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Campervan hire in Europe
Features to consider when hiring a campervan
Every time I update this article, I find more items to add to this list. It sometimes feels like it might never end. Whilst it is not meant to be an exhaustive list, it certainly covers off the main and most important considerations in my view, prior to making a decision to hire a motorhome.
- Space /configuration – Check out my article on “What’s Inside a Campervan” if you are unsure of how they look inside
- Luxury – how much do you need?
- Size of vehicle
- Budget
- Manual or auto transmission – most of the motorhomes for hire are manual
- Left or right-hand drive – vehicles in Europe will be left-hand drive
- Age of vehicle
- Available beds
- Can the bedding configuration change?
- Is a bedding package included or extra?
- Amount of storage
- Economy (note most motorhomes from major companies are diesel and manual transmission)
- Do they have a shower and a toilet?
- Ability to hire additional items like bicycles, tables and chairs, GPS etc if they aren’t included
- Does hire include membership to any associations like France Passion?
- What insurance coverage is there if any? What is and isn’t covered?
- The reputation of the hiring company. Are there reviews to read? Do you know others who have used them before?
- Is hiring from an English speaking company important for communication purposes?
- Do they do one-way hire?
- Does the hiring company negotiate rates?
- How is the deposit and final balance to be paid? Some companies make this very hard.
- What is the amount of the bond to be held whilst you are hiring?
- Where is the depot located?
- How do I get to the depot?
- What are the pick-up and drop-off times/days?
- What is the refund policy if I have to cancel?
- What time of year do I want to travel?
- Will my budget fit the time of year? – Motorhome hire is much more expensive in the peak European holiday season.
- If I am travelling in winter will I need to hire snow chains?
- How far will I be travelling?
- Are there any exceptions to where I can drive the motorhome?
- Is mileage unlimited?
- Is there a minimum or maximum hiring period?
- Do I need a special drivers licence?
- Can I bring my pets?
- Will I be staying in official campgrounds? The time of year might mean you need to book ahead.
- Do I need any special training to drive a motorhome?
Tips for renting a campervan or motorhome in Europe
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 in Europe will assist you with your planning.
Plan your motorhome 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. Motorhomes 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.
Here are two trips we’ve done. One takes 42 days and crosses six countries, the other is 20 days and we remained in a small pocket of France. Anything can be done, it just depends on how much time you have and how fast you want to go.
Motorhome touring in France – a 20-day journey through south-west France
Travelling through Europe in a campervan – a 42-day itinerary
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.
This article gives a list of the top smartphone apps.
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 coordinates. Some of the places we have stayed at would never be found on a map.
Basic trip planning such as this is useful for overall planning and getting an understanding of whether you are trying to travel too far a distance.
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 unless it makes enormous sense to your other plans. One way hires are usually only possible with companies that have multi-country locations. This then almost binds you to choose that company and its 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 and campervans and driving them on the roads.
In reverse, the low season has wilder weather, many attractions are closed, and there might be 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. Hiring costs are also slightly lower.
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 for?
Boring facts like budget or the amount of time you can get off work normally drive this decision.
The great thing with motorhomes 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 motorhome or 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 and motorhomes. 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’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?
- Are you all going to have insurance?
- What time of year do you want to go?
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 motorhome. If you decide you can’t cohabitate, then perhaps you can hire a vehicle each and simply travel together, leaving the living part of the trip separate. This is the best of both worlds.
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 motorhome 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. There is no right or wrong answer but it does need consideration and discussion. Don’t just gloss over it and think that because you are overseas it will all be ok.
Find the best company to hire a motorhome 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 by 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 and motorhome hire.
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Get quotes from hiring companies
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 with apples.
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 are some of the basics that you should have in your final package. Be sure to look for how they are costed in your quotes. Some will be charged in addition to the basic hire.
- 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 and bikes
- 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. [Note: France Motorhome Hire is now including one additional driver and GPS as standard in the basic hire package]
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 motorhome. Some companies won’t allow their vehicles to be driven in certain countries (ever) or at certain times of the year (eg winter). France Motorhome Hire is now permitting winter driving.
When you have made your assessment of 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 motorhome 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 similarly sized campervan out of France.
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. Note that this is once again not meant to be a complete list. There are many different options that a hirer can add as part of their overall hire. Some of the add-ons will also be determined by the season (eg snow chains).
The list below shows the basic non-negotiable additions to any hire and whether they are included in the hire cost, or additional. You will also notice the difference in charges for several items.
| COMPANY A | COMPANY B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Hire 32 days | €3,978.00 | €4,292.20 | |
| Camp chairs /table (2) | €30.00 | €80.00 | Note no towels inc in Company B |
| Bike rack | €0.00 | €80.00 | Included with bikes in Company A |
| Bedding kit (inc towels) (1) | €50.00 | €35.00 | |
| Toilet chemicals (4) | €10.00 | €0.00 | Not offered with company B |
| Additional driver | €0.00 | €0.00 | |
| Bikes | €8.00 | €0.00 | Not offered with Company B |
| Booking fee | €0.00 | €30.00 | |
| Roadside Assistance | €0.00 | €264.00 | Included Company A |
| GPS | €0.00 | €100.00 | Included Company A |
| Discount for long hire | -€397.80 | €0.00 | Not offered Company B |
| Unlimited mileage | Yes | Yes | |
| Cooking equipment | Yes | Yes | |
| Tableware and cutlery | Yes | Yes | |
| Campsite and servicing area guides | Yes | Yes | |
| France Passion guides | Yes | No | |
| Full bottle camping gas | Yes | Yes | |
| Levelling blocks, water hose, electricity cable | Yes | Yes | |
| Safety kit | Yes | Yes | |
| Free car storage | Yes | Yes | |
| Free luggage storage | Yes | Yes | |
| Basic comprehensive insurance | Yes | Yes | |
| TOTAL | €3,678.20 | €4,881.20 | |
| DIFFERENCE | €1,203.00 |
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.
You should read this >> For some detailed information on what to watch out for when paying your deposit, read our article on Campervan Hire in Portugal where we talk about this at length. It applies to any motorhome hire.
Once you have booked your motorhome
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 or motorhome, 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 or motorhome will be covered by the company’s general insurance, the excess on their policies is not. Depending on the level of damage, sometimes the bill can run into the thousands. Damage to the undercroft or rooftop of a vehicle is also not usually covered by a hiring company’s insurance.
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. 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 the depot, but here are some general guidelines.
Hiring a campervan in Europe – summary
This beginners guide to campervan hire in Europe should set you up, with limited frustration for your motorhome trip. This in turn means 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. As someone hiring a long way away from home, using a company in which I have confidence saves me angst about whether they will be there when I arrive, whether they will have run off with my money, or just that they will be a reputable company to deal with.
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.
READ MORE OF OUR MOTORHOME ARTICLES HERE
For all the latest tips, advice and hints for how to make the most of a motorhome trip through Europe, we've got you covered. Plus we've got some amazing short and long-term itineraries, videos and amazing photos to make you want to go on a road trip right now.
Independent Travel Writer review of France Motorhome Hire - the best motorhome hire company in France
Looking for the best motorhome home company in France. We recommend France Motorhome Hire and you can save €50 off your next hire when you meantion us.
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If you've never hired a motorhome before it can be hard to know what they look like inside. Read our guide which shows you the room your can expect, storage space, bedroom configuration, size of bathroom and more.
Please note: Beer and Croissants tries to provide you with accurate information at the 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. We also always pay for our motorhome hire!
Victoria
That is one of the most detailed articles on this thematic that I’ve ever read. Congrats 🙂 I like it!
Emily
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!
Ben
What a comprehensive guide. This would definitely come in handy for those wanting to following the Tour de France via campervan!
Norbert
very helpful! I had no imaging about prices and todos before.
LeAnna Brown
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!
Sianna
Bookmarking this for future use! Would really like to rent a campervan at some point, it allows freedom for both accommodation abd travel arrangements.
Fiona Maclean
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!
Lisa
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
melody pittman
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.
anna
Wow! Such a comprehensive post. Thanks for this. I agree with your fascination with maps but a GPS does get the job done.
Bob
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.
Veronika
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.
Alex
Great post, packed with tons of useful information! Renting a campervan and exploring Europe with the family certainly sounds appealing!
Beer and Croissants
thanks Alex, it’s great for families too.
Beer and Croissants
Thanks Bob – your childhood would have been fun by the sounds of that.
Beer and Croissants
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.
Beer and Croissants
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.
Beer and Croissants
It’s perfect for that Sianna.
Beer and Croissants
sounds awesome LeAnna, and yes I love the free camping.
Beer and Croissants
Thanks so much Victoria
Meg Jerrard
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 🙂
Beer and Croissants
Thanks Meg. I am quite sure you will get to do this one day!
Mar Pages
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!
Katy Clarke
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.
Daphne from Girlswanderlust
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 😉
Amanda Williams
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!
Sarah from Tales From a Fork
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!
Elisa
as usual, good quality posts here. as i said on FB, I wish I had read this article before my NZ trip!
Helena
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!
Travelling Tom
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!
travelling chingrita
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!
Pedro
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!
Beer and Croissants
Thank you !!!
Beer and Croissants
Oh dear, although there’s probably worse places than the sea in Oz (unless you’re in freezing Victoria 🙂 )
Beer and Croissants
If you can survive Indo Helena, you can motorhome it 🙂
Beer and Croissants
Thanks Elisa
Beer and Croissants
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.
Beer and Croissants
Thanks Katy, just give me a shout if you need anything else. Thanks for sharing also – greatly appreciated.
Beer and Croissants
They are definitely full of appeal Mar!
Shayan Naveed
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.
Beer and Croissants
You’ll have to find yourself a driver Pedro 🙂
Beer and Croissants
Do you think so Shayan?
Taylor Record
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!
Kim-Ling
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!
Beer and Croissants
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!
Jackie Sills-Dellegrazie
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.
Adonis Villanueva
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.
Toni Broome
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.
Megan
Some really great tips. Sounds like a great way to explore Europe. Love that you included what to consider to avoid hidden costs.
Beer and Croissants
thanks Megan, the hidden cots can really add up.
Beer and Croissants
wow building one would be a real experience!
Beer and Croissants
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.
Drew
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!
Bryanna
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!
Vicky and Buddy
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.
Beer and Croissants
Hope you get there someday Drew !
Sue Reddel
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.
Beer and Croissants
Thanks very much Sue
Avi
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!!! 🙂
Beer and Croissants
Cheers Avi, pleased it could be of some help.
Suse
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
Beer and Croissants
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
Carol
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
Beer and Croissants
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.
Tracey
What company did you got through? And were there any spots you would recommend? We have 2 eight year olds travelling with us ?
Beer and Croissants
Here’s our review on who we used in iceland.
https://www.beerandcroissants.com/campervan-iceland-review/
leo
is there any motor home rental agents that have left hand drive and automatic transmission?
Beer and Croissants
Hi Leo
All of the France Motorhome Hire vehicles are left hand drive but are manual transmission. McRent are the same. Mostly motorhomes, especially the big ones, are manual as they require a fair bit of grunt in a lot of areas for getting up mountains etc.
Niki Raz
Hi there,
I came across your site looking for answers on a possible trip with my partner and our 5 kids ( 12, 11, 9, 8 and 6). I am interested in doing a motorhome trip either in France or Italy and I was wondering if you have recommendations on an itinerary and rental place for max 10 days. We love nature, good food and anything to do with Water activities.
Kerri McConnel
HI Niki
Both France and Italy are fantastic countries to motorhome in. France is particularly welcoming of motorhomes which makes it easy. You should also check out my articles on France Passion and Aires as well as this will give you an indication of other places to stay in France (which can save heaps of money) as opposed to always staying in campgrounds. We use and recommend France Motorhome Hire, who are based out of Veron, about 1.5 hours train ride south of Paris. If you mention us when you get a quote and book with them, you will also save €50 on your hire. In terms of an itinerary, if you head south from here down towards the French Riveria, there are some great areas with beautiful scenery and landscapes, including the Gorges du Verdon which is spectacular and great for water activities and hiking. There’s also Mount Ventoux which is one of the mountains used in the Tour de France. The Burgundy Trail, leading down through Dijon, Beaune, Macon, Lyon down to the French Riveria is lovely. The French Riveria is not an easy place to have a motorhome however. The area of Avignon, Nimes, Montpellier is also beautiful. With only a max of 10 days, you are better off picking up a region and doing it a little more intensively than trying to drive too far. You could also go west of Veron (the depot) and go along the Loire Valley, a stunning area with great cycling paths, canals, chateaux and gorgeous cities and countryside. You could also join our group on FB where we can chat more about French itineraries if you like. https://www.facebook.com/groups/motorhominginfrance/
John
You have listed very good points. Thanks for sharing a nice and informative piece of advices about travel tips with us. Please do keep sharing. Really, an amazing read!
Kerri McConnel
Thanks so much John! We know it helps out so many people who might be thinking about doing this for the first time. It can be a bit daunting sometimes.
Krishnil Dutt
I’m glad I found this article! It’s great and super simple to read and understand. I’m planning to do a tour of Europe with my wife and dog and this will greatly help. Thank you heaps.
Kris
Kerri McConnel
My pleasure Krishnil, I hope you all enjoy.
Emma Greene
I have never read this kind of informative blog anywhere. It amazed me, I just read three paragraphs and I be the fan of your content. I have bookmarked this page for further reading
Kerri McConnel
Thanks Emma, as long-time, experienced motorhome travellers, we feel we are in an excellent position to be able to make these recommendations.