Holidays in the middle of nature

We've seen them all before and hardly thought anything of it, especially if you're not a die-hard camping fan: camper on the Gotthard Pass, camper right on the beach on the Côte d'Azur, camper in the middle of nowhere yet in direct contact with nature. If you want to book a hotel right on the beach, with the pure sound of the sea, you'll pay a lot of money and have to put up with a lot of annoying formalities that can get on some people's nerves, especially the fussiness of luxury hotels. We received this email from the German company CamperDays, and the pictures really fascinated me. We all often think we're too good and too good for so many things, but maybe that's exactly why we miss out on things we would really enjoy.

It must be exhilarating to wake up in the middle of the forest, on the banks of a rushing river, by an idyllic lake, all alone on the Gotthard Pass, because you can park anywhere with a campervan. Perhaps that would be a sports holiday? Waking up in the middle of the Gotthard Pass, making yourself a coffee in your campervan, and going for a jog or a short hike. This freedom, this boundless individuality, and this uncanny closeness to nature can be truly inspiring, making everyday life seem small and insignificant, and bringing us back to ourselves. 

The German company CamperDays commissioned a study to determine when camping trips are most worthwhile. Here's CamperDays' information:

Motorhome or hotel?
New comparative study by CamperDays shows when which travel experience is worthwhile.
The longing for freedom, nature, and flexibility has been driving a boom in motorhome travel for years. But is a campervan vacation financially worthwhile compared to the classic combination of a rental car and a hotel? The new comparative study by CamperDays, Germany's leading agent for motorhome travel, provides answers – and shows that the travel budget depends heavily on the chosen period.

Anyone traveling in the off-season can save a lot of money by taking a campervan trip. According to a study, costs in countries like New Zealand are up to 30 percent lower than hotel stays, and in Canada the figure is around 28 percent lower. The reason: During the quieter months, not only are campervan rental prices lower, but pitch fees and airfares are also cheaper. The picture is completely different during the peak season. Here, campervan rental prices can quadruple – as in New Zealand, for example – which often negates the price advantage. In the USA and Canada, a traditional hotel vacation is often the cheaper option during this time. The exception is Australia: There, campervans remain an attractive option even during peak season – provided you book early.

But the study makes it clear: money isn't everything. Motorhome trips offer experiences that go beyond numbers. The freedom to spontaneously decide where to spend the next night, the view of the mountains at breakfast, or the sunset right by the lake – such moments are difficult to measure in euros. For the study, CamperDays analyzed the costs for Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada. Rental prices including insurance, overnight costs in a 3-star hotel or on campsites, as well as fuel prices and consumption were taken into account.

The study's conclusion: If you want to save money, travel in a campervan during the off-season. Those traveling during peak season should compare prices – or consciously opt for the added freedom, nature, and experience that only a campervan can offer.

About CamperDays:
The Cologne-based company CamperDays has been helping caravan enthusiasts find their perfect rental motorhome in their dream destination since 2013. The platform offers a large selection of 40,000 directly bookable rental vehicles at over 1,000 locations in 33 countries and offers transparent price comparisons. Its customer service, which has received multiple awards, including from Focus, took first place in the "Customer Service Motorhome Rental" category in the ntv "Germany's Best Online Portals" award in 2023. CamperDays was also named test winner by Stiftung Warentest (issue 1/2022).