VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
Campervan, converted van, semi-integrated, alcove, A-class, mini-camper: what's actually the difference?
No official standard, but well-established usage: the complete lexicon of rental vehicle types, size by size, so you search with the right word from the start.
“Campervan”, “motorhome”, “converted van”, “semi-integrated”: on rental platforms the words get thrown around loosely — yet each term describes a distinct reality, with its own trade-offs in size, comfort and price. Here's the full lexicon, in the order rental fleets actually use it.
The campervan: a converted utility van
Built on a compact van (Volkswagen California, Ford Transit Custom, short-wheelbase Fiat Ducato…), a campervan is usually under 6 metres long and often under 2 metres tall: it parks like a car, fits most covered car parks and squeezes down narrow mountain or coastal roads. The living area stays inside the van's original shell — no extension, no raised section. The trade-off: you live outdoors a lot, a shower is rare (often outdoor or absent), and space really only works for two travellers, not four. Budget €75–150 a day. See all campervan rental offers.
The converted van: standing height, and then some
Same utility-van base as a campervan, but with a raised or pop-up roof that lets you stand up inside. The converted van (€85–160/day) adds a real wet room and sometimes a permanent bed, while keeping a manageable footprint close to that of a large van. It's the fastest-growing format among professional fleets like Roadsurfer, because it ticks nearly every box without a motorhome's bulk. Comparing the converted vans available is worth the two minutes — price gaps between platforms routinely top 20%.
Semi-integrated, alcove, A-class: the “real” motorhomes
From here on, you leave the van-based world for a living cell built on a chassis — what most people mean by “motorhome” in the strict sense. Three families are told apart by the shape of the cab:
- Semi-integrated: a low-profile cab that extends the bodywork, with no bed above the driving area. The best-selling and most-rented type in Europe (€95–180/day), it offers the best comfort-to-size ratio for two to four travellers. See the semi-integrated RVs for rent.
- Alcove: recognisable by the overhang above the cab, which houses an extra bed. Sleeping up to 6-7 (€90–170/day), it's the family format par excellence — and the classic North American RV shape (often called a “Class C” in the US). See the alcove motorhomes for rent.
- A-class: the cab is integrated into the living cell from the design stage, with a panoramic windscreen and superior insulation. The premium end of the market (€130–280/day), built for long stays and cold-weather travel. See the A-class motorhomes for rent.
The mini-camper: the entry-level format
At the other end of the spectrum, a mini-camper fits a bed and a kitchen box into a compact car-sized footprint (Volkswagen Caddy, Renault Kangoo, a converted Dacia Jogger…). There's no living cell as such: you open the boot to cook and fold the seats down to sleep. It's the most affordable rental on the market — from €45 a day — and the ideal way to try vanlife over a weekend before committing to a fuller rig. Compare the mini-campers available.
What about a caravan or a static holiday home? Not the same thing
Two frequent mix-ups are worth clearing up. A caravan is towed behind a car: it isn't a self-propelled vehicle, and it doesn't appear among the offers Van-Comparator aggregates, which are all motorised. A static holiday home, meanwhile, is permanently set up on a campsite: you rent it in place, not to drive. Campervans, converted vans, semi-integrated, alcove, A-class motorhomes and mini-campers all share one thing in common: they're motorised, self-sufficient for water and power, and can be driven from one stop to the next.
Why platforms don't always agree
There's no official standard fixing these boundaries: a raised-roof Volkswagen Crafter might be listed as a “campervan” on Goboony and a “converted van” on Roadsurfer, depending on length or fit-out. Van-Comparator harmonises the categories each platform displays so the type filter stays consistent from one search to the next, but it still pays to check the photos and description yourself: standing height, an indoor shower, the number of fixed berths. Our guide to berths and payload covers what to read between the lines of a listing.
Which format for which trip?
In short: a campervan or mini-camper for a couple who values the road and easy parking, a converted van for the same trip with more comfort, a semi-integrated for a couple or small family covering ground day after day, an alcove for a bigger family, and an A-class for a long stay or a comfortable winter trip. None of these vehicles require a special licence — a standard driving licence covers the vast majority of cases. Our guides which RV for which trip and how much does renting an RV cost round out the picture before you start a search on Van-Comparator.
Free checklist: your first campervan trip
Licence and vehicle size, pick-up inspection, stopovers or campsites, water and electricity, insurance, drop-off: everything to check before and during a first trip. Sign up — the link to the full checklist appears immediately.