Buying a campervan is one of those decisions that feels simple until you start researching, and then suddenly there are seventeen different options and strong opinions about all of them. This guide cuts through it \u2014 honest, practical, based on what people actually live in rather than what looks best in a sales brochure.<\/p>\n
We’ve split it into ready-to-go campervans (already converted, drive away and live in it) and base vans for self-builds (buy the van, do your own conversion). Both are valid approaches depending on your budget, skills, and patience.<\/p>\n
Once you’ve chosen your campervan, use VanCalc’s fuel calculator<\/a> to see what your monthly running costs will actually look like \u2014 in GBP, EUR or USD.<\/p>\n A ready-to-go campervan means someone else has done the conversion work. You pay more upfront but you’re on the road immediately with a tested setup. These are the most popular options in the UK and Europe:<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> \u00a330,000\u2013\u00a380,000+ | Fuel economy:<\/strong> 40\u201350mpg (diesel)<\/p>\n The VW California is the benchmark against which every other campervan gets measured, and it earns that reputation. It’s based on the Transporter platform \u2014 a van Volkswagen has been refining for decades \u2014 and the California conversion is exceptionally well thought out. The pop-up roof, the fold-out kitchen, the sleeping platform that takes 30 seconds to set up \u2014 everything works properly because it was designed by engineers who did it thousands of times.<\/p>\n The downsides are real: it’s expensive (a new Ocean model is \u00a365,000+), the living space is genuinely small for two people on a long trip, and you can’t stand up inside without the roof up. But for weekend and holiday use, or solo full-time living, it’s hard to beat.<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> People who want a campervan that drives like a normal car, parks anywhere, and needs zero DIY. Budget use or weekend adventures.<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> \u00a315,000\u2013\u00a345,000 used | Fuel economy:<\/strong> 35\u201345mpg (diesel)<\/p>\n The T5, T6, and T6.1 Transporter is the most popular campervan base in the UK. It’s smaller than a Sprinter, more manoeuvrable, drives brilliantly, and has a huge conversion community. Professionally converted T6s are widely available, with quality ranging from basic to genuinely impressive.<\/p>\n What to look for when buying: check the DSG gearbox service history on later models, inspect for rust around the rear arches and sills, and make sure the conversion electrics have been done properly (dodgy wiring is the most common issue in secondhand conversions).<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> UK-based campervan life, especially if you spend time in cities or on narrow roads. The most versatile choice for most people.<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> \u00a320,000\u2013\u00a360,000 | Fuel economy:<\/strong> 30\u201340mpg (diesel)<\/p>\n The Sprinter is the choice for people who want maximum living space. The high-roof version gives you genuine standing height \u2014 you can walk around, cook, change, and work without crouching. Professional Sprinter conversions have become increasingly sophisticated, with some rivalling small apartments in terms of specification.<\/p>\n The trade-off is size. A Sprinter is noticeably larger than a Transporter and will test your patience in tight car parks and narrow country lanes. It’s also more expensive to run and repair than a VW.<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Full-time campervan living, couples who need the space, anyone prioritising comfort over manoeuvrability.<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> \u00a312,000\u2013\u00a335,000 | Fuel economy:<\/strong> 35\u201345mpg (diesel)<\/p>\n The Transit Custom is Ford’s answer to the VW Transporter \u2014 a medium-size van with a strong conversion community and good running costs. Less prestigious than a VW but often better value for money, especially at the used end of the market. Parts are cheap, Ford dealers are everywhere, and fuel economy is solid.<\/p>\n Best for:<\/strong> Budget-conscious buyers who want VW Transporter-style functionality at a lower price.<\/p>\n If you’re prepared to do some or all of the conversion yourself, you can get significantly more campervan for your money. Here are the best base vans to start with:<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> \u20ac12,000\u2013\u20ac35,000 used in Europe \/ \u00a314,000\u2013\u00a330,000 in UK<\/p>\n The Sprinter is the most popular self-build platform in Europe for good reason. Tall interior (6’4″ in high-roof), excellent diesel economy, parts available everywhere from Glasgow to Athens, and an enormous online community producing free build resources. If you’re serious about full-time campervan life and want to build something that lasts, this is where most people end up.<\/p>\n Things to check before buying: rust on the undercarriage and wheel arches, DPF (diesel particulate filter) status, and service history. A blocked DPF is a \u00a3500\u2013\u00a31,500 repair \u2014 get a diesel specialist to check it.<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> \u00a38,000\u2013\u00a325,000 used<\/p>\n Smaller than a Sprinter but easier to live with in the UK specifically. Excellent fuel economy, drives well, and the T5\/T6 has been around long enough that there’s no shortage of secondhand parts and experienced mechanics. The self-build community is huge \u2014 YouTube alone has thousands of T5\/T6 build tutorials.<\/p>\n The main limitation: you can’t stand up without a pop-top or high-top roof conversion, which adds \u00a31,500\u2013\u00a34,000 to your build cost.<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> \u00a36,000\u2013\u00a318,000 used<\/p>\n These three share the same platform and are the budget workhorse of European campervan builds. Parts are cheap and available everywhere in Europe, the used market is enormous, and fuel economy is decent. If you’re doing your first self-build on a limited budget, this is the sensible starting point.<\/p>\n Less glamorous than a VW or Mercedes, but a well-built Ducato conversion is a genuinely excellent campervan at a fraction of the cost.<\/p>\n Price:<\/strong> \u00a312,000\u2013\u00a328,000 in UK \/ $15,000\u2013$35,000 in US<\/p>\n The Ford Transit dominates US campervan self-builds and is increasingly popular in the UK too. Excellent fuel economy for its size, three length options, and parts at every Ford dealer. The high-roof version gives you proper standing height and a large, flat-walled interior that’s easy to build in.<\/p>\n The conversion cost on top of the van purchase varies enormously. A rough guide:<\/p>\nReady-to-Go Campervans<\/h2>\n
Volkswagen California \u2014 The Gold Standard<\/h3>\n
Volkswagen Transporter \/ Caravelle Conversion<\/h3>\n
Mercedes Sprinter Conversion<\/h3>\n
Ford Transit Custom \/ Transit Connect<\/h3>\n
Best Base Vans for Self-Build Campervans<\/h2>\n
Mercedes Sprinter (High Roof) \u2014 Best Overall Self-Build<\/h3>\n
VW Transporter (T5\/T6) \u2014 Best Medium Self-Build<\/h3>\n
Fiat Ducato \/ Peugeot Boxer \/ Citro\u00ebn Jumper \u2014 Best Budget Build<\/h3>\n
Ford Transit (High Roof) \u2014 Best US Self-Build, Good in UK<\/h3>\n
What to Budget for a Self-Build Conversion<\/h2>\n