What Is Included in Campervan Hire? A Full Breakdown

The basics that almost every hire includes

Most campervan and motorhome hire packages, whether you’re booking through a large fleet operator or a private owner, will cover the same core set of items. You’re not just renting the vehicle itself. You’re renting a mobile home, and that comes with a reasonable amount of kit as standard.

Here’s what the vast majority of hirers include as a baseline:

The vehicle itself, fully fuelled at the start (you’ll usually return it full too)
Insurance, which comes with every booking made through our partner Outdoorsy, often with the option to reduce your excess
Bedding and pillows, though some owners ask you to bring your own sleeping bags
Basic kitchen equipment: pots, pans, plates, mugs, cutlery (a basic kitchen kit comes on every Outdoorsy listing)
A gas hob and sometimes a small oven or grill
A small fridge or cool box
Fresh water tank and waste water tank
Heating, usually a diesel or gas blown-air system
An onboard toilet and shower in larger motorhomes (smaller campervans often skip the shower)
A road map or sat-nav, though this varies a lot by owner

That list sounds generous, and it is. But the details matter a lot. A pan set from a budget hire might be a single battered frying pan. A premium hire might include a proper knife block, a cafetiere, and a cutting board. Always read the listing carefully and ask the owner directly if you’re unsure.

Insurance: what’s actually covered and what isn’t

This is the area where people get the most unpleasant surprises. Insurance is included in almost every hire, but “included” does a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence.

The excess

Most campervan hire comes with a damage excess, which is the amount you’d be liable for if you have an accident. This can range from around £500 on smaller campervans to £2,500 or more on larger motorhomes. Some hire companies and private owners offer an excess reduction product, sometimes called excess waiver insurance, for an additional daily fee. This is often worth paying, especially if you’re an inexperienced driver.

What’s usually not covered

Standard insurance often excludes or limits cover for:

Damage to the interior (scratches, burns, stains)
Tyre damage and punctures
Windscreen chips and cracks
Awning damage
Personal belongings inside the van

That last point catches people out. Your laptop, camera, or bike on the back are typically not covered by the vehicle hire insurance at all. Check your personal travel insurance policy or home contents insurance to see if it extends to hired vehicles.

Mileage allowances: the hidden cost to watch

Many hirers include a mileage allowance rather than unlimited miles, with a charge per mile beyond that. Each owner sets their own daily allowance and per-mile charge, and some UK listings are unlimited while others allow far less than you might expect. On a two-week trip through Scotland, for instance, you could easily clock up 1,500 miles. If your allowance is 100 miles a day, or 1,400 over the trip, you’ll be paying for every extra mile.

Always check whether the mileage is unlimited or capped. If you’re planning a long-distance route, find a hire where unlimited mileage is included or negotiate it upfront. Some owners on peer-to-peer platforms are very flexible on this.

If you’re planning something ambitious, like the North Coast 500 in Scotland, which clocks in at around 516 miles on its own before you add your drive there and back, a mileage cap will genuinely affect your trip budget.

Fuel: who pays and what kind does it take

Fuel is almost never included in the hire price. You collect the vehicle with a full tank and return it full. That’s the standard arrangement. Some hirers offer a “fuel included” add-on, but it’s rarely good value unless you’re doing enormous mileage.

Before you drive away, confirm the fuel type. Diesel is by far the most common for motorhomes and larger campervans, but some converted vans run on petrol. Misfuelling a diesel engine with petrol can cause serious and very expensive damage, and you’ll almost certainly be liable for it.

Camping equipment and extras

This is where hire packages start to diverge significantly. Here’s a rough breakdown of what might or might not be included depending on the hire type:

Often included as standard

Camping chairs (usually two or four)
A folding table for outdoor use
Water connection hose for campsites
Mains electric hookup cable
Levelling ramps or chocks
A basic first aid kit
A fire extinguisher (commonly supplied)

Usually available as add-ons

Awnings and sun canopies
Bike racks
Baby/child seats or travel cots
BBQ grills
Portable shower tents
GPS navigation devices

Add-ons can add up quickly. A bike rack or awning may each cost several pounds a day, depending on the owner. If you need several extras, it’s worth factoring those into your budget comparison across different hirers.

Breakdown cover and roadside assistance

Don’t assume breakdown cover is part of the price. On bookings through our partner Outdoorsy, 24/7 roadside assistance is optional, so check whether it’s on your booking, what level of cover is provided and who the provider is.

Key questions to ask:

Is the cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
Does it include onward travel if the vehicle can’t be repaired roadside?
Are you covered if you accidentally lock yourself out?
Does it extend to the Republic of Ireland if you’re crossing from Northern Ireland?

If you’re hiring from a private owner via a platform like Campervan Hire and Motorhome Rental, check whether you have added the optional roadside assistance or whether the owner’s own breakdown policy covers you as the hirer. This is easy to overlook and genuinely important.

Site fees, tolls, and ferry crossings

These are never included in a hire package, and it’s worth being honest with yourself about how much they’ll cost.

Campsite fees in the UK range from about £15 per night at a basic site to £40 or more at a well-equipped park with hookups, showers, and wi-fi. Over a two-week trip staying on sites every night, that’s a meaningful cost. Motorway tolls in France or bridge tolls in Scandinavia can also add up if you’re taking your hire abroad (which usually requires written permission from the owner anyway).

Planning a UK campervan trip and wild camping where legal can cut these costs significantly, though note that Scotland’s access rights cover tents on foot, not vehicles, so overnight parking away from campsites still needs care.

What’s different about private owner hires

Hiring from a private owner through a peer-to-peer platform often means a more personalised setup. Owners who live and travel in their vans tend to equip them thoughtfully. You might find a fully stocked spice rack, a proper cafetiere, or a solar panel setup that means you don’t need hookup every night.

The flip side is that private hires vary more in what they include. One owner might provide a full linen set. Another might include only a duvet with no pillowcases. Reading the listing carefully and messaging the owner beforehand saves a lot of frustration.

If you want to compare what’s available and see exactly what different vehicles include, searching the platform and filtering by vehicle type and features is a good starting point.

How vehicle size affects what’s included

Smaller campervans, think VW Transporter conversions or two-berth panel vans, tend to have fewer built-in facilities. Shower and toilet are often absent. Kitchen space is tight. Storage is minimal. That’s the trade-off for a vehicle that’s easy to park, cheaper to hire, and more fun to drive.

Larger A-class motorhomes and coachbuilts are much closer to a full apartment on wheels. You can expect:

A fixed double bed (often at the rear)
A proper shower and cassette toilet
A full cooker with oven and grill
A microwave
A larger fridge, sometimes with a freezer compartment
A dining area that seats four
More storage than you’ll likely need

If you’re travelling with children or for longer than a week, stepping up in vehicle size usually pays off in comfort. Check out our guide on the difference between a campervan and a motorhome if you’re still deciding which type suits your trip.

Questions to always ask before you confirm your booking

Before handing over a deposit, run through this checklist with the owner or hire company:

What is the damage excess and is there an option to reduce it?
Is mileage unlimited or capped, and what’s the per-mile charge beyond the allowance?
What bedding is provided, and do I need to bring my own sleeping bag?
Is the vehicle pet-friendly, and is there a pet fee if I bring a dog?
What happens if the vehicle breaks down? Who do I call?
Is foreign travel permitted, and if so, which countries?
What fuel type does the vehicle take?
Is there a generator, and if so, what are the rules around using it?

Getting clear answers to all of these before you travel makes the trip itself far more relaxed. Most owners are genuinely happy to answer questions. If someone seems evasive, that’s useful information too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bedding always included in campervan hire?

Not always. Many hirers include duvets and pillows, but some ask you to bring your own sleeping bags or just provide a linen pack for an extra fee. Always check the specific listing and confirm with the owner before your trip. It’s one of the most common things people forget to ask about.

Does campervan hire include campsite fees?

No. Campsite fees are always paid separately, directly to the site. These typically run from around £15 to £40 per night in the UK depending on the facilities. Some travellers combine paid sites with free overnight stops to keep costs down.

Is insurance included in campervan hire?

Yes. Insurance comes with every booking made through our partner Outdoorsy, and basic cover is standard with UK hire firms too. However, the excess you’d pay in the event of a claim can be significant, sometimes £1,000 or more. An excess waiver product is often available for an additional daily charge and is worth considering, especially for less experienced drivers.

Do I need to pay a deposit when hiring a campervan?

Yes, almost all campervan hirers require a security deposit, typically held against any damage not covered by insurance. This is usually taken as a pre-authorisation on your credit or debit card at the start of the hire and released after the vehicle is returned in good condition. The amount varies by vehicle and owner, but is typically about £500 to £1,500.

More guides for your trip

Own a campervan or motorhome? Motorhome insurance · Motorhome hire costs · List your campervan or motorhome.