McRent Rental company category:Standard
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McRent Umea c/o Fritids Metropolen AG Airport265 Degernäs, 90 580 UmeaView map
Hiring a campervan in Umeå means starting from northern Sweden without having to drive up there: the capital of Västerbotten, a university city on the Ume River, opens onto the cliffs of the High Coast to the south, the Blue Highway running to the mountains of Lapland and Norway, and the ferry from Holmsund to Vaasa, in Finland. You pick up your vehicle from McRent, our partner company, based in Degernäs.
The depot is about ten kilometres from the centre, not far from the airport: you join the E4 or the E12 without crossing the city.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Umea?
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Umea
| Vehicle | Winter January | Spring April | Summer July | Autumn October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €103/day median €112/day | from €88/day median €96/day | from €184/day median €193/day | from €87/day median €97/day |
| Low-profile motorhome | from €122/day median €135/day | from €105/day median €115/day | from €226/day median €256/day | from €108/day median €116/day |
| Large motorhome | from €128/day median €137/day | from €119/day median €122/day | from €268/day median €312/day | from €120/day median €122/day |
Daily prices observed on October 29, 2026 for a 14-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Umea
1 The High Coast and Skuleskogen National Park
- Umeå
- Örnsköldsvik
- Skuleskogen
- Skuleberget
- Nordingrå
- High Coast Bridge
- Umeå
Heading south on the E4, Örnsköldsvik comes before the High Coast, a World Heritage Site for the way its land has been rising since the last Ice Age. Climb to the top of Skuleberget, cross Skuleskogen to the Slåttdalsskrevan gorge, then the roads of the Nordingrå peninsula lead to fishing villages and the great High Coast suspension bridge, before heading back to Umeå.
- Distance
- about 550 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or low-profile motorhome
2 The Blue Highway to the mountains and Norway
- Umeå
- Lycksele
- Storuman
- Tärnaby
- Hemavan
- Mo i Rana
- Umeå
The E12, nicknamed Blå Vägen, follows the Ume River valley through forests and lakes: Lycksele and its Gammplatsen open-air museum, Storuman and its islands, then Tärnaby and Hemavan, at the foot of the mountains of the Vindelfjällen nature reserve, where the Sami herd their reindeer. The pass then crosses the border and descends to Mo i Rana and the Norwegian coast.
- Distance
- about 950 km round trip
- Recommended vehicle
- Low-profile or over-cab motorhome
3 The Finnish Kvarken by the Vaasa ferry
- Umeå
- Holmsund
- Vaasa
- Replot
- Svedjehamn
- Vaasa
- Holmsund
- Umeå
From the port of Holmsund, south of Umeå, the ferry crosses the Kvarken, the narrowest point of the Gulf of Bothnia, in a few hours. On the Finnish side, Vaasa opens onto the Kvarken Archipelago, the other half of the High Coast World Heritage Site: the Replot Bridge, the Saltkaret observation tower and the rocks of Svedjehamn, on the island of Björkö.
- Distance
- about 250 km, plus the crossing
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
Weather and seasons
When to go in Umea?
Best time
June to August
June to August
highs 18 to 21 °C, lows 9 to 12 °C
The motorhome season in Umeå: almost white nights around Midsummer, a sea that warms up in July and all mountain roads open. July concentrates the Swedish holidays, and August is the wettest month of the year: pack rain gear for Skuleskogen and the trails of Vindelfjällen.
April, May, September and October
April to May, September to October
highs 6 to 14 °C, lows -3 to 8 °C
In spring, snow lingers for a long time on the mountains around Hemavan and night frost often returns in April. September is the month of colours: golden birches along the Ume River, red heathland at altitude and the first northern lights as soon as darkness falls again. In October, rain and short days herald the winter.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs -3 to 2 °C, lows -9 to -3 °C
Winter is long, with one to two hours of sunshine a day in December and January and a sea locked in ice. It is the season of the northern lights and of the ski resorts of Hemavan and Tärnaby, provided you travel in a heated vehicle fitted with winter tyres and choose campsites open all year.
Climate in Umea, month by month
Most pleasant months: June to July.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -3 °C | -9 °C | 65 mm | 2 h/day | -0 °C |
| Feb | -2 °C | -8 °C | 50 mm | 4 h/day | -0 °C |
| Mar | 2 °C | -6 °C | 41 mm | 7 h/day | 0 °C |
| Apr | 6 °C | -3 °C | 35 mm | 10 h/day | 2 °C |
| May | 12 °C | 3 °C | 43 mm | 13 h/day | 7 °C |
| Jun | 18 °C | 9 °C | 60 mm | 14 h/day | 14 °C |
| Jul | 21 °C | 12 °C | 90 mm | 14 h/day | 18 °C |
| Aug | 18 °C | 11 °C | 102 mm | 11 h/day | 19 °C |
| Sep | 14 °C | 8 °C | 87 mm | 8 h/day | 15 °C |
| Oct | 7 °C | 2 °C | 93 mm | 5 h/day | 9 °C |
| Nov | 2 °C | -3 °C | 76 mm | 2 h/day | 3 °C |
| Dec | -1 °C | -6 °C | 79 mm | 1 h/day | 0 °C |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Pick-up in Degernäs, outside the city
McRent hands over its vehicles at Fritids Metropolen, in Degernäs, about ten kilometres from the centre of Umeå and a few minutes from the airport. With luggage, a taxi is the simplest option: book one and tell the rental company your arrival time. The exact address is in your confirmation.
Fill up before heading inland
Beyond Lycksele, filling stations become scarce and many are unstaffed, with machines that only accept certain cards. Fill up and do your shopping in the towns along the E12, in Lycksele or Storuman, and keep a fuel reserve for the mountain valleys.
Reindeer and elk on the E12
The Blue Highway crosses land where the Sami graze their reindeer: herds walk along the road at their own pace, especially in summer when they flee the insects. Slow down as soon as you see one, as others will follow. Elk tend to cross at dawn and dusk, at the edge of the forests.
Mosquitoes and bright nights
From late June to August, mosquitoes and blackflies abound near the lakes and bogs inland. Insect screens on the windows and door, a repellent and pitches exposed to the wind, by the sea or at altitude make the evenings far more pleasant. Blackout curtains also help you sleep under a sky that hardly darkens.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Umea
Where can I pick up a campervan in Umeå?
Our partner company in Umeå is McRent, whose depot is in Degernäs, at the leisure vehicle specialist Fritids Metropolen, about ten kilometres from the centre and very close to the airport. It is our partners' only depot in northern Sweden on the Gulf of Bothnia coast; the precise address is given in your confirmation.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Umeå?
The price varies mainly with the season, as the short Norrland summer concentrates demand, then with the length of hire and the type of vehicle. Run a search with your departure and return dates in Umeå: you will get the real prices offered by the rental company, mandatory fees included, ready to book immediately.
Can I do a one-way trip from Umeå?
Yes: Stockholm, Enköping, Gothenburg, Helsingborg and Malmö are also departure cities of our partners. A one-way trip south lets you drive down at a relaxed pace along the High Coast and the Gulf of Bothnia shore. Any fees are included in the displayed price as soon as you enter the return city when searching.
Can I take the campervan to Finland or Norway?
Norway lies at the end of the Blue Highway and Finland is a ferry crossing away. Before booking the boat to Vaasa or crossing the border, check in the offer conditions that these countries are allowed and covered by the insurance. For the ferry, declare the exact length and height of the vehicle.
Can I drive up to the Arctic Circle from Umeå?
Yes, in one long day or two stages. On the E4, you follow the coast to Skellefteå and Luleå before turning off towards Jokkmokk, the heart of Sami culture, where you cross the Arctic Circle; Kiruna and Abisko are further still. Allow around ten days for the round trip to enjoy Lapland without driving all the time.
Can I visit the Holmön archipelago?
Holmön, a large wooded island off the coast, is reached by a public ferry from Norrfjärden, north-east of Umeå. The simplest option is to leave the motorhome near the landing stage and cross on foot or by bike: the flat, sparsely populated island can be explored in a day, with its boat museum and shores where many birds nest.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Umea with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
Quick rack report
K.
Sweden · Jan 2025
Trustpilot
Everything went well from the beginning to the end. I was informed at all times, even they wrote to me because there was a change of camper due to circumstances and they notified me in case I didn't agree. There was no problem, I'm very grateful because it's a pleasure to travel like this. Thank you very much.
R.
Sweden · Aug 2025
Trustpilot
Clear and quick communication. Perfect service.
R.
Sweden · May 2025
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Umeå
What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Sweden?
For a vehicle under 3.5 tonnes, a category B licence is enough; heavier models require a C1. A driver with a non-European licence may need to show an international driving permit or a translation. The minimum age and years of driving required depend on the rental company and are listed in the offer conditions.
Can you see the northern lights and the midnight sun from Umeå?
The northern lights can be seen on clear nights from September to March, over the sea or away from the city lights. The true midnight sun, however, can only be seen beyond the Arctic Circle: in Umeå, in June, the sun barely sets and the sky stays bright all night.
How do I get to the depot from the airport or the station?
Umeå Airport, linked to Stockholm by daily flights, is a few minutes from Degernäs by taxi. Travellers arriving by train from Stockholm along the coast reach Umeå central station, about ten kilometres from the depot. Agree on a meeting time with the rental company before you set off.
What is there to see in Umeå before hitting the road?
The banks of the Ume River make for a walk between the centre and the arts campus, where Bildmuseet shows contemporary art. On Gammlia hill, Västerbottens museum and its open-air museum present the farms, traditions and Sami culture of the region. The birch-lined avenues have earned Umeå its nickname, the city of birches.
Where can I stay overnight with a motorhome around Umeå?
Umeå has a large campsite on the shore of Lake Nydala, and along the E4 and the E12 many towns offer ställplatser, often in harbours or by lakes. The right of public access does not cover vehicles: one night in an authorised car park is tolerated, never on private land.
When should I book a campervan in Umeå?
With a single depot and a short season, vehicles for June, July and August are booked from the previous winter. For September, the season of autumn colours and the first northern lights, a few weeks are often enough. If you plan the crossing to Vaasa in July, book the ferry at the same time as the campervan.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Umeå
Umeå spares you the long drive up from the south of the country: you start right in the heart of Norrland, where three very different journeys begin. To the south, the High Coast with its cliffs, forests and fishing villages; to the west, the Blue Highway leaving the sea for lakes, reindeer herding land and the mountains of Hemavan, all the way to Norway; to the east, the Vaasa ferry and the Finnish Kvarken Archipelago.
McRent, our partner company, hands over the vehicle in Degernäs, close to the airport. Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö, other departure cities of our partners, let you end the trip in the south one way. June and July bring the best weather and bright nights; September brings autumn colours and the first northern lights.
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