Do I need a special license to drive a campervan in Germany?

A standard driver's license is sufficient if your campervan weighs under 3.5 tons. Check with your rental company for larger vehicles to see if additional licenses are required.

Is it safe to park a campervan overnight in Germany?

Yes, Germany has many well-maintained campsites and designated campervan parking areas where you can safely park overnight. It’s recommended to stay in these official areas rather than parking on the street, especially in urban areas.

Can I use my driver’s license to rent a Campervan in Germany?

Motorhome rental in Essen is fine if you hold a valid EU or UK driver’s license.

Campervan hire in Essen from £74.54/night

The nearest rental stations around Essen

Popular stations near Essen

Further offers in Germany: The most popular rental locations

Essen is located in central Germany, which makes it an ideal starting point for a German campervan adventure. The area is quite industrial, but all that changes when you head just outside the city. There is a whole area of opportunities for road trips and excursions. The only thing stopping you from exploring is how long you hire a campervan in Essen.

The CamperDays platform makes finding the perfect motorhome for hire in Essen easy. With options to search by budget, vehicle type, and availability, you can quickly book the ideal campervan for your trip, allowing you to explore Germany at your own pace.

Water in Essen-Kettwig with a church tower in the background.

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Pick-up locations in Essen and nearby

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Stations near Essen

RmP VerbundAm Lamperfeld 62 Bottrop46236 Germany

McRentKölner Strasse 159 - 161 Mülheim an der Ruhr45481 Germany

rent easyPinner Str. 46 Heiligenhaus42579 Germany

Overview McRent Holding GmbH4.5(94 Reviews)

Comfort
4.4/5
Cleanliness
4.6/5
Value for money
4/5
Vehicle condition
4.5/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4.5/5

Trusted Customer

Family Standard, Düsseldorf, written on 5 months ago

The Family Standard category includes very different vehicle models. Length 5.9 to 7.3 metres. If you don't know this, you may be in for a surprise when you book a ferry journey.

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Olaf

Family Standard, Düsseldorf, written on a year ago

There was a technical problem when booking via Camper days, which meant we had to postpone our travel plans by 1 day. The solution was then discussed with the station and we were kept in contact. Therefore it is not 5 stars, but a good 4 stars

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McRent Holding GmbH4.5(94 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Comfort
4.4/5
Cleanliness
4.6/5
Value for money
4/5
Vehicle condition
4.5/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4.5/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Overview DRM4.4(9 Reviews)

Comfort
3.6/5
Cleanliness
4.1/5
Value for money
3.9/5
Vehicle condition
4.3/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4/5

DRM4.4(9 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Comfort
3.6/5
Cleanliness
4.1/5
Value for money
3.9/5
Vehicle condition
4.3/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Overview rent easy4.5(13 Reviews)

Comfort
4.5/5
Cleanliness
4.8/5
Value for money
4.2/5
Vehicle condition
4.6/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4.6/5

rent easy4.5(13 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Comfort
4.5/5
Cleanliness
4.8/5
Value for money
4.2/5
Vehicle condition
4.6/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4.6/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Overview roadsurfer4.3(169 Reviews)

Comfort
4.3/5
Cleanliness
4.3/5
Value for money
4/5
Vehicle condition
4.1/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4.2/5

He.W.

Camper Cabin Deluxe, Cologne, written on 3 months ago

Small motorhome - for people who like it tight and have no problem with little storage space. But you also get a motorhome that lives up to its name. It drives almost like a car and you have no parking problems in cities. Great for holidaymakers who want minimalist travel with a good level of "residual comfort". A very good touring caravan with the option of staying overnight almost anywhere. Tip: take a small pop-up tent with you...then you can store bulky items at campsites, e.g. chairs, suitcases.... so you have more space for the travellers. --Our Nugget unfortunately had some defects...The previous tenants didn't treat it the way you usually treat your own things, very unfortunate!

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Trusted Customer

Road House, Cologne, written on 4 months ago

Camper as usual from Roadsurfer in top condition, unfortunately not 100% clean. Unfortunately this time also an unsympathetic handover at both pick-up and return.

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Trusted Customer

Van Villa, Cologne, written on 4 months ago

- Roadsurfer team great - Sat nav unfortunately bad - Super equipment - Vehicle already a bit worn (due to the previous tenants)

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Frank

Van Villa, Cologne, written on 5 months ago

Great team, great vehicle, had a great holiday. The rear bed is a bit uncomfortable on the shower pull-out.

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Tamana

Road House, Cologne, written on 2 years ago

The introduction was very short and concise. But Roadsurfer has great videos that you can watch if you need them. One week with the camper is too short

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roadsurfer4.3(169 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Comfort
4.3/5
Cleanliness
4.3/5
Value for money
4/5
Vehicle condition
4.1/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4.2/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Overview RmP Verbund4.3(4 Reviews)

Comfort
3/5
Cleanliness
4/5
Value for money
3.5/5
Vehicle condition
4.5/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4.5/5

RmP Verbund4.3(4 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Comfort
3/5
Cleanliness
4/5
Value for money
3.5/5
Vehicle condition
4.5/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4.5/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Overview RmP Verbund5(3 Reviews)

Comfort
4.3/5
Cleanliness
5/5
Value for money
4.3/5
Vehicle condition
5/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
5/5

RmP Verbund5(3 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Comfort
4.3/5
Cleanliness
5/5
Value for money
4.3/5
Vehicle condition
5/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
5/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Overview CROSSRENT4(2 Reviews)

Comfort
5/5
Cleanliness
5/5
Value for money
4/5
Vehicle condition
5/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
3.5/5

CROSSRENT4(2 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Comfort
5/5
Cleanliness
5/5
Value for money
4/5
Vehicle condition
5/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
3.5/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Overview RmP Verbund5(1 Reviews)

Value for money
5/5

RmP Verbund5(1 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Value for money
5/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Overview RmP Verbund5(1 Reviews)

Comfort
4/5
Cleanliness
5/5
Value for money
3/5
Vehicle condition
4/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
5/5

RmP Verbund5(1 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Comfort
4/5
Cleanliness
5/5
Value for money
3/5
Vehicle condition
4/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
5/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Overview RmP Verbund4(1 Reviews)

Comfort
4/5
Cleanliness
4/5
Value for money
3/5
Vehicle condition
3/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4/5

RmP Verbund4(1 Reviews)

Reviews Overview

Comfort
4/5
Cleanliness
4/5
Value for money
3/5
Vehicle condition
3/5
Pick-up and drop-off process
4/5

CamperDays stands for transparency! That's why we give every customer the opportunity to share their experiences with other customers after their campervan trip.

Do You Have Any Questions About Renting a Motorhome?

Would you like to enquire about a motorhome or do you need further information before making a booking? You can contact us without obligation either from Mon - Fri 08:00-16:00 GMT by phone or at any time via our online contact form.

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Top tips for your trip to Essen

Germany is known for its well-maintained roads and efficient highways, making it an ideal country to explore by campervan. The best time to rent a motorhome in Essen is between late spring and early autumn (April to October) when the weather is best for outdoor activities. Summer months (June to August) can get busy, especially around popular tourist destinations, so it’s recommended to research and book any campsites early in advance.

Driving
We recommend getting out of Essen itself; parking can be hard, and the real adventure starts when you leave the city. Once you leave the city, you can use Germany’s autobahn network is an efficient road that makes travelling between areas easy. Be careful, though. The Autobahn has no speed limit, so make sure you stay out of the way.
The outdoors
People rent a campervan in Essen to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Nearby outside the city, you have Baldeneysee, a large lake to visit and perhaps cycle around. Then, the Hochsauerland region is about an hour’s drive from Essen. This area is known for its hills, forests, and hiking trails, making it a fantastic destination for nature lovers.
Family friendly activities
Taking the kids with you is a great way to make memories. The top of our list to visit is the Explorado Kindermuseum, which is about 25km outside of Essen. It's a hands-on museum where kids can learn by interacting with the displays. Then there's the Zeche Zollverein, a former coal mine that's now a museum where you can learn about the region's industrial history.

Campervan offers for couples in Essen

For a romantic trip for two exploring Essen and other cities nearby, a smaller motorhome is just right. Discover our selection of vehicles for two people and explore together.

Compact Plus

2 beds2 adultskitchen

Details

LMC Ford Innovan 592 (Automatik)

3 adultskitchen

Details

Comfort Standard

1 bed2 adultskitchen

Details

Campervan offers for families in Essen

If you want to go on a family camping holiday in Essen, we recommend a large motorhome. Alcove models are very popular with families with children, as the motorhomes are spacious and have several sleeping and seating areas.

Volkswagen California Classic

pets allowed4 adultskitchen

Details

Volkswagen California Classic

pets allowed4 adultskitchen

Details

Comfort Luxury

2 beds4 adultskitchen

Details

Campervan offers for dog owners in Essen

Whether it's a campervan or a classic motorhome, there are now several rental companies in Essen that allow pets in their vehicles. In the CamperDays search, you can easily search for suitable offers using the "Pets allowed" filter.

Volkswagen California Classic

pets allowed4 adultskitchen

Details

Volkswagen California Classic

pets allowed4 adultskitchen

Details

Camper Cabin

pets allowed2 beds4 adults/1 child

Details

Best Campervan routes in Essen

Essen to the Black Forest
The Black Forest is one of those places in Germany that you have to visit while in Germany. What better way to get there than by driving a campervan in Essen? It's roughly a 450km drive. Make sure you travel along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße, a very scenic drive. Once there, you can check out the small villages in the forest, enjoy the local food (it’s where Black Forest cake is originally from), or visit the Triberg Waterfalls.

Essen to Bavaria's Romantic Road
This scenic route covers about 400 kilometres from Essen to the start of Germany's famous Romantic Road, a picturesque driving route that stretches through Bavaria, and campervan hire in Essen is the best way to get there. The Romantic Road begins in Würzburg, known for its baroque architecture and the impressive Würzburg Residence. You will then pass through medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Dinkelsbühl, where you can explore half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and historic castles. After that, we recommend you head to Füssen and visit the castle. This great drive can be broken up into a few days.

Essen to Lake Constance
This is a 500km drive south to Lake Constance, which borders Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It's an incredible drive that takes you through varying landscapes, passing through the cities of Freiburg and Karlsruhe, which could make an excellent overnight stopover. Once you arrive at the lake, there's loads to do, such as cycling, sailing, and hiking. There are also some lovely old towns around the lake to visit.

Sites of interest and excursions in Essen

Mülheim an der Ruhr
Mülheim an der Ruhr is a peaceful riverside town that could make a good stop for your campervan adventure. It’s full of exciting things, such as visiting the water tower to get great views of the region. You could also head to Schloss Broich, a medieval fortress that hosts plenty of events and festivals. Campervan parking is available just outside the town centre.

Halde Hoheward
Heading a little further outside the city (about 30km), you will find Halde Hoheward, a former coal mine that has now been transformed into a lovely green space. At the top of the hill, you can get great views of the Ruhr region and visit the Horizon Observatory.

Xanten Archaeological Park
Xanten Archaeological Park is 50km outside of Essen. This is a reconstructed Roman town where visitors can walk through ancient streets, explore ancient ruins, and learn more about daily life in the Roman Empire. There is also an open-air museum and interactive elements for kids, making it a great day out for all the family.

Archaeological Park in Xanten North Rhine-Westphalia

The best campsites

Campsites in Essen and the surrounding area

Your stay for the first night

North Rhine-Westphalia/Haltern in Westfalen
North Rhine-Westphalia/Hückeswagen
North Rhine-Westphalia/Halver
North Rhine-Westphalia/Kevelaer
North Rhine-Westphalia/Nettetal
Campingplatz am Quellensee
North Rhine-Westphalia/Niederkrüchten

FAQs for Campervan hire in Essen

A standard driver's license is sufficient if your campervan weighs under 3.5 tons. Check with your rental company for larger vehicles to see if additional licenses are required.
Yes, Germany has many well-maintained campsites and designated campervan parking areas where you can safely park overnight. It’s recommended to stay in these official areas rather than parking on the street, especially in urban areas.
Motorhome rental in Essen is fine if you hold a valid EU or UK driver’s license.

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