Updated 4 June 2018
Motorhome tips for beginners
Imagine waking up in the morning to the sounds of the first bird calls of the day. You roll over in your comfy bed and slowly pull down the blinds to let the light tumble gently into the inner sanctum of your campervan.
It’s at this moment that you remember where you spent the night, parked alongside a small lake, trees leaning over as though they want to touch the water too. In the background, a fabulous chateau lies in waiting for your visit today. This isn’t a dream. This is your life, your travels, your own piece of perfection.
It’s memories like these that make me a “happy camper” – sorry couldn’t resist the pun! It’s the reason why I return to travelling in campervans in Europe over and over again.
They represent freedom and spontaneity, that feeling of being able to do whatever we want, whenever we want.
But, despite being experienced campervan travellers, with many kilometres, countries and adventures under our belts, we still always follow a methodical process prior to hiring for a new trip. This sets us up well for a great trip.
This may not be a comprehensive list, but it’s our list, and we’ve never gone wrong following it.
If you are new to the wonderful world of campervanning, then this beginners guide to campervan hire will assist you with your planning.
Can you believe that this was our view when we stayed along the Burgundy Wine Trail in Premeaux-Prissy, France
Plan your itinerary
The planning for this can vary greatly, but use the following as a starting point to guide the type of campervan you will need.
TIP: If you’ve never travelled in a campervan before, I would highly recommend that you don’t try to see the world in a short period of time. Campervans are best suited to slow travel, allowing you to take the time to meander through countryside and towns long enough to absorb it. On a map, towns can seem relatively easy to get to. Remember that the terrain in Europe can be difficult, and any passage through the mountains will take much longer than anticipated. A trip that looks like it can take 30 minutes can take hours.
Where are you going?
Maybe you like planning every little detail and every stop, or perhaps you’re a bit more adventurous and like to take it as it comes. Whatever your style, you will need to decide on a start and finish point. This will assist in making a decision on which hiring company to use. ie if you are starting and finishing in Paris, there is not much use looking at a hiring company where the only pickup location is Frankfurt.
There are many mapping tools now available online to assist with your planning.
Via Michelin and Google Maps are the two I most commonly use. You can enter in criteria such as tolls/no tolls, motorway travel etc. And, they can all be saved and also printed out. I only use this for general planning and use the GPS for the more specific details when driving/navigating.
TIP: A GPS is a really great tool to have in your campervan these days. Whilst I do miss using paper maps, sometimes it’s the finer detail provided in the GPS that can make or break your day. eg many campsites and other places where you can stay in a campervan require the use of co-ordinates. Some of the places we have stayed at would never be found on a map.
Basic trip planning such as this is helpful
Return trip or one way?
Linked to the “where are you going?” question, is whether you require a one-way hire. Whilst these are possible, it’s not something I would recommend. One way hires are usually only possible with companies that have multi country locations. This then almost binds you to choosing that company and their conditions. Requesting a one-way hire will also bump up the price considerably, and could over-run any savings you might have made by travelling this way.
Note: There are companies who specifically hire on a “relocating” basis, providing incredibly cheap deals to reposition campervans to other locations. However, these are offered on last minute arrangements, meaning that for most planned trips, they are not suitable.
When are you going?
The million dollar question! High season in the Northern Hemisphere is a great time for travelling. The weather is usually fantastic, everything is open…..and there’s also plenty of people hiring cars, campervans and driving them on the roads.
In reverse, the low season has wilder weather, many attractions are closed, and there’s snow and ice on the roads bringing another set of issues.
Shoulder seasons offer a great compromise, with the weather generally behaving, plenty of places are still open and it’s far easier to drive.
High season, of course, adds dollars to the hire as demand usually outstrips the availability of vehicles, whilst the shoulder and low seasons see prices come down.
Sometimes the reason for the trip is determined by an event, like the Tour de France. High season and high demand make this a more expensive time to travel and it also means you need to plan well in advance, as vehicles usually book up 12 months or more in advance.
How long are you going?
Boring facts like budget or the amount of time you can get off work normally drive this decision.
The great thing with campervans is that they can be hired for shorter periods of time (even a week would be great) or for periods that extend for months. The longer the hire period, the cheaper the per day rate is.
If you’ve not been travelling in a campervan before, it might also be a worthwhile consideration to test the waters with a shorter trip, prior to hitting the road for months at a time.
Note – this article is focussed specifically on hiring campervans. If planning on travelling in one for extended periods of time, the option of buying a vehicle comes into play. Buying a campervan overseas has a separate set of planning requirements that are not dealt with here.
What features are most important to you?
- Space /configuration – Check out my article on “What’s Inside a Campervan” if you are unsure of how they look inside
- Luxury
- Size of vehicle
- Budget
- Economy (note most campervans from major companies are diesel and manual transmission)
What’s your budget?
For most people, this will be the ultimate factor that shapes decisions on all of the above – where, how long, time of year and type of campervan. It’s important to have an idea of this in your mind before you start looking at hiring campervans so that you don’t waste too much time looking at vehicles that will never fit your budget.
NOTE : If you are planning on travelling in peak periods and you have decided to only camp at official campgrounds, you will also need to consider pre-booking your spots. Some campgrounds book up many months in advance. If you have a little more adventure in you, then booking at every location may become less important. Everything in peak periods takes longer, costs more, and requires more pre-planning.
Are you travelling with others?
This is important as it will dictate the size, type or even number of campervans to hire. If you are travelling with others be sure to ask the following questions of yourselves and the others, before you book anything!
- Have you travelled with these people before?
- Have you/they travelled in a campervan before?
- Do they have similar characteristics to you?
- Do you all agree on the itinerary?
- How will you split costs?
Thinking seriously about these types of questions could be the difference between having a great time and/or impacting on an otherwise great relationship. Those smelly socks left draped over your bed, having to cook three different meals at night to satisfy special diets, a snorer, an early riser, a late night movie watcher….
Differences that don’t seem like a big deal at home can manifest in the confines of a campervan. If you decide you can’t co-habitate, then perhaps you can hire a vehicle each and simply travel together, leaving the living part of the trip separate.
A few years back, my brother and his wife, joined us for part of a trip around France. Aside from the fact that we had slightly different overall itineraries, we hired a campervan each and drove together for seven days, prior to splitting off in opposite directions.
All of our travel experiences during this time were shared, including some meals and definitely evening drinks, but we had our own space at night.
In contrast, we have taken my parents on two campervan trips through Europe now, where we’ve hired a six berth beast, and all hung out under the one roof. It just depends on the people and the situation.
Find a company to hire from
Once you’ve got a reasonably clear idea of what it is you want, then it’s much easier to start searching online for a company to hire from. There’s no shortage of companies or booking engines, but how do you know you can trust them?
As a first timer, I’d highly recommend using brand names that you are familiar with, or companies that come recommended from experienced travellers. Also, conduct your own reviews online and above all, make sure they are reputable. Your trip and your financial arrangements depend on it.
There are many companies out there, but these are ones I have used before or portals specialising in campervan hire.
Get quotes
This is where all of your “must-haves” come face to face with your budget. When getting a quote, I can’t stress enough that you must ensure you are always comparing apples wtoapples.
Some companies will quote a rate, but the inclusions aren’t always clear. Others will use a base price and charge extra for additional items like bedding. Sometimes it’s not very clear at all just what is being included.
This means that quotes from different companies, for the same vehicle and time period, could look very different. Before you jump straight in and go for the cheapest, be sure to get a full break down of all inclusions, costs and add-ons.
Here’s some of the basics that you should have in your final package. Be sure to look for how they are costed in your quotes.
- Unlimited Mileage
- Fully Comprehensive Insurance
- 24 Hour Roadside Assistance
- Bedding, Bed Linen & Towels
- Outdoor Table & Chairs
- Cooking Equipment, Tableware & Cutlery
- Guides and maps
- Full Bottle Of Gas
- Vehicle implements like levelling blocks, water hoses and electrical cables
- Bike Rack
- Toilet chemicals – starter pack
Additional items that usually carry an extra cost include additional drivers, GPS and Insurance Excess Cover (CDV). Some companies offer transfers to their depot, which could also incur an additional charge if you want to utilise this service.
It also pays to check the costs involved with cleaning. Exterior cleans are usually included in the hire, provided you haven’t driven it somewhere you shouldn’t have. Most companies won’t charge you for a final interior clean, unless you have trashed it, or leave certain things like the toilet un-emptied at the end of the hire. It’s still good to understand where the extra costs might come from at the end, if you haven’t done the right thing by the hiring company.
Note: It’s also important to have an understanding of where you want to drive the campervan. Some companies won’t allow their vehicles to be driven in certain countries (ever) or at certain times of the year (eg winter).
When you have made your assessment on all these factors, always remember to ask the hiring company for their best price, or if they have any special deals available. Demand, local conditions, and even the current state of the economy can all have an impact on business, so it’s worth asking the question.
TIP: Remember that your campervan is both your transport and your accommodation. Often, it’s also your restaurant. When you are breaking down your total into a day rate, it should be fully costed against what it would cost you to travel under different methods (accommodation, transport, food)
Below is a quick cost comparison of two companies hiring a similar sized campervan out of France. It shows what I would regard as “basic inclusions”. Items that you would readily expect to be included in your hire/price. Unfortunately not all companies are transparent.
Have a look at this list and see for yourself the difference in total cost, once they have been compared on a like for like basis.
Pay your deposit to lock it in
The amount of the deposit and the timing of the subsequent payments will vary depending on the company you have decided to go with. Be sure to make yourself familiar with these requirements to ensure your campervan is locked in for your dates. This is especially important if you are booking for peak periods.
Depending on your personal financial situations and the state of your currency, it might be worthwhile considering paying the bulk of the hire cost up front, especially if you are booking well in advance.
With fluctuating currencies, it is hard to predict what the rate might look like in 12 months time. This is purely a personal decision and one to be made at your own discretion.
Make sure you understand any policies relating to cancellations or changes, once the booking has been made.
Once you have booked
The planning continues once you have made a booking, just to make sure everything runs smoothly when you pick up your vehicle.
Get Travel Insurance
I’m not going to go on here about the pros and cons of why I think you should have travel insurance. Ultimately, everyone can and does make their own decision on this.
When we are hiring someone else’s vehicle, it’s an essential requirement for us. We insure for what we can’t control. In a campervan, that’s a huge amount. We can’t control other drivers, random stuff flying around on autobahns (like stones hitting windscreens), weather events, carparks and even thieves. We also can’t control other possibilities such as needing to cancel the hire, flight delays which impact pickup times or hire companies going bust (yes it can happen). If you are a first timer (and even if you aren’t), there are also ways in which you can damage the campervan, despite your very best intentions not to.
Whilst your campervan will be covered by the company’s general insurance, the excess on their policies are not. Depending on the level of damage, sometimes the bill can run into the thousands.
Having our own travel insurance, with increased coverage for the excess that can be charged by the hiring company is our number 1 priority. (Note : you can buy additional excess reduction insurance from the hiring company, but we choose to take out total travel insurance coverage which covers all possible travel issues)
Check requirements for drivers licences and permits
Many hiring companies no longer require International Drivers Permits (IDPs) for the hiring process, but some countries still require them, although this seems to be diminishing. Personally I haven’t bought an IDP for years now, for travel in Europe, but as always, it’s good to check based on your own itineraries and the level of risk you are prepared to incur.
Some countries require permits/vignettes to drive on their roads. eg In Switzerland you are required to buy a pass if you want to drive on their motorways. (costs 40 SFR) This is also the case in many Eastern European countries. Whilst you can’t buy these until you are in those countries, it’s good to know to assist with further planning.
Make your plans for campervan pickup
This is a really important step as it can influence the airport you fly into, whether you need accommodation somewhere else first, plans to drive out of the city, first night stopover, other transportation requirements etc.
Unlike cars, it is unusual to have campervan rentals close to major airports. Due to the size of the campervans, the depots are usually on the fringes of major cities, or in more regional areas. You’ll need to do your specific research depending on where you are arriving/place of depot, but here’s some general guidelines.
Beginners guide to campervan hire – summary
This beginners guide to campervan hire in Europe should set you up for your first trip, meaning that you can spend more of your time focused on the best parts – the places you are going to travel to.
These days, I personally use and recommend France Motorhome Hire. I’ve rented from many other companies before, but have settled on this company for their location, pricing and exceptional customer service. I have always paid my own way with this company and these views and thoughts are my own.
Whoever you choose, wherever you go, if you do your homework, you’re sure to have an awesome time.
If you are looking for extra tips on what to pack, check out The essential packing list for campervan hire.
You might also like to read these for more detailed motorhome information
Planning on hiring a motorhome in France? Check out France Motorhome Hire
Campervan packing list: The essential packing list for campervan hire
What’s really inside a campervan?
How to keep you and your campervan safe
5 tips for a successful campervan pickup
If you think this post is of value to others, please share on Pinterest too.
Please note: Beer and Croissants tries to provide you with accurate information at time of writing but makes no representations or provides any warranty or coverage of liability for bookings made with France Motorhome Hire or any other hiring company.
That is one of the most detailed articles on this thematic that I’ve ever read. Congrats 🙂 I like it!
Thanks so much Victoria
I’ve never considered renting a campervan, it always seemed like such a hassle. So it’s useful to have a logical, straightforward guide like this to guide my thought process!
What a comprehensive guide. This would definitely come in handy for those wanting to following the Tour de France via campervan!
very helpful! I had no imaging about prices and todos before.
We did a campervan hire in Iceland which was PERFECT!!! We could free camp anywhere we wanted (not true in most of the rest of mainland Europe) and it gave us the flexibility and freedom to go and be wherever we wanted. It was great budget wise as well because it was our vehicle and lodging all in one!
sounds awesome LeAnna, and yes I love the free camping.
Bookmarking this for future use! Would really like to rent a campervan at some point, it allows freedom for both accommodation abd travel arrangements.
It’s perfect for that Sianna.
Brits and most Europeans don’t drive the same way that you do in the states – for us a couple of hours is a long journey!
Glad you can do this though, it’s a good way to see a lot of places!
Hi Fiona, I’m Australian, not from the states, but we can still get used to driving long distances. The really great thing about campervans is that you don’t have to drive long distances to have a great experience. Some of our driving days are less than an hour.
This would definitely be an adventure in a motorhome.I have done one vacation in a motorhome in the US and enjoyed it. Thanks for all the tips and details
This is a great, comprehensive guide to doing something I’ve dreamed of for years. Thanks for making it much easier for those wanting to try it for the first time. Question, what was your favorite part of the trip, route wise? I would have no idea to even begin to pick a destination.
I’m yet to do my article on where we went etc….stay tuned. Favourite part if really not destination based, it’s more freedom based. The fact that no matter where we drive, we can stop wherever we like makes everything so more special. I do however always love being in France and they make it super friendly for campervans too.
Wow! Such a comprehensive post. Thanks for this. I agree with your fascination with maps but a GPS does get the job done.
Great checklist. I have never rented a camper van but when I was a kid all of our vacations were taken with a camper trailer we towed behind the car. It is a great way to see the country.
Thanks Bob – your childhood would have been fun by the sounds of that.
Hi, thanks a lot for info about travelling with campervan. I never did it, but ir really sounds like a great think do do. I love the idea of not depending on a hotel, and the possibilty to just park and sleep nearly anywhere.
Great post, packed with tons of useful information! Renting a campervan and exploring Europe with the family certainly sounds appealing!
thanks Alex, it’s great for families too.
Thanks for the helpful tips – it’s always much less intimidating when you have something like this in front of you to help step by step through the planning process. Campervanning through Europe is a dream, and it’s on the list! We’ve always taken cheap flights between major European cities, though I can’t wait to plan a trip where we can hit the road and visit some of the unknown destinations inbetween 🙂
Thanks Meg. I am quite sure you will get to do this one day!
Campervans seem to be growing in popularity, the freedom that comes with it is very appealing! That being said, this is a great post with lots of information I would have overlooked- thank you!
They are definitely full of appeal Mar!
Love this post Kerri. We are planning a big Euro roadtrip in a couple of years and I have been considering the campervan option. This will be a great help in our planning. Thank you, am sharing now also.
Thanks Katy, just give me a shout if you need anything else. Thanks for sharing also – greatly appreciated.
What an extensive and useful post! Wauw! I would love to rent a camper once and go to explore Europe. Will have a look to the companies you mentioned and perhaps rent one myself. Do you know there are also relocation deals coming up sometimes, when a rental company needs to move a vehicle and they are paying someone to drive one way or you can rent it for $1 a day? Definitely worth to check out as well 😉
Hi Daphne, yes I mentioned the relocation deals in the article, it’s just that it wasn’t the focus on this occasion. They do have great deals though.
This is a really helpful post with lots of great detail. I used to own my own campervan (a 1960s VW split screen) and I miss it so much. After reading this, I think I might hire one for a road trip!
This is such a great comprehensive guide! Great tip on traveling slowly. I would’ve never known that a 30 min. ride could take hours in a caravan. Pinning this for the future!
as usual, good quality posts here. as i said on FB, I wish I had read this article before my NZ trip!
Thanks Elisa
What a fantastic article! I had no idea that hiring a campervan is so easy. I think you have convinced me to give it a go!
If you can survive Indo Helena, you can motorhome it 🙂
Very thorough guide definitely helps to have a checklist when you rent a campervan. The shower in ours broke in Australia, so we had to rely on showering in the sea or at beachside shower huts!
Oh dear, although there’s probably worse places than the sea in Oz (unless you’re in freezing Victoria 🙂 )
I have never considered travelling in a camper but this has certainly enlightened me, I love your due diligence and that you worked out pricing. I think that because I don’t travel for all that long campers are not on the list.. however, for longer haul trips in Oz and Europe I am definitely going to be using these tips. Love your diligence!
Thank you !!!
I always see people travelling in a campervan and think it must be really fun. I don’t drive, so it’s very unlikely I’ll ever have that sort of freedom. Interesting to see how much pre-work needs to be done to make it a seamless trip!
You’ll have to find yourself a driver Pedro 🙂
Woah, this is almost like a minibook. I suggest you make a printable version of this that people can download for like $1 or $2. Could be very useful for explorers and adventurers.
Do you think so Shayan?
Super useful, Kerri! We’ve never traveled by campervan, but it seems to give you the kind of adventure that a train/hotel trip couldn’t. Thanks for the insight!
This is such a comprehensive post! Definitely bookmarked for when we do eventually do something like this. We would love to have an epic roadtrip across Europe, but it might not be for a while, as it’s just so far from Australia, and we’d want to take a good amount of time to do it! Great tips!
I live in Australia too and Europe is where we always go for campervanning, but because of the distance, we always go for a minimum of 4 weeks, usually 6!
I’m so interested in this type of travel. It seems like such a deeper way to travel because you’d get to plan an itinerary that’s not always possible when relying on trains and planes. Your post is so informative and really answers so many practical questions a first-timer would have. I’m wondering what kind of skill do you need (if any) with regard to maintenance or knowing how to “hook up” in designated areas.
Hi Jackie, not much skill at all. Even I can do it ! The maintenance really isn’t an issue. The hiring company will point out anything basic that you need to do (eg check the oil every day). I do recommend hiring from someone who has 24/7 roadside assistance though. Having this means you don’t need to worry so much about real maintenance. With regard to hooking up, the electricity is super easy (just a big cable running into a powerpoint), the toilets are easy to empty, and water is just done from a regular tap.
This is just what I’m looking for! Thanks for doing all the research for me 🙂 I was debating of building one myself if it would be worth all the trouble. Now I have a comparison of just renting one instead of building.
wow building one would be a real experience!
The detail is so helpful. I’m always very nervous about driving in other countries and I’m not sure how I’d go in an RV but I really should give it a go, it’s such as great way to see a county. I’d have no concerns driving them in NZ or Australia so shouldn’t be so much different.
Some really great tips. Sounds like a great way to explore Europe. Love that you included what to consider to avoid hidden costs.
thanks Megan, the hidden cots can really add up.
What a perfect resource guide. Such great, practical information about renting a camper van. It’s amazing the difference in cost, especially when you include the ‘add-ons’ that makes the price skyrocket! My wife has talked about doing this, so maybe some day we will explore Europe by camper van!
Hope you get there someday Drew !
What a great post! We currently RV in the US and a lot of the concepts are the same but it is great to have a detailed post for when we are ready to head overseas. Now we will feel like we know what we are doing when we get there! Loved your point about how slow travel works best when RVing. That is so true!
This is a really comprehensive guide with great tips! I’ve never traveled in a campervan, so this post will be very useful for when that time comes. I especially liked the reminder that one ways are usually more expensive.
Wow! What a detailed article on van camping in Europe. Kudos to you for providing this valuable information for folks that are looking for it.
Thanks very much Sue
Thanks for this great article about beginners guide.
Lots of valuable information and tips for beginners like me 🙂
I have never hired or travelled with a Campervan, this article and the entire website will help me in future planning of campervan travelling, I will read more articles and stories on the site.
Thank you so much Kerri for sharing your travel experience with the world, and helping others to plan their future dream road trip!!! 🙂
Cheers Avi, pleased it could be of some help.
This is a great article! We will be hiring a campervan to explore the Dordogne area in late September. Do you have any advice on whether to hire one with or without a shower? Having a shower means we could stay in aires but we’ve also read that the municipal campsites are generally quite nice and cheap meaning we could have a smaller campervan without a toilet/shower. Would love to hear your thoughts. Cheers
Hi Susan, that will be fantastic. We so love the Dordogne and late September is a perfect time of year to be doing this. As for the shower, it honestly really comes down to how attached you are to your shower 🙂 and also whether you are trying to do things on a bit more of a budget or not. As you say, it can then also help you in deciding to go for a smaller van which is a little easier to drive and saves you money too of course. Personally, we have always gone with a motorhome that has a shower as we like to have it onboard with us so that we have access to it regardless of where we stay the night. For us, it puts less pressure then on where we stay, knowing we can still have a shower. The campsites are indeed pretty good and their facilities are usually the same but of course you are going to be paying much more for them than you would elsewhere. I would never hire a van without a toilet, to be honest. It’s just so convenient to have one on board and again it makes it easier to be more self sufficient when staying at non official campsties when you have a toilet onboard. Have you also heard of the France Passion network? We recommend this so highly and to us it’s the best place to stay in motorhomes in France. I’ve got an article on the website on these but we’ve just returned from using them for a month and I still have so much more to write. Can answer any questions on that too if you like. We definitely needed our shower/toilet for staying here. I’m not sure who you are looking to hire from but France Motorhome Hire, who we always use when we are in France actually have smaller vehicles that still come with a shower and toilet, so the hire is cheaper, you can still camp at aires or at France Passion, but you have your facilities on board. If you are interested in using them or getting a quote, just mention that you spoke to me at Beer and Croissants and they will take 50 euro off your hire price. Let me know if you need anything further. Kerri
Hi Kerri. Thanks for the great info! Do you have any experience with motorhome in Scandinavia? We are hoping to spend 3 months in Sweden and Norway and some of Denmark, but struggling with the info I am finding online. We have experience with RV in the US and Australia, but this will be the first time in Europe. We heard that the waste water dispensing is manual in Europe, that no hose is used. Is this also your experience? Thanks in advance! Carol
Hi Carol, unfortunately no we haven’t been into Scandanavia in a motorhome yet. These guys might be able to help http://www.vanlife.com.au/vanlife-articles/scandinavia-in-a-campervan. In terms of waste water in Europe, when we’ve been in western Europe there are several ways of doing it. Usually for grey (waste) water, the motorhome is simply parked over a grate in the ground (in a designated dumping area), the tank is opened and the water dispenses straight into the reservoir for the waste. We don’t need or use a hose. We use the hose to fill up the water tanks. For the waste tanks, again we use designated dumping areas and we take the cassette to the area and manually empty. It all seems to work quite easily.