Planning Your Motorhome Holiday
Planning a motorhome holiday can be an exciting adventure, but a bit of preparation can make all the difference. Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect motorhome holiday:
Decide on your destination: Choose a location that matches your interests and preferences. Consider the distance, road conditions, and attractions along the way. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring the scenic routes of Loch Lomond or embarking on a wild camp in the Australian outback, the right destination sets the tone for your trip.
Choose the right motorhome: Select a motorhome that fits your needs and budget. Think about the size, amenities, and fuel efficiency. From compact campervans to fully equipped family motorhomes, there’s a perfect campervan for every type of traveler.
Plan your itinerary: Create a rough itinerary to make the most of your trip. Include rest days, sightseeing, and outdoor activities. A well-planned itinerary ensures you don’t miss out on any must-see spots and helps you manage your time effectively.
Book your campsite: Research and book your campsite in advance, especially during peak season. Popular spots can fill up quickly, so securing your campsite early can save you from last-minute stress.
Pack essentials: Make a list of essentials to pack, including clothing and toiletries. Don’t forget to bring along some outdoor adventure equipment to make your trip unforgettable.
Cheap Campervan Hire Prices by Destination
Campervan rental rates will vary depending on your destination, season, and length of rental, as well as the size and age of the camper.
Below are typical low-season starting prices for compact RVs & campervans and larger motorhomes.
Please note that peak summer rates and holiday periods can increase daily rates.
Note: Prices are updated daily. Rates reflect estimated low-season starting prices. Use the search engine above to enter your travel dates and check real-time availability and live pricing.
Checklist Before Hiring a Campervan
When planning a motorhome holiday, you’ll see that there are so many elements that add up to the overall cost - so a low daily rate doesn’t always guarantee the lowest total holiday cost. To avoid surprises, keep the points below in mind before making your booking.
Inclusions and Optional Extras
Go through what’s included in your daily rate. Some rental companies offer unlimited mileage, kitchen equipment, bedding kits, and camping chairs as standard, while others may charge as optional add-ons.
Check if your rate covers second-driver options, gas bottles, power cables, and cleaning fees before comparing quotes.
Insurance Cover, Security Bond & Excess
Standard rental rates usually include basic insurance with an excess (deductible) that range from AU$7,000/£3,500 if no additional cover is chosen. Taking out full comprehensive cover or excess reduction lowers this liability. A security bond will still be held on your credit card at deport pick-up to make sure the vehicle is returned on time and in good condition.
You should always review and verify exclusions such as tyre, windscreen, roof, and underbody damage.
Mileage Policies
Most campervan rentals include unlimited mileage as standard across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Companies in the USA and Canada typically require prepaid mileage packages (or paying a mile fee).
Use Google Maps to estimate your mileage - unlimited mileage is often a false economy, and you may end up paying more than you have to. It’s often cheaper to pay the extra miles on a mileage package at the end of your rental.
Extra Fees and Costs
Be mindful of extra fees like one-way drop fees, after-hours collection, generator usage, local taxes, or late return policies. In New Zealand, for example, diesel vehicles incur a Road User Charge (RUC).
Bed Options & Berths
Bedding options include convertible dinette double beds, fixed rear twin beds, child-friendly bunk beds, space-saving pop-top roof beds, and over-cab double beds in larger motorhomes.
Onboard Amenities & Self-Containment
Compact campervans or sleeper cars, feature a gas stove, sink, and fridge or chilly bin. Larger motorhomes include an integrated bathroom with a flush toilet and hot-water shower. If you plan to freedom camp, you will need a certified self-contained vehicle with a leisure battery or solar panel.
Driving Requirements
Check if your camper is a manual or automatic. The minimum driver age is typically 21–25, though smaller compact campers can be driven by 18+ drivers. The upper age limit is 75 years old in some countries.
Plan for a 60-minute vehicle orientation tour of your campervan at the depot upon pick-up.
Which Campervan or Motorhome Is Right for You?
Trip Type & Travellers | Best Vehicle Type | Key Features & What to Look For |
Weekend Getaways & Solo Travellers | Sleeper car or 2-berth compact campervan | Lowest daily hire rate, highly fuel-efficient, easy parking, pop-top/elevating roof bed. |
Couples Road Trip | 2-berth hi-top or VW-style campervan | Comfortable double bed, integrated gas hob, fridge. |
Couples Seeking Comfort | 2–4 berth motorhome | Onboard bathroom with toilet and hot shower, fixed double bed, and full standing headroom. |
Family Holiday | 4–6 berth family motorhome | Bunk beds or two double beds, child seat anchor points, full kitchen, and onboard washroom. |
Groups or Friends | 4–6 berth motorhome | Twin rear single beds, distinct sleeping quarters, larger living space, and generous storage. |
Extended Touring Holiday | Luxury motorhome | Automatic gearbox, cruise control, reversing camera, solar power setup, and larger kitchen. |
Need personal advice on choosing the right motorhome? Call our friendly team for expert assistance.
How to Find Cheaper Rental Rates for Campervan Hire Without Cutting Corners
Travel Off-Peak: Booking in spring or autumn often reduces the rental rates by 30% to 50% compared to peak summer rates. There is also greater vehicle availability.
Book Early: Popular 2-berth and family motorhomes sell out quickly during peak seasons. Reserving months in advance locks in the best rates and you can choose the best camper for you.
Right-Size Your Vehicle: A compact 2-berth camper costs less to rent, uses significantly less fuel, and you get cheaper campsite pitches.
Plan Round-Trip Routes: Returning your vehicle to the original pick-up depot eliminates one-way fees, which can otherwise add £150–£300 (200–400+) to your hire if you don’t mind backtracking or planning a circular route.
Extend Your Hire Duration: Many rental partners offer discounted daily rates for hires exceeding 7 to 14 days.
Bring Your Own Gear: Where practical, bringing your own bedding, outdoor table/chairs or accessories avoids optional daily rental charges. It can sometimes be cheaper to buy at large stores.
Freedom Camping: Combining campsite stays with permitted freedom or wild camping reduces costs. Many countries don’t allow freedom camping, and some will permit self-contained campers.
One-Way Campervan and Motorhome Hire
One-way rental allows you to pick up your vehicle in one destination and drop it off in another, maximising your sightseeing time without backtracking for an additional fee. Popular international routes include London to Edinburgh, Auckland to Christchurch, Sydney to Melbourne, and Vancouver to Calgary.
Because one-way rentals depend on fleet relocation schedules, availability is limited and subject to a one-way fee or minimum hire period. We recommend booking early. Select different pick-up and drop-off locations in our search tool to view available routes and exact pricing. You should also note that one-way rentals take longer to confirm.
Why Book Your Holiday with Budget Campervans?
Budgetcampervans.com is an independent campervan and motorhome hire comparison platform. For 30 years, we have helped thousands of travellers find reliable vehicle rentals at competitive rates.
Compare Prices Side-by-Side: Easily view vehicles, inclusions, insurance packages, and total costs across 70+ rental companies in one single search.
Vetted Fleet Operators Only: We partner exclusively with professional rental companies that operate maintained fleets, dedicated regional depots, and 24/7 roadside assistance giving you total peace of mind.
Complete Fee Transparency: All costs, optional extras, mileage packages, and insurnce excess rates are detailed before you book.
Dedicated Support Team: Our multilingual customer care team is available before and during your journey to assist with any questions.
Secure & Flexible Booking: Reserve online instantly or request availability with zero hidden booking fees. We accept major credit cards and PayPal.
How to Book Your Campervan in 5 Simple Steps
Step 1: Search
Enter your preferred pick-up/drop-off destinations, travel dates, and driver age in the search tool.
Step 2: Compare
Filter search results by price, age, beds, transmission type, and toilet/shower. View full vehicle specs and inclusions illustrated with photographs and diagrams.
Step 3: Reserve & Pay Deposit
Lock in your vehicle with a deposit. The remaining balance is payable 30 days prior to pick-up (or in full for late bookings). Full terms are available at booking.
Step 4: Receive Instant Confirmation
Receive your digital confirmation voucher containing depot addresses, pick-up times, and contract details where possible. One-way rentals take longer to confirm.
Step 5: Pick Up & Drive
Arrive at the depot with your driver's licence and credit card, complete a quick 60-minute vehicle orientation, and begin your road trip!
Note: If your first choice of camper is not available, we will search for another and offer you an alternative where possible. You are not obliged to take this offer.