Multi-currency & travel: How much does a campervan holiday cost? A week's budget
A campervan holiday budget covers the van hire, fuel, campsites, food and extras like insurance and gas. In a worked example, a week in a hired campervan for two costs about 1,500.
By Wealtie Team · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- A campervan holiday budget covers van hire, fuel, campsites, food and extras.
- In a worked example, a week for two in a hired campervan costs about 1,500.
- Van hire is the biggest cost, and it's much cheaper outside the summer holidays.
- Cooking in the van and fewer miles each day keep the cost down.
What goes into a campervan holiday budget?
A campervan holiday can feel cheap because you're not paying for hotels, but the costs add up. Van hire is the biggest item, followed by fuel and campsites. Food is usually cheaper than on other holidays, because you can cook in the van. In a worked example, a week for two in a hired campervan costs about 1,500, or 750 each. Owning your own van changes the sums completely, since you swap hire costs for running costs all year.
Prices vary a lot by country, season and the size of the van, so treat the example as a starting point and get quotes for your own trip.
What does a week in a campervan cost?
Here's a worked example for two people hiring a small campervan for a week, in round numbers that work in any currency:
| Cost | For the week |
|---|---|
| Van hire and insurance | 700 |
| Fuel | 250 |
| Campsites | 250 |
| Food | 200 |
| Extras | 100 |
| Total | 1,500 |
A larger van, a longer route or a trip in the peak summer weeks can push this much higher. A short trip close to home outside the holidays can cost much less.
What are the main campervan costs?
Van hire and insurance
The biggest cost, and the one that changes most with the season. Hiring in spring or autumn is often far cheaper than in summer. Check what the insurance covers and how much the excess is, since a small scrape can be expensive. Ask what's included, too: bedding, kitchen kit, chairs and a gas bottle may cost extra.
Fuel
Campervans use more fuel than a car. Plan a route that doesn't cover huge distances every day. Driving fewer miles also means more time enjoying where you are. How to save money on gas has tips for driving more efficiently.
Campsites
A pitch with electricity and showers costs more than a basic one. Mixing campsites with cheaper stopovers, where they're allowed, brings the cost down. Rules on overnight parking and wild camping vary a lot, so check before you go.
Food and extras
Cooking in the van keeps food costs low. Budget for a few meals out, plus extras like gas, parking, ferry crossings, tolls and activities.
How do you keep a campervan holiday cheap?
- Travel outside the school holidays, when hire prices drop.
- Book early, especially for summer.
- Plan a shorter route with fewer long driving days.
- Cook most meals in the van and shop at supermarkets.
- Mix full-service campsites with simpler, cheaper ones.
- Share the van with friends, if it sleeps more than two.
Pack to save
Bring your own bedding, towels, camping chairs and kitchen basics if the hire company charges for them. Stock up on food, drinks and snacks at a supermarket before you set off, rather than buying at campsite shops and motorway services, where prices are higher. A cool box, a refillable water bottle and a flask for coffee save small amounts every day that add up over a week.
Driving abroad
Taking a van abroad adds ferry or tunnel crossings, tolls and sometimes extra insurance or breakdown cover. Fuel prices can also differ a lot between countries. Add these to the budget before you book, since a crossing alone can cost as much as several nights on a campsite.
Is it cheaper than a normal holiday?
It can be. You combine transport and accommodation, and you cook for yourself. But a hired campervan in summer can cost as much as a hotel trip once fuel and campsites are added. Compare the full cost, not only the hire price. The camping trip budget covers a cheaper option with a tent, and the staycation budget covers holidays closer to home.
What about buying a campervan?
Owning a van means insurance, tax, servicing, storage and repairs all year, plus the money tied up in the van itself. It can make sense if you'll use it many weeks a year. For one or two trips, hiring is usually cheaper. Hire one first to see whether van life suits you before buying.
How do you save for a campervan holiday?
Divide the total by the months until you go. For a trip costing 1,500 in six months, that's 250 a month. How to save for a vacation covers setting up a plan.
How do you track a campervan holiday in Wealtie?
Add a travel category to your expense categories and set a budget for the trip, so you can see what you've spent on fuel, campsites and food as you go. If you're driving abroad, log costs in the local currency, and Wealtie converts them with multi-currency support.
Questions people ask
In a worked example, a week for two in a hired campervan costs about 1,500, covering hire, fuel, campsites, food and extras.
Van hire is usually the biggest cost, and it's much higher in the summer holidays.
It can be, because transport and accommodation are combined and you cook for yourself, but compare the full cost including fuel and campsites.
Hire if you'll use it for one or two trips a year. Buying makes sense only if you'll use it often, since owning one costs money all year.
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.
