Campervan Hire in Italy

Camper Champ makes it easy to compare a range of campervan hire companies in Italy across multiple locations including Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice and others.

The cost of hiring a campervan in Italy ranges between €130/day and €230/day for most vehicles, although some suppliers advertise lower starting prices in low season and peak-season quotes can vary widely. Popular brands include Vanitaly, Euromotorhome, RentEasy and McRent.

During the high season, which typically includes the summer months, you can expect the cost to range from €130 to €230 per day, although prices can fluctuate widely by vehicle type, pick-up location, and dates, and may be lower during the off-peak season, which includes the colder months. It's also worth noting that campervan hire companies can sell out quickly during high season, so early booking is advisable to secure the best deals and ensure availability.

The cost of hiring a campervan can vary greatly depending on several factors:

• The type of campervan you're hiring: Prices will vary depending on whether you're hiring a smaller, more basic campervan or a larger, more luxurious motorhome.
• The hire company: Different hire companies may offer different rates, so it's worth shopping around to find the best deal.
• The time of year: Hire rates can fluctuate depending on the season. Rates are often higher during peak tourist season and lower during off-peak times.
• The duration of the hire: Many companies offer discounts for longer hires.
• Extras: Additional costs may be added for insurance, extra drivers, bedding and kitchen kits, mileage, one-time service/prep fees, and insurance or deductible/excess choices (which can significantly change the real total).
• Pick-up and drop-off locations: There may be additional fees if you're planning to pick up the campervan in one location and drop it off in another.
• Check current rates using our search tool for the most accurate and up-to-date pricing. Remember to consider additional costs such as fuel, campsite fees, and extras like GPS or additional drivers.

Generally, the cost of hiring a campervan is highest during the peak tourist season, which in Italy typically runs from June through August. This is when the weather is warmest and many people are on vacation. Prices can also be higher during major holidays, like Christmas and Easter.

The cheapest time to hire a campervan in Italy is during the off-peak season. This generally includes the colder months and times outside of school holidays. For Italy, this typically is late autumn (November) through early spring (March).

However, it's important to note that while prices may be lower during these times, there may also be fewer rental options available, as some companies may not operate year-round due to the weather conditions. Furthermore, weather conditions might be more challenging for driving a campervan if you plan to visit certain areas, like the mountainous regions.

Keep in mind that prices can vary between different rental companies, so it's a good idea to compare prices from multiple sources when planning your trip. Also, booking in advance is safer, as prices can increase or vehicles can sell out as the desired rental period approaches.

The price of a holiday in Italy varies greatly depending on what region you visit, how much sightseeing you do, and how clever you are with stretching your budget. Follow these simple tips on how to save money in Italy so that you can make the most of your trip:

1. Choose Low-Cost Campsites: Italy is packed with free and low-cost campsites that are perfect for budget-conscious campers. These camps are always located in beautiful surroundings and offer at least the basic amenities.

2. Book Early to Get Discounts: In a popular holiday destination like Italy, many campsites, campervan rentals, and attractions will offer Early Bird Discounts to those who book well in advance.

3. Cook Your Meals in Your Camper: Eating out can be expensive in Italy, especially in tourist hotspots. Cooking in your campervan can help you save money and allow you to try some of the delicious local produce.

4. Take Advantage of the Free Activities: Many cities have historic attractions and locations that can be explored for free. You can enter the Pantheon in Rome and walk along the ancient Via Appia road. Or view the austere splendour of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and the jagged spires of Milan’s Duomo Cathedral.

Summer is Italy’s peak tourist season, and many popular destinations can be crowded and expensive. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad time to visit, indeed the summer weather is warm and sunny, with temperatures in Rome reaching up to 35°C, which is ideal for both beach getaways and exploring all of the outdoor ruins and historical sights, not to mention spending a day boutique shopping around Italy’s many old towns.

Spring and autumn are excellent times to visit Italy, with milder temperatures between 5°C and 15°C, far fewer crowds, and much lower prices. The countryside is vibrant and green in the spring, and the fall foliage coats the landscape in fiery hues. These seasons are also ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling.

Winter in Italy can get cold, with temperatures dropping to -5°C in the north of the country, although Rome can still reach 15°C, meaning some of the more rural campsites might close down entirely until spring arrives. However, Winter is the best time to go skiing in Italy, as the Alpine ski resorts come to life under the freshly fallen snow.

If you want to visit one or two of Italy's top destinations, such as Rome, Florence, or Venice, you could plan a trip for 7-10 days. However, if you want to explore more of the country, spend extra time in each destination, and travel to some off-the-beaten-path locations, you will need at least 2-3 weeks.

Italy has tolled motorways and tunnels, known as pedaggi on the autostrada network, and the toll fees vary by route, operator, and vehicle class rather than being a fixed rate per mile. The Alpine tunnel roads that run between Italy and its bordering nations cost between $13 and $59 to use. You can pay by cash or card at the entry and exit tolls or pay in advance online.

In Italy, campervan parking rules and regulations can vary depending on the region, city or even the specific area you are in. You can generally park in rural areas and private car parks, so long as there are no signs prohibiting campervans, you pay any fees necessary, and your vehicle is not height-restricted.

On-street parking in city centres can be more challenging, especially in a historic centre with narrow streets. In these cases, it’s best to find an underground car park or leave your campervan at a much cheaper parking lot on the outskirts and use a shuttle bus to enter the city.

You can also park your campervan in roadside Sostas, or rest stops, which can be free but often charge a small fee and allow you to spend a day or a night to recharge before continuing your drive.

Wild Camping is illegal in Italy, but there are roadside rest stops called sostas, where you can park overnight for very low prices, sometimes for free. However, you may prefer to stay in a budget-friendly campsite to take advantage of their comforts and amenities.

The best places to visit in Italy on a campervan holiday are its 25 National Parks. These specially protected areas exist to preserve the country's natural and cultural heritage, including landscapes, wildlife, and historical sites. The parks range from captivating Alpine ranges to rugged coastal terrains to volcanic archaeological sites, each presenting its unique beauty.

Deep in the heart of the Apennine Mountains, the verdant Abruzzo National Park provides many opportunities for hikers, skiers and wildlife spotters. The forested mountains become active ski slopes in the winter, and the ice melts away in the summer to form pristine swimming lakes. As the oldest park in Italy, Abruzzo hosts many wild creatures, including bears, wolves, and lynx. Camping La Panoramica, on the slopes of the Val Cervara, is the perfect base at any time of the year. A night in an electric pitch comes to £17.50, and you can use the hot showers, relax in the indoor lounge, and grab a meal from the onsite restaurant.

The Cinque Terre is a long coastal park on the Ligurian Sea that encompasses five colourful cliffside towns. This area is the best for seaside activities, like swimming and coastal hikes, and you get an amazing view as you drive between the quaint towns to look around their intriguing boutique shops and authentic restaurants. Camping Albero Doro, near the town of Lavant to the north of the park, is a good location for exploring both Cinque Terre and the tip of Tuscany. The rustic camp, surrounded by vineyards and unbroken views over the inviting bay, comes equipped with a bar and convenience shop, laundry services, and pitches with electric hookups for £27 per day.

The northwesterly Gran Paradiso National Park is home to the highest non-Alpine peak in Italy, the Gran Paradiso. A picturesque spot for a satisfying hike, the park features frosty mountains, wildflower meadows, and glacial lakes alongside typical highland wildlife, like the ibex and chamois goats and the golden eagle. For a night at the foot of the peak, head to the Gran Paradiso Campsite, which has easy access to hiking trails, outdoor activities like ping pong and bocce ball, and a snack bar/shop filled with local produce. Showers and laundry facilities are also available for guests who stay in a £20 electric hookup pitch. The nearby Sosta Degioz is a cheaper spot for self-sufficient campers, costing only £5.80 for 12 hours.

Located near Naples, the Vesuvius National Park is home to Mount Vesuvius and the excavated remains of Pompeii. This area is worth visiting on a road trip as you learn more about Ancient Roman life and see the city that was eradicated by the world’s most famous volcano. You can also hike to the top of the dormant Vesuvius, although it can be a hot and difficult climb in the summer. Camping Spartacus is located in the modern town of Pompei, within walking distance of the ruins. The camp has a swimming pool, bar, and pizzeria, and electric-connected pitches start from £22 a night.

Located on the tiny island of Asinara, off the northwest coast of Sardinia, the Asinara National Park is an exotic destination known for its beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, friendly donkeys, and marine birds. Visitors can enjoy snorkelling and diving off the fragmented shoreline as well as cycling on the pathways that crisscross the island. Camping Asinara is located on the sunny shores of Sardinia, opposite the island, and offers electric pitches from £30. Enjoy swimming in the pool or at the beach, grabbing a bite from the pizzeria, or even trying your hand at windsurfing.

The entry fees for Italy's National Parks can vary depending on the park and the type of admission ticket. Most national parks offer free admission, while others charge a small entry fee of between €5 to €15 per person. The majority of parks will also have discounted admission for children, students, seniors, and others who qualify.

It's important to note that there may be activities within the national parks, such as exhibits, guided tours, or special events, that will cost you a little extra.

near Rome: A large, open-air campsite featuring a water park, organised leisure activities, and multiple dining options, with electric hookup pitches starting from £24 per night. This camp requires you to stay at least 3 nights, but there are so many things to see and do between Rome, The Vatican, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the camp itself, that it shouldn’t be a problem.

near Verona: This city-run campsite is based near the banks of Lake Garda, less than a 30-minute drive from Verona. The camp itself is rather basic, but you can find a pitch with electric connections for just £18 per day.

near Catania: Sleep in a Sardinian Paradise on the foothills of famous Mount Etna. This rustic campsite has a swimming pool and a solarium, plus you can rent e-bikes to travel to the nearby mountain villages. Each £18-a-night pitch has an electric hookup and a water tap.

near Florence: Situated on the slope of Fiesole hill, overlooking Florence, this campsite has easy access to the historic town and rolling Tuscan views. A shady electric pitch costs £26 a night, and you can use the sanitary buildings and enjoy the poolside restaurant.

near Taranto: This southern Italian campsite is perched on the rocky shores of the Apulian Sea. A stay in an electric pitch costs £24 per night, including access to a secluded beach, a waterfront bar, and a family-run restaurant.

near Bologna: This laidback riverside park on the border of Monte Sole Historical Park is close to the medieval city of Bologna. A stay in this campsite costs £19, including electricity, and you can take advantage of the swimming pool, tennis court, and onsite pizzeria.

near Venice: This exclusive camp in the Venice lagoon is a beachside paradise with a refreshment bar and bike rentals, so you can explore the famous Lido and pitches with electricity for £40 per day. You need to take a ferry to reach the island with a campervan, but once you’ve parked, you can hop on a low-cost boat bus and explore Venice by foot.

near Lake Como: The only thing better than the crystal clear beaches, Alpine views, and terraced snack bar that this campsite offers is the peaceful lakeside pitches for £35 a night, including water and electric hookups.

near Milan: This family-friendly campsite to the south of Milan offers shady riverside pitches with electric hookups for £24. There’s a playground for kids, a swimming pool and a natural beach, and a place to do your laundry.

near Genoa: A natural campsite on the outskirts of Genoa, Villa Doria features a bar and camp shop, indoor and outdoor leisure activities like billiards and ping pong, and electric hookup pitches for £32 per day.