How Much does it cost to Hire a Campervan
A UK campervan typically costs about £490 to £1,050 for a week in the shoulder season, and about £210 to £450 for a three-night weekend. Smaller panel-van conversions and compact 2-berths sit at the cheaper end, while a VW California-style pop-top or a 4-berth van costs more, especially in July and August. These are typical 2026 ranges, not quotes, and they cover campervans rather than motorhomes.
Campervanhire.com is a comparison site. Vans are listed by owners and local businesses and booked through our partner Outdoorsy, which provides insurance and payment protection on every booking, plus optional 24/7 roadside assistance. Exact prices for your dates are on the search page.
Campervan hire prices by van type
Low season is roughly October to March, shoulder season is April to June and September, and peak is July and August plus school holidays. Nightly figures are before fuel, campsites and extras. The weekly figure is seven nights in the shoulder season.
| Van type | Sleeps | Low season per night | Peak per night | Typical week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VW California and other pop-top campervans | 4 | £65 to £110 | £120 to £190 | £595 to £1,050 |
| Panel-van conversions (Transporter, Transit Custom, Trafic) | 2 (some 3 to 4) | £55 to £90 | £90 to £160 | £525 to £910 |
| Compact 2-berth campervans | 2 | £50 to £90 | £90 to £180 | £490 to £875 |
| 4-berth campervans | 4 | £60 to £110 | £110 to £190 | £560 to £980 |
| Classic VW T2 or T3 | 2 to 4 | £50 to £120 | £110 to £180 | £450 to £1,050 |
VW California and pop-top campervans
The California is the best-known pop-top: a compact van with a roof bed, kitchenette and rear bench that sleeps four. It is easy to park and drive, so it is priced above a basic conversion. Newer models sit at the top of the range. See our guide to VW campervans for what to expect from each generation.
Panel-van conversions
A Transporter, Transit Custom or Trafic fitted with a bed, hob and storage is usually the best value for a couple. Specifications vary a lot: some have a fridge and heater, others a portable stove and a sliding bed. Check the listing before you compare prices.
Compact 2-berth campervans
These cover the least expensive vans on the market, including smaller conversions and older builds. They suit one or two people and keep fuel costs down. Our page on 2-berth hire shows more of what is listed.
4-berth campervans
Pop-tops and high-top vans with a second double give four beds without moving into motorhome territory. They cost more per night, but split between four people the cost per head is often lower than a 2-berth.
Classic VW T2 or T3 hire
Classic Volkswagens are a niche. You pay for the character, and for owners who often limit mileage, ask for older drivers and sometimes charge more for a short weekend. The vans are slower than modern ones, some have no power steering, and they can be noisy on motorways. Prices vary more than any other type, so treat the range as a guide.
Weekend, week or fortnight
Trip length changes the nightly rate. Many owners ask for a two or three night minimum, and some businesses require a full week in peak season. Longer hires often carry a discount of around 5 to 15 per cent. The totals below are shoulder-season, base hire only.
| Trip | Panel van or 2-berth | VW California-style | 4-berth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend (3 nights) | £210 to £375 | £255 to £450 | £240 to £420 |
| Week (7 nights) | £490 to £875 | £595 to £1,050 | £560 to £980 |
| Fortnight (14 nights) | £900 to £1,600 | £1,050 to £1,900 | £1,000 to £1,750 |
Fortnight totals assume a discount of about 10 per cent on the nightly rate. A weekend is the least expensive way to try campervan life, though the nightly rate is usually higher than on a longer stay. A week is the sweet spot for value, and a fortnight costs the most but works out least expensive per night. For peak weeks, move towards the top of each range, and some professional fleets charge more.
The nightly rates behind these totals, and what drives them, are covered in our page on campervan hire cost per day.
What's included and what costs extra
Most listings include the van, standard insurance and a basic kit, but the details differ by owner. The list below shows the typical UK extras. Our guide to what is included in campervan hire goes through the full checklist.
- Bedding: often included, otherwise around £15 to £40 per person.
- Kitchen kit: a basic pack of pans, plates and a hob is usually included, and a full kitchen pack is typically £25 to £50 if charged.
- Awning: around £40 to £100 for the hire, where one is offered.
- Bike rack: around £30 to £60 for a week.
- Excess and deposit: insurance comes with every booking, and the excess typically runs from around £500 to £2,500. Optional excess reduction is around £10 to £25 a day. A security deposit of about £500 to £1,500 is held on a card and returned if the van comes back undamaged. See our insurance guide.
- Mileage: many listings give unlimited miles, while others cap you at about 100 to 150 miles a day.
- One-way fees: picking up and dropping off in different places typically adds around £100 to £400.
- Pets: a pet fee is typically around £30 to £120 per hire. Our page on dog-friendly hire explains the rules.
- Festival use: some owners allow it and others do not. Those that do may add a cleaning fee, so ask before you book.
Roadside help is optional. If you want 24/7 roadside assistance, add it at booking.
Worked budgets
These examples use the ranges above and typical running costs. Diesel is around £1.90 to £2 a litre in early October 2026, according to the RAC Fuel Watch, and the fuel lines assume about 28 to 30 miles per gallon. Food is not included.
A couple, VW California-style van, May weekend
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Hire (3 nights at £85 to £150) | £255 to £450 |
| Campsites (3 nights at £30 to £45) | £90 to £135 |
| Fuel (150 to 250 miles) | £45 to £80 |
| Bedding for two or a kitchen pack, if not included | £0 to £80 |
| Total | £390 to £745 |
A couple, panel-van conversion, a week in June
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Hire (7 nights at £75 to £130) | £525 to £910 |
| Campsites (7 nights at £25 to £40) | £175 to £280 |
| Fuel (400 to 600 miles) | £115 to £195 |
| Bike rack | £30 to £60 |
| Total | £845 to £1,445 |
A family of four, 4-berth campervan, a week in August
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Hire (7 nights at £110 to £190) | £770 to £1,330 |
| Campsites (7 nights at £45 to £70) | £315 to £490 |
| Fuel (400 to 600 miles) | £115 to £195 |
| Awning or extra bedding | £40 to £100 |
| Total | £1,240 to £2,115 |
Campsites vary widely. Basic CL, CS and farm sites often run from a few pounds to about £30 a night, mid-range sites about £30 to £45, and premium sites in August about £45 to £70 or more. The family budget uses premium rates, so a mix of cheaper sites brings it down. Browse holiday parks if you want facilities for children.
How to pay less
- Travel outside July and August. The same van can cost around 20 to 40 per cent less in May or September than in August. Our season-by-season guide shows what you gain and lose.
- Book early for the school holidays. Popular vans go first. Read our advice on the best time to book.
- Pick up midweek. A Tuesday to Friday trip can cost less per night than Friday to Monday.
- Choose the smallest van that works. A panel-van conversion for two is cheaper than a pop-top that sleeps four, and costs less in fuel.
- Stay a bit longer. A week or more usually brings a lower nightly rate than a single weekend.
- Compare totals, not nightly rates. Include mileage limits, cleaning and booking fees, and add-ons. A higher rate with bedding and unlimited miles can be better value.
More on hire prices
- Our page on campervan hire costs per day covers daily rates and what moves them.
- The motorhome hire price guide covers larger vehicles, regional prices and hire abroad.
- For bigger vehicles, see our UK week-long motorhome hire guide.
- Planning where to go? Our UK campervan hire guide has the basics, and the Cornwall and Devon coast and North Coast 500 routes are popular starting points.
Campervan hire cost FAQs
How much is it to hire a campervan for a weekend in the UK?
About £210 to £450 in the shoulder season for three nights, depending on the van. Add campsites and fuel, and a weekend away usually comes to around £390 to £750 in total.
Is a campervan cheaper than a motorhome?
Usually yes, especially for two people. Campervans are smaller, use less fuel and fit onto more campsites. Motorhomes give more space and a bathroom, which is why they cost more. Our motorhome price guide has the comparison.
Is a VW California worth the extra cost?
It depends on who is travelling. The pop-up roof sleeps four in a vehicle that parks like a car, so it suits a couple who want a little more space or a small family. For two people on a budget, a panel-van conversion is cheaper.
Is classic VW hire more expensive?
Often per night, and listings vary a lot. Classic vans are older, may have mileage limits and need a more careful driver. Many people choose them for a short weekend rather than a long trip.
What else should I budget for?
Fuel, campsites and any extras. Check whether the van is compliant with the London ULEZ on the Transport for London site if you will drive into the capital.
See live prices for your dates: search campervans near you.