Motorhome travel saves money on hotels but demands frequent use

A comparison of costs for a trip from Paris to Nice shows that a two-week holiday in a motorhome is cheaper overall. With a new car costing €36,000 and a motorhome €60,000 (depreciated over 5 years), fuel and tolls are higher for the motorhome (€700 vs €470), but accommodation costs are lower (€800 for a campsite vs €3,080 for an Airbnb), resulting in a total budget of €1,500 vs €3,500. However, the higher initial purchase price requires frequent use to break even.

Lower depreciation of motorhomes and camper vans compared to passenger cars has led to the used market in Spain being 4.5 times larger than the new market. In 2025, sales of new motorhomes and campers fell by 6% to 6,067 units, while motorhome sales rose by 19% and camper sales fell by 29%. Prices for new models start at €60,000 for a camper and €70,000 for a motorhome.

Traveling by camper van is often seen as a way to save money, but data reveals significant fixed costs. According to INE, the average cost of a trip in Spain is about 100 euros per day per person, amounting to 3,000 euros for a couple over 15 days. Meanwhile, purchasing and maintaining a camper van costs an average of 47,500 euros plus 1,500–2,500 euros in annual upkeep. Savings become noticeable only with intensive use, such as trips lasting more than 60 days.

A family from Zaragoza purchased a converted Citroën Jumper L3 h2 camper for approximately 47,000 euros. The owner states that while it offers less space than a hotel room, it provides the freedom to choose routes and travel at one's own pace.

Motorhome buyers have become more cautious due to rising prices. The cost of new models and fuel has increased significantly. A show in Limoges attracted around 2000 visitors over a weekend, indicating sustained interest.

Traveling in a camper or motorhome is often seen as a way to save money, but INE data shows this is not always the case. The average purchase cost for such a vehicle is around €47,500, with annual fixed maintenance costs, including insurance, estimated at €1,500–€2,500. Savings on accommodation only offset these expenses with intensive use, such as trips lasting more than 60 days.

An analysis shows that buying a camper van to save on vacation is often not justified. The average cost of a camper van is around €40,000, with annual maintenance expenses reaching up to €2,000. For a couple traveling 15 days a year, these funds could finance over 16 years of traditional vacations. Economic viability only emerges with intensive use of the vehicle for more than 60 days per year.