Are you planning a new holiday experience?
Maybe you are looking forward to a romantic getaway in France or Italy, a cultural trip to Germany or a family beach holiday in Spain. Perhaps you have your heart set on somewhere a little bit further away like America, Canada or Australia.
<< Search & Compare Prices Here >> Whatever your idea of a holiday, motorhomes offer the freedom and flexibility you need to do more and see more. If you’ve set your heart on a camper van holiday, sooner or later you are going to want to dig down into prices.This can be a tricky area because there is a lot of variation. This article will look at the different factors you will need to bear in mind when hiring camper vans. It will also give you some researched figures you can use as a rough guide.
How much does it cost to rent a motorhome?
This is a common question but it doesn’t have a simple answer due to the large number of factors that have an impact on hire prices.
To begin with, motorhomes come in different shapes and sizes from brand new, coach-built ‘Class A’ motorhomes with showers, bathrooms, satellite TV, double beds and spacious dining quarters, to basic camper vans with a couple of fold-up beds, a stove for cooking and a sink. Drivers happy to use their own vehicle could even opt for a simple tent trailer which might cost them under £30 per day.
Motorhome Hire Prices
Another big factor affecting motorhome hire prices is the season you are travelling in. The difference between hiring in low season (November to March) and peak season (June to September) can be £1,000 per week or more. Special dates (e.g. Easter, Christmas, New Year, etc.) can also bump prices up as can festivals and other special events.
Mileage allowance is also a crucial part of your booking because additional mileage costs can quickly start to pile up if you are spending a lot of time driving. If you find that the cost of your hire is surprisingly low, check whether you are restricted to a certain number of miles and calculate how much extra you are likely to pay through the additional mileage charge.
How much is it to rent a camper for a week?
Most people looking to hire a camper will be travelling for at least a week so we have researched some prices for 7 day hire in the United Kingdom.
As already mentioned, the season you decide to travel in has a big effect on overall price so we have broken down the weekly rental costs into four seasonal periods and three campervan sizes (based on berth). We have also only looked at deals with unlimited mileage.
How much to hire campervan ?
- In the low season (generally November to March), a small or medium vehicle is likely to cost between £360 and £450 per week. While you may be able to find a large five or six-berth motorhome for the same rate, expect to pay up to £575 per week.
- March is often regarded as mid-season so you can expect prices to be a little higher but still low compared to late spring, summer and autumn. Weekly rates of between £390 and £475 are not uncommon for small and medium motorhomes while larger vehicles could cost up to £600 for a 7 day hire.
- High season for camping van hire is usually in April and May and again in September and October. Here is when the cost to hire a campervan can jump up considerably. You will be lucky to get a small or medium vehicle for less than £500 per week while large motorhomes can range from £575 right up to £900 during this period.
- If you are interested in hiring a camper van in the peak season (generally June to September), you will have to be prepared to pay from £675 to £1100 for a small vehicle while a large motorhome could be anything from £750 to £1500 per 7 day hire.
What is the average price of a motorhome?
The above figures illustrate the wide range of prices you can expect to find renters charging depending on the time of the year and the size of the vehicle. It can be overwhelming to look at so we have also calculated an approximate average weekly hire rate per season and berth:
- Low season: two berth (£425 per week); three/four berth (£450 per week); five/six berth (£575 per week)
- Mid season: two berth (£475 per week); three/four berth (£475 per week); five/six berth (£550 per week)
- High season: two berth (£575 per week); three/four berth (£565 per week); five/six berth (£675 per week)
- Peak season: two berth (£725 per week); three/four berth (£750 per week); five/six berth (£850 per week)
How much is it to rent a motorhome for a month?
If you are intending to go on holiday for a month or more, you are in a good position to secure a great motorhome hire deal. From the hirer’s perspective, a long-term hire means lower risk, reduced marketing costs and less time spent cleaning and preparing their motorhomes for weekly customers. Don’t be put off by a steep-looking monthly rate; if you really want a particular motorhome, contact the owners to see if they are willing to negotiate. It is not unknown for long-term hirers to secure a discount of over £1000 off a standard four-week hire charge.
Extra costs to factor into your trip
Of course, the hire of a campervan is only one element of a camping holiday. Other expenses you might need to think about include:
- Additional driver insurance. Although insurance is included with every booking you make through our camping partner, you might want to consider boosting your plan to cover additional drivers.
- European cover. If you plan to take a motorhome to Europe, you will need additional insurance and breakdown cover). Toll roads are also more common on the continent than on these islands.
- Campsite costs. As with campervan hire, this will vary depending on the season.
- Airport pick up. If you are flying to Europe or another global destination, you can often pay extra to have your motorhome delivered to the airport.
- Child car seats. You may have to pay extra for these.
- GPS unit. This is recommended for unfamiliar roads and may be offered as a chargeable extra.
- Leisure equipment. From bike racks and fishing rods to kayaks, many motorhome owners hire out sports and leisure equipment.
- Petrol/diesel. As well as paying for fuel while on the road, you will probably be required to return the vehicle full at the end of the holiday.
- Car care. Drivers who are travelling to pick up their motorhome can sometimes leave their car with the seller for an additional fee (although some will offer this as a courtesy).
- Food. If you don’t stick to a food budget, you can easily find yourself spending a lot on eating out. Although you will want to treat yourself occasionally (especially if you are visiting France, Spain or another country renowned for its delicious cuisine), it is always more economical to cook for yourself. If this is your intention, make sure you choose a motorhome with adequate cooking and food storage facilities.
- Entertainment. Unless you are going to spend the whole trip on the road, you will want to allocate a budget for visiting tourist attractions, buying souvenirs and maybe enjoying a film or a play.
- Pet valeting. If you are allowed to bring a pet with you, the owner may include a charge for additional valeting.
- Early bird departure. Some motorhome owners will prepare your vehicle for an early getaway for a fee. This can be worth paying if you have a packed itinerary.
- Bedding and linens. You would normally bring these with you but some thoughtful camper van owners will supply them for an additional cost.
How our motorhome hire partners make costing your trip easier
If you choose to book your next holiday via our website, you will find it easy to compare prices. You can start the process by clicking the search button on the main menu and then entering either your destination or your own location depending on whether you want to pick up a motorhome locally or when you arrive.
You can narrow down your options using the various filters. The daily rate for each motorhome is clearly visible and clicking on the summary will open up a detailed listings page for that vehicle. For more information on costs, the weekly and monthly rates (together with the owner’s cancellation policy) are included further down in a dedicated ‘rates’ section. There is also an ‘add-ons’ section detailing any optional extras you can add to your booking.
You will also find the motorhome’s amenities presented in a checklist-style format so you can see what is included in your price and, just as important, what isn’t. Your motorhome will almost certainly be equipped with a simple stove, sink and radio but other than these essentials there is a lot of variation between different vehicles.
For a comfortable and convenient drive, you will want to look out for air conditioning, heating and perhaps a backup camera. If optimising space is a priority, check whether the motorhome comes with an awning and extra storage. If you don’t fancy nipping outside when nature calls, make sure that a toilet and shower come as part of the package. If you have the family in tow, you will almost certainly want to ensure there is at least a TV and maybe a DVD player and WiFi connection too.
Another section that campers should look through is the owners’ rules. This covers three areas: smoking, pets and festivals and includes additional information that you will need to follow to stay on the right side of the owner.
If you do have any outstanding questions, there is a button you can click to contact the seller with your queries.
When you have picked out the motorhome you want, you can enter your holiday dates directly in the box provided or highlight them on the availability calendar. The total price will be automatically calculated and you will have the option either to instantly book the vehicle or to request a booking.
If you prefer to book over the phone, there is a contact number beneath the booking button.
Your one-stop shop for local and global motorhome hire
Another advantage of our peer-to-peer rental platform is you can come back time and time again whenever you get the motorhome hire bug. Unlike booking through traditional hire companies, you don’t have to rely on there being a local depot. The search engine in our booking platform spans the globe so you will be able to find and contact motorhome owners anywhere in the UK, Ireland, Europe or further afield. You can even arrange for a motorhome to be waiting for you at a New Zealand airport!
Wherever you decide to explore, we wish you a fun and enjoyable experience.
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