Summer on wheels: How to rent a motorhome in Czechia

If you've never gotten behind the wheel of a motorhome you'll likely have a number of questions and possibly even fears before hitting the road. How big of a vehicle do I need? Is it better to choose a shorter trip for the first time? How much will it cost? What sort of driver's license is needed?

The good news for first-timers is that a European B driving license or an international driving permit is enough to drive most motorhomes. That means no special certification is needed to get behind the wheel of a moveable home.

Prior to setting out, though, you'll want to determine some key information. How many people are going on the trip? How long will the journey be? What sort of destination are you setting out for? Budget for the whole trip? Answers to these questions will dictate not only the type of motorhome you'll need but also the best routes and necessary equipment.

Just in time for the summer season, we asked the founders of Campiri, Czechia's unique rental platform for RVs, to share with us their expert advice for beginners. Here are their tips for making your first campervan holiday an unforgettable adventure.

There are five basic types of motorhomes, each ideal for a specific number of people and type of trip: campervan, built-in, semi-integral, alcove, and integral.

It’s important to choose the right motorhome for your trip. Perhaps basic equipment is all you’ll want, or maybe you'd rather have a small house on wheels. It’s also important to study the specifics of vehicles as much as you can, because sometimes even in the same class the facilities can differ greatly.

When booking through Campiri, each vehicle is based in a different location. This means you’ll need to find out where the pick-up point is before booking and plan your journey accordingly. At the pickup, you’ll be trained in all the specifics by the owner. You’ll get an explainer on what various buttons and switches are for; things like the heating and how to use electricity. You’ll also find out how to take care of your fresh water and black-water tanks. The simple handover process shouldn’t take more than an hour (depending on which vehicle you’ve chosen).

Just in case something comes up while you're on the road, Campiri's booking staff and customer care team can be reached every day including weekends. They can connect customers with their fleet specialists who can help troubleshoot via phone or video call. If the motorhome was rented from a partner (rental companies, direct owner), the renter can keep in direct contact with the owner.

When comparing the cost of rental vehicles with the price of a hotel, note that Campiri prices are for the whole vehicle, not per person. So the total cost is divided between the number of passengers, meaning that in most cases, you’ll save significantly on average accommodation by staying in a motorhome.

Also keep in mind that when booking a motorhome, you'll pay a deposit when booking your trip. The amount varies depending on the vehicle but unlike a hotel room, the deposit isn’t a part of the actual rental price. This deposit will be refunded when you return the vehicle, in full working order.

The rental fee varies depending on a few factors (traveler's capability, year of the car, and pick up location, as each vehicle will be based in a different location) and is also calculated by season (off-season, pre-season, main-season) and may possibly be determined by days and kilometers. Typically the refundable deposit is about CZK 30,000. Accident insurance is a "must-have" for all motorhomes in the Campiri portfolio but isn't guaranteed if you rent a motorhome directly from the owner.

As a general rule, if you’re not traveling during the warm months, you’ll probably be able to get a discount of some sort. Like hotels, motorhome rental prices are often lower in the off-season. Take advantage of year-round motorhome travel to avoid the crowds of tourists and unnecessarily high prices.

While planning out your journey in advance will likely make for a smoother holiday, for those who decide to head out on an impulse there are a number of mobile apps and websites that let you research and reserve campsites and other destinations. Apps such as Park 4 Night, let you see nearby campsites. A paid version that works offline is extremely useful. Camperguru or Stayfree help bring you up to speed on permits, rules, and regulations when you get the urge to sleep out in the "wild" (though before heading into the forest make sure that the motorhome is equipped for a wilderness adventure).

When it comes to knowing what to pack, think of all motorhomes as essentially tiny houses on wheels. You'll need to take into account all the traditional things you'd have on hand at home such as spare clothing, toiler paper, cleaning products, tableware, etc. If you plan to camp outside of the motorhome, bring along sleeping bags or bed linen, depending on the facilities you’ll be using.

All good things must come to an end and that also applies to your motorhome holiday. Once you’re finished, it’ll be time to return the vehicle to its owner. This part of the process is very simple: simply return the motorhome in the same condition in which you first rented it (functional, tidy, and clean). Also, you’ll need to return it with the same amount of fuel you started with. The place of return will be the same as the place of collection before the trip.

Now that you've got the basics down, have a look at the Campiri rentals on offer to find the perfect motorhome for your first trip. And if you still have a question that wasn’t answered, you can check out their FAQ page. Safe travels!