Many travellers want an exact answer to how much to hire a camper van, yet prices shift with season, van size, and trip length. This guide keeps things simple and helps you set a sensible budget before you book, so you can plan with confidence.
We’ll outline the main costs, from base rates to insurance, mileage limits, and campsite fees, so nothing catches you out. By the end, you’ll know what affects price, when to travel for better value, and how to compare offers quickly and fairly. We’ll share small savings that add up over a week, keeping trips easy.
What Changes the Price
Three things shape the price more than anything else: the vehicle itself, the time of year, and how far you plan to drive. Smaller vans with basic setups are cheaper; larger models with bathrooms, heating, and batteries cost more. Summer holidays and bank-holiday weekends push up demand, so rates climb, especially for family-sized models.
Before booking, list your real needs: beds, cooking kit, heating, and storage. If you can travel in spring or autumn, you’ll find fairer rates and quieter sites. Check the mileage policy and estimate your route in advance using maps.
Best Time to Save
Timing is the biggest lever you control. July and August conduct school holidays, festivals, and crowded coastal routes; hire rates rise as availability drops. If your plans allow, aim for late April to June or September to early October. You can still enjoy bright days, mild nights, and open campsites, often at lower prices. Booking several months in these shoulder seasons gives you wider choice and pick-up days.
Winter can be the cheapest, but double-check heating, insulation, and tyre grip if you plan drives. Shorter days mean less time at the wheel, so plan tighter loops and book sites with power. Set price alerts and compare midweek versus weekend pick-ups; moving a day can nudge the rate down. Combine off-peak dates with modest mileage to stretch your budget even more.
Hidden Extras to Budget For (and How to Avoid Them)
Base rates rarely tell the whole story. Budget for security deposits, extra drivers, young driver fees, and higher insurance excesses. Ask whether bedding, kitchen kits, chairs, bike racks, and toilet chemicals are included or charged per trip. Fuel and campsite pitches add up too, especially if you favour serviced plots. Mileage caps can trigger penalties, and late return fees appear if traffic delays your drop-off.
It is easy to fix: Request a written list of inclusions before paying a deposit. Bring your own bedding and cooking equipment to skip rental charges, and plan a route that fits within mileage limits. Refuel near the depot to avoid inflated charges, and photograph the van on collection and return.
Compare, Reserve, and Insure
Begin with a comparison tool, however always click through to the hire company to confirm the full price. Check age limits, licence rules, and excess amounts before pay. If the excess feels high, consider a separate excess insurance policy, which can be cheaper than the hire firm’s add-on. Reserve early for popular dates, however avoid prepaying extras you might not use; you can add them later if needed. Read recent reviews for clues about hidden charges, slow deposits, and real-world fuel use.
Message the depot to confirm opening hours, return cut-offs, and whether they allow out-of-hours drop-off. Save money by picking up outside big cities, and look for weekly rates, which often undercut daily pricing.
Read more about: How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Van for a Day?
Value for Families and Friends
For many travellers, the answer is yes. A camper van bundles transport, beds, and a tiny kitchen into one rolling base, so you can swap hotel costs for cosy nights near beaches, lakes, and trails. You choose your pace and route, pause for views, and change plans without losing bookings. Shared fuel and campsite fees can be cheaper than multiple rooms, especially for small groups.
Value also shows up in the memories: sunrise coffees, rain on the roof, and easy lunches in a lay-by. If you want comfort, pick a heating system and insulation; if you want savings, choose a smaller van and shoulder-season dates. Think about what matters most for space, price, or flexibility. And then book to match priority. Do that, and the trip feels worth it long after you return home.