easy. You can travel from one spot to another without spending an hour packing things into the car and then taking it all up again.  

It’s also really easy to make meals. With a cooker and fridge on board, you can quickly and easily whip up a home-cooked meal or enjoy a cold drink.  You’ve also got the benefit of having power – which means you can warm up easily, take a hot shower, and turn the light on at night when you need the bathroom. 

On the other hand, tent camping gives you that classic ‘back to basics’ feeling. There’s something satisfying about finding the perfect spot and setting up your own little shelter under the stars. Sleeping in a tent brings you closer to nature, but it also means you’re exposed to the elements. As much as tenting has its own unique appeal, I get a much better night’s sleep in the comfort and security of a campervan bed.  

Flexibility and freedom 

When my partner and I travel by campervan, we love having the freedom to change plans on a whim. If the weather changes or you hear about a hidden gem worth checking out, it’s easy to adjust your travel itinerary on the go. This kind of spontaneous travel is what we love about campervanning – it gives you the freedom to follow your own adventure. I remember one time we were exploring Coromandel when another campervan traveller told us about a cool beach nearby. We decided to check it out and loved it so much that we ended up staying at a cool freedom camping spot nearby.  

Tenting does have its benefits too, especially when it comes to getting up close with nature. However, we’ve found that one of the main challenges is fitting all the gear into the car – especially if you’re travelling with a group. Between the tent, sleeping bags, air mattresses, and cooking gear, it can quickly feel like a game of Tetris trying to pack everything in!  

TOP TIP: We recommend downloading the thl Roadtrip app to use on your travels. It’s packed with useful info like nearby campgrounds, points of interest, the nearest dump station etc. Plus, it helps you stay connected with real-time road updates and route suggestions to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play. 

Cost

Renting a campervan certainly involves some costs – you have rental fees, fuel, and campsite fees to consider. But what's great about choosing a campervan, especially from Cheapa Campa, is its affordability. They frequently offer special deals that make it even more cost-effective. Plus, it's not just a vehicle; it’s your accommodation too, which streamlines expenses significantly. Having a kitchen onboard was a game-changer for us. We saved heaps by preparing our meals in the campervan rather than eating out, which, as anyone travelling New Zealand will tell you, can really add up. 

When it comes to tenting, there are minimal initial costs, and ongoing expenses are generally low. However, it does require an initial investment in good-quality camping gear, including a durable tent. While you do pay less for campsite fees and your gear can last for years, you also need to factor in your transport costs.  

Experience and adventure

We love to add a bit of adventure into a road trip. And New Zealand has plenty of options to choose from. Earlier this year we hiked the Tongariro Crossing which was pretty exhausting! After a full day hike, coming back to the campervan felt like luxury. Being able to jump into a hot shower, whip up a homemade meal in the kitchen, and then relax in a comfy bed was bliss. Plus, the extra storage space in our campervan made it easy to bring along all our outdoor gear for our road trip. 

We found that tenting does demand more in terms of preparation and resilience. Plus you need to pack all your cooking and washing up gear which can mean carrying quite a heavy load. Space can be at a premium too, so you have to think more carefully about what you can bring and what you’ll need to leave behind.    

Campervanning vs. tenting: what we prefer and why

Both campervanning and tenting have their own unique appeal, but if we had to choose, we’d say campervanning takes the win for us. There's just no beating the blend of mobility, comfort, and convenience that a campervan offers. With a campervan, your transport, your sleeping quarters, and your dining room are all rolled into one nifty package.  

And let’s talk about space. We could pack in everything we needed – hiking gear for the trails, surfboards for the waves, and still have plenty of room for food and a few bottles of those excellent local wines we found along the way.  

The best part? The freedom to change plans whenever we want. If we found a spot we loved, we could just stay an extra day. If we heard about a cool festival or hidden gem nearby, off we went. That flexibility is a huge reason why we choose to keep travelling by campervan. 

Tenting is still fun though

That said, tenting has its place too. There’s something nostalgic and satisfying about setting up a tent and falling asleep under the stars. It’s simple, and it’s raw – just you, your tent, and the great outdoors. It takes me back to childhood camping trips and offers a connection with nature that’s hard to replicate.  

Of course, tenting means you've got to be a bit more on the ball with planning, especially when it comes to the weather. And yes, moving from place to place can be a bit of a workout with all the gear. But for those who love the outdoors and the simple joy of camping, these are just parts of the adventure. It’s about getting back to nature and enjoying the simplicity of life. 

Ready to hit the road?

Now that you’ve had a glimpse into the pros and cons of campervanning and tenting, it’s time to decide how you want to experience your next New Zealand adventure. If comfort, convenience, and flexibility sound like your kind of travel, then campervanning is the way to go!  

At Cheapa Campas, we offer affordable and reliable campervans perfect for all kinds of road trips. So why wait? Start planning your New Zealand road trip and book your Cheapa Campa online today.