If you own a campervan that spends more time on the driveway than on the road, you might be sitting on a genuine income opportunity. The UK campervan rental market continues to grow, with domestic tourism remaining strong and more travellers seeking flexible, outdoor holidays. The global campervan rental market was valued at $3.85 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $7.56 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual rate of 7.58%.

But here’s the question everyone asks: how much can you actually earn? We’ve pulled together real data from Quirky Campers owners to give you an honest picture of what’s achievable.

The Numbers: What Quirky Campers Owners Actually Earn

Based on data from the 2024/25 financial year, here’s what campervan owners on our platform are earning:

Metric	Amount
Average annual earnings	£6,810
Median annual earnings	£6,524
Highest earner	£18,795
Projected growth for the coming year	5%

That median figure of £6,524 is particularly telling. It means half of all owners earn more than this amount, and a handful of exceptional performers do not skew it. This is real, achievable income for owners who put in the effort.

The gap between average and top earner shows there’s significant upside for those who optimise their approach. Nearly £19,000 from a single campervan demonstrates what’s possible when location, availability, pricing, and presentation all align.

What the Owner Survey Tells Us

We recently surveyed our owner community, and the results were genuinely encouraging:

• 86.7% of owners received more bookings than they expected in 2025
• 68.3% of current owners made more than £5,000 this year

That first statistic is worth dwelling on. Nearly nine out of ten owners exceeded their own expectations. If you’re worried that nobody will book your van, the data suggests otherwise. Most new owners underestimate demand, not overestimate it.

The second figure shows that earning over £5,000 annually is the norm, not the exception. Two-thirds of owners hit this threshold, which, for many, covers the running costs of owning a campervan, leaving money left over.

Breaking Down the Earning Potential

Your earnings depend on several factors. Understanding what influences income helps you maximise your returns.

Location Matters

Campervans based in Scotland and Bristol tend to earn the most. Scotland benefits from its year-round appeal to tourism, particularly with routes like the North Coast 500 drawing visitors from across the UK and beyond. According to VisitScotland, 1.58 million camping and caravanning trips were made in Scotland by domestic visitors in 2022, generating £355 million in spend.

Bristol sits perfectly positioned for access to the Cotswolds, the Welsh coast, and the South West. Hirers can reach Bath in 20 minutes, Cheddar Gorge in 30 minutes, and Cornwall in under three hours. This versatility means strong demand across multiple trip types.

Features That Boost Bookings

Pet-friendly campervans consistently outperform those that don’t accept dogs. Research shows that 85% of UK dog owners prefer a staycation with their pet over a holiday abroad without them. That’s not a niche segment. That’s the vast majority of the 12 million dog-owning households in Britain.

Off-grid capability also commands premium rates. Solar panels, leisure batteries, and water tanks, which allow multi-day stays without a hookup, appeal particularly to hirers exploring the remote Scottish Highlands or the Welsh coast.

Availability and Pricing

The owners who earn the most keep their vans available during peak periods. Easter, May half term, summer holidays, and October half term drive the bulk of annual bookings. Blocking these periods significantly impacts earning potential.

Dynamic pricing also matters. Charging more during peak demand and offering competitive rates during shoulder seasons fills more nights overall. A van earning £150 per night in August might drop to £100 in March, but that’s £100 more than an empty van.

How Earnings Compare to Costs

Owning a campervan comes with ongoing costs. Here’s a rough breakdown of typical annual expenses:

Expense	Typical Annual Cost
Insurance	£400 – £800
MOT and servicing	£300 – £600
Road tax	£165 – £295
Storage (if applicable)	£600 – £1,500
Cleaning supplies and maintenance	£200 – £400

Total annual costs typically range from £1,500 to £3,500, depending heavily on whether you pay for storage. With average earnings of £6,810, most owners see a genuine net profit of £3,000 to £5,000 annually while still enjoying use of their van during quieter periods.

For context, that net profit could cover a family holiday, make a meaningful dent in a mortgage, or provide enjoyable extra income. And you still own the campervan for your own adventures.

The Market Opportunity

The UK domestic tourism market shows strong fundamentals for campervan rental. According to Sykes Cottages’ 2025 Staycation Index, around 63% of Brits are planning a UK break in 2025, with 34% making it their main holiday. The camping and caravanning sector is forecast to grow around 9% in value over the coming years.

Several factors drive this demand:

1. Flexibility appeals to families juggling complex schedules
2. Cost-effectiveness compared to hotels, particularly for longer trips
3. Access to remote locations not served by traditional accommodation
4. The experience itself, with campervans offering adventure rather than just transport
5. Pet friendliness allows the whole family to travel together

This isn’t a fading trend. The structural shift toward flexible, outdoor holidays accelerated during the pandemic and has proven durable.

Why Rent Through Quirky Campers?

There are several platforms where you can list your campervan, but here’s what sets Quirky Campers apart:

1. Owner-led support from people who actually own and rent campervans themselves
2. Clear commission structure with no hidden fees or surprise charges
3. Handpicked vans mean less competition and higher perceived quality
4. Comprehensive listing guidance, including photography tips and pricing advice
5. Customer service handled for you, reducing your workload substantially
6. Insurance guidance to help navigate hire cover requirements
7. Community of owners sharing experience and advice

The platform focuses on handmade, characterful campervans rather than generic fleet vehicles. This attracts hirers seeking experiences rather than just transport, which typically supports stronger pricing.

What Realistic First Year Earnings Look Like

If you’re just starting, it’s worth tempering expectations slightly. First-year owners typically earn below the platform average as they build reviews and refine their listing. A realistic first-year target might be £4,000 to £5,000, building toward the £6,810 average in year two and beyond.

Reviews matter enormously. Each positive review increases trust with potential hirers, improving conversion rates on enquiries. Most owners notice a noticeable uptick in bookings once they have five or more strong reviews.

Ready to Start Earning?

If your campervan could be earning money instead of gathering dust, now is a solid time to get started. The market fundamentals are strong, demand continues to grow, and the majority of owners exceed their own expectations.

The data shows this works. Average earnings of £6,810, with 68.3% of owners earning over £5,000, and nearly nine in ten exceeding their booking expectations. These aren’t hypothetical projections. They are results from real owners with real campervans.

Your van is depreciating whether it’s earning or not. The question is whether you want to offset that depreciation, cover your running costs, and potentially generate genuine profit while your van would otherwise sit idle.

Find out more about renting out your campervan at Quirky Campers.