Complete guide to hiring a motorhome in Alicante
After several years renting motorhomes in Alicante en LSR365, I have noticed that many questions are repeated. Most of our clients are first-time motorhome travellers and want to know how the vehicle collection works, where to sleep, how the water and electricity work, what the insurance covers or what expenses they should take into account during the trip.
That is why I have prepared this guide. Here you will find answers to the most common questions before renting a motorhome. And if any topic interests you in particular, you will also find links to articles where I explain it in more detail.
Is it difficult to travel in a motorhome for the first time?
In my experience, around 80 % per cent of the people who hire a motorhome from us are doing so for the first time.
Before the trip, the same doubts usually arise: whether it will be difficult to drive a larger vehicle than usual, where to spend the night, how the chemical toilet works, or if managing water and electricity will be complicated.
The reality is that most of these worries disappear during the first few hours of the trip. Drivers usually get used to the dimensions of the vehicle quickly and the motorhome systems are much simpler than they seem before setting off.
For this reason I always take the time to explain how the motorhome works before handover and I remain available during the trip to resolve any queries that may arise.
If it is your first experience, I also recommend reading our complete guide on renting a motorhome for the first time, where I explain in more detail how to choose the right vehicle, how long I recommend renting it for and what mistakes beginners usually make.
Insurance and bond
Everything related to the insurance and the deposit is quite straightforward.
The deposit is 500 euros. If the motorhome is returned in the same condition as it was handed over, the deposit is fully refunded. If it was paid in cash, it is returned at the time the vehicle is handed back. If it was paid by bank transfer, the refund is sent on the next working day.
The excess is 300 euros. This is the maximum amount the customer must pay in the event of a claim covered by the insurance. If the cost of the repair is higher, the remainder is covered by the insurance company in accordance with the policy conditions.
Before every rental I record a video of the motorhome and make a record of its condition. That way it is always clear in what condition the vehicle is handed over and in what condition it is returned. If you want to know more details about all the coverages, you can check our motorhome rental conditions.
How much does it cost to travel by motorhome?
The cost of the trip depends mainly on the kilometres you plan to travel and how often you use campsites along the route.
Our motorhomes consume approximately 9 litres per 100 kilometres. Therefore, fuel expenditure will depend on the route and the duration of the trip.
If you’re planning to stay at campsites, prices in the low season usually range from 10 to 30 euros per night. In high season, they can reach 40 or 50 euros, particularly at campsites with a swimming pool, water park and other facilities. For families, the price may vary slightly depending on each campsite’s rules.
In Spain there are few toll motorways. Most of the most popular routes can be travelled via free dual carriageways without losing too much time.
But, in my opinion, the main reason for travelling in a motorhome is not to save money. It is a different way of travelling. Today you can wake up by the sea, tomorrow in the mountains and the day after in a small Spanish village. That freedom is precisely one of the reasons why so many people choose to travel in a motorhome.
Where to park a campervan for the night?
To be honest, most people overthink this subject before their first trip.
Finding a place to spend the night in Spain is very easy. There are campsites, motorhome areas and a large number of permitted spots where you can stay overnight without any problems.
Personally, I almost always prefer places by the sea or with good views. For me, that is one of the greatest advantages of travelling in a motorhome. You wake up in the morning, open the door and you have the sea or an incredible landscape right in front of you. No hotel can offer that feeling.
I tend to use campsites more when I'm travelling with children. A good swimming pool, a water park or a play area can become a major part of the trip.
Before any route I recommend installing the Park4Night app. I use it constantly. There you can find places to sleep, see photographs and read reviews from other travellers.
If you want to delve deeper into this topic, I recommend reading our complete guide on where to park up with a motorhome in Spain.
Is it necessary to go to a campsite every day?
No.
Before their first trip, many people think they will have to plug into electricity every day or constantly look for a campsite to fill up with water and carry out other basic tasks.
Actually, modern motorhomes have enough autonomy for a normal trip.
Our motorhomes have a 140-litre fresh water tank. For two people, this is usually enough for about four days, and for a family of four, approximately three days, using the shower, kitchen and water normally.
Electricity is generally not an issue either. Motorhomes are equipped with solar panels and the batteries recharge while you drive. Because of this, most travellers do not need to hook up to a campsite every day.
During the trip, it is usual to take advantage of a normal stop to carry out motorhome maintenance. Stopping for a coffee, a bite to eat or refuelling, and at the same time, topping up with water or empty the grey water and the toilet cassette if necessary.
If you want to better understand how water, electricity, heating and chemical toilet, I recommend you read our complete guide on the motorhome autonomy.
What to bring with you?
If I had to sum it up in a few words: clothing, personal items, paperwork and food.
Over the years I have realised that most people carry too many things, not too few. Especially extra clothes and large suitcases that afterwards just take up space inside the motorhome.
I usually recommend taking clothes for a few days and, if necessary, planning to do some laundry during the trip. It's much more comfortable than travelling with excess baggage.
There is also no need to worry about crockery, bed linen, chairs, the camping table or many other similar items. All of that is already included in the motorhome.
If you want more details, I recommend reading our comprehensive guide on what to pack in a motorhome for a week's trip.
My advice before the first trip
Don't try to plan the whole route in detail before setting off.
I usually recommend deciding only where to spend the first night. From then on, everything starts to feel much simpler.
Many people believe before the trip that they are going to change location every day and then discover that they prefer to stay another night by the sea. Or, conversely, to continue the route and explore new places.
After a few days you will already have a much clearer idea of the type of trip you really enjoy, and making decisions about the itinerary will be much easier.
That is precisely one of the great advantages of travelling in a motorhome: the freedom to change plans on the fly and stay wherever you really feel like being.
If you are already preparing your trip, you can check our motorhome catalogue and campervans to find the vehicle that best suits your route.