Campervan hire is the ultimate alternative to hotels and Airbnbs during the Edinburgh Fringe 🎭 🚐

Fringe season in Edinburgh brings world-class performances, buzzing crowds and sky-high accommodation prices. But there's a smarter, more flexible way to experience it all: a campervan. 💡

From avoiding costly hotels to exploring Scotland beyond the city, this blog reveals why hiring a campervan could be your ticket to a spontaneous, scenic, and stress-free Fringe Festival. Are you ready to fringe differently this year?

Every August, Edinburgh transforms into the world’s largest stage. The Fringe Festival welcomes thousands of performers and visitors, filling the city with comedy, drama, music, and art from every corner of the globe. But with that magic comes one unavoidable truth: accommodation during Fringe can be a logistical and financial nightmare.

Hotel prices skyrocket, Airbnbs are snapped up months in advance, and availability close to the city centre becomes slim to none. That’s where campervans come in, and no, we’re not just saying that because we’re biased.
 

Aaron Wood - Stand up comedian

We caught up with rising comedian Aaron Wood, a regular performer at the Edinburgh Fringe, to get his take on the challenges of festival accommodation and why hiring a campervan might just be a game-changer.

“I do the Fringe every year, and the cost of accommodation is a constant battle — it completely prices out so many performers, especially people from working-class backgrounds like mine. I save all year just to afford a damp flat that costs three times more than the mortgage on my three-bedroom house. The more alternative options like this that are available, for both performers and audiences, the more pressure there is on landlords to stop pushing rents higher every year. I think this is a brilliant idea.”

Here’s why a campervan could be the smartest and most flexible way to experience the Fringe Festival this year.

1. Skip the price surge – without sacrificing comfort

Hotels and Airbnbs often triple in price during August. A campervan gives you a consistent, flat rate that’s often much more affordable — especially if you're sharing with a friend or two. Plus, with features like a proper bed, kitchenette, and heating, you’re not exactly “roughing it.”

2. Your room goes where you go

No long treks back to an overpriced hotel. Park nearby and you’re always just minutes from the action. Not feeling the crowds? Head to the outskirts, explore the coast, or even take a quick scenic detour to Loch Lomond — your campervan is your own personal escape plan.

3. Stay off the grid (but still plugged in)

Most campervans are equipped with solar panels, leisure batteries, and USB charging points. So whether you're livestreaming street performers or recharging your devices after a long day at the Fringe, you’re sorted.

4. Freedom to explore more of Scotland

Why just stick to Edinburgh? With a campervan, the adventure doesn’t end when the curtain falls. Drive the NC500, chase waterfalls in the Highlands, or visit a whisky distillery on your way home. Scotland is yours to explore.

5. More dog-friendly than a city hotel

Many campervans onCamplify are pet-friendly, which means your four-legged companion doesn’t need to miss out. Try finding a hotel in August that will say the same...

6. No need to book a year in advance

Even when Edinburgh is at peak capacity, you can usually find last-minute campervan availability — and much closer to the city than you'd expect. No 12-month planning spreadsheet required.

Are you r eady to Fringe differently this year?

If you're heading to Edinburgh this August and haven't sorted your accommodation yet, a campervan might just be your best move. Whether you’re a performer looking for a base, a visitor chasing every late-night show, or a group of friends wanting freedom and flexibility, the road is calling — and it’s pointing straight to the Fringe.

Explore campervans near Edinburgh onCamplify.co.uk and make this year’s Fringe your most spontaneous, scenic, and stress-free yet.