The Ultimate Guide to Campervan Rental
Are you dreaming of a campervan vacation? Well, you’re not the only one.
There’s something magical about travelling across the world in a camper. It turns any road trip into an adventure as you cruise through the mesmerizing landscapes and sleep under the stars, living your van life to the fullest.
To experience that, however, you need a campervan. The problem is that buying one doesn’t often make any financial sense. In some scenarios, renting a campervan is a much more cost-efficient and sensible alternative.
However, campervan rental isn’t as straightforward as some believe. Indeed, it requires a lot of consideration and research.
If you’re unsure where to start, this guide will answer all your questions regarding renting a campervan, including finding the best van rental company.
Why Rent a Campervan?
There’s an ongoing debate regarding buying or renting a campervan. In theory, buying a van looks like a good, long-term investment. In reality, it can quickly become a massive burden.
Think about it. If you buy a campervan, which alone is incredibly expensive, you must then purchase the appropriate insurance, find a place to park it, perform regular maintenance, pay for repairs… the list goes on.
Of course, if you intend to embark on several-month campervan trips each year, then buying makes sense. We assume that’s not the case if you’re reading this guide.
Therefore, van rental is a much more sensible option.
First, it’s cheaper. Renting a campervan can cost as low as $200 per day. A much more cost-efficient alternative to a multi-thousand dollar campervan when going on a two-week trip.
Secondly, it’s a much better option for people new to campervanning. Think about it. You’ve never been to a campervan road trip before. What if you don’t like it as much as you’d thought?
Ending up with a camper you will never use again is not the best-case scenario. Sure, you can sell it, but not without a loss.
And finally, if you’d like to eventually invest in a campervan, rental offers an opportunity to test various vans, helping you decide on the one that’s best for you.
How to Find the Best RV Rental Company?
Once you decide to rent a campervan for your big trip, you must then rent one.
On paper, it’s plain and simple. However, with the increasing popularity of van life, there are oodles of RV rental companies and platforms. And these aren’t created equal, with each agency or platform offering different types of campervans, prices, renting policies, etc.
That makes choosing one overwhelming, especially if you’re new to campervanning. Worry not. We’ll provide you with a list of our favorite van rental companies in a sec.
But before that, let’s take a closer look at what to consider when selecting one:
- Range of campervans. How many campervans are there available for rental? Although quantity shouldn’t overwhelm quality, the more types of RVs are available, the better, providing you with more flexibility.
- Rental costs. Obviously, the price plays a significant role in selecting the right van rental agency. Compare rental rates to see whether they fit your budget, but be careful with suspiciously low rates.
- Rental conditions. Pay attention to rental policies and restrictions, such as a minimum rental duration, mileage limits, and cancellation policies. Be also sure to check whether there are any additional fees and charges.
- Insurance coverage. Reputable rental agencies provide comprehensive insurance packages for their rented RVs. Be sure to ask about any details to ensure there aren’t any hidden costs or conditions to be met.
- Customer support. You should be able to contact a rental agency whenever you need help. Pay attention to that and ensure the company you rent from RV is always available to assist you.
Based on these criteria and our personal experience with campervan rentals, we compiled our list of top RV rental companies and sites from Europe, the US, and internationally.
The Best Campervan Rental Companies & Sites
Outdoorsy – Our Top US Pick
If your dream has always been to travel the States in a campervan, Outdoorsy can help you achieve it. Described as the “Airbnb for RV rentals,” Outdoorsy is like a breath of fresh air in the crowded RV rental marketplace.
How does it work?
Outdoorsy is an online RV peer-to-peer rental platform where motorhome owners can list their vehicles.
To find your campervan, you must simply type the details of your trip (where, when, and with who you will be traveling) into the search. You’ll then be provided with a list of available RVs that best suit your requirements.
You can then browse through the available offers and find the one that seems right for you. The whole process is extremely straightforward, and the platform has multiple filtering options that allow users to find what they are looking for quickly.
Rental rates and policies
Rental rates at Outdoorsy depend on the type of vehicle you want to rent, your location, additional amenities, and the duration of your rental.
Still, they offer some of the most competitive rates we’ve ever seen, with average rental costs ranging from $100 to $300 per day.
Outdoorsy also offers a liability insurance policy of up to $1 million, and their customer support is one of the best in the industry.
Pros:
- Competitive rental rates, with average costs of around $100-$300 per night
- An extensive selection of available campervans
- Rental available across the US
- Comprehensive liability coverage of up to $1 million
- Intuitive platform
- Reliable customer service
- Large and trustworthy RV community
Cons:
- Only available in the US
- Since it’s a peer-to-peer platform, the rental might not be as shiny and polished as when renting from a professional agency
Yescapa – Best European RV Rental Platform
Online since 2012, Yescapa is a French RV rental marketplace with the largest selection of campervans in Europe. Simply put, it’s the European counterpart of Outdoorsy, which alone speaks volumes about Yescapa.
How does it work?
The whole renting process looks similar to the one at Outdoorsy. You can search available RVs for rent by selecting your location and rental period.
With Yescapa being one of the most popular rental services in Europe, you can rest assured that there’s an RV for rent near your location. There are thousands of available rental offers, ranging from large and modern motorhomes to smaller, vintage RVs.
Once you find the offer that suits your needs, simply proceed with your booking request and complete your reservation.
Rental rates and policies
Similar to Outdoorsy, Yescapa offers some of the best rental pricing options available. Usually, you should expect to pay around $100-200 for a rental per day, although there are tons of deals where rental rates fall even below that.
Of course, the exact rental rates depend on the location, the type of vehicle you want to rent, and your rental duration. There are also daily kilometer packages, which state how many kilometers a day you can travel.
Besides competitive rates, Yescapa also provides its users with insurance and breakdown assistance. Their customer service is also rapid and very helpful.
If you want to travel through Europe, Yescapa should be your #1 RV rental service.
Pros:
- The largest selection of available campervans for rent in Europe
- Excellent rental rates
- Reliable and responsive customer service
- Available across multiple European locations, including France, Portugal, Italy, the UK, and Germany
- Insurance and breakdown assistance included
- Frequent deals and discounts
Cons:
- Still unavailable in several European countries
- Like Outdoorsy, it’s a peer-to-peer RV marketplace, meaning not all rentals are as reliable and polished as some may expect
Indie Campers – Our Favorite International Rental Site
With Outdoorsy focusing on the US and Yescapa on Europe, Indie Campers takes it a step further, listing RV rental offers from North America, Europe, and Oceania.
How does it work?
The platform is incredibly intuitive and rapidly fast. We were able to find exactly what we were looking for in a matter of seconds.
Like Outdoorsy and Yescapa, Indie Campers provides an extensive list of available offers. To find the ones that suit you best, simply type in your starting destination and start/end date. The algorithm will do the rest.
You can then browse the available options. Every offer is very detailed, providing you with all the information you need to make a responsible choice.
Rental rates and policies
Again, the exact cost of your campervan rental will depend on the location, vehicle, and rental period. However, you shouldn’t expect to pay more than $100-200 per day.
What’s great about Indie Campers is that they offer excellent deals and discounts on various trips. For instance, you can travel from Munich to Rome for as low as $6 per night! And no, that’s not a scam.
Furthermore, with Indie Campers pick-up centers spread across Europe, Australia, and the US, you aren’t forced to drive the campervan back to your original location.
Indie Camper also offers flexible cancellations and provides comprehensive insurance.
Is there a better international RV rental service than Indie Campers? We haven’t found one yet.
Pros:
- Extensive marketplace with thousands of available rental offers
- Excellent rental rates
- Exclusive deals and discounts on numerous trips
- One-way trips available
- Pick-up centers spread across Europe, the US, and Australia
- Flexible cancellation option (cancel your booking even 72 hours before your trip)
- Super reliable customer support
Cons:
- Many offers have strict daily km limits
- Deals often have additional fees and charges
Renting a Campervan for Your Trip: Tips & Best Practices
Finding that perfect RV rental platform is only the beginning. Once you know where to rent from, it’s time to select the best offer for your trip.
We’ve compiled a list of some renting tips and best practices based on our experience with van rentals. Here’s what to consider when renting a campervan for your dream trip:
Select the Right Vehicle
You can go for a small RV, a larger campervan, or a comprehensive motorhome.
The first two aren’t usually as well-equipped as motorhomes, which are like homes on wheels, but they are easier to drive, use less fuel, and can be parked almost anywhere.
They are also cheaper, but if you go on a longer trip in a larger group, they may not offer enough room and amenities.
Think about your needs and select the vehicle that best fits them and your budget.
Do Your Research
Take your time to compare various options. Look at the rates and conditions various people offer. For instance, some offers may look incredibly cheap but come with strict limits on how many kilometers you can travel a day.
Look at each listing carefully and compare these offers to get a better idea of which one is really the best. Be also sure to read the reviews other users post to ensure you’re dealing with a trustworthy offer.
Hunt for Deals & Discounts
All the best RV rental platforms and agencies offer frequent deals and discounts. Indie Campers, for example, offers trip packages under $10 per day.
You might also find discounts for new users or period deals during specific times of the year. Be on the lookout for them, but read the T&Cs carefully. Not every deal is as good as it might seem at first glance.
Key Takeaways
And that’s about it. Here’s everything you need to know about renting a campervan for your dream road trip.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to consider before going through with your RV rental. However, once you find a reputable marketplace and decide on the type of vehicle you wish to rent, everything should go smoothly.
Be sure to think about your needs, destination, and budget. Then, find the offer that best suits your requirements and do your research to ensure you understand how rental rates work and what policies are included in the offer.
And with that final word, let’s wrap up today’s guide. Safe travels!
FAQs
How much does it cost to rent a campervan?
That depends on numerous factors, such as the rental platform, the type of vehicle you want to rent, your location, demand, and rental duration. On average, a campervan rental costs around $100-300 per day, although many agencies and marketplaces offer great discounts and deals that can lower these costs.
Is it better to rent or buy a campervan?
That depends. Renting is definitely much more cost-efficient if you intend to go on a short trip once in a while or a 2/3-week road trip per year. In such instances, buying a campervan can soon become a financial burden.
On the other hand, if you intend to travel a lot, several times a year, buying an RV, despite its high costs, will become an excellent long-term investment.
What is the best road trip van rental company?
Outdoorsy, Yescapa, and Indie Campers are all excellent van rental marketplaces. The first two focus on the US and Europe, respectively, whereas Indie Campers is an international rental platform with multiple pick-up locations across Europe, the US, and Oceania.
What is the best place to travel to in a campervan?
There’s no good answer to that question. That’s the beauty of campervan road trips. Wherever you go, you can expect your trip to become a magical experience, be it Europe, North America, or Australia.
