Is It Cheaper to go on a Holiday in a Campervan? A Cost Comparison

Oct 24

5 min read

Dreaming of your next summer holiday but stuck between a traditional holiday with flights and the wild, adventurous freedom of a campervan trip? Let’s compare two incredible ways to experience Croatia during peak summer: a 10-day hotel holiday with bed-and-breakfast with flights for 4 adults to Split and Dubrovnik, versus a 10-day campervan adventure, where you’re free to cook your own meals and explore at your own pace.

Spoiler alert: You might be surprised at what saves you more!

With rising travel costs and crowded airports, is it really cheaper to take a 10-day holiday in a campervan, cooking your own meals and eating out occasionally, versus jetting off on an all-inclusive trip to Croatia for four adults?

Is it cheaper to go on a holiday in a campervan?

Let’s break it down and see if the freedom of the open road beats the all-inclusive holiday.

Let's see is it cheaper to go on a holiday in a campervan?

Option 1: The Bed-and-Breakfast Holiday

You and three friends (or family) decide to escape to Croatia for 10 days during the glorious height of summer. Split and Dubrovnik, here you come!

Costs Breakdown:

Flights (UK to Split, return from Dubrovnik) - In peak summer, flights to Croatia aren’t exactly budget-friendly. You’re looking at roughly £250 per person for return flights. Multiply that by 4 and we’re at £1,000 total. Goodbye legroom, hello adventure!
Accommodation (Hotels - Breakfast only) - You’ll be staying at nice hotels in Split and Dubrovnik for 10 nights. At an average cost of £60 per night per person, your accommodation (which includes breakfast) comes to £600 per person for 10 nights. That totals a hefty £2,400 for 4 people.
Food (Lunches & Dinners) - Breakfast is sorted, but the rest of your meals aren’t. Lunch and dinner in tourist hotspots like Split and Dubrovnik will run you around £25-30 per meal. At two meals per day for 10 days, you’re looking at £40 per person per day. Multiply by 4 adults and 10 days, and you’re at £1,600 for food and drinks.
Transfers and Transport - You’ll need transport from the airport to your hotels, plus taxis for day trips and getting around. Add in bus fares for sightseeing and the occasional Uber when the heat gets too much. Don't forget the ferry/taxi to Dubrovnik! This will likely set you back £300 total for the group.
Excursions and Extras - You can’t visit Croatia without some day trips! Factor in boat tours, entry to national parks, and a few museum visits. Let’s estimate £150 per person for activities, totalling £600 for 4 people.

That’s £1,475 per person for flights, accommodation, food, transfers, and excursions. Not bad for a summer break, but let’s see how a campervan holiday stacks up.

Option 2: The Campervan Adventure

Now, let’s imagine a different kind of holiday—packing into the comfy Trekker X campervan, fully equipped for adventure, and hitting the road for 10 days of freedom in Croatia. You can explore Split, Dubrovnik, and the surrounding countryside, stopping wherever your heart desires on the way for an epic road trip. You’ve got a campervan that sleeps 4, insurance and breakdown cover included, shower and toilet, and all the cooking facilities you need to whip up a meal while watching the sunset.

Costs Breakdown:

Campervan Hire - The Trekker X costs on average £150 per night during the peak season, and this includes European travel, insurance, and breakdown cover. For 10 nights, the total is £1,500. Split between 4 adults, that’s £375 each for both your transportation and accommodation—a double whammy of savings right there!
Ferry or Tunnel Crossing - You’ll need to get from the UK to mainland Europe, so budget for the Channel Tunnel or a ferry. Let’s estimate £150 total for a return trip. Split between 4, that’s £37.50 per person.
Fuel - Since you’ll be driving through scenic Europe to Croatia, we need to factor in fuel costs. For the round trip from the UK to Croatia, plus driving around Split and Dubrovnik, fuel costs will likely come to £400. Split between 4, that’s £100 per person.
Campsites - You’ll want a mix of wild camping and campsite stays with amenities like showers and electricity. In Croatia, campsites cost around £25 per night. For 10 nights, that’s £250 total, or £62.50 each.
Food - Here’s where the campervan has the edge! You’ve got a kitchen on wheels, so you can cook your own meals. Let’s budget £250 for groceries for 10 days, which comes to £62.50 per person. You’ll likely want to eat out a few times too, so let’s add in 6 meals out at around £30 per meal (totalling £180 per person for dining out).
Excursions and Extras - Just because you’re in a campervan doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on Croatian adventures. Factor in £600 total for excursions and activities, like boat tours and national parks. Split between 4, that’s £150 each.

That’s £967.50 per person for 10 days of adventure, cooking, camping, and exploring. You’ve saved £507.50 per person (or £2,030 in total!!) compared to the bed-and-breakfast holiday!

And you’ll have the freedom to wake up with the best views Croatia and Europe has to offer—not to mention, no worrying about buffet hours.

The Verdict: Campervan vs. Bed-and-Breakfast

Let’s face it—while the all-inclusive bed-and-breakfast might sound convenient, the campervan holiday offers flexibility, freedom, and big savings. Here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Bed-and-Breakfast Holiday: £1,475 per person
Campervan Adventure: £967.50 per person

By choosing the campervan, you save £507.50 per person, which could be spent on extra activities, additional days, a fancy dinner in Dubrovnik, or perhaps a few bottles of Croatian wine for the road!

Plus, with a campervan, you:

Have total control over your itinerary.
Enjoy the flexibility to cook or dine out as you wish.
Can wake up to a new view every morning—whether it’s the Adriatic Sea or a hidden forest spot.

Let’s not forget the priceless memories of sitting around a campfire, watching the stars, and swapping stories—versus eating the same breakfast buffet every morning.

Ready for a New Kind of Holiday?

Our Trekker X campervan offers everything you need for the ultimate Croatian adventure. Whether you want to explore historic Dubrovnik, the beautiful coastlines, or relax in hidden campsites, the campervan is your gateway to freedom and savings.

Check out our itineraries and book your campervan today. Who needs hotel room service when you’ve got the open road? BOOK NOW! Click here