Campervan car relocations: How to hire a van for $1 a day

How we scored a $1 campervan hire (and you can too)

Planning, Travel Tips

We road-tripped from Adelaide to Melbourne for $1 a day. Here’s how campervan car relocations work — and the catches.

The ultimate guide to campervan car relocations in Australia

Ever heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a free ride?” Well… turns out there is.

In March 2026, we picked up a JUCY campervan from its Adelaide depot and hightailed it to Melbourne on a three-day road trip. The cost? $1 a day, plus a $49 booking fee. Those fees were completely offset (and then some) by a $150 fuel refund offer.

So what’s the catch — and how do you go about snagging yourself a free (or cheap-as-chips) ride in Australia?

The magic words are: campervan car relocations.

We’ve done the research, compared the options, and put it to the test. Here’s everything you need to know to get cruising on your own low-cost getaway.

What are campervan car relocations?

Car relocations are one-way campervan hires offered at extremely low costs (often from $1 per day) — and sometimes even free. Rental companies use relocations to move fleet vehicles back to branches where demand is higher, saving on professional transport costs. And saving travellers serious coin.

Who offers car relocations in Australia?

In Australia, three main companies coordinate relocation services for campervan hire agencies such as JUCY and Maui.

These include:

How do I book a campervan car relocation?

You can manually check the websites daily or set up email alerts to be notified when a relocation matching your dates becomes available. It can be competitive — so when something pops up that suits you, move quickly.

What kind of vehicles are available?

Anything from a six-berth motorhome with shower, toilet and all the mod cons, to 4WD campers and simple vans without amenities. You’ll also find standard sedans and 4WDs with rooftop tents. It really depends on what needs moving.

So what’s the catch?

There are a few things to be aware of:

Fairly tight timeframe
You’re given a fixed window to relocate the vehicle. We had three days to get from Adelaide to Melbourne. Sometimes you can extend the hire at a discounted rate (for example, $75 per extra day).

Security bond
The bond can be sizeable. The rental agency places a hold on your card and releases it once the vehicle is returned on time and without damage.

Booking fees
Some relocation companies charge a non-refundable booking fee.

Age restrictions
There may be additional fees or restrictions for younger drivers. For example, Transfercar is only available to drivers aged 21+, and those aged 21–24 may incur extra daily charges and be restricted to certain vehicle types.

What’s included in a car relocation?

Inclusions are set by the campervan hire agency (not the relocation company) and vary between deals.

Some relocations offer unlimited kilometres. Others include a set kilometre allowance, with excess kilometres charged per 100km.

Some deals include:

Linen
Gas provisions
Camping equipment
Ferry tickets
Fuel reimbursements or vouchers
–

Always read the fine print carefully.

Do I have to follow a set route?

No. Whether you have unlimited kilometres or a set allowance, you’re free to choose your route. You don’t have to take the fastest, most direct option — you can detour to see the good stuff. Just keep your total kilometres within the allowed limit.

How far in advance can I book?

Relocations are typically listed 2–3 weeks in advance, though last-minute deals do pop up. Flexibility is key.

What fees are involved?

While relocations are advertised from $1 per day, there are other potential costs to consider:

Rental cost – Usually $1 per day (sometimes free)
Booking fee – Often non-refundable
Holding deposit – Refundable bond charged by the hire agency
Extra kilometres – Charged if you exceed your allowance
Extra days – Discounted but still additional
Fuel & tolls – Usually paid by the driver unless reimbursed
Young driver fees – Extra daily charges for drivers under 25
Additional driver fees – Daily fee per extra driver
Insurance excess – Security bond may apply in the event of damage
Cleaning/damage fees – If returned dirty or damaged

Which company offers the best deal?

Here’s a rough comparison at the time of writing:

iMoova
$49 non-refundable booking fee
$100 refundable holding deposit
$1 per day rental rate
$6 additional driver fee
$3,000 security bond

Transfercar
$75 refundable booking fee
$100 refundable holding deposit
$1 per day or free rental
$11 additional driver fee
$5,000 security bond

CoSeats
$39 non-refundable booking fee (sometimes cashback promos)
$75 refundable holding deposit
$1 per day rental rate
$5 additional driver fee
$1,000–$2,000 security bond

The “best” deal depends on your route, dates and flexibility.