Travelling by campervan is a great way to get around while backpacking. You have the freedom of the open road ahead of you to go where you want, when you want, and you don’t have to worry about finding accommodation. But, unless you have your own campervan which you are driving from home, you will either have to rent or buy one when you are abroad. Both of which can be expensive. However, there is a third option and this is a campervan relocation. But what is a campervan relocation, how do they work and how can you find one that fits in with your trip?
What is a campervan relocation?
Campervan rental companies have many depots dotted around the country and possibly the world. This makes it easier for travellers to pick up and drop off their rented campervan in whatever location suits them. The problem is that campervans will often be rented in one destination and dropped off in another, leaving the rental companies with a surplus of vans in one location and not enough in another. This means they need to get these vans back to where they belong but sending a paid employee to fly across the country and spend days driving it back can be costly and time consuming. This is where campervan relocations come in.
A campervan relocation is where a van is driven from one location to another by a member of the public. The rental companies offer their campervans for free (or a small fee) as an incentive for someone to drive it across the country for them within a set period of time.
Why choose a campervan relocation?
A campervan relocation is a cheaper alternative to hiring a campervan. Usually, the only thing you have to pay for is the van insurance, often the hiring of the van and the fuel will be free. Even if there is a small fee to hire the van, it will be considerably cheaper than a normal campervan hire.
How do campervan relocations work?
Rental companies will advertise what campervan relocations they have available. They will specify the start and end locations and the number of days you have to complete the journey. They will also state the type of campervan you will receive or the size of the van, so that you know how many people it will fit. There should also be a breakdown of the fees listing how much it will be per day, and whether fuel or insurance is included. Some will also offer the option of paying extra if you want to extend the length of journey past the number of designated days. If you see a route which suits you, you just contact the company to request that relocation. They will confirm if it is still available and if so, will give you the collection information.
When collecting, you will be asked for some photo ID such as a passport and also your driving licence. They usually take a deposit or bond from you which you will get back as long as the campervan is returned in a good condition. They will discuss various levels of insurance cover with you and confirm any fees you will be expected to pay. Then the vehicle will checked, you will be shown the basics of how it works and you will be given the keys ready to set off on your road trip adventure.
Pros and cons of campervan relocations
Pros of campervan relocations
- Cheaper than renting or buying a campervan
- Extras such as fuel, tolls, or ferry crossings are sometimes included
- Don’t have to worry about finding accommodation every night. Saves money on hotels or hostels
- Can stay in beautiful off the beaten track locations
- Sometimes get a large or very high end campervan with amenities such as a toilet or shower
- Have support should things go wrong e.g. breaking down
- Don’t have to worry about selling the campervan after you have finished with it
- Less restricted compared with public transport
- Can travel with a group of people in the larger vans
- Much more of an experience compared with taking public transport
Cons of campervan relocations
- Limited time to get to your destination
- Have to travel a set route
- Limited choice on departure date or locations
- May still have to pay for fuel and insurance, so public transport may work out cheaper
- Have to stick to rental rules e.g. may not be able to drive at night in certain areas
- Little choice over type of campervan
- Being stuck in a small space with your travel companion can cause arguments. Or, if travelling alone, it can get lonely
- Often there is a minimum age on hiring a campervan. Normally this is 21 or 25.
- There is often a restriction on the number of miles you can travel
- The deposit/bond can be quite expensive, so you need to ensure you have the funds or a credit card to cover it
How to find a campervan relocation?
Googling ‘campervan relocations’ followed by the country you are in should show options of companies who offer relocations. I did several campervan relocations in Australia using Britz and Apollo. Both companies were very good and would recommend. We did one route from Broome in Western Australia to Darwin. A second from Darwin to Adelaide and then one from Adelaide to Melbourne, travelling via the Great Ocean Road. If you are struggling to find any in your area, then it might be worth contacting campervan rental companies directly to see if any offer relocations.
Campervan relocation examples
Here are a few examples of campervan relocations to give you an idea of what types of journeys are available around the world.*
Transfer car
- Country – New Zealand
- Pick up location – Christchurch airport
- Drop off location – Auckland airport
- Number of days – 4 days
- Additional nights allowed – Yes. NZ$50 (£22/$23) per day
- Distance allowed – 1350 kms
- Price – NZ$1 (£0.44/$0.59) per day (plus fuel)
- Type of van – 4 berth Hitop – suitable for 4 adults
- Extras included – Free ferry crossing for the vehicle and driver
- Driver restrictions – Minimum age 21 and full driving licence
Bunk Campers
- Country – UK and Ireland
- Pick up location – London, UK
- Drop off location – Dublin or Belfast
- Number of days – 5 nights
- Additional nights allowed – Yes. Standard nightly charge
- Distance allowed – Unlimited
- Price – £250 ($337)
- Type of van – Mystery 2, 4 or 5
- Extras included – Insurance, ferry crossing
- Driver restrictions – Must be ages 21-79 with a full licence held for more than 2 years
Imoova
- Country – Finland
- Pick up location – Rovaniemi
- Drop off location – Helsinki
- Number of days – 3 + 1 days
- Additional nights allowed – Yes. €100.00 (£87/$117) per day
- Distance allowed – Unlimited
- Price – €1.00 (£0.86/$1.20) per day
- Type of van – 5 berth motorhome
- Extras included – Airport transfers, insurance, 24/7 road assistance, shower and toilet
- Driver restrictions – Full category B driving licence needed
El Monte RV
- Country – USA
- Pick up location – Miami, Florida
- Drop off location – Chicago, Illinois
- Number of days – Max 8
- Additional nights allowed – Unknown
- Distance allowed – 1400 miles
- Price – $552.90 (£410)
- Type of van – El Monte RV Class C 27-29ft – sleeps 6
- Extras included – 24/7 road side assistant, toilet, shower, stove
- Driver restrictions – Unknown
Not sure if campervan relocations are for you? Want to know what other ways there are to get around while travelling? Then check out our budget transport post to find alternative cheap transport options.
*Disclaimer: These are examples of campervan relocations to give an idea of the type of journeys, companies and prices which are available. I have not used these specific companies, so do your own research prior to booking any relocation. Prices and exchange rate correct as of July 2025. Prices and relocation specifics including mileage, type of van and ‘extras included’ are a rough guide based on advertised relocation. Date of travel, number of people, insurance cover level, type of van and other factors can affect the price, so check the fine print before booking.
