Rental company category:Economy
Rental partner · Portugal · Vans and 4x4s

Hostel On Wheels campervan hire in Portugal

Converted vans and 4x4s with roof tents, departing from Porto, Lisbon and Faro

public rating, 83 reviews
4.7/5
branches
3
departure cities
3
models
16
countries
2
at most, in the Fiat Ducato MH2 5 Passengers
5 berths
gearbox on all the models in our data
Manual
  • Three departure points: Porto, Lisbon and Faro
  • Campervans with two to five berths
  • Overlander 4x4s with roof tents
  • Manual gearbox across the whole range
  • Lisbon depot on the south bank of the Tagus
  • Conditions detailed in each offer
The rental company

Hostel On Wheels, vans to travel around Portugal

Hostel On Wheels is dedicated to converted vans and touring 4x4s. The rental company presents its concept as a small accommodation on wheels, practical and friendly, rather than a large motorhome. It offers three departure points along the Atlantic coast: Porto in the north, Lisbon in the centre and Faro in the Algarve. The Lisbon address is in fact on the south bank of the Tagus, in Sobreda, in the municipality of Almada, not far from the beaches of the Costa da Caparica.

Our data lists sixteen models, all with manual gearboxes. Most are campervans from the Adventure, Freedom and Explorer Premium series, in two- or four-berth versions, plus Fiat Ducato MH2 models with up to five seats and a small Boxer van for two. For gravel tracks, the Overlander 4x4s carry a roof tent.

CoolDrive has not yet observed any Hostel On Wheels offers in October 2026: mileage, excess and security deposit appear in each offer.

Our view: a good choice for a light trip as two or four, with vehicles that are easy to park in the narrow streets of Porto or the villages of the Algarve, and a team that the rental company says is available to advise on routes and equipment. Weak points: no automatic gearboxes, no coachbuilt, low-profile or overcab motorhomes in our data, and Porto and Faro addresses to be confirmed before departure.

Rental company profile

Hostel On Wheels in detail: what you need to know

The key facts to decide whether Hostel On Wheels suits your trip.

General information

Brand
Hostel On Wheels · converted van and 4x4 specialist
Van series
Adventure, Freedom, Explorer Premium · each in two- or four-berth versions
Other models
Fiat Ducato MH2, Boxer · the Ducato with up to five seats, the Boxer for two
4x4
Overlander and The Overlander · roof tent, two or three berths
Transmission
Manual · for the sixteen models in our data

Rental conditions

Mileage
Stated in the offer · no CoolDrive observations in October 2026
Excess
Stated in each offer · with any reduction options
Security deposit
Set by the rental company · credit card in general; check your limit
Licence
Category B · sufficient for a van or 4x4 under 3.5 t
Minimum age
According to the offer conditions · years of licence required to be checked too
Crossing into Spain
To be confirmed · rental company's own rule, written in the offer

Insurance and extras

Tolls
Electronic on some motorways · ask whether the van has a tag and how it is charged
On-board equipment
Depending on the model · kitchen, bedding, accessories: list on the vehicle page
Insurance
Detailed in the offer · read the exclusions, especially for 4x4s on gravel tracks

Network and availability

Lisbon
Rua Quinta dos Medronheiros 20, Sobreda · municipality of Almada, south bank of the Tagus
Porto
Address specified in the offer · our data only gives the city
Faro
Address specified in the offer · gateway to the Algarve
Airports
No depot in a terminal · according to our data
Branches

Hostel On Wheels branches in Portugal

2 delivery cities

Hostel On Wheels has no physical branch in these cities: the company delivers the vehicle there, at a time and place agreed with you after booking. They are available as pick-up locations in the search form, which shows availability and the price, delivery included.

Network

Hostel On Wheels also operates in one other country

Comparison

Hostel On Wheels compared with other rental companies in Portugal

Our comparison of the country's rental companies: each has its strengths depending on your trip.

Rental company Vehicles Mileage Best for
Hostel On Wheels Adventure, Freedom, Explorer Premium, Fiat Ducato MH2 vans and Overlander 4x4s Not yet observed, see each offer Vans with 2 to 5 berths and 4x4s with tents, 3 cities
Campers on Way Fiat Ducato Nomad Original and Evolution vans, Dacia Sandero Stepaway Unlimited in 100% of the offers observed Compact options, 3 cities
McRent Vans, low-profiles and large motorhomes (EcoLine, Urban, Compact, Family, Comfort) Unlimited in 100% of the offers observed Coachbuilt motorhomes up to large formats, 4 cities
Anywhere Campers Vans for two, Carado T-447, Adria Matrix, Sunlight A70 and T 68 Unlimited in 100% of the offers observed Automatic versions available, 3 cities
Autocaravan Express Carado CV vans, Carado T low-profiles and Family overcabs Unlimited in 100% of the offers observed From vans to family models, 2 cities
Our view

Hostel On Wheels: who is it for, and who should look elsewhere?

Hostel On Wheels is ideal if…

  • You are travelling as a couple and want a manoeuvrable van for narrow streets and coastal roads
  • You are a family of four or five setting off in a van, without aiming for a large motorhome
  • You dream of the tracks of the Alentejo or the serra in a 4x4 with a roof tent
  • You want to start in the north with Porto and the Douro, or in the south with the Algarve
  • You are looking for a winter getaway in the Algarve sunshine

Hostel On Wheels is not ideal if…

  • You only drive automatics
  • You want a low-profile or an overcab: the range is limited to vans and 4x4s
  • You are six or more travellers
  • You want to know the excess and mileage before searching: no observations yet
Practical tips

Our tips for booking with Hostel On Wheels

  1. Locate the Sobreda depot before you land

    The Lisbon address is in Sobreda, in the municipality of Almada, on the other side of the Tagus. From the airport or the centre, you need to cross the river, via the 25 de Abril Bridge or by ferry to Cacilhas and then by taxi. Time your arrival to fit the opening hours given in the confirmation.

  2. Have the handover location in Porto and Faro specified

    For these two cities, our data gives only their name, with no address. Before booking a flight or train, ask our experts for the exact meeting point and how to get there: a depot on the outskirts changes your transfer budget and arrival time.

  3. Prepare for cool nights out of season

    A van offers less insulation than a coachbuilt motorhome. From November to March, nights can be cool, especially inland and in the mountains. Check on the model page whether there is heating and bring warm clothes, even for a stay in the Algarve.

  4. Sleep in authorised places

    In Portugal, overnight parking for motorhomes and vans is regulated, particularly on the coast and in protected natural areas. Choose campsites and service areas, which are plentiful along the coast, and respect local signage.

  5. Check the van with the agent

    Photograph the bodywork, check the tyres, the leisure battery, the crockery and the bedding, and have the stove and water shown to you. For an Overlander 4x4, ask for a full demonstration of opening and closing the roof tent. Keep the assistance number in your phone.

What travellers ask

Your questions about Hostel On Wheels

Where can you pick up a Hostel On Wheels van in Portugal?

Our data lists three cities: Porto, Lisbon and Faro. For Lisbon, the address is Rua Quinta dos Medronheiros, in Sobreda, in the municipality of Almada, south of the Tagus. For Porto and Faro, only the city is known: the exact handover point appears in the offer. None of these depots is listed at an airport.

How much does a Hostel On Wheels hire in Portugal cost?

CoolDrive does not yet have any observed Hostel On Wheels prices: the price depends on the period, the number of days, the vehicle chosen and the depot. Run a search for your dates from Porto, Lisbon or Faro. The amount shown includes mandatory fees, and the offer details the mileage, excess and options.

Which Hostel On Wheels model should you choose?

For two, an Adventure, Freedom or Explorer Premium van in the two-berth version is enough, and the Boxer offers the simplest option. For four, take the four-berth variant of these series; for five, only the Fiat Ducato MH2 5 Passengers is suitable. The Overlander 4x4s, with roof tents, sleep two or three people.

What route should you take in Portugal with Hostel On Wheels?

From Porto, the Douro Valley and its terraced vineyards, then Peneda-Gerês National Park. From Sobreda, the Serra da Arrábida, Sintra and the Alentejo coast as far as the Costa Vicentina. From Faro, the Ria Formosa, the cliffs of the Algarve and Sagres. National Road 2, from Chaves to Faro, crosses the whole country through the interior.

Can you drive on gravel tracks with an Overlander 4x4?

The Overlander models are 4x4s topped with a roof tent, with two or three berths. The tracks allowed and the insurance cover off tarmac do, however, depend on the rental company's conditions: read them in the offer before heading for a track in the Alentejo or the Serra da Estrela, and find out about protected areas.

Verified customer reviews

They rented with Hostel On Wheels

4.3
818 reviews

Public rating of Hostel On Wheels

Public rating of the rental company: 4.7/5 (83 reviews)

Public ratings collected on October 28, 2026 from independent review sites.

- Direct response - We connect you with the rental agency - Explain what the different insurances include

S.
Portugal · Nov 2022
Trustpilot

Quality/price ratio. Very good explanations at the beginning.

(anonymous)
Portugal · Sep 2020
Avis Vérifiés

Too rigid computer system

Eric L.
Portugal · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Hostel On Wheels campervan hire in Portugal

Why book Hostel On Wheels with CoolDrive?

On CoolDrive, each Hostel On Wheels offer shows a final price, mandatory fees included, and the rules that matter in Portugal: mileage, excess, security deposit, handover city. The same screen shows the other rental companies available in Porto, Lisbon or Faro for your dates, and our experts answer your questions about the model, the route and the options.

What excess does Hostel On Wheels charge?

We do not yet have an observed amount for Hostel On Wheels. The excess, the security deposit and the accepted means of payment, most often a credit card, are stated in each offer, as is any option to reduce the excess. For a 4x4 intended for gravel tracks, also read the insurance exclusions.

Do Hostel On Wheels vans have a shower and toilet?

Our data describes campervans and converted vans, without specifying the bathroom equipment of each model. A van of this size generally offers a bed and a kitchen rather than a proper bathroom. Check the vehicle page and plan stops at campsites if you want a shower every day.

Can you do a one-way hire between Porto and Faro?

With three depots along the coast, the question often comes up, but our data does not allow us to answer it. Enter a return city different from the departure city in the search engine: only the offers that accept this one-way hire remain on screen, with any fees. Otherwise, plan a loop back to your departure depot.

Can you cross into Spain with a Hostel On Wheels van?

Andalusia is an hour from Faro and Galicia is very close to Porto, but leaving the country is governed by the rental company's rules, which we cannot guarantee. Read the list of permitted countries in the offer or ask our experts, describing your route, before booking a trip that crosses the border.

What is the best season to hire a van in Portugal?

Spring and September combine mild weather, a sea warm enough to swim in and quiet roads. In July and August, the coast is very busy: book early, especially as the choice of models narrows. Winter remains pleasant in the Algarve, with often sunny days, but nights in a van require a minimum of equipment against the cold.

About us

Hostel On Wheels in Portugal, to book on CoolDrive Nomad

Hostel On Wheels hires out converted vans and touring 4x4s from Porto, Lisbon and Faro. Its range of sixteen models, all with manual gearboxes, runs from the small Boxer for two to the five-seat Fiat Ducato MH2, by way of the Adventure, Freedom and Explorer Premium series, and the Overlander models with roof tents. The Douro, the beaches of the Costa da Caparica, the Alentejo coast and the cliffs of the Algarve are all within reach of a depot.

With no observations in October 2026, mileage, excess and security deposit are shown in each offer. On CoolDrive Nomad, you compare them with those of other rental companies active in Portugal, such as Campers on Way, McRent or Anywhere Campers, with a final price in which mandatory fees are already included. Between van and 4x4, our experts point you in the right direction, then a search for your dates gives the exact price.