Families looking to mix up their old holiday routines and escape the constraints of everyday life should abandon the familiar four walls of their homes and trade them in for a pair of wheels. Road tripping is one of the most popular ways to explore the country, and there are endless destinations to explore. Nothing is worse than cramped quarters and a diet consisting solely of gas station food – so finding the right vehicle is critical for any successful holiday on the road.
There are endless options when it comes to van life for families, with hundreds of different makes, models, and amenities to choose from. It may seem a bit daunting to sift through all the styles, so we’ve rounded up the 12 best travel vans for a family of 4 (or less!).
All that’s left for you to do is plan your trip, pack your bags, and decide who gets to ride shotgun!
When it comes to travel vans, Volkswagen has had their name in the game for decades. While images of retro hippie vans clad in vibrant colors may come to mind when you think about Volkswagen vans, the company has changed along with the times and the California Camper Van has everything a family of 4 will need for a successful road tripping experience.
The California Camper Van comes in four different base models, but no matter which design you pick you’re guaranteed a set of standard features like a pop-up roof, high-quality interior fittings, and driver assistance systems, to name just a few.
The van’s space-saving design allows two adults and two children to sleep comfortably, and there’s also some trunk space for any camping gear or luggage you may have with you. There’s even a removable camping table and chairs that can fold down and out of the way, making picnicking a breeze no matter where you are.
While the Volkswagen California Camper Van isn’t the biggest, fastest, or fanciest of travel vans, it certainly is one of the most affordable, and the high-quality engineering is sure to last you for decades.
One thing that hasn’t changed about the Volkswagen van after all these years is the freedom and independence it symbolizes – so families of 4 looking for a no-nonsense approach to life on the road will find little to complain about with any of the California models.
2. Hymer Aktiv 2.0
Another famous name in the travel van game is Hymer, a German company that has been building camper vans since 1953. Hymer is known for its customizable pop-tops and high-quality German engineering, all at a competitive price point. The Hymer Aktiv 2.0 is one of the best travel vans for a family of 4, with plenty of room for two adults and two kids to sleep comfortably.
The Aktiv 2.0 is built with solid bones, including a 249 extended wheelbase and a full stability program that includes engine drag control, wind and sway assist, rollover mitigation, and electronic stability control to keep your family safe no matter the conditions.
The inside of the travel van is just as well equipped as the outside, with a pop-top for extra standing and sleeping room, an air conditioning and heating system, and even a built-in bathroom with a toilet, a flip-down sink, and a small vanity. You’ll also find a 24-inch TV complete with HDMI hookup should you wish to have a movie or game night, in addition to multiple charging points and an inverter.
Once you’re ready to enjoy a family meal, the two cab seats swivel around to face the dinette area and booth seat, allowing for four to sit comfortably at the table. The table can stay down while driving – and if anyone needs to get any work done while on the road, the table doubles as a desk.
While the Hymer Aktiv 2.0 offers many great features, it’s still a relatively small van. This makes it easy to maneuver, and the 3.6-liter gas engine gets remarkably good gas mileage.
If you’re looking for a versatile and low-maintenance travel van for your family of 4, the MOD Vans CV1 is without a doubt one of your best options. Not only is it good for hauling the kiddos to and from school and soccer practice, but on the weekend you can take this camper van out on the open road for some good old-fashioned family fun.
Thanks to its low center of gravity, off-road capabilities, and advanced driving assistance features, the CV1 is a breeze to drive and easy to park. Although it is smaller in size than some of the other family travel vans on our list, the imaginative design means you won’t have to sacrifice any of the RV-like amenities, including:
A modern interior, built with a sleek and functional design
A dual burner propane stove
A deep sink
A mini-fridge
Additional foldable counter space
A small dining area with a table and seats for two
It might surprise you that a van of this size can comfortably sleep 4, but thanks to the pop-top roof and removable bed, overnight stays are achievable (and comfortable!). There’s also plenty of roof space for kayaks, bikes, or surfboards, and there’s even room for a toilet if you want to experience van living in its truest form.
The CV1 has a few options for factory customization and most of the RV components are removable, making it easy to convert back into your everyday vehicle after a weekend away.
One of the best value travel vans on our list is the Knaus Boxlife 660 ME, especially for those who are looking for comfortable sleeping areas. This is actually the main attraction to the Knaus Boxlife, and not only can it comfortably sleep families of 4, but there’s actually space for up to 7 overnight guests in this versatile van.
It’s not just small cots with flimsy mattresses, either. In the back of the van, you’ll find the largest sleeping area, with a queen-size bed in the “roof” area and another flip-down sofa bed that sleeps 2 right beneath it. This is the perfect arrangement for a family of 4, but if you have additional guests or someone who wants a little extra privacy, the main area of the van boasts a dinette that can convert into a single bed and a lift-away bed that can be squeezed into the front for 2 more people.
The practical design of the Knaus Boxlife 630 ME also features tons of clever storage systems along with anything else you’d hope to find in a home away from home including a spacious kitchen, a bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower, and the aforementioned dinette with seating for up to 4.
Perhaps the best part about this travel van is that the base price is extremely affordable, especially when you consider all of the top-notch features that are included.
Adventurous families of 4 looking for a vehicle that can keep up with their lifestyle should look no further than the Winnebago Mercedes Benz Revel 4×4. This rock-solid travel van is built adventure-ready, with a 3-liter turbo engine, 325 lbs/ft of torque, and plenty of room for any and all of your recreational gear. You could park this puppy almost anywhere, and the four-wheel drive means off-roading is always on the table.
In between adventures, you can spread out and relax inside the spacious interior of the van. The Winnebago Revel is so comfortable that you may find it hard to leave!
The power lift bed makes it easy to get a good night’s sleep and stow the bed away when you need more storage. The only downside is that families of 4 will need to pack a tent or some other sleeping arrangement for the other two family members.
The dinette area is complete with cozy bench seating, and the captain chairs swivel around to provide a perfect dining area for four. Of course, you could always enjoy your meals in the great outdoors thanks to the clever flip-out table located on the outside of the van. You won’t even need a bonfire to cook off-grid meals, as the kitchen area of the van is equipped with a sink, water purifier, mini-fridge, and storable induction cooktop, all powered by an impressive electrical system that gets its juice from the solar panels on the roof.
Another one of the best travel vans for a family of 4 is the RB Components Sawtooth Touring Van. This van has all the bells and whistles, and you’ll find that there’s no need for customization in this fully loaded vehicle. Whether you’re embarking on a short camping trip near home or a cross-country adventure, this van will check all the boxes.
The inside is equipped with a large fresh water tank, a bathroom (with a toilet and shower), a full kitchen, and two comfortable dining areas complete with comfortable leather seating. There’s also plenty of storage space for any gear or luggage you might have with you, and there’s even a small closet area to hang up clothes.
The second dining area converts into double sleeping bunks, allowing families of 4 to sleep comfortably. The downside of the sleeping area is that it does take some time to manually set up, but once complete, a good night’s sleep is almost guaranteed.
The van’s electricity is powered by integrated rooftop solar panels, and there’s also additional storage space up top if you need more room for your gear. Other exterior features of the Sawtooth Touring Van include a full-sized awning, a built-in BBQ, and top and bottom front light bars. There’s not much not to love about this fully equipped vehicle, though the price point certainly does reflect all of its top-notch features.
The Fiat Ducato Sunlight Cliff 600 Camper Van is the perfect home away from home for families of 4, and its small yet spacious design makes it one of the easiest travel vans to maneuver. There are also over 600 different layouts (hence the name), so those looking to customize to perfection will find a good option in this travel van.
Some of the standard features that make this base a popular one include its square shape (which allows you to utilize every last inch of space), the superior handling and turning radius, and the comprehensive roadside assistance that is available in over 50 different countries.
The inside of the van is just as thoughtfully designed as the outside with a refrigerator mounted at chest height, a built-in washroom with swivel taps, and plenty of space for bikes or any other outdoor gear you might be hauling.
The only downside to the Fiat camper van is that it can only sleep three comfortably, but if you have a tent or hammock with you (or if you don’t plan on sleeping in the van at all) this isn’t a complete deal breaker when it comes to traveling with a family of 4.
One of the most unique conversions in the travel van industry is this design by DoubleBack. While pop-tops are fairly common for camper vans, this pull-out feature is truly revolutionary. Nicknamed “the Swiss Army knife of vans”, this custom build allows for impressive living and sleeping space without the inconvenience of driving a large vehicle.
With just the press of a button, the standard size VW 2.5 TDI Transporter extends into a 6-foot sleeping pod that can hold up to 900 pounds of gear, furniture, and humans. DoubleBack ensures that you’ll get the best of both worlds with this nifty van, and the pop-top opens up into an additional sleeping space – making this vehicle perfect for a family of 4.
The main van area features a two-seater bench with a fold-down table, and a kitchen area with a sink, refrigerator, and plenty of storage space. Once the pod expands, an additional living area is created which includes even more seating and table space. This versatile design is perfect for those who want the space of an RV but don’t want the hassle of driving a large vehicle.
Not only is this conversion camper van by Kompanja extremely sleek and stylish, but it’s also one of the best travel vans for families of 4. While almost every aspect of the vehicle is customizable, the base attributes offer more than enough for families to travel in comfort.
The boxy shape affords more room than many of the other models on our list, especially when it comes to sleeping space. The pop-top can comfortably sleep 2, while the additional pull-out bed is perfect for pairs who love to snooze under the open sky. One of the main selling points of this travel van is the outdoor projector, which takes family movie nights to a whole new level.
There is also a slide-out kitchen (complete with a 35L refrigerator) and table, which allows you to enjoy delicious home-cooked meals during your travels.
If the weather isn’t cooperating, you can enjoy a game of cards at the removable indoor dining table, and the whole family can gather around this area thanks to the swivel capabilities of the two captain chairs.
This van is a dream come true for those looking for an indoor space that allows you to enjoy the best of the great outdoors, and you’ll find tons of storage space for any gear you may be hauling with you.
10. This Moving House – Bespoke Vehicle Conversions
For some, customizing van interiors is more art than it is sciencem- and the folks over at This Moving House certainly have created a few masterpieces over the past few years. Families looking for a truly one-of-a-kind travel van will be hard-pressed to find a better option. Whether you’re looking to travel on the weekends or try out full-time van life, these customized builds will give you everything you’re looking for and more.
Every van conversion is completely unique, but the process for building your dream van is almost always the same. You’ll first need to work with the company to source a vehicle for the conversion (usually a Mercedes Sprinter or something similar), and then you’d describe your wants and needs. The designers get to work on creating the van of your dreams.
One of the signature design aspects of these bespoke vehicle conversions is the sleeping arrangement, made up of a double bed for the adults and two single pods for the youngsters. This clever arrangement is as practical as it is cozy, giving everyone their own private space on extended trips in the van. The stairs leading up to the pods double as a storage space, and you’ll find additional room for storing clothes and gear underneath the double bed.
The kitchen area features more beautiful design aspects, including a belfast style sink, a double burner propane stovetop, a 70-liter fridge, and clever storage spaces for all your cooking essentials. You can enjoy meals at the table in front of the interchangeable seating row, and the two captain chairs swivel around so families can dine all together.
Other features of these dreamy van conversions include:
A stowable toilet
A wet storage area
Pull-out storage in the back
12v electrics throughout
As each conversion is incredibly unique, you can expect to wait up to a year for your van to be complete and a hefty price tag to go with it.
Families who enjoy going well off the beaten path will find one of the best travel van options to be the Sportsmobile Mercedes Benz 4×4 Sprinter conversion. With 325lb-ft torque, 188 hp, a five-speed automatic transmission, and a raised frame, this van can handle virtually any condition you put it through.
While the inside may not be as outfitted as some of the other models on our list, it does offer plenty of space for families of 4 to stretch out and relax during their time on the road.
The pop-top allows for plenty of headspace and makes for a cozy sleeping area, all while economizing the “downstairs” space for custom features like bathrooms, kitchens, additional sleeping areas, and anything else your heart desire. The sky’s the limit when it comes to customizing this bad boy!
To attain the highest degree of luxury in a travel van for a family of 4, you may want to consider purchasing something a bit bigger than the standard models. While not technically a travel van, the Suncamper Santa Cruz Motorhome is one of the best options for hitting the road, especially for those looking for comfort and style.
More reminiscent of a 5-star hotel than a home on wheels, the Suncamper boasts high-quality features that are unmatched in the travel van game:
One of the best areas in the motorhome is the “bedroom”, complete with a comfy queen-size bed, mood lighting, and a TV.
Just next to this prime sleeping area you’ll find a full bathroom with impressive lighting, a swivel toilet, vanity, sink, backlit mirror, and full-sized shower. There’s even a washer mounted to the wall in this area, proving that no detail has been missed for life on the road.
The kitchen area is equally awe-inspiring, and starting the day with a coffee from the integrated pop-up coffee machine will certainly get you started on the right foot.
You’ll also be able to cook up delicious family meals thanks to the full cooking range, oven, microwave, and massive storage spaces.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s an additional kitchen area on the outside of the motorhome, complete with an extra cooktop, fridge, and sink.
You can also pop out the awning, pull out the table and chairs, and switch on the outdoor TV to enjoy this perfect entertaining area fully.
The dinette inside is a great place to enjoy yourselves if the weather isn’t cooperating, and after a full day of traveling, this area pulls out into an additional sleeping space for the young ones in your group. There’s even another TV here if you want to enjoy a movie night.
This much luxury doesn’t come cheap – but if you can afford it, this might just be your best option when it comes to traveling with your family.
