10 reasons why you should buy a campervan

I road-tripped around Australia in a campervan when I was a free-spirited, 21 year old backpacker and I loved every second of the adventure. Living in a campervan was so exciting and it was a fun way to travel slowly and explore properly. I fell in love with this way of life and vowed to get another campervan as soon as I could!

If you’re still on that fence, here are 10 reasons why I think you should jump down and buy a campervan. And while you’re at it, don’t forget your campervan insurance… 

1. The freedom and spontaneity

The absolute best thing about having a campervan is the freedom it brings. You can go on holiday whenever and (almost) wherever you like! If you check the weather on a Friday morning and see we’re in for a sunny weekend, you can simply pack up your campervan, book a campsite and hit the road as soon as you finish work.

If you choose a campsite close to home you can be relaxing in your rolling home by 6pm, feeling a million miles away from the stresses of everyday life.

2. Explore more of your home country

A campervan holiday is a great way to explore more of your home country. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you taking your campervan on a ferry and going abroad but for those shorter trips it’s a great way to see more of what you have on your doorstep. 

Many of us travel far and wide but forget to explore all the beautiful places close to home. Having a campervan is the perfect excuse for some staycations to see all the places you promised you’d visit ‘one day’.

3. Get outdoors

Campervanning and the great outdoors go hand in hand and a campervan is a great way to get close to nature while keeping a few warm and cosy comforts! We all know there are huge health benefits to being outdoors, whether it’s getting some fresh air and exercise, burning some calories with a hike or the mental health benefits that come with the peace and serenity of the countryside. 

4. It can be an affordable holiday 

The initial setup costs of buying a campervan are obviously a huge expense. If you find yourself a bargain, keep your van for years or keep your van in great condition so the resale value is still high, there’s no reason why a campervanning holiday can’t be a really affordable option. That’s especially true if you like to take lots of weekend breaks!

If you’re staying on a campsite you’ll pay around £20-40 a night. Then there’s a small expense for food, fuel and activities but if you’re on a budget you could easily keep these costs very low! 

The average British family spends £4,800 a year on holidays. Now that could be a lot of campervan holidays!

5. You’ll build strong bonds and happy memories with your kids

My parents used to call it ‘character building’ and, yes, I moaned about our camping and campervanning holidays at the time, but when I look back on them they’re some of the happiest memories I have. 

The close proximity of a campervan means you’re extra close to your family. But in a world where we spend less and less time interacting with people face-to-face, a bit of enforced closeness isn’t a bad thing! My kids are still little (aged two and four) and love nothing more than piling into a campervan together, sharing beds and being in each other’s pockets for a few days.

6. You can take the dog

Yay for dog-friendly holidays! You can take your furry friend along with you and your pooch will love it. Just be sure your dog is safely seated, and never leave them alone in the van, especially on warm days.

7. Campervans often hold their value

Unlike cars, campervans can really hold their value and many people will make their money back or even make a profit when they come to sell them. 

This especially applies to vintage campervans, but even well-maintained campervans can retain their value, particularly if you make some modifications. And while we're on the subject of modifications, take a look at our guide to converting your van into a campervan for inspiration!

8. The campervanning community is amazing

The campervanning community is a massive draw for many people with campervans and you’ll probably find a surprising number of meetups in your local area. With weekend meetups becoming a regular thing, you’ll find your social calendar could be busy and it’s a great way to meet like-minded friends.

9. You can rent it out

Did you know you can rent out your campervan via sharing economy platforms? Yes, it’s like Airbnb for campervans!

If you know you won’t be using your campervan over particular dates, you can pop it on a platform such as Camptoo or Quirky Campers and rent it out to make some extra cash. 

10. You could use it as your everyday vehicle

Have you considered using a campervan as your everyday vehicle? It wouldn’t work for some people but for many people it would be an easy and practical switch. Many tradespeople use their campervan as a ‘work van’ during the week and after a quick Friday afternoon clean it can be used as a campervan for the weekend. 

It’s also becoming more popular for large families with three or more children to use a campervan as the everyday family vehicle. Many family cars can’t actually accommodate three children because the bulky car seats required by law won’t fit on most backseats, so a campervan can be a great option. 

I see lots of stylish VW Transporters rocking up at the school gates and my kids are very jealous when they see the TV screens and extra space those lucky children have inside!