The daily rate in a campervan listing is only the start of the bill. Add a bedding pack, a kitchen kit, a second driver, a bike rack and a few more things, and a cheap-looking van can end up costing more than a dearer one that includes them. This guide is about campervan hire extras: which ones we would pay for, which we would skip and how to compare the true total before you book.

It is a general guide, not a quote. Every rental company has its own list and prices, and they change by country and season, so we do not give exact fees. Instead we explain the questions to ask. If you are new to campervan hire, start with our our campervan rental guide and our first campervan road trip tips.

Start with the total price, not the daily rate

The simplest way to avoid surprises is to build your own total. Take the daily rate, multiply by the number of days, then add every compulsory item (insurance or excess reduction, cleaning fee, airport surcharge, one-way fee) and every optional item you actually need. Compare totals, not daily rates, between companies.

The CampervanPlanet pages point out that some costs, such as a one-way fee or optional extras, may be paid locally rather than at the time of booking. That is a useful reminder to read what is included in the price, what is paid at pick-up and what is not covered at all. Our guide to saving money on campervan hire has the booking-side tricks, and this article covers the extras.

To see how big the seasonal effect is, look at the CampervanPlanet price comparison, which in November 2026 was based on 9,938 live offers in 22 countries. It showed Iceland’s typical July price of €355 a day, about 2.6 times the low-season price of €137. If a single choice of month can move the price by a factor of 2.6, a €10-a-day extra is rarely the thing that makes or breaks your budget, but a handful of them add up.

The extras we would usually pay for

These are items that either save significant hassle or cost more if you have to buy them yourself on arrival.

• Bedding and linen: if you are flying in, a bedding pack is worth it. Buying duvets and pillows on arrival costs time and often more than the hire fee, and you have to throw them away or carry them home.
• Kitchen kit: pots, pans, cutlery and a kettle are usually offered as a pack. Check whether the van already includes a basic set before you pay for one.
• Second driver: if two of you will share long drives, add the second driver. Driving tired is a bigger risk than the fee, and an unlisted driver may void the insurance.
• Extra insurance cover: reducing the excess can be worth it on a long trip, especially on narrow roads or in unfamiliar countries. Our insurance, deposit and excess guide explains the options.
• Child seats: hiring one is often easier than flying with your own, and the seat is checked and fitted for the van.

The common thread is that these items are cheaper at the rental desk than the alternative of arriving without them.

Extras that depend on your trip

• Extra mileage or kilometres: some countries and companies include unlimited kilometres, and others cap them. If you plan a long route, work out your distance first. A cheap rate with a low cap can end up more expensive than a dearer one with unlimited mileage.
• Camping chairs and table: useful if you will sit outside each evening, but very cheap to buy locally if you have somewhere to leave them. Check whether the van includes them.
• Bike rack or roof box: good value if you really need one, but check the van’s height and rules for the roads you will use.
• Gas bottles and electrical hookup cable: ask what is included and what you pay for refills. Gas bottle systems differ by country, so make sure you understand how to swap one.
• Toll passes and e-tags: in countries with electronic tolls, find out how the company bills you and whether it adds an admin fee.

For all of these, ask for the price in writing and confirm whether it is per day, per trip or a one-off, because the unit matters more than the number.

Extras we would usually skip

It is easier to spend money than to save it, and a few extras are more tempting at the rental desk than they should be.

• Satellite navigation: a phone with offline maps usually does the job. Download maps before you go, or use the free eSIM that comes with every CampervanPlanet booking.
• Portable Wi-Fi: a local data SIM or eSIM is cheaper in most countries, and you can top it up as you go.
• Duplicate cover: if your travel insurance or credit card already covers the excess, do not pay twice, but check the details and the exclusions first because many policies exclude campervans.
• Prepaid fuel or cleaning: these can be fine if you return the van on a tight schedule, but they are rarely cheaper than doing it yourself.
• Pre-stocked groceries: a supermarket run on day one is cheaper, and you get exactly what you want.

The principle is simple: if you can buy or bring it cheaply and easily, do so. If the item is awkward, heavy or hard to find on arrival, the rental extra earns its place.

The fees that are not optional

Some charges are not extras at all. They are conditions of the hire, and the only choice is whether you notice them before you book.

• Deposit and excess: usually held on a credit card, and the amount varies a lot between companies.
• Pick-up and drop-off charges: airport surcharges, out-of-hours fees and early or late return fees are common. Check the opening hours of the depot against your flight times.
• One-way fees: they depend on the route and season. Our one-way fee guide explains how they are built.
• Cross-border and ferry permission: some companies restrict driving into other countries or on ferries. Ask before you plan a route.
• Cleaning and toilet fees: returning the van dirty or with a full toilet cassette can cost extra.

These fees do not appear in the headline daily rate, which is why building a total price is the only reliable way to compare. If the listing does not make a fee clear, email the company and ask.

A simple way to compare two offers

Imagine two offers for the same two-week trip. Offer A has a lower daily rate but charges for bedding, a kitchen kit, a second driver and extra mileage. Offer B has a higher daily rate but includes all of those. To compare, write down a short list with the headings daily rate, number of days, compulsory fees, extras you need and the deposit. Add the first four and compare the totals, then look at the deposit and excess as a separate risk.

Often the difference is small, and then the better choice is the company with the clearer terms, the better reviews and the depot that suits your travel plans. Sometimes the difference is large, and then you have saved yourself an unpleasant surprise. The CampervanPlanet comparison pages let you search many brands for your dates, so you can build that comparison in a few minutes instead of a few evenings.

If you are comparing the same van in different months, remember that the season can dominate. A shoulder-season trip with a few extras is usually cheaper than a peak-season trip with none.

Booking tips and the €20 code

Before you click book, do a short checklist: confirm the total price, the deposit, the insurance excess, the mileage allowance, the extras you need, the pick-up and drop-off hours and the cancellation terms. Photograph the van at pick-up, including every scratch, and keep the photos until your deposit is returned.

When you are ready, compare vans and prices for your dates on the CampervanPlanet price page, and book through our links. Code HUNGRYTRAVELFAMILY20 takes €20 off at checkout, and every booking comes with a free 1GB eSIM. If you book through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you, and a booking within 30 days of your click is credited to us.