VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
Which Motorhome for 6 or 7 Travellers? The Guide
Alcove, family A-class or two campervans: the real options for travelling as 6 or 7, with prices, the seatbelt trap and the payload trap.
Travelling as 6 or 7 in a motorhome is possible — but it is the narrowest segment of the market, and the one where booking mistakes cost the most. Here are the real options, their prices, and the two traps to check before you pay.
Criterion number one: registered seats, not berths
A "7 berths" listing says nothing about the number of approved belted seats. The rule is simple: one traveller = one seatbelt, no exceptions. Many vehicles offer 6 berths but only 4 or 5 registered seats. Check both figures in the listing, plus the number of Isofix mounts if you travel with young children.
The alcove: the family workhorse
With its bed above the cab, the alcove motorhome is the architecture designed for tribes: 6 to 7 berths, a roomy dinette, €90 to €170 per day. It is the cheapest choice for the capacity, at the price of more wind sensitivity and fuel consumption around 11-13 L/100 km. A Chausson C656 or Rimor Katamarano type model drives on a standard car licence as long as it stays under 3.5 t.
The family A-class: comfort at a higher budget
Some A-class motorhomes offer 6 berths with a real lounge and huge garages: expect €130 to €280 per day. Beware: well equipped, they flirt with 3.5 t empty — which brings us to the second trap.
The payload trap
Seven people, their luggage, a full water tank (100-120 L) and food quickly add up to 600-700 kg. On a vehicle whose real payload is 400 kg, you are driving overloaded: a fine, and above all a weakened insurance position in case of an accident. Ask the rental company for the real unladen weight and available payload — a serious operator answers without hesitation. Our deposit and insurance guide explains what the contract does (and does not) cover.
The alternative: two campervans
For 6-7 travellers, two campervans (2 × €75-150 per day) often cost barely more than one big A-class, for twice the flexibility: two vibes, two rhythms, easy parking. On mountain routes or through narrow villages, it is actually the more comfortable option.
To decide, read which RV for which trip, then compare the large vehicles available on Yescapa, Goboony, Roadsurfer and Indie Campers with Van-Comparator: in this scarce segment, cross-platform comparison often makes the difference between "sold out" and "found one".