RV Vacations Remain the Least Expensive, Study Says

RV Vacations Remain Least Expensive, Study Shows
Recreational Vehicle trips remain the least expensive type of vacation, according to a study comparing vacation costs. PKF Consulting, an international consulting firm with expertise in travel and tourism, found that "typical RV family vacations are on average 27 to 61 percent less expensive than other types of vacations studied."

According to the chart below, the direct comparison is undeniable. Even factoring in RV ownership and fuel costs, the study reveals that RV family vacations tend to be significantly less expensive than other types of vacations.

Vacation Type Trip Duration
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Transport Mode / Accommodation 3 Days 7 Days 10 Days 14 Days
Car Folding Camping Trailer/Campgrounds $508 $1,125 $1,605 $2,317
Light Truck or SUV/Travel Trailer/Campgrounds $623 $1,376 $1,963 $2,837
Motorhome / Campgrounds $647 $1,491 $2,127 $2,996
Personal Car / Hotels or Motels $903 $2,182 $3,125 $4,222
Personal Car or Airplane / Rental Property $1,514 $2,725 $3,570 $4,281
Airplane or Rental Car / Hotels or Motels $1,678 $3,044 $4,406 $5,742
Cruise Ship Vacation NA $9,399 $7,425 $9,053
All-Inclusive Package Vacation NA $5,156 $7,125 $9,285

Source: Leading tourism research firm PKF Consulting. When vacationing by RV, a family of four can spend up to 74 percent less compared to other vacation types. RV vacations were found to offer big savings over travel by car or plane with hotel accommodations or rental properties. Even the most expensive RV trip is one-third the cost of a cruise excursion and one-fifth the cost of an all-inclusive package getaway. For more information, contact RVIA's Kevin Broom at 703/620-6003, extension 304.

According to campground and RV owner Tim Chilson, purchasing an RV is one of the best things he ever did. “When we ask our own, now adult sons, to list their favorite vacations, they never name the trips to amusement parks or fancy vacation trips with hotel stays. They name camping vacations in our RV whether it was a weekend trip to the PA Grand Canyon to go tubing on Pine Creek, or our month-long, cross-country trip through the Grand Canyon, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone National Park. Our RVing trips were always our most memorable and most affordable family vacations.”

“RV’s can range in size from pop-ups to park models,” Chilson continued. The chart above shows clearly that pop-ups campers and smaller units used for traveling faired better than larger ones for traveling from place to place from a cost perspective. But if you own or buy a larger RV and park it for the summer at a campground, you can camp on your vacation, and every weekend for the entire summer for about the same price as a one week vacation trip to a rental property! You not only get better value for your money by camping or RVing, but you get a more memorable vacationing experience.”

He went on to add, “Right now, RV dealers are attending the local RV Shows and are having “Open Houses” which provide great deals on last year’s models and new models of RVs. It’s a great opportunity to directly compare models and dealerships and see what they have to offer you. Used units are always an option, and even if you don’t own an RV or can’t afford one right now, you can still camp in a tent, your SUV, or use camping cabins to enjoy a wonderful family vacation on a tight budget.”

Cabins at RV Parks and Campgrounds can range from primitive cabins with just sleeping facilities to full service cabins with kitchen and bathroom facilities. Pennsylvania features cabins and cottages at:
http://www.pacabinsandcottages.com/ “Vacationing at campgrounds and staying in cabins can still provide your family a vacation that is less expensive than inclusive packages from hotels,” Chilson added. “In most cabins,” Chilson continued, “you can cook either in the cabin or over the campfire, and save money on meals for your family. In addition, because many campgrounds offer activities and events, there is entertainment built into your vacation just by the virtue of staying at a campground. That value is recognized and enjoyed by thousands of people each year. That is why RVing continues to thrive and grow.’

Campground owner Dennis Quigley of Kozy Rest Kampground in Harrisville, stated, "Even when you compare camping and RVing with other forms of entertainment, it’s still the most affordable way to not only vacation with your family, but to also entertain and spend time with them.”

According to the National Organization of Theater Owners, the average ticket price in 2007 was $6.88. That means that for the average family of 4, the cost of a two-hour movie experience is $27.52 (without food, snacks, or drinks). Amusement parks admission prices for 2009 range in cost locally from $22.00 to $44.00 per person! When compared to local campgrounds which cost $27.00-44.00 per night for a family of four, you can camp and enjoy a full day of entertainment and fun for about the same price as a trip to the local theater or camp all weekend for much less than one day for your family at an amusement park!

While RVing and camping do not offer the same forms of entertainment as movie theaters or amusement parks, they still stand not only as the most affordable way to vacation with your family, but as an affordable way to entertain and spend time with them. When RVing, you get both a vacation and entertainment for your whole family for one very affordable price.

Have you taken RV vacations and made a direct comparison to another type of vacation? Tell us about vacations you've experienced and how much money you saved! Your story may even be chosen to used in a BLOG or national publication!

Robyn Chilson & her husband Tim, own and operate Brookdale Family Campground in Meadville, PA. She can be contacted at robyn@brookdalecampground.com