The Financial and Environmental costs of your family holiday.

Embarking on a European holiday with your family is a dream come true. The VanGlorious tribe can’t get enough of the continent! When we plan such an adventure, it’s essential to us to consider the financial implications and environmental impact of why we choose the Campervan. In this article, we will compare the financial and environmental costs of a campervan holiday to Europe, from the UK, against popular family holiday options. 

Our Lovely List!

1. The Allure of a Campervan Holiday to Europe

2. Financial Comparison: Campervan vs. Traditional Family Holidays

    Transportation Costs

    Accommodation Expenses

    Dining and Food Costs

    Entertainment and Activities

3. Environmental Impact: Campervan vs. Other Modes of Travel

    Carbon Footprint

    Waste Generation

    Conservation and Eco-friendly Practices

4. Real-Life Examples – saving the pennies

    Campervan Holiday to France

    Traditional Family Holiday to Spain

1. The allure of Campervan holidays to Europe

Campervan holidays to Europe offer a unique blend of freedom, flexibility, and adventure. Exploring different countries at your own pace, discovering hidden gems, and enjoying the convenience of a mobile ‘home’ create an unforgettable experience. With a Campervan, you can design your itinerary, visit multiple destinations, and immerse yourself in the rich cultures and stunning landscapes of Europe. And of course, sample local food, which you may not get to experience in a hotel.

2. Financial Comparison: Campervan vs. Traditional Family Holidays

Transportation Costs

For us, the journey to the destination is always a big part of the actual holiday itself! 

You can make it both fun, and economical too. When comparing transportation costs, Campervans offer a significant advantage over traditional family holidays. With a Campervan, you have the convenience of having both transportation and accommodation in one lovely package. This eliminates the need to purchase separate plane tickets or train fares for each family member, resulting in substantial savings! For example, a round trip for a family of four from the UK to France can cost approximately £1200 for flights, whereas the fuel cost for a campervan trip would be significantly lower.

Accommodation Expenses

Accommodation expenses can quickly add up, especially for a family. Campervans provide a cost-effective solution as they eliminate the need to book multiple hotel rooms or rental properties. Instead, you have the freedom to park your campervan at campsites or designated areas, significantly reducing accommodation costs. For instance, a week-long stay at a campsite in France can cost around £150-£300, whereas booking separate hotel rooms could easily exceed £1000.

Dining and Food Costs

Dining out for every meal can put a whopping strain your holiday budget. Our campervans come equipped with a kitchen, allowing families to prepare their own meals. By cooking in the campervan, you can save significantly on dining expenses, as grocery shopping and cooking your meals tend to be more budget-friendly options. A family dinner at a restaurant in Europe can cost around £50-£100 per meal, whereas cooking your meals in a campervan can reduce the cost to around £20 per meal. Especially, like me, if you can survive on French baguettes alone!

Entertainment and Activities

Campervan holidays offer a range of free or low-cost entertainment and activities. Many campsites in Europe provide amenities such as swimming pools, playgrounds, and hiking trails. Exploring nature, visiting historic sites, and enjoying outdoor activities often come at little to no extra cost. This stands in contrast to traditional holidays that may involve paying for theme park tickets, guided tours, or pricey attractions. For example, entrance tickets to popular attractions in Europe can range from £20-£50 per person, whereas exploring nature, hiking or taking a dip in the campsite pool, are usually free activities.

3. Environmental Impact: Campervan vs. Other Modes of Travel

Carbon Footprint (nothing to do with walking over hot coals!)

In terms of environmental impact, Campervan holidays to Europe have a lower carbon footprint compared to other modes of travel. Flying, for instance, releases a significant amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. By opting for a Campervan, you can reduce your carbon emissions by using a more sustainable mode of transport. According to studies, a round trip flight from the UK to Europe can emit approximately 1.6-2.4 metric tonnes of CO2 per person, while a campervan trip emits significantly less, around 0.5-0.7 metric tonnes of CO2 for the same journey.

Waste Generation

Campervan holidays also contribute to reduced waste generation compared to traditional holidays. Campervans have onboard facilities for waste disposal and recycling, allowing families to manage their waste responsibly. Additionally, by cooking in the campervan, you can reduce that evil single-use plastic and packaging waste associated with dining out.

Conservation and Eco-friendly Practices

Campervan holidays promote eco-friendly practices and conservation, and many campsites are very proud of their eco-credentials. Campsites encourage sustainable behaviour, such as water conservation, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. Check out these amazing European Eco-Conscious campsites for a bit of inspiration. Campervan travel also allows families to explore and appreciate natural landscapes while minimizing the impact on fragile ecosystems. By adhering to Leave No Trace principles, Campervan travellers can contribute to the preservation of Europe’s natural beauty by being mindful of their surroundings. 

Let’s talk cash….

1. Real-Life Examples: 

Campervan Holiday to France

Let’s consider a family of four planning a two-week holiday in France. The financial costs of your family holiday are so important. Renting a campervan would cost around £1500 (this is for both your travel and accommodation!). Accommodation expenses for campsites would average £150-£200 per week, resulting in a total of £300-£400. By cooking meals in the campervan and enjoying free or low-cost activities such as exploring, hiking and walking etc, the family can save on dining and entertainment costs. Overall, the campervan holiday to France could be significantly lower than a traditional holiday, as below.

Traditional Family Holiday to Spain

Let’s compare the campervan holiday to a traditional family holiday in Spain. Flights from the UK to Spain for a family of four can cost approximately £1500-£2000. Accommodation expenses for hotel rooms would average around £150-£200 per night, resulting in a total of £2100-£2800 for a two-week stay. Dining out for each meal would add an additional £50-£70 per meal, leading to significant expenses. Entertainment costs for theme parks or attractions could range from £500-£1000. Overall, the traditional family holiday to Spain could amount to approximately £4000-£5000, significantly higher than the campervan holiday.

In conclusion…(The VanGlorious principle!)

When considering the financial and environmental costs of a family holiday to Europe, a Campervan adventure emerges as an appealing option. Let’s not forget, it’s actually an adventure! What memories you can create! 

Campervans offer cost savings in transportation, accommodation, dining, and entertainment expenses compared to traditional holidays. Additionally, Campervan holidays have a lower carbon footprint, reduce waste generation, and promote eco-friendly practices. By choosing a Campervan, families can create unforgettable experiences while enjoying the benefits of affordability, flexibility, and environmental awareness. 

It’s the VanGlorious Principle …

A true Eco holiday – ECO-logical and ECO-nomical too.