We are experienced motorhome travellers and motorhoming in Europe is one of our great passions. We’ve been travelling by motorhome, lapping up the freedom that the road ahead offers for over 25 years now.
When we started renting campervans and larger motorhomes, we always wanted to explore the idea of one-way hire. Back then, being able to rent a motorhome one-way in Europe was virtually non-existent and hiring a campervan meant you needed to pick up and drop off at the same location.
We learned that travelling this way wasn’t always feasible or even desirable for time or budget purposes. After all, one-way hires, if you could find them, were usually incredibly expensive. So we found our favourite motorhome companies to hire from: France Motorhome Hire (Apollo) in Europe, Indi Campers in Portugal and Camp Easy in Iceland.
Did you know that you can now hire a motorhome for a one-way route in Europe and you can do it easily?
Need more information about what one-way hire is? Start here with our guide on one-way motorhome rental.
Ready to book? Go straight to Anywhere Campers for an online quote.
The market for one-way motorhome rental is growing, and Czech-based motorhome company Anywhere Campers are now one of the best hiring companies for one-way motorhome hire.. Demand will continue to grow for one-way hire as people worldwide adjust to a changing travel landscape and shortened periods of time spent overseas.
As their name might suggest, Anywhere Campers operates unlike any other campervan or motorhome company in Europe. We recently drove around France in a 4/5 berth Adria Matrix motorhome supplied by Anywhere Campers and found the entire experience to be excellent. From now on, we will make them our company of choice for hiring a motorhome in Europe.
You can also still pick them up and drop them off back in the same location if this is your preference.
This is our comprehensive review of how to rent a motorhome one way in Europe to take away the hassle and stress and allow you to have the best time road-tripping around Europe. Where we think you will benefit from reading other related guides, we’ll point them out. This is all based on our personal experience of hiring a motorhome from Anywhere Campers and 20+ years of motorhome driving and hiring in Europe.
- Who are Anywhere Campers?
- Why are they different?
- What types of motorhomes are available for hire?
- What’s included in the rental?
- Features of the campervans
- Additional extras
- Insurance
- Getting a quote
- What else is different with Anywhere Campers?
- Payment
- FAQS
- Motorhome resources
- Motorhome itineraries to help you plan your next trip
Who are Anywhere Campers?
Whenever we have reviewed a motorhome or campervan company, one of the first things we advise campervan renters to do is to carry out due diligence on the company before they book, hand over large amounts of money, book flights and plan travel itineraries.
Anywhere Campers have been around for a few years, starting as a very small business in 2013 with only a few campervans and even fewer staff. Today, they run a fleet of approximately 60 motorhomes in various shapes and sizes.
They also have solid reviews on the internet, not only Google reviews by detailed reviews by people such as ourselves, who have taken the time to write about their experiences.
Why are they different?
Anywhere Campers set themselves apart from the rest of the motorhome hiring companies by offering flexible one-way hire. This means that straight away, you don’t need to pick up and return to the same depot. But it’s much more than that; you actually don’t need to drop it off at any specific depot.
The key and defining word here is flexibility. Having thoroughly tested all of their processes, we can confirm they are truly flexible with their operations and customer service.
Anywhere Campers don’t have depots spread all across Europe. Their model relies solely on having team members in other European countries who are ready to hand over or take back the campervan from the customer at any agreed location.
So for example, you might pick up your motorhome in Belgium and return it somewhere in France. Or, a trip that sees you start in Italy might have a drop-off in Greece. This time we picked up and dropped off in France, but in two completely different locations of our choosing.
Our trip: We picked up our motorhome in Narbonne, in the south of France. It suited our itinerary perfectly, as we had spent one week on a French canal cruise on the Canal du Midi, which ended in Narbonne. We were dropped off at the Gare de Narbonne by our barge transfer vehicle and had our Anywhere Campers motorhome delivered to the same location.
Our return of the vehicle was to Charles de Gaulle Airport. We arranged for a safe and easy location at a carpark near Terminal for a drop-off that allowed for the Anywhere Campers’ driver to do an inspection of the vehicle. Once the handover was completed, we had a short walk to get to our terminal at the arirport. Perfect.
The communication with the driver in the lead-up to the handover was excellent. Anywhere Campers provide you with the driver’s name and phone number. Most Europeans use Whatsapp to communicate, so downloading it is a good idea if you don’t already have this on your phone.
Pro tip: We recommend having a sim to allow for calls and/or data. When we are in Europe, we use eSims from Maya Mobile which works really well.
What types of motorhomes are available for hire?
Anywhere Campers offer Slovenian-manufactured Adria Matrix motorhomes for their customers. Adria is one of Europe’s premier mobile home and recreational vehicle companies, offering campervans, motorhomes and caravans. This ensures that anyone renting a motorhome gets a vehicle with modern specifications and layout and the safety and security of driving a reputable vehicle.
We couldn’t have been happier with our Adria Matrix.
Anywhere Campers offer motorhomes with automatic and manual transmission. As a general rule, most motorhomes are automatic. Many customers these days either don’t like driving manual vehicles or don’t know how to. But, if you love driving with a bit more interaction, there might be a manual for you.
Get a quote now using this link with Anywhere Campers. We’d love it if you mentioned you heard about them from us.
Pro tip: Motorhome hire in Europe has always been in high demand. With the opening up of the world again to travel, the pressure on motorhome supply vs demand will be greater than it has been over the past few years. If you want to do a road trip for your next holiday, you should try and book as far in advance as possible. Summertime, in particular, is very popular for road trips in Europe. To secure your preferred motorhome and the transmission type (eg auto or manual) you require, you need to get in fast.
The motorhomes available for hire are at the larger end of the spectrum. Don’t expect to find small campervans here suitable for only one or two people. Some motorhomes would suit 4-5 people if you want to max out all the beds.
If you prefer more space and don’t mind paying extra for it, the 4-berth motorhomes are also perfect for two people. This is generally how we like to travel. But it all comes down to your budget as well.
If you have 5-6 people travelling together, the latest edition to the fleet contains an annexe with additional sleeping areas.
What’s included in the rental?
We wrote a comprehensive guide on the important questions to ask before hiring a motorhome in Europe. In this article, we go through every part of the pre-hire process in detail so that as a hirer you understand where all the traps and pitfalls might be before making a financial commitment. If you are a first-time hirer, we strongly recommend reading the above article first. It will save you time, frustration and ultimately money.
If you have read this article, you’ll also see that knowing exactly what is and isn’t included in your quote is a significant factor in hiring decisions. This is an area where many assumptions can be made. Imagine thinking that a motorhome would have bedding. You arrive to pick up your motorhome in the middle of a European winter only to find it wasn’t included in the price.
Or you were really looking forward to riding a bicycle, but you realise when you pick up the vehicle that they aren’t included and there are none available to hire.
Related reading: Other essentials for your motorhome hire to make life on the road easier
The following are the standard inclusions for motorhome hires from Anywhere Campers.
- unlimited kilometres (mileage) is one of the most important inclusions. Motorhome travel in Europe can cover huge distances, and you want to ensure you don’t have a big mileage bill at the end of the trip. Anywhere Campers offer this for any hire that exceeds seven days.
- unlimited drivers is a good inclusion as many hiring companies charge extra
- roadside breakdown assistance provided by Allianz throughout Europe
- comprehensive insurance *see below for additional insurance information
- picnic table and four chairs
- outdoor BBQ (grill) – note the charcoal to operate the BBQ is not provided.
- two mountain bikes – these bikes won’t win any Tour de France race, and most will have seen better days, but they are functional.
- bedding, towels and kitchen linen – a very good supply of towels and sheets, doona covers, etc., is provided.
- equipped kitchen – no need to bring any of your basic kitchen equipment. Note there is no electric jug for boiling water so if you want to drink tea or coffee, you need to use a saucepan. There were also no wine glasses.
- basic cleaning startup items including dishwashing liquid, kitchen wipes, toilet paper, various cleaning items and a dustbuster
- road permits for Czech Republic, Switzerland and Austria – note there is no crit air sticker included for permanent low emission zones in France.
- full tank diesel
- full LPG gas tank (one in summer and two in winter)
- all other operating fluids necessary to run the vehicle properly e.g. Adblue
- GPS – make sure this is working properly when you pick it up and you have the correct cable to operate it
- all connection cables (electricity hookups), water hose, cable reel, levelling blocks (balancing wedges)
- 300-watt inverter
- 24/7 information line, customer support
- training is provided at pickup. If you are a new renter, make sure you get the driver to take you through everything slowly.
Features of the campervans
- modern vehicles – the majority of the fleet is from 2022 and is continually being updated.
- reputable motorhome company from Slovenia – Adria
- automatic vehicles have nine-speed transmission while the manuals have six-speed
- 160 hp diesel engines – 90-litre tank
- large wastewater and greywater tanks
- things to make driving easier like cruise control, electric windows, central locking
- front seats swivel around into the cabin to become part of the living area. Great for when you have more than two people travelling together.
- air-conditioned cabin
- driver and passenger airbags
- reversing beepers
- bluetooth radio
- large skylights above the cabin, in the main living area and in the bedroom – perfect for natural lighting and breeze
- separate shower and separate toilet/bathroom which is excellent
- excellent storage throughout including under the floors, beds and even the steps
- large rear garage – great for popping a scooter in
- spacious living areas with table
- door separates the rear bedroom with the living area
- blinds inside and in the cabin provide privacy and coolness/warmth where required
- control panel to operate all interior and exterior lighting, battery levels, voltage, water supply, waste water levels etc.
- fully equipped bedrooms and kitchen
- different configurations of beds at the rear are possible
- except for the Sunlight A70, all motorhomes have a double bed that can be lowered via an electronic remote from the ceiling
- reading lights above beds
- USB ports in cabin, dining table and rear bedroom
- excellent LED lighting throughout
- gas stovetop with three hotplates
- 140-litre Thetford fridge/freezer
- insulated to keep them cooler in summer and warmer in winter
- curtains and screens to keep insects out
- efficient internal gas heating
- external bike carrier
- side awning
- 12-volt and 230-volt power and sockets. One 12-volt in the cabin and one in the rear bedroom.
- 300-watt inverter.
Additional extras
Anywhere Campers include so much as part of their standard package that there are few additional extras left to think of.
The following optional extras are available:
- Child seat €5 per day (maximum €150)
- Pet fee €75 per rental
Insurance
Comprehensive insurance is included in the standard hire. This insurance covers damage caused to people and/or property external to the vehicle. It specifically covers damage caused by vehicle accidents, theft, vandalism, weather and animals. There is also windscreen protection.
This is important as windscreens are usually susceptible to damage when you are on the road so much. We’ve had two windscreens damaged in previous motorhome trips that were not our fault and completely unexpected. Fortunately, we had travel insurance with motorhome vehicle excess.
Damage can be caused to the vehicle in many other ways that are not covered by Anywhere Camper’s comprehensive insurance.
Such damage includes:
- damage to the external awning – damage can be caused by such things as incorrect handling of the awning and/or its working parts including the winder or damage from strong winds if the awning is left out and unattended.
- theft or damage to the bicyles – the bikes come with a very basic lock that can be easily cut by thieves.
- tyre damage
- damage to internal fixtures and fittings – the blinds and other accessories inside the motorhomes are quite fragile and if you don’t take care of them damagae can occur.
- theft of personal items – this will always need to be covered by your own personal insurance. *always be sure you read your own PDS to know what will and won’t be covered with your belongings when in a motorhome.
We recommend you have insurance to cover your motorhome road trip in some form. As regular motorhome travellers, we have always added additional excess insurance to our personal travel insurance policy, to cover any incident that could happen while we are driving or damage, accidental or otherwise, to the motorhome or its contents. Insurance can take many forms and be provided by a range of companies.
Anywhere Campers also provide some additional insurance options to reduce excesses.
Be especially diligent when checking whether your insurance covers damage underneath the motorhome and on the roof. Anywhere Campers offer the following additional insurance options that will reduce your excess in the event of an accident or damage to the motorhome.
- Option 1 – €29 per day, maximum charge equal to a 30 day hire (€870). Excess is reduced to €300.
- Option 2 – €24 per day, maximum charge equal to a 30 day hire (€720). Excess is reduced to €500.
Getting a quote
The first point to remember here is not to expect an immediate online quote like many of the mainstream motorhome companies provide. Those who require a pick-up and drop-off in the same location can easily provide an immediate basic quote as they know the vehicle’s location.
The process here is via an online form; alternatively, a customer can email. You only need to provide them with your dates, number of people, preference for manual or automatic, and pick-up and drop-off locations.
The quoting process is very simple. Keep in mind that their office is in Prague. If you are based in the southern hemisphere, you generally won’t get an immediate response unless you send it early or late at night. The team is quick to respond, so you will usually have a response in your inbox when you wake up the next day.
There is comfort in knowing this quote is the final price. Unless the customer requests a change in details; for example, dates, time periods or locations, the price you see on the quote is what you should expect to pay. No additional fees and therefore no surprises.
The quote will cover all of the items mentioned above. This is exactly the confidence you need when spending large amounts of money and planning your overseas holiday.
Get a quote now and tell them Beer and Croissants sent you!
What else is different with Anywhere Campers?
Apart from the obvious difference of providing a genuine one-way hire option, Anywhere Campers also do a few other things that stand out to a long-term motorhome hirer.
Pets
Pets are one of them. While other motorhome companies allow pets, it’s still not all that common.
Then, when pets are allowed, the additional costs of having them travel with you often defeat the purpose. Anywhere Campers know that travelling with your pets can be a very important part of your travel decision, so not only do they allow it, but they only charge €75 extra for doing so.
It’s also worth noting that there is no size restriction on the kind of animal you can take on board. As the owner of a larger dog, I find this very refreshing. Usually, you can only take tiny animals with you. Be sure to mention that you wish to bring a pet when booking, as prior approval is required.
Gas refills
Many motorhome hiring companies require gas bottles to be refilled 100% upon vehicle return. Anywhere Campers do not have this requirement.
Chemicals and cleaning supplies
Anywhere Campers provide enough basic essentials for your motorhome to operate, depending on the length of hire. For example, if you are going on a short trip, they will provide more than enough toilet chemicals for your average trip length.
If you plan a longer trip, they will increase the amount of chemicals relevant to the time frame. This is not normal. Usually, hiring companies will provide 1-2 toilet chemicals; after that, you must pay extra for additional items or purchase more. They are the most generous of any hiring company we’ve ever used.
Security deposit
Perhaps one of the most significant differences is the security deposit (bond) amount. At €1,000 this is much lower than many other hiring companies in Europe. This also means the most you will pay in the event of serious damage to the motorhome is €1,000.
Additional drivers
Anywhere Campers also includes additional drivers as part of the standard package. In many other hiring companies, additional drivers incur an additional fee.
Payment
Once you’ve decided to accept the quote, various payment options and timelines will be relevant. Usually, the first thing to be done is the payment of a deposit.
Payments are made using debit/credit cards via a secure payment gateway. A variety of cards may be used.
Cash cannot be used for any payments including the security deposit (bond) at pickup.
Pro tip: Be aware that using a debit card to pay for your security deposit will mean that it will effectively freeze your physical funds. i.e. with a credit card, it simply reduces your available credit limit. With debit cards, it behaves as though you have actually spent this money. If there is a long time between paying the deposit and returning your vehicle, those funds will be unavailable for that entire time. See our case study below for more information about this.
Deposit for hire
Once a contract for hire has been signed, the customer has 10 days to pay a deposit of 30% of the total rental amount.
Balance of payment
The balance of 70% must be paid 45 days before the pickup date agreed to in the contract. Note if you are lucky enough to be able to secure a last-minute booking that falls within 45 days, your full rental amount will be immediately due when you sign the contract.
Bond Security deposit
A bond of €1,000 is also required before taking ownership of the vehicle for the hiring period.
If you are using cards to pay for security deposits, the amount will usually be held as a pending item on your card. If you have a card limit, be sure to take this into account and make sure you don’t need that for your trip.
It is important to note that if the hiring party is unable to pay the security deposit, the vehicle will not be able to be hired by the customer and a full cancellation fee will be administered.
Case study of how the security payment works
I paid my €1,000 security deposit using an Australian-issued debit card to test this. You can see from the images below on 5/4/23 the €1,000 deposit was charged as a payment to my bank account. It altered the remaining balance accordingly (not shown for security reasons).
Following the return of the vehicle (6/5/23), and the processing of all required paperwork by Anywhere Campers, the €1,000 deposit was refunded to the same account on 17/5/23, and my balance rose to reflect the increase in funds.
It is also worth noting that if you are not paying in Euro and the currency rates fluctuate, the initial and final amounts will differ. This further validates that the amounts are charged and refunded in real terms and not just held on my debit card.
Return of security deposit
The hiring company keeps the security deposit (bond) to cover any damage observed on the vehicle’s return. Provided there are no issues, the deposit will be returned in accordance with the timelines set out in the contract.
This can take up to 10 days after the drop-off to be returned to a customer’s bank account. If there is damage to the vehicle, the security deposit won’t be returned until after this process is completed.
Below is an example of the paperwork reviewed and signed at pickup and on vehicle return. It is critical as the hirer that you go through all of this thoroughly and ensure that everything is recorded accurately at the beginning or the end.
The final paperwork (and any variations to the condition at the start) will determine whether you get your full deposit back.
FAQS
Yes, you can, although the earlier you can make your booking the better. There are limits to the number of automatic and manual vehicles available for hire and demand can place additional pressure on one type over the other. To be sure of your preferred option, book early. Note that if you only hold a licence for an automatic vehicle, you cannot hire a manual.
The motorhomes come equipped with a gas fridge, gas hot water systems and heating, which is fabulous news for those cool-weather road trips. The motorhomes use a Truma Combi system, which can warm the living areas of the motorhome very quickly and provide hot water for showers and washing up.
Gas is common in motorhomes. It is used to run appliances like the fridge, hot water and heating when the motorhome is not being driven. It’s also very useful for cooking. The gas bottles in Anywhere Campers’ motorhomes are LPG and are filled at service/fuel stations.
There is no standard answer to this question as everyone uses gas differently. Of course, it also depends on the season you are travelling in. In summer, it is unlikely that you will be using gas for heating, so a gas bottle will last a lot longer if only being used for the fridge and showers. Often you can get around 14 days from one bottle. During winter, when heating is used often and hot water showers are favoured, a gas bottle may only last two to four days.
The use of LPG in the gas bottles in the Anywhere Campers motorhomes differs from some other motorhome companies where you have to swap out bottles. Using LPG gas means it is easier to refill. All you need to do is go to any service station with LPG/GPL pumps and fill it up. You can check locations and pricing on the MyLPG website.
No this is not necessary.
Yes! Regular readers of ours know just how important it is to us to have a good fridge that has plenty of space and operates properly. All Anywhere Campers fridges are built by the respected RV brand Thetford. The fridge/freezers have a capacity of approximately 140 litres and are operated by 230 volts and gas. The fridge will automatically switch to 230 volts (if plugged into 230-volt mains – e.g. in an official campground or aire) or gas.
Accessing charging outlets is very important in today’s travel world. In the motorhomes, there are two USB ports in the lamps located in the bedroom. Two ports are above the dining table and 2-3 in the driver’s cabin. The ports in the front cabin only work when the engine is running.
Yes. Even better, Anywhere Campers provide a 300-watt inverter as part of the package.
No, unfortunately, there is no solar provisions on these motorhomes.
You sure can. This is great news for travellers wanting to take their pets. There is also no restriction on the number or size of your pet. There is a €75 fee per rental.
An International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is not required however you must be licensed to drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes. A copy of your own country’s licence is acceptable.
You can cancel your bookings but be aware that there are penalties depending on the timing of your change. Check the terms and conditions.
No. While the terms of hiring a motorhome include additional drivers at no cost, all drivers must be over 23 years old and have held an appropriate driver’s licence for at least two years.
While travel to most western and European countries is possible, several exclusions exist. Travel to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, or Morocco is prohibited.
Motorhome resources
Click on the links below for more guides and tips to make travelling in a motorhome easier.
- Must-ask questions before hiring a motorhome in France
- Tips for planning a European motorhome itinerary
- What’s inside a campervan?
- Things to pack to make your motorhome life a breeze
- Tips for picking up a hired motorhome
- Tips for motorhome safety
- Comprehensive packing guide for motorhome road trips
- Do I need a crit air sticker for driving in France?
Motorhome itineraries to help you plan your next trip
As experienced motorhome travellers in France, we’ve made many trips. These are some of our favourite guides.
Southern France- two-week motorhome itinerary
Burgundy – 10-day motorhome itinerary
Exploring the Lot River and Lot Valley in southern France
South-West France 20-day motorhome itinerary
You can find more of our itineraries on our motorhome page.
Cross-country motorhome rental opens up so many possibilities for your travel itinerary. No longer confined to the same pickup and drop-off points, you can go as far as your imagination, budget, and time allow. We hope you have as much fun as we always do.
Book your flight: Flights are an important part of travel and we’re always looking for the best deals. If you can travel mid-week and be flexible, you’ll often find great deals on flights. We also use Skyscanner and Expedia for flight bookings. Dollar Flight Club is a great resource for getting special advance offers and even error fares directly to your inbox.
Book your accommodation: We all love to stay in different places, from the comfort of a self-contained apartment or house to a resort or luxury hotel. Sometimes we need something quick, easy and comfortable for an overnight stay.
We use all of the following online booking portals depending on where we want to stay and the type of accommodation we are looking for.
- VRBO and Stayz (in Australia) – great for holiday rentals of more than seven days and often have discounts for longer periods.
- Booking.com and Expedia – two of our favourites due to their cancellation and refund policies.
- Trip Advisor – perfect for getting reviews, checking availability and pricing comparisons all in one place.
Book your rental car or motorhome: We always use Discover Rental Cars anywhere in the world for car hire. Anywhere Campers is our preferred motorhome hiring company in Europe, especially if you want to be able to pickup and drop off at different locations (even countries) in Europe. If you’d like to buy your own motorhome in France, we use and recommend France Motorhome Sales. Use our code FMS1022 or tell John we sent you!
Book a tour: We travel independently, but when we do book we book them with reputable companies who have a great cancellation and refund policy. If you are looking for advance tickets to an attraction, group or private tours, we use and recommend Get Your Guide and Viator. Both have a great range of tours and flexible cancellation policies. If you are looking to do a food tour in Europe, we also recommend Eating Europe Tours.
Be covered: We always travel with travel insurance. We did it before the pandemic and it’s even more important for us to do so now. We use Cover-More in Australia. SafetyWing has great rates for travellers who are away from home for extended periods.
Be ready: Make sure you pack a few essentials: universal adaptor, power bank and noise-cancelling headphones
Disclaimer – Anywhere Campers did not remunerate Beer and Croissants to write this review. It is an independent review based on the facts of their one-way motorhome hire process, their payment process, insurance options and other inclusions. We have hired directly from Anywhere Campers ourselves, so we have first-hand experience and knowledge of how they operate. As always, these articles are written by us to help our readers who are usually hiring for the first time with some of the most important questions they should ask prior to signing contracts and handing over their hard-earned cash.
