Booking Well in Advance or Close to Pick-Up Date

Should you book early or wait?

Start looking once you know your route and travel dates. For Christmas, Easter, school holidays, long weekends, festivals and sporting events, leave yourself time to compare before the vehicles you need are booked. Popular destinations can have limited choice well before pick-up. The school-holiday booking guide covers that particular travel period.

Our planning advice for busy destinations such as Perth and Brisbane suggests looking six to eight months ahead for busy periods. Treat that as a planning guide, not a deadline or a promise of the lowest rate. Availability depends on your dates, route and vehicle type. If your trip is sooner, search now rather than assuming you've missed out.

Jump to booking well in advance, booking close to pick-up or understanding availability.

Booking well in advance

The main benefit is choice. You have more chance to compare vehicle sizes and layouts while several suitable options remain. This matters if you need child-seat fittings, an automatic gearbox, particular beds, or a toilet and shower. Waiting may leave a smaller vehicle that won't suit your group, or a larger one that costs more than you planned.

Early booking can also help with the rest of your trip. Once the campervan is confirmed, you can plan your route, activities and campsite bookings around it. Some campgrounds ask for the vehicle type or length when allocating a site, so check their requirements and your vehicle details before booking.

Having your campervan arranged removes one major uncertainty, especially for a trip through remote areas or during a busy holiday period. Check depot opening times and allow time for collection before committing to a tight first-day itinerary.

Does booking early always cost less?

No. Rental prices change with demand, remaining vehicles, dates and route. Booking ahead can give you access to lower-priced options before they sell out, and early-booking or seasonal offers may be available. Check the offer's booking deadline, travel dates, eligible vehicles and conditions.

A last-minute booking can cost more if the cheaper suitable vehicles have gone. A special may also appear close to travel. There is no booking window that guarantees the cheapest price. Compare the total for your actual trip, including the extras and excess-reduction option you need, rather than relying on a headline daily rate.

Booking close to pick-up

Search with your real dates and locations first. If the choices are limited, try nearby dates, another vehicle layout or a different pick-up location, provided the change works for your itinerary. Compare any extra travel costs before changing depots.

For example, a couple who can travel midweek and use campground bathrooms has more alternatives than a family needing specific child-seat fittings over Easter. Don't give up an essential requirement to get a booking, even if keeping it means changing your trip.

If you're flexible about the route and rental length, check campervan relocation offers. Their dates, destinations, included kilometres and conditions can be restrictive. They aren't a guaranteed substitute for your original booking.

Understanding availability

DriveNow results distinguish Instant Confirmation from On Request. An instant-confirmation option can be confirmed through the booking process. An on-request option needs the rental company's availability approval before your booking is confirmed.

Submitting a request isn't the same as receiving confirmation. If you're travelling soon, contact our team to discuss suitable options and the time available. Don't assume a particular response time or commit to non-refundable connecting arrangements on the strength of a pending request.

Before completing a booking, check the payment schedule, cancellation and amendment conditions shown for that vehicle. Then use your confirmation to check the dates, depots and vehicle category. Our comparison-tools guide explains how to compare the results and rental conditions.

Next steps

• Booking during school holidays: planning for the busiest periods
• Best time to travel: weather and seasons by state
• Making payment: when the deposit and balance are due

Part of Before You Book in the Campervan Hire Handbook.