How to choose the right campervan for you

By Vroom Team • Reviewed 11 May 2026

From the wide-open highways stretching across Australia’s vast Outback, to the magnificent coast from Sydney to Cairns to Brisbane, or the laid-back south-west corner of Western Australia, Australia is perfect for a campervan holiday. Picking the right route for you, though, is only half the equation, and picking the right campervan is just as important. With this in mind, VroomVroomVroom has compiled a comprehensive guide on some factors you need to consider before you book a campervan.

What’s the difference between a campervan and a motorhome?

A campervan, sometimes referred to as a camper or caravanette, is a vehicle that is smaller in size when compared to a motorhome. A motorhome doubles as your accommodation, whereas a campervan provides a more flexible way to travel. The campervan gives you more independence when you travel as you can pack exactly what you need for the trip.

The two main types of campervans are low-top and high-top campervans. A high-top is more upscale providing extra space, while a low-top model is more budget-friendly with a lower roof.

One special feature that distinguishes a motorhome from a campervan is that a motorhome has a fully functional toilet and shower. Generally speaking, motorhomes are more expensive to drive and can be difficult to park. If you don’t need that much space for your trip, hiring a campervan is a great alternative.

How to choose a campervan for your trip

Know the different motorhome categories

There are different types of motorhomes in Australia and VroomVroomVroom can help you compare campervan rentals from companies with branches across the country. Sizes do vary, so this is an important factor along with checking what the licence requirements are especially for larger vehicles. Motorhome types include:

Class A: This is easily the largest campervan style, comes with an upscale full custom motorhome body mounted on a truck chassis
Class B: The smallest class of campervans, often a retro-fitted van equipped with varied basic amenities
Class C: A mid-sized campervan mounted behind a truck cabin that usually has a bed or storage area over the cab
Campervan: Known as a smaller motorhome with either a low-top and or high-top roof
Slide-on: This motorhome comes with wind-up or hydraulically operated legs, set up on a ute, truck, or flat-tray
Bus/Coach/Coaster: Passenger bus, coach or coaster-type converted to a home-on-wheels
5th Wheeler: A fifth wheel is larger and heavier than a motorhome, and must be pulled with a pickup truck with a special hitch.

Rental providers matter as much as class — see and compare campervan providers to know your options before booking. Once you've picked a class and learn more about our providers, you can read tips for your first-time booking a campervan to plan the rest.

Consider the number of people travelling

Before you choose your vehicle, you will need to first consider how many people will be travelling. A campervan is perfect for two people but typically with limited amenities and sometimes with no toilet or shower. Motorhomes are great for a larger group as they are generally equipped with more space and amenities. Most campervans can seat two to four passengers with some larger models extending up to six people. If you are travelling in a bigger party, you will need to consider hiring a second vehicle.

On the VroomVroomVroom website, campervans are categorised in berths, the number of individuals the vehicle can sleep, or simply bed. Beds come in different sizes and shapes including but not limited to:

Bunk beds: Favoured by travellers with children, bunk beds are stacked on top of each other to maximise living space within the campervan. These are typically wall-mounted and fold back against the campervan wall when not in use.
Cabin beds: Larger campervans often have a sleeping area above the driver’s cab. These can take a number of different forms, but are often referred to as cabin beds.
Drop-down beds: Drop-down beds are innovative ways to maximise space, by having beds stored against the campervan roof when not in use. When it’s time to sleep, the bed is released from its storage position and lowered down into the living area.
Fixed beds: Most commonly found in small campervans, particularly those similar to a normal van, fixed beds are the closest to a normal bed that you can encounter. They are commonly towards the rear of the vehicle and sit atop a fixed platform. The advantage of this style of bed in a campervan is that they’re often more comfortable, but on the downside they occupy space that could otherwise be used for seating.
Pop-top roof tents: A common feature with popular hi-top campervan models, roof tents are exactly what they sound like — a tent placed atop a platform on the roof of the vehicle. These come with the advantage of increased privacy, but are more exposed to the weather than any sleeping compartments within the campervan.
Rock ’n roll beds: Despite their name, rock ’n roll beds are not designed for musicians. They are formed by reclining either passenger seats or other seating in the campervan to form the bed, something like a sofa-bed but in a vehicle.

It’s quite common for some campervans to sleep fewer people than they can seat as some of the seats in the vehicle are typically merged or folded together to form a bed. This is why it’s important to check how many a vehicle can seat and sleep before booking a campervan for your holiday. Most campervans are perfect for couples or solo travellers but may also work for three to four passengers. Motorhomes are ideal for large groups of friends or families looking for a comfortable time on their chosen Australia road trips.

Pick what kitchen will work for you

Campervans generally come with a kitchen sink in varying sizes, and depending on your selection, the kitchen may come equipped with any of the following; a stove, a fridge, an oven, or a microwave. The larger the vehicle, the better the kitchen features, but keep in mind that more appliances in the campervan will naturally increase the rental cost.

Decide if your campervan will need bathroom facilities

Take note that most campervans do not offer a toilet or shower, but some high-top campervans are equipped with a toilet and shower. If you are planning on camping, this could be a helpful addition. If you prefer staying at holiday parks, it may not be a necessity.

Keep in mind that renting a campervan comes with the responsibility of managing all rubbish, as well as grey and black water wastes. Dump points are available across campervan parks and common campervan routes in Australia marked with a blue or brown road sign. Read more on waste water disposal on our campervan waste disposal guide.

Check provider policies on bringing pets

Pets in general are not allowed in campervans, but some rental companies might allow pets in their vehicles at a substantial fee. Below is a table of providers that allow service animals and pets on board subject to provider-specific regulations.

Provider	Pets allowed	Service animals only
Apollo	✅	✅
AutoRent	❌	✅
Britz	✅	✅
Cruisin’	❌	✅
Indie Campers	✅	✅
Jucy	✅	✅
LetsGo	selected 6-berth motorhomes	✅
Maui	❌	✅
Mighty	✅	✅
Travellers Autobarn	❌	✅

Plan your route wisely

Decide where you are travelling to and map out potential routes so you can check the conditions of the road. If you are new to driving a campervan in Australia, you may want to stay away from smaller, trickier roads and keep to the main highways. Check if your planned route will be using any toll roads, you can learn more about toll payments and rules on our campervan toll payment guide.

What is the best type of vehicle to rent in Australia?

You will need to consider all of the above factors before you make your decision and choose your campervan. We partner with providers such as Apollo, Britz, Jucy Rentals, Maui and Mighty to provide you with a choice of vehicles across the country.

Try a station wagon if you're looking for a vehicle that is easy to drive, with additional storage space. This vehicle is ideal for two travellers (up to five), and is better with fuel consumption than larger vehicles. It is much easier to park, but it does not feature the same amenities you would find in a larger vehicle. If you’re looking to bring costs down, and would like a simple driving experience, this is the ideal vehicle.
A campervan is also great for small groups. The vehicles are easier to drive, and feature kitchen facilities. Campervans have plenty of storage space, however they do not include bathroom facilities.
A motorhome is a larger vehicle that is ideal for longer trips with family or groups of friends. Motorhomes have increased storage space, as well as kitchen facilities. They are generally harder to drive and park, particularly if you're not used to RVs, so checking campervan parking rules prior to rental is recommended. Compared to campervans, motorhomes cost more, use a larger amount of fuel, and generally incur higher toll costs. However, with bathroom and bedding facilities, you will be self-reliant on your journey across Australia.

Relocation deals offer great prices but may lock the class of vehicle for you — see how relocation deals constrain class choice. Consequently, the type of vehicle you choose also affects the return inspection process, so its important to know what to do when you return the campervan before booking.

Important Information
What type of campervan should I choose?
This is the first question you need to ask yourself when you are deciding what type of campervan to rent. Campervan’s can usually sleep more people, and amenities can be different between vehicles. Take note that if you are heading into the Outback or any remote areas, remember to pack plenty of supplies in case you have any trouble with your rental vehicle.

About the author

Vroom Team

VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around Australia by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.