Experts reveal how to get the most for your money – from top deals to saving on fuel
Hit the Road: A Deliberate But Affordable Holiday on Wheels
Forget the flights, hotels and rigid schedules. Road trips: A holiday on wheels means the freedom of the open road and a hotel room on the same adventure. Motorhome and campervan holidays are the best way to travel, allowing you to explore without sacrificing modern comforts. And guess what? It doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive.
With rates starting from as little as £59 per night, this type of escape is a budget-friendly and exciting way of visiting new destinations. But, let’s be honest—fuel prices are on the rise, and if you don’t strategize, your budget might go up in smoke even quicker than your gas tank. If you want to keep your trip affordable and stress-free, then smart planning is key.
So how can you ensure your campervan adventure is budget-friendly? Simple. Travel experts have shared their best tips — from what season to save your travels for, to when to fill up your gas tank. Stick with me, and I’ll unpack just how to road trip without going broke.
Step 1: Have a Plan (But Don’t Overplan)
Step one get inspired or figure out what you need. Not all campervans and motorhomes are created equal — so don’t just take whatever deal comes your way. Consider how many people are coming, what kind of space you need and how comfortable you are behind the wheel of a large vehicle.
If you’re flexible with your dates, that is the single most effective way to save money, says Leanne Cromie marketing manager at Bunk Campers and Just Go Motorhomes.
“Holiday makers can get great rates by travelling April to June or September to October and still enjoy long bright nights across the UK and Ireland,” Cromie says. Translation? Skip the summer crush, and you’ll pay less without dealing with crowded campsites.
And stop planning every single detail into the grave. That’s part of the fun: You have the freedom to go where the road leads you. But do have a rough path in mind — mainly if you want to skip overpriced gas stops. And this leads me to the next of my points…
Second Step: Strategically mending (The Tyres have come in early)
Fuel’s not cheap, and, if you’re not careful, you’ll be spending more on petrol than you did on your camper rental. So, what’s the trick?
For more money-saving tips, here’s a pro tip from Max Schmidt, the head of motorhome holiday site CamperDays: “RAC Fuel Watch tracks British wholesale and pump prices on a daily basis to help motorists find the cheapest rates.
At present, Tesco has the lowest average supermarket petrol price. But if you don’t have a Tesco near you don’t despair — other brands such as Essar and Shell usually have decent offers too.
Another hack? Time your fuel stops wisely. “The optimal time to get fuel is early morning or late at night. Pumps are set to dispense volume-calibrated fuel; so you get a fraction more petrol for your buck,” Schmidt explains. So plan a wake-up or that late-night bathroom since you’ll be glad when you do.
Step 3: Master the Art of Packing (Travel Light)
Listen, I get it. Unlimited packing space sounds a tempting idea. No luggage restrictions? Feels like a dream, right? But just because you can bring it all, doesn’t mean you should.
Overpacking = excess weight = extra fuel burned. Lighter weight means less fuel burn, which means savings, Schmidt cautions. So if you want to save costs, be wise on how you fill your bags.
And a quick and easy way to reduce weight? Drive with your fresh water tank as low as you can get it. Water is extremely heavy and it turns out, guess what? When the system gets low, it’s simple to refill at campsites or service stations. You can do it without lugging an entire reservoir around in the truck.
Step 4: Don’t Abuse the AC (But Don’t Roll Down the Windows, Either)
This one’s tricky. You may think that shutting off the AC and rolling down the windows conserves fuel, but it’s much more complicated than that.
“At speeds above 60 km/h, such as on the motorway, driving with the windows open creates drag and reduces fuel reserves,” Schmidt says. So sure, it feels like you’re saving fuel, but you’re really using more.
The trick is balance. Drive fast, with windows closed with moderate AC on. But if you’re roaring down long stretches of serpentine road at a low speed, feel free to turn off the AC—let that natural flow do the work.
Step 5: Get A Motorhome Relocation Deal
If you really wanna save some cash, here’s a hack that most folks don’t realize is even a thing—motorhome relocation deals. Rental companies occasionally require vehicles transported from one place to another, and they provide bat crazy cheap rates in order to get people to do it for them.
Bunk Campers and Just Go have relocation offers from £5 a night. Yeah, you read that right. Five quid.
Every April we run an Aurora motorhome factory relocation trip from Italy to the UK. You could collect a new camper from Tuscany and then drive back to the UK or Ireland on a 10-night driving holiday from just £525.”
So if you’re up for an adventure and are flexible with your route, this is an absurdly inexpensive way to travel in style.
To Conclude: Is a Motorhome Holiday Worth It?
Absolutely. A campervan trip can be one of the best — and least expensive — ways to enter into the world of travel, if you do it right. You can go anywhere you wish, you sleep better, and you avoid the high cost of exorbitant hotels. Why not, but it’s all about smart planning.
Travel in off-peak months for better rates.
Timing your fuel purchase for the day.
Pack light to save on petrol.
So use the AC wisely because nobody wants to burn fuel unnecessarily.
You’ll see relocation deals with the lowest rates and rentals.
Follow these tips, and you will make for an epic road trip without emptying your wallet.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your lightly packed bags, get on the road and let the adventure roll. And hey, if you get a great deal, tell me about it — I love a good budget travel victory!