Camper or Hotel with Rental Car – Which Is More Affordable?
If you're planning a long-distance trip to Australia, New Zealand, the USA or Canada and want to explore as much of the country as possible, you’ll likely face one key decision: Do I travel flexibly in a camper, or do I favour hotels with a rental car?
In the end, these two travel styles differ not only in comfort and flexibility, but also in terms of total costs.
That’s where the CamperDays comparison study comes in:
Our goal is to find out which travel style is more affordable overall. We take a closer look at four popular road trip destinations – Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada – and compare total costs for both high and low season.
Our Approach
The main focus of this study is a direct comparison of costs – from vehicle rental to fuel consumption to overnight stays. Based on our findings, we not only identify clear conclusions on cost efficiency but also provide general travel planning tips.
We looked at average rental periods, driving distances and vehicle rental prices in the four most popular long-haul camping destinations. From there, we calculated the average total price for trips in both high and low season.
Our cost model includes:
Vehicle rental: Average prices for the most frequently booked campers and rental cars (including commonly selected extras like GPS and basic insurance packages).
Overnight stays: Average prices for a double room in a 3-star hotel, and for campsites with water and power connections.
Fuel costs: Based on average distances, current fuel prices (petrol/diesel, 2024–2025), and the typical fuel consumption of the most booked vehicle models.
Details on data sources and methodology can be found at the end of the study.
Australia
From tropical beaches to red desert landscapes – Australia’s sheer diversity makes it a classic road trip destination. Thanks to its well-developed camping infrastructure, many travellers choose a camper here. It lets you explore the Outback at your own pace, on your own terms.
Avg. travel duration: 19 days
Avg. distance: 2,300 km
Diesel price: €1.01 / litre
Most booked model: Mighty Double Up (up to 4 people)
Top rental provider: Mighty Camper (part of the THL Group)
Rental prices for campers in Australia are currently more stable than in previous years. In high season, travellers pay only about 20% more than in low season.
Want to save even more? National parks are significantly cheaper than private sites. However, they usually offer only basic amenities, so the best option is a camper with its own shower and toilet.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an outdoor lover’s dream and best explored by camper. With its strong infrastructure and a wide range of campsites and services, it’s a great destination for independent travellers seeking nature and flexibility – whether you're on the volcanic North Island or alpine South Island.
Avg. travel duration: 22 days
Avg. distance: 1,300 km
Diesel price: €1.01 / litre (+ diesel tax per 100 km)
Most booked model: Mighty Double Up
Top rental provider: Mighty Camper
Long road trips through New Zealand are up to 30% cheaper in low season compared to hotel-plus-car combos.
But demand increases in high season – and so do camper daily prices: up to 3x higher than in low season. During this time, the hotel and rental car option can be around 20% cheaper.
Still, it’s worth looking for savings: Freedom Camping is allowed under certain conditions. Your vehicle must be certified self-contained – meaning you can manage for at least 3 days without external supplies (wastewater, drinking water, toilet). Many rental providers already offer these.
Looking for classic campgrounds? Government-run DOC campsites are affordable, though simple – but often right in the middle of breathtaking scenery.
USA
The US is tailor-made for road trips – thanks to its massive size and iconic routes like Route 66 or the Pacific Coast Highway. From stunning national parks to cultural diversity and great campground networks, it's one of the top global destinations for camper travel.
Avg. travel duration: 19 days
Avg. distance: 2,500 km
Petrol price: €0.85 / litre
Most booked model: C-25 by Cruise America (for 4 adults + 1 toddler)
In the low season, campers save around 15% compared to hotel-and-car setups – especially on long trips where flexibility is key.
In high season, however, camper rental prices double. That makes hotels and rental cars about 12% cheaper for the same trip.
Want to cut costs? Campgrounds in State and National Parks are cheap, but offer only basic services. You'll need a self-contained RV (with toilet/shower). Private campgrounds are more comfortable – and pricier.
Canada
Canada’s epic wilderness – from endless forests and pristine lakes to majestic mountains – is best experienced on wheels. With stunning roads stretching from the Rockies to Niagara Falls, and plenty of campgrounds along the way, it’s a dream for RV travellers.
Avg. travel duration: 18 days
Avg. distance: 2,000 km
Petrol price: €1.16 / litre
Most booked model: C-25 by Cruise Canada
In low season, a camper holiday in Canada is around 28% cheaper than staying in hotels with a rental car.
In high season, though, RV prices triple – while hotels also get more expensive, the spike is much sharper for campers. At this point, a hotel-and-car combo may be the cheaper option.
Campground prices vary by location and amenities. State-run sites are more affordable than private ones, but simpler. Costs also rise near big cities or tourist hotspots.
Summary: Camping Pays Off – Especially in the Off-Season
So – camper or hotel, which is the better deal? Our study shows there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Camper costs are heavily impacted by the vehicle rental, but you can save big on accommodation. Hotel travellers face the opposite: cheaper cars, pricier stays.
In some countries – like Australia – campers are even cheaper than hotels during high season. But across all countries, the biggest savings potential for campers lies in the low season. Travellers also benefit from milder weather and fewer crowds at must-see spots.
Country-by-country insights:
Biggest price swings between seasons: New Zealand and Canada – up to 3x more expensive for RVs in high season.
Summer price jumps: In the US, camper rental prices double – more sharply than hotels or cars.
Top savings: In New Zealand, RV trips are ~30% cheaper in low season than hotel+car; in Canada it’s ~28%.
Notes on the CamperDays Comparison Study
All values are average estimates. Depending on the number of travellers, actual prices can vary significantly.
Overnight stays are a key factor: we based our research on 3-star hotel double rooms and campsites with power and water. Both travel styles offer extra savings with cheaper options:
Hotel travellers might go for motels or hostels.
RV travellers can stay on simpler or even free sites.
Travel Scenarios
The study is based on average bookings for two people. But many budget-friendly campers sleep up to four – meaning lower costs per person with more passengers. In contrast, group hotel stays often mean more rooms = higher costs.
Example scenarios with 4-berth campers:
Couple (2 adults)
Couple + child
Group of 3 adults
Group of 4 adults
Family with 2 kids
Family with 2 kids + toddler
The more travellers per camper, the cheaper the trip per person. For families or small groups, camper travel is usually more cost-effective than booking multiple hotel rooms.
Other Costs & Saving Opportunities
Food and tolls weren’t included in the study due to variability – but cooking in a camper often costs much less than eating out. A big plus for campers!
Also worth considering: early-bird discounts and last-minute deals for both hotels and RVs.
More Than Just Price: What’s Right for You?
The better option isn’t just about cost. It depends on your preferences, travel style, and desired comfort and flexibility.
Camper trips are great for travellers who:
Love spending time in nature (e.g. hiking, biking)
Value spontaneity and flexible planning
Enjoy cooking and eating independently
Travel as a family or group and want to stay together
In an RV, you're immersed in nature, set your own pace, and stay independent.
Ask yourself:
Am I more interested in nature or city exploration?
How important is daily flexibility?
Do I prefer self-catering or the comfort of hotels?
If you’ll mostly visit cities and museums, and want easy parking and fixed lodgings, a hotel+rental car might be the better fit. But for active, outdoor-loving travellers who want to grill under the stars – a camper is hard to beat.
Our Data
To deliver a solid and comparable cost analysis, we used a well-documented and methodologically sound approach. All prices reflect seasonal and regional averages, covering key tourist regions per country.
Overnight Costs
We recorded 20 hotel prices per country for both seasons, across various regions. We also used data from global travel cost platforms like budgetyourtrip.com.
For camper travellers, we analyzed 20 campsites per country per season, focusing on basic facilities. In New Zealand and Canada, we used smaller samples and adjusted prices based on similar trends seen in Australia and the USA.
Vehicle Rental
Rental prices for cars and RVs were based on 80 offers per country, covering popular models in major cities. We included seasonal samples to reflect pricing fluctuations.
Fuel Costs
Fuel prices were collected from national comparison platforms over the past six months. Consumption was calculated using average values for each country's most popular camper and a typical rental car average.