The headline comparison
| Operator | Fleet size (IE) | Indicative weekly (shoulder, 2-berth) | Pickup hubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bunk Campers | ~120 | €780–€1,150 | Dublin, Belfast |
| Indie Campers | ~80 | €730–€1,100 | Dublin |
| Roadsurfer | ~30 | €820–€1,250 | Dublin |
| Cookies Campers | ~35 | €700–€1,000 | Dublin |
| Camperin (smaller Irish operators) | ~10–25 | €650–€950 | Cork, Galway |
Prices are indicative for a 2-berth campervan, 7-night rental, May or September (shoulder season). Add 30–60% for July/August. Add a further 5–15% for one-way rentals. Always include the cost of any add-ons (extra driver, late pickup, child seat, bedding kit) when comparing — headline daily rates can be misleading.
The fair comparison is the full trip price after insurance excess reduction, deposit hold, bedding, driver fees and route restrictions. A cheap headline daily rate can lose its advantage if the excess is high, the mileage is capped, or the pickup forces an extra Dublin hotel night.
1. Bunk Campers
The biggest player by fleet, with depots in Dublin and Belfast. Reliable, professional, well-maintained vans — you know what you're getting. The Aero (Ford Transit-based 2-berth) is the workhorse and a safe bet for first-timers.
Strengths: Largest fleet, two depots, good aftercare, north-south one-ways possible.
Watch for: Premium pricing in peak. Standard insurance has high excess (€1,500–€2,500); their excess-reduction add-on is €14–€22/day — budget for it.
Check Bunk Campers availability and prices (affiliate)
2. Indie Campers
Pan-European operator with a Dublin depot. The brand standardises on Mercedes Marco Polo and similar premium-base 2-berths. Pricing is competitive, the vans are newer than the average rental fleet, and the booking platform is the slickest of the lot.
Strengths: Newer vehicles, good app, transparent pricing, decent insurance terms.
Watch for: Single Irish depot (Dublin) limits one-way logistics. Lower deposit visibility than Bunk; check the small print on damage policy before booking.
Browse Indie Campers fleet (affiliate)
3. Roadsurfer
German operator that arrived in Ireland in 2023. The "Surfer Suite" 2-berth is a VW Crafter conversion that's particularly well-equipped (proper kitchen, decent fridge, comfortable bed). Premium pricing reflects the kit.
Strengths: Best-equipped vans of the three majors. Good European integration if you're crossing on a ferry.
Watch for: Smallest Irish fleet, so availability tightens early. Pickup at Dublin Airport only.
Roadsurfer Irish fleet (affiliate)
4. Cookies Campers (Irish-owned)
Family-run Dublin-based operator. Smaller fleet of mostly Fiat Ducato 2-berths. Personal service, slightly older vans, well-loved by repeat customers.
Strengths: Local service, flexible deposit terms, willing to discuss longer rentals.
Watch for: Older fleet means occasional reliability surprises. Confirm habitation service is current before pickup.
5. The smaller Irish operators (Cork, Galway, Donegal)
A handful of small operators with 5–15 vans each, mostly serving the local market. Examples: Camperin (Cork), CamperVan Hire Ireland (Galway). Often cheaper than the majors and useful if you want to start your trip outside Dublin.
Strengths: Local pickup, often substantial price advantage. Personal service.
Watch for: Smaller fleets mean less flexibility on dates. Confirm one-way return options up front. Insurance terms vary — read carefully.
How to choose
- First-timers, Dublin start, peak season: Bunk. Largest fleet means availability when others are booked out.
- Newer vehicle preference, app users: Indie. Slickest experience, newer fleet.
- Best-kitted-out, willing to pay premium: Roadsurfer.
- Returning customers, off-peak: Cookies, or one of the smaller operators — better value.
- Want to start your trip on the south or west coast: Camperin (Cork) or CamperVan Hire Ireland (Galway).
The non-obvious extras to watch for
- Excess reduction. Standard motorhome rental excesses are €1,500–€3,000. The reduction add-on is usually €14–€25/day; for a week-long trip, that's €100–€175. Worth doing for peace of mind.
- Bedding kit. Some operators include linen; some charge €30–€60/person to add it. Bring your own if you're price-sensitive.
- One-way fees. Picking up Dublin and dropping off Belfast (or vice versa) typically €75–€150 fee.
- Mileage caps. Most rentals are unlimited mileage, but check — the cheapest deals sometimes cap at 200–300 km/day.
- Late return fees. Almost universally punitive (€30–€60 per hour after the contracted return time). Plan margin.
- Driver minimum age. Most operators require 25+; some 23+. Under-25 drivers usually pay a "young driver surcharge".
Insurance checklist before you book
Rental insurance is not the same thing as owning a campervan policy. Before paying a deposit, check the standard excess, the deposit hold, excluded roads, tyre/windscreen cover, contents cover, additional-driver fee, and whether ferry trips to Northern Ireland, Britain or France need approval. If the excess reduction costs €100-€175 for the week, compare that against the deposit you could lose after one reversing scrape.
Also ask what happens if the vehicle is damaged while parked overnight, whether single-vehicle damage is treated differently, and whether your personal belongings are covered at all. Rental cover often protects the operator's vehicle better than it protects your laptop, camera or bikes.
If you are moving from rental to ownership, use the caravan and campervan insurance Ireland checklist before buying the van.
Best route for a first van-life test
For a first Irish van-life week, choose a loop that keeps driving manageable and gives you one fallback campsite every second night. Dublin pickup usually fits Wicklow, Wexford and Waterford for a short test, or Galway, Connemara and Mayo for a west-coast version. Cork pickup suits west Cork and Kerry without the long first-day drive from Dublin.
The test is not just whether the scenery works. It is whether you sleep well, handle rain days, cook without stress, manage shower and water stops, and still like the idea after checking the real ownership costs. That is why rental is the best commercial route for beginners before buying a van.
If you've never driven a campervan before
The standard 2-berth on a Ford Transit / Fiat Ducato base is no harder to drive than a panel van. The non-obvious driving notes:
- Reverse cameras are the difference between a relaxing trip and a parking nightmare. All three majors include them on most models in 2026; double-check for older fleet.
- Heights of 3.0–3.5 m mean some carparks (multi-storeys, some hotel forecourts) are off-limits. Plan accordingly.
- Wind on the west and north coasts can be ferocious. Don't park side-on to a gale; you don't sleep.
- Reverse very slowly — 90% of rental damage claims are reversing scrapes.