The 5 most affordable family camping destinations in Europe this summer

Portugal takes the top spot as the most affordable destination for a family camping holiday, with a total average cost of just €363 for both campsite and car rental fees. This scenic destination has no shortage of beautiful views and plenty of sunshine, so it’s no wonder this affordable camping location took the top spot!

Portugal also had the lowest car rental costs out of all the countries we looked at, as hiring an SUV came to just €143 for the week. The average campsite price came to €220, which is the middle range. There are also no listed extra costs for facilities and amenities at the Portuguese campsites we researched, making this destination a lovely budget-friendly place for your family summer holiday.

The campsites we researched both allow vacationers to bring their pets along too, so they won’t have to miss out on the fun! One of the campsites in the study, Wecamp Sao Miguel, offers guests plenty of things to do on-site: from relaxing by the swimming pool to bike rentals, there’s plenty of activities to enjoy during your stay. The stunning Odeceixe and Carvalhal Beaches are located just 4km from the campsite.

Up next in second place for most affordable family camping destination is Spain, which has an average cost of just €398 for a week-long campsite stay, including car rental fees. With campsite fees averaging €149, the second most affordable overall, alongside relatively low car rental prices at €249, Spain offers families an affordable way to enjoy a summer getaway without compromising on sunshine, scenery and outdoor adventure!

One of the campsites we included in our research, Camping & Bungalows San Vicente, is right on the beachfront in Xeraco, Valencia. You might not associate camping with beach vacations, but with locations like this, you can easily combine the two!

Like Portugal, we found that all the Spanish campsites we researched had no extra charges listed for amenities and facilities, and that they all welcome pets, so the whole family can go on vacation! Affordability-wise, this makes camping in Spain a great budget-friendly vacation option this summer.

In a previous study, we found Spain to be the easiest country in Europe to drive in! If you’re planning to rent a car in this country, you may be in for a smooth journey.

In third place is Austria, where the total average cost for a week-long summer camping trip came to €445. Austria’s gorgeous alpine scenery makes this country a great place for a camping trip, especially if you love hiking and swimming in lakes.

Austria has the fourth least expensive campsite costs at €187, and car rental costs came to €258, making this scenic destination fairly affordable for an action-packed summer camping trip. For some campsites in Austria, there is an additional charge for power (billed per kWh, which is about €0.80–0.85), and a warm-water shower is around €1.50–1.70 per go. So you may need to bring some spare coins!

One of the Austrian campsites in our research, Waldcamping Tamsweg, offers plenty of leisure activities to keep guests entertained. There are lots of scenic hiking trails and cycle paths for outdoorsy families to get stuck into, and it even offers pony rides for small children in the farm area. For those looking to explore some local history, there's also castles and a museum located nearby.

In fourth place in our ranking of the most affordable family camping destinations is the UK, with a total average cost of €504. The average campsite cost was €272, which is technically the second most expensive in our research, but is much lower than the destination with the highest cost. The car rental price in the UK came to €232, which was the second-most affordable out of all the destinations.

There’s also lots of family activities to get involved in this summer, as one of the campsites we looked at has a leisure club and an 18-hole foot golf course, perfect for families. The UK has a wide range of beautiful landscapes to enjoy on a camping trip, from the Suffolk and Dorset coastlines to the pretty hills of the Peak District.

Rounding up the top five for the most affordable family camping destinations is Sweden. The average total cost of a basic campsite and car rental fees for the week is €552, with campsite fees coming to €200 and the car rental prices reaching €352. In Sweden, especially in the north, the summer sun doesn’t set until late in the evening, giving you even more time to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.

The Elfdalens Camping campsite is family-friendly, pet-welcoming, and close to both nature and the city centre. It has a mini-golf course, located close to places where you can go fishing, and has a gym so guests can stay active during their stay.

We also looked into some of the pricier options for a family camping trip. While the below may be a bit more expensive, they each offer beautiful scenery and a great stay for visitors.

In first place for the most expensive family camping vacation destination is the Netherlands. The average total cost for a week-long campsite stay and car rental fees came to a grand total of €1,021! The Netherlands has the highest average campsite costs at €511, which is over €200 more than the UK, with the second most expensive campsite cost.

The Netherlands also has the second-highest car rental prices at €510, which is why this destination took the top spot. While it might be on the more expensive end, there is lots for guests to do on these campsites — one is even located on a beach where visitors can enjoy the sun and dunes.

Switzerland landed in second place for most expensive family camping destination, as the average total cost for a week-long campsite stay and car rental fees would be €958. Switzerland's average campsite cost came to €246, and the car rental price was €712, which was the highest out of every destination included in the research.

Switzerland’s alpine scenery makes it a perennially popular destination for hikers and nature lovers, with pretty towns and villages to visit too. At one of the campsites we researched, guests can take a refreshing dip in the nature pond, and take a walk around the forests that surround the premises.

In third place for the most expensive family camping destination is Norway, as the average combined cost for a campsite stay and car rental prices came to €776. Norway has both the third most expensive average campsite cost at €267 and car rental costs at €509.

Norway’s “right to roam” or “allemannsretten”, a policy also found in Sweden, means that you can technically pitch a simple tent almost anywhere in the countryside. But for a more luxurious experience, with cooking facilities, hot showers and laundry services, you might want to head to one of the country’s paid campsites. There's no shortage of incredible experiences to be had in Norway, from mountain hikes and kayaking to taking in the views inside a skylift!

Up next in fourth place is Finland, as the overall average costs for a camping vacation in this country came to €637. In the summer, Finland is warm, sunny and mild, perfect for adventures in the forest, and swimming and kayaking in the lakes. We found that Finland has the third-lowest average campsite costs at €152, but has a much higher car rental price at €485, which is why this destination landed on the more expensive side.

Despite the affordable campsite price, we found that in some campsites, there are some hidden costs to look out for! In one of the campsites we researched, guests can be charged an extra €6.50 a night for electricity. In another campsite, guests can be charged between €4–6 per wash/dry cycle, and using the sauna is an extra €25–30.

Rounding up the top five most expensive destinations for family camping is France, as the average price for a week-long campsite stay, including car rental fees, came to €629. From Mediterranean vibes in the South of France to lush forests further north, spending some time out in nature is a wonderful way to explore this country.

Despite being in the more expensive family camping ranking, we found that France has the lowest average campsite costs out of every country, at €142. What drove the overall price up was France’s car rental costs, coming in at €487, which was the fourth most expensive, leaving France somewhere in the middle, affordability-wise! If you’re planning on renting a car in France, it’s worth booking your car in advance to get a good deal, helping cut down the costs!

In our study, we chose to compare the prices of SUVs rather than smaller vehicles, as if you’re heading out for a camping vacation, it’s very likely you’ll need lots of space in the car for your tent and any other camping equipment!

The best car for your trip will probably be one with a large trunk, so that you can pack as much as possible in there, meaning a comfier ride for you and your family.

When renting a car on vacation, it’s worth researching the local traffic laws and road signs so you know what to expect once you set off. Also, make sure you have all the necessary documentation with you before you leave. You may need an IDP (International Driving Permit) in some countries when driving abroad.

We hope our research into the most affordable family camping destinations has been helpful in planning your next family vacation. Camping is a wonderful way to connect with nature and explore the local scenery of these stunning destinations.

If you’re planning a trip to some of the more expensive options in our ranking, then don’t worry. Often, if you book your campsite and car rental in advance, the cost may be lower, or there are some good deals going to take advantage of! Many of these beautiful destinations are still accessible, even if our research found them to be, on average, on the pricier side.

If you’re looking to rent a car for your next trip, please consider booking with us. We were the most visited global car rental comparison site in February–April 2026 and can help you find the perfect rental car in over 145 countries around the world.