Have you ever dreamed of waking up to a different view every morning? The mountains of Switzerland today, the beaches of Portugal tomorrow? That’s what pulled me into the world of motorhome travel. I’ve spent the last few years exploring Europe in my home on wheels, and the question I get asked most often is surprisingly practical: “How much does it actually cost?”
A camper van or motorhome trip through Europe isn’t just about the freedom and adventure—it’s also about understanding the financial side of things. When I first started planning, I searched everywhere for honest numbers about real expenses, not just idealized budgets. That’s exactly what I’m sharing with you today—the real, unfiltered costs based on my experiences.
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Buying vs. Renting a Camper Van: What Makes More Sense?
The very first question you’ll need to answer is whether to buy or rent your motorhome. This decision alone can shift your budget by thousands of euros.
Rental Costs Across Europe
If you’re planning a trip shorter than 3-4 months, renting usually makes more financial sense. Here’s what you can expect to pay during different seasons:
- Low season (November-March): €70-100 per day
- Shoulder season (April-June, September-October): €100-150 per day
- High season (July-August): €150-250+ per day
These prices vary dramatically based on:
- The size and luxury level of your motorhome
- Which country you’re renting from (Germany and France tend to be cheaper than Italy or Scandinavia)
- How far in advance you book
When I rented my first camper for a 3-week trip through France and Spain in the shoulder season, I paid €120 per day for a medium-sized vehicle—adding up to €2,520 for the rental alone.
Purchase Costs and Considerations
If your trip will last longer than 3-4 months, buying might be the better option. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you might spend:
- Used basic camper van: €25,000-40,000
- Used mid-range motorhome: €40,000-60,000
- New basic motorhome: €60,000-80,000
- New luxury motorhome: €80,000-150,000+
But buying comes with extra costs that renters don’t face:
- Insurance (€800-1,500 annually)
- Registration fees (varies by country, €200-500)
- Maintenance (plan for €1,000-2,000 annually)
- Depreciation (your vehicle will lose 10-20% of its value each year)
When I bought my own motorhome after falling in love with this lifestyle, I found a 5-year-old model for €45,000. I was able to sell it three years later for €35,000—meaning my “real” cost of ownership was about €10,000 plus the running costs.
Fuel Expenses: The Big Budget Item
Once you have your vehicle, fuel will likely be your largest ongoing expense. Motorhomes are thirsty beasts—there’s no way around it.
Average Fuel Consumption
In my experience:
- Smaller camper vans (under 6m): 10-12 liters/100km
- Medium motorhomes (6-7m): 12-14 liters/100km
- Large motorhomes (over 7m): 14-18 liters/100km
My 6.5m motorhome averaged about 13 liters/100km across varied European terrain.
Fuel Price Variations Across Europe
Fuel prices vary significantly across Europe. As of early 2025:
- Cheapest: Eastern Europe (Poland, Romania) at €1.35-1.50/liter
- Mid-range: Spain, Germany at €1.55-1.75/liter
- Expensive: Italy, France at €1.70-1.90/liter
- Very expensive: Scandinavia, Netherlands at €1.85-2.10/liter
For a typical 3-month European tour covering about 5,000km in a medium motorhome:
- Fuel consumption: ~650 liters
- Average cost: €1,100-1,300
Pro tip: I use apps like OPIS and Fuel Flash to find the cheapest fuel along my route. This has saved me hundreds of euros over longer trips.
Campsites and Overnight Parking: Where to Stay?
Where you sleep each night will significantly impact your budget. Europe offers everything from free wild camping spots to luxury campsites with all amenities.
Campsite Costs
- Basic campsites: €15-25 per night (includes electricity and basic facilities)
- Mid-range campsites: €25-40 per night (includes good facilities, maybe a pool)
- Luxury campsites: €40-60+ per night (all services, prime locations, sometimes including wellness centers)
High season prices can be 30-50% higher than these base rates.
Free and Low-Cost Options
- Aires de service (France) or Stellplätze (Germany): €0-15 per night
- Agriturismo/farm stays: €10-20 per night
- Wild camping: Free in countries where legal (Scotland, parts of Scandinavia)
During my travels, I’ve found a mix works best for both budget and experience:
- 40% of nights at aires or low-cost options (average €10)
- 40% at basic to mid-range campsites (average €30)
- 20% at nicer campsites when I need a good shower, laundry, etc. (average €45)
For a 90-day trip, this mix averages about €22 per night, totaling around €1,980 for accommodation.
Food and Groceries: Eating on the Road
Having your own kitchen is one of the best ways to save money while traveling in a motorhome.
Grocery Costs
Grocery prices vary across Europe:
- Least expensive: Eastern Europe, Portugal, Spain
- Mid-range: France, Germany, Italy
- Most expensive: Switzerland, Scandinavia, Iceland
Based on my experience, for two people:
- Budget cooking (mostly self-prepared meals): €300-400/month
- Moderate (mix of cooking and occasional eating out): €500-700/month
- Comfort (frequent local restaurants, better quality ingredients): €800-1000/month
I typically spend about €600/month on groceries and cooking supplies while traveling as a single person who enjoys good food but cooks most meals in the motorhome.
Restaurant Expenses
Eating out costs vary enormously, but here are some averages for mid-range establishments:
- Eastern Europe: €10-15 per person
- Southern Europe: €15-25 per person
- Western Europe: €20-30 per person
- Northern Europe/Switzerland: €25-40 per person
For a 3-month trip with one restaurant meal per week:
- 12 restaurant meals at average €25 per meal = €300
Activities, Attractions, and Sightseeing
While some of Europe’s best experiences are free—hiking in the Alps, swimming in the Mediterranean—others come with price tags.
Museum and Attraction Costs
- Major museums/attractions (Louvre, Colosseum): €15-25 per person
- Medium attractions (smaller museums, castles): €8-15 per person
- Small local attractions: €3-8 per person
City Cards and Passes
Many cities offer tourist cards that include public transportation and museum entries:
- Paris Museum Pass (2 days): €55
- Berlin Welcome Card (3 days): €34
- Rome Tourist Card: €75
I’ve found city cards are usually worth it if you plan to visit at least 3-4 attractions in a city.
For a 90-day trip with regular sightseeing, budget approximately:
- €400-600 for a moderately active sightseeing agenda
- €800-1,200 if you’re visiting many paid attractions
Tolls, Vignettes, and Road Taxes
European roads often come with fees, which add up quickly in a motorhome (which typically pays higher rates than cars).
Country-Specific Road Costs
- France: Extensive toll roads, expect €50-100 for crossing the country
- Italy: Similar to France with widespread toll roads
- Switzerland: Annual vignette of 40 CHF (about €38) for all highways
- Austria: €9.90 for a 10-day vignette for vehicles under 3.5 tons
- Portugal: €30-40 to cross the country using toll roads
For a 3-month trip covering multiple countries:
- Tolls and vignettes: €200-350 depending on route
Insurance and Healthcare Costs
Vehicle Insurance
If renting, comprehensive insurance typically costs €15-30 per day on top of the base rental price.
If using your own vehicle:
- Basic insurance: €800-1,200 per year
- Comprehensive coverage: €1,200-2,000 per year
- European breakdown cover: €150-300 per year
Health Insurance
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC): Free for EU citizens/residents
- Travel health insurance: €100-300 for a 3-month trip depending on coverage level and your age
Maintenance and Unexpected Repairs
No matter how well-prepared you are, things break on the road.
Routine Maintenance
- Oil changes: €100-150
- Tire rotation: €40-60
- Filter replacements: €80-150
Emergency Fund
I always set aside at least €1,000 for unexpected repairs. From personal experience, this has saved trips when:
- My water pump failed in rural Portugal (€280 to repair)
- A window got cracked in Italy (€350 to replace)
- The fridge stopped working in France (€420 to fix)
Internet and Communication
Staying connected is essential for most travelers today.
Mobile Data
Thanks to EU roaming regulations, you can use your domestic plan across the EU, but watch for fair use limitations. For abundant data:
- Local SIM cards: €15-30 per month for 50-100GB in most countries
- International eSIMs: €20-40 per month
- Starlink for RVs: €450 for hardware plus €50-130 monthly subscription
I use a combination of my home country SIM for basic connectivity and buy local data packages for intensive work periods.
Miscellaneous Expenses to Consider
These smaller costs add up over a long trip:
- Laundromats: €4-8 per load (€50-80 monthly)
- Propane/LPG refills: €20-40 every 2-3 weeks (€120-180 for 3 months)
- Public transportation in cities: €100-200 for a 3-month trip
- Showers at service stations (when not at campsites): €2-4 each
Complete Budget Breakdown for a 3-Month Europe Tour
Let’s put it all together for a medium-length trip in a medium-sized motorhome for two people:
Rental Scenario (3 months in shoulder season)
- Vehicle rental: €9,000 (€100/day average)
- Fuel: €1,200
- Accommodation: €1,980
- Food and groceries: €1,800
- Eating out: €300
- Attractions/entertainment: €600
- Tolls/vignettes: €250
- Insurance (included in rental): €0
- Internet/communications: €120
- Miscellaneous: €350
- Total: €15,600 (€5,200 per month or €2,600 per person per month)
Owner Scenario (3 months using your own motorhome)
- Vehicle depreciation: €1,250 (€15,000 annual depreciation ÷ 12 × 3)
- Vehicle insurance (prorated): €400
- Fuel: €1,200
- Accommodation: €1,980
- Food and groceries: €1,800
- Eating out: €300
- Attractions/entertainment: €600
- Tolls/vignettes: €250
- Health insurance: €150
- Maintenance budget: €400
- Internet/communications: €120
- Miscellaneous: €350
- Total: €8,800 (€2,933 per month or €1,467 per person per month)
The difference is striking—owning can be nearly 45% cheaper than renting for longer trips, even accounting for depreciation and maintenance.
See Also: Motorhome in Europe: How to Rent One for €1 a Day?
Money-Saving Tips From My Experience
After years on the road, I’ve learned ways to stretch my budget without sacrificing the experience:
- Travel in shoulder seasons (April-June and September-October) for better prices and fewer crowds
- Stay longer in each place to reduce fuel costs and take advantage of weekly campsite discounts
- Join camping clubs like ACSI or CampingCard for off-season discounts (up to 50%)
- Cook most meals but treat yourself to lunches rather than dinners (lunch menus are often 30-50% cheaper)
- Use apps like Park4Night and Campercontact to find free or low-cost overnight spots
- Plan routes to avoid toll roads when time permits
- Shop at local markets rather than supermarket chains
- Fill water and dump waste at free service points rather than paying at campsites
Is a Motorhome Trip Worth the Cost?
After breaking down all these expenses, you might wonder if a motorhome trip is worth it financially. Here’s my perspective after years of traveling this way:
Compared to other travel styles, motorhome travel offers a unique balance. It’s more expensive than backpacking or budget travel but significantly cheaper than staying in hotels and eating in restaurants for every meal.
What makes it worthwhile is the unique experience—waking up in national parks, having beach access before the crowds arrive, and the freedom to change plans on a whim.
For me, the value lies in combining transportation, accommodation, and kitchen in one package. Even with the considerable costs outlined above, I’ve found my per-day expenses comparable to mid-range travel while enjoying experiences impossible to have any other way.
Planning Your Own Budget
Your actual expenses will depend on countless personal factors:
- Your travel style (luxury vs. budget)
- The countries you visit (Northern vs. Southern or Eastern Europe)
- Season of travel
- Length of stay
- Number of travelers
- How often you move vs. stay put
Use my figures as a starting point, but adjust based on your preferences. I recommend adding a 10-15% buffer for unexpected expenses or spontaneous splurges—some of my best memories came from unplanned detours!
Key Takeaways
- Rental vs. Purchase: For trips under 3-4 months, renting usually makes more financial sense
- Biggest regular expenses: Fuel and accommodation will consume most of your ongoing budget
- Seasonal differences: Travel costs can vary by up to 50% between high and low seasons
- Regional variations: Northern and Western Europe generally cost 30-50% more than Southern and Eastern regions
- Flexibility pays: The ability to cook your own meals and choose free/low-cost overnight spots can dramatically reduce expenses
- Slower travel saves: Reducing daily distances cuts fuel costs and allows deeper experiences
Your motorhome journey through Europe will be as unique as you are. While the financial aspects matter, remember that the experiences—sunset views from mountaintops, conversations with locals in tiny villages, morning coffee by deserted beaches—these are the real returns on your investment.
Key Points Summary
• A 3-month motorhome trip through Europe costs approximately €15,600 when renting or €8,800 when using your own vehicle • Fuel consumption averages 12-14 liters/100km for medium-sized motorhomes • Accommodation options range from free overnight parking to luxury campsites (€0-60 per night) • Food expenses can be minimized by cooking in your motorhome kitchen • Traveling in shoulder seasons (spring/fall) can reduce overall costs by 30-40% • Country choice significantly impacts budget—Northern Europe costs up to 50% more than Southern/Eastern regions • Setting aside an emergency fund of at least €1,000 is essential for unexpected repairs • Slow travel (staying longer in each location) substantially reduces fuel costs • Joining camping clubs can provide discounts of 30-50% at participating campsites • The flexibility of motorhome travel allows for budget adjustments on the go.