One-Way Campervan Rental in Europe: The Complete Guide

You want to pick up a campervan in Lisbon and drop it off in Paris. Simple enough, right? Until you see the one-way fee: €800, on top of the daily rental. One-way campervan rental in Europe is notoriously expensive — but there's a little-known alternative where companies actually pay you to drive their vehicles one-way. This guide breaks down both options so you can pick the one that fits your trip and your budget.

The one-way fee problem

Most campervan rental companies in Europe allow you to pick up in one city and drop off in another. That's the good news. The bad news is what it costs.

A typical one-way fee — sometimes called a drop-off charge or repositioning fee — ranges from €500 to €1,500 depending on the distance. Some routes run even higher. Pick up in Edinburgh, drop off in Rome? That could easily add €1,200+ to your bill before you've even turned the key.

Why so expensive? Because after you drop off the vehicle, the company has to get it back to where it's needed. They either drive it themselves (paying a driver), put it on a truck, or wait until someone rents it in the other direction. All of that costs money, and they pass that cost to you.

For a week-long trip, the one-way fee alone can double your total cost. That's why so many travellers end up doing round trips they didn't really want — driving back to the pickup city just to avoid the fee.

The relocation hack: drive one-way for €1/day

Here's where things get interesting. The same problem that makes one-way rentals expensive — companies needing to move vehicles between cities — creates an opportunity for savvy travellers.

Campervan relocation deals flip the script entirely. Instead of charging you to drop off in a different city, rental companies offer their vehicles at rock-bottom rates (often just €1/day) because they need someone to drive the van from point A to point B. Some deals even include a fuel allowance to sweeten the pot.

The catch? You're on the company's schedule, not yours. They need the van moved within a specific timeframe — usually 2 to 5 days — and you can't deviate too far from the route. But if the timing works, it's the cheapest way to travel across Europe by a huge margin.

Which companies offer relocation deals in Europe?

Not every rental company runs a relocation programme. Here are the main players operating in Europe as of 2026:

Imoova

The largest relocation aggregator globally. Imoova partners with multiple rental companies and lists their relocation deals in one place. Strong coverage across continental Europe, particularly on routes involving Germany, Spain, Portugal, and France. Deals are posted 1–4 weeks before pickup.

Roadsurfer

Germany-based company with one of the largest campervan fleets in Europe. Roadsurfer runs its own relocation programme, and their vehicles tend to be newer and well-maintained. Especially strong on routes within Germany and between Germany and southern Europe.

Indie Campers

Major player in Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy. Indie Campers frequently has relocation deals on Iberian Peninsula routes — Lisbon to Porto, Lisbon to Faro, Barcelona to Lisbon. Their fleet ranges from basic campervans to larger motorhomes.

Bunk Campers

The UK and Ireland specialist. If you're looking for one-way drives between Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, and London, Bunk Campers is your best bet. Their relocation deals tend to appear around seasonal transitions.

Movacar

Focused on European routes with a mix of campervans and regular rental vehicles. Movacar covers a wide range of routes across the continent and is worth checking alongside the bigger providers.

Rather than checking each provider individually, you can search all of them at once on Movacamper — it aggregates relocation deals from all five providers into a single search.

How a campervan relocation works: step by step

If you've never done a relocation before, the process is straightforward:

1. Search for deals. Browse available relocations by pickup city, drop-off city, or date range. New deals appear regularly, with the most options in autumn (September–November).

2. Book the deal. When you find a route that works, book it through the provider's platform. You'll typically need a valid driving licence, a credit card for the security deposit, and to meet the minimum age requirement (usually 21–25).

3. Pick up the vehicle. Arrive at the pickup location on the agreed date. The company inspects the vehicle with you, explains the rules, and hands over the keys. Pay attention to the fuel policy and mileage limits.

4. Drive the route. You'll have a set number of days to reach the drop-off city. Most deals give you enough time to enjoy the drive — a 1,500 km route might come with 4–5 days. You can sleep in the campervan along the way.

5. Drop off the vehicle. Deliver the campervan to the drop-off depot on time, with the agreed fuel level. The company inspects it, and you're done.

Relocation vs regular one-way rental: pros and cons

Both options get you from A to B in a campervan. Here's how they stack up:

Bottom line: If you have fixed dates and a specific route, a regular one-way rental gives you certainty (at a price). If you're flexible on timing and open to adventure, a relocation deal can save you thousands of euros.

Best one-way routes in Europe

Whether you go the relocation route or pay for a regular one-way rental, some European campervan routes are particularly rewarding. Here are the most popular one-way drives:

Lisbon → Porto (or Porto → Lisbon)

A short, scenic 300 km drive along Portugal's Atlantic coast. Perfect as a relocation deal because it's manageable in a single day with time for stops. Detour through Nazaré for dramatic cliff views or stop in Coimbra for a university-town lunch break.

Munich → Berlin

The 600 km German classic. Autobahn driving at its finest (yes, sections really are unlimited speed), with optional detours through Nuremberg or Leipzig. One of the most common relocation routes because Roadsurfer and others frequently need vehicles shuffled between these two hubs.

Barcelona → Lisbon

About 1,250 km through Spain and into Portugal. You can take the inland route through Madrid or the coastal road through Valencia and the Algarve. Either way, it's 3–4 days of varied landscapes, incredible food, and cheap camping.

Amsterdam → Munich

Around 830 km cutting through the heart of Europe. Drive through the Rhine Valley, stop in Cologne, or swing through the Black Forest. This route appears frequently as an autumn relocation when vans head south from Dutch depots.

London → Edinburgh

A 660 km drive up through England and into Scotland. The A1 is the direct route, but the more scenic option veers through the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales. Bunk Campers regularly offers this as a relocation.

Paris → Barcelona

About 1,030 km through southern France and across the Pyrenees. Stop in Carcassonne, take a dip in the Mediterranean near Montpellier, and cross into Spain with the mountains as your backdrop. A dream one-way drive.

Tips for finding one-way deals

Be flexible on dates. The single biggest factor in finding a cheap one-way drive. A 2–3 week window dramatically increases your chances of matching a relocation deal.

Be flexible on the exact route. Maybe you had your heart set on Barcelona to Amsterdam, but Barcelona to Hamburg is available. Take it — you can train from Hamburg to Amsterdam for €30.

Check regularly. Relocation deals appear and disappear quickly. Make it a habit to check Movacamper a few times a week when you're in planning mode.

Shoulder seasons are gold. September through November and March through May offer the best combination of deal availability, pleasant weather, and empty roads. Read our seasonal guide for a month-by-month breakdown.

Factor in hidden costs. Even a €1/day relocation has costs: fuel (biggest one), tolls, food, and getting yourself to the pickup city. Our cost-saving guide covers how to minimise these.

Frequently asked questions

Related articles

🚠 What is Campervan Relocation? — New to relocation deals? Start here to understand how the whole thing works.

🗺️ Top 5 Campervan Relocation Routes in Europe — The best routes with distances, drive times, and scenic highlights.

💰 How to Save Money on Campervan Relocation — 10 practical tips to cut costs on fuel, tolls, food, and transport.

🕑 Best Time for Relocation Deals in Europe — Month-by-month guide to when the most deals appear and which routes open up.