Hire a campervan or motorhome for your UK road trip

Is campervan or motorhome hire right for your road trip?

Motorhome and campervan travel uniquely blend exploration with the comforts of home. It is a versatile way to journey across the UK, providing the freedom to set your own schedule, avoid hotel stays and travel comfortably no matter where you roam.

Whether you are on a spontaneous weekend escape or a carefully planned family road trip, travelling with a motorhome or campervan can bring convenience, flexibility and a stronger sense of immersion to the journey.

Freedom and flexibility

One of the biggest perks of hiring is how freely you can travel. You are not tied to hotel check-in times or fixed reservations, which makes it easier to adapt your journey to the weather, traffic or sudden discoveries along the way.

See a spectacular viewpoint? Stop and enjoy it. Want an early start or a lazy morning? Set your own pace. This freedom is one of the strongest reasons people choose a campervan or motorhome for a UK road trip.

Overnight options

Overnight options can include campsites, pub stops, aires-style stopovers, designated stopovers or almost-wild camping where permitted. A hire vehicle gives you the flexibility to tailor your route day by day, but you still need to plan responsibly.

For responsible overnight touring, also read the Motorcaravanners’ Code of Conduct and our guide to Forestry & Land Scotland’s Stay the Night scheme.

Campervan hire vs motorhome hire

A campervan is usually more compact, which can make it easier to drive, park and use on narrower roads. A motorhome usually offers more living space, storage and facilities, but it may need more careful route planning.

• Choose a campervan if you want flexibility, a smaller vehicle and simpler touring.
• Choose a motorhome if comfort, facilities and storage are more important for a longer journey.
• Choose carefully if you plan to visit historic towns, small villages, mountain roads, islands or areas with restricted parking.

Driving licence and vehicle weight

The licence you need to drive a motorhome depends on your age and the vehicle’s maximum authorised mass, often shortened to MAM. This is the vehicle’s weight plus the maximum load it can carry.

To drive a motorhome with a MAM of between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, you usually need a category C1 licence. To drive a motorhome with a MAM over 7.5 tonnes, you need a category C licence. Check what vehicles you can drive on the GOV.UK vehicle licence guidance.

If your driving licence is for an automatic vehicle only, you either need to hire an automatic vehicle or check the rules around upgrading your licence. GOV.UK has guidance on automatic and manual driving licences.

Insurance, deposits and driver requirements

Check who is allowed to drive, whether extra drivers are included, the insurance excess, the deposit, any age restrictions and whether the hire company needs proof of recent driving experience.

Some providers may refer unusual cases to their insurer, for example where a driver is young, older, newly licensed or has limited experience with larger vehicles. It can be useful to explain any previous experience driving vans, motorhomes or larger vehicles.

Travel seats, berths and child seats

Motorhomes can provide more berths than travel seats. If this is the case, the vehicle can only legally carry the number of people equal to the number of belted travel seats, not the number of beds.

Always ask how many belted travel seats there are. Never carry passengers without a seatbelt. If travelling with children, ask about child seat arrangements and check what you need to bring yourself.

Size, layout and day-to-night configuration

Think carefully about the balance between ease of driving, parking and fuel efficiency versus the space needed for your group. A larger vehicle may offer more room, but it can become cumbersome on narrow roads, in villages or in car parks.

Smaller campervans can still offer clever layouts and useful facilities. For longer road trips with several stops, think about whether an awning is practical, how much luggage you need, and whether a larger vehicle will feel worth the extra cost and size.

Ask how quick it is to change from daytime to night-time use. Some beds are made from boards, cushions and poles stored around the van. Permanent beds are easier but take up more space. Also ask where bedding is stored and how easy it is to make up the bed at the end of the day.

Equipment and comfort

Check whether bedding, kitchen equipment, outdoor chairs, levelling ramps, bike racks, awnings, child seats or pet equipment are included. Small omissions can make a big difference once you are on the road.

• Storage: consider luggage, food, coats, walking boots and wet-weather gear.
• Cooking: check fridge size, hob setup and water storage.
• Bathroom facilities: decide whether you need a toilet or shower onboard.
• Heating: especially useful for spring, autumn, Scotland, Wales, coastal routes and upland regions.

Plan routes that suit larger vehicles

Campervans and motorhomes can be wonderful for touring, but they are not the same as driving a car. Height, width, weight, turning space and parking restrictions can all affect the journey.

Bigger vehicles need different navigation help from regular cars. Height, width and weight limits can dramatically influence your route. Read our guide to motorhome sat navs before setting off.

Drive efficiently and comfortably

How you drive is just as important as what vehicle you choose. Gentle acceleration, stable speeds, well-timed breaks and careful route planning can help reduce fuel use and make the journey calmer.

For practical advice, read our fuel efficient driving tips.

Match your hire vehicle with a road trip guide

The best vehicle is the one that works for your route. Choose a road trip guide that suits your vehicle size, travel pace, overnight plans and confidence level.

You can browse our UK road trip guides or start with the wider Find a Vehicle page if you are still comparing car hire, campervan hire, motorhome hire, buying and conversions.