Campervan vs Motorhome: Which Should You Rent?

The Short Answer

Rent a campervan if:

You want to park easily in cities

Budget matters (cheaper to rent and fuel)

You're traveling as a couple or solo

You plan to drive a lot and sleep less

Rent a motorhome if:

Comfort is priority over mobility

You're traveling with kids

You plan to stay put at campsites

You want a proper bathroom and shower

Size Categories

Campervans (5-6m): VW California, Mercedes Marco Polo, converted vans. Drives like a large car. Parks in normal spots.

Compact motorhomes (6-7m): Profiles and low-profiles. More living space but trickier to park. Usually need B license.

Large motorhomes (7m+): A-class/integrated. Full bathroom, separate bedroom. May need C1 license if over 3.5 tons.

Price Comparison

Average summer rates in the Netherlands:

TypePer DayPer Week

|------|---------|----------|

Campervan90-130 EUR550-800 EUR

Compact motorhome110-160 EUR700-1,000 EUR

Large motorhome150-220 EUR950-1,400 EUR

Fuel costs: Campervans use 9-11 L/100km. Large motorhomes use 12-16 L/100km. At 1.90 EUR/L diesel, that's 50+ EUR extra per 500km for a big rig.

Living Space

Campervan: One room does everything. Bed converts from seating. Cooking is cozy. Two people fit comfortably, three is tight.

Motorhome: Separate areas for sleeping, cooking, lounging. Fixed bed means no daily conversion. Bathroom you can actually turn around in.

For trips under a week, campervan space is fine. For longer trips, motorhome comfort starts to matter.

Practical Differences

Parking:

Campervans fit in normal parking spots

Motorhomes need truck parking or designated areas

Historic town centers often ban vehicles over 6m

Fuel stations:

Campervans fit under any canopy

Motorhomes need truck lanes or outdoor pumps

Ferries:

Campervans pay car rates

Motorhomes pay by length (often 2-3x more)

Tolls:

Same rate in most EU countries

France charges more for vehicles over 3m height

Our Recommendation

First-time renters: start with a campervan. You'll learn the basics without the stress of maneuvering a 7-meter vehicle through narrow European streets.

Once you know you enjoy the lifestyle, upgrade to a motorhome for longer trips where comfort matters more than mobility.