Direct-to-van vs site-wide WiFi: which is right for your park?

When holiday park operators start thinking seriously about WiFi, one of the first decisions they face is the coverage model: do you go for direct-to-van coverage, where every pitch has a signal strong enough to use from inside a caravan or lodge, or a site-wide approach that covers outdoor areas, communal spaces and on-pitch enough for basic use?

Both models work. The right one depends on your site type, your guests, your ambitions and your budget.

What is direct-to-van WiFi?

Direct-to-van WiFi, sometimes called pitch-to-pitch or in-unit coverage, means placing access points close enough and powerful enough that guests get a solid signal inside their caravan, motorhome or lodge, not just when they're sat outside or walking to the clubhouse.

Technically, this requires denser access point placement. Access points are typically mounted on lamp posts, utility pedestals or dedicated poles between pitches. The signal needs to penetrate aluminium caravan walls, which absorb a significant amount of WiFi signal.

The result: guests experience hotel-quality connectivity from the comfort of their own unit. They can stream Netflix, take video calls and work remotely if needed, all without stepping outside.

What is site-wide coverage?

Site-wide coverage prioritises outdoor and communal areas, the reception, the clubhouse, outdoor seating areas, the pool area and main pathways, with access points positioned further apart at height (rooftops, poles, trees).

Pitches are covered to the extent that guests get a usable signal outdoors, but the signal may not reliably penetrate into units. Guests who want to use WiFi inside a caravan will find it patchy.

Site-wide coverage is significantly cheaper to install, you need fewer access points and less civil works. It's the right choice for sites where guests primarily use WiFi in communal areas or where the budget doesn't stretch to full pitch coverage.

Which model do guests actually prefer?

Bluntly: guests want direct-to-van coverage. If a guest has to leave their caravan to get a usable signal, they'll leave a negative review about the WiFi, even if the signal in the clubhouse is excellent.

Streaming services, remote working, keeping the kids entertained in the evening, these all require in-unit coverage. As the demographics of UK park holidays have shifted towards families with children and remote workers, the expectation has moved firmly towards direct-to-van.

That said, site-wide coverage is a significant improvement over nothing, and for pubs, campsites and sites where accommodation is tents rather than caravans, it's often the perfect solution.

Cost comparison

Here's how the two models typically compare on a 100-pitch site:

• Communal-only (reception, clubhouse), £1,500–£3,000
• Site-wide outdoor coverage, £3,000–£6,000
• Direct-to-van (full pitch coverage), £7,000–£18,000

The gap is real, but it's worth asking: what is your WiFi strategy? If it's a premium differentiator that drives bookings, the direct-to-van investment typically pays back. If it's baseline guest expectation maintenance, site-wide may suffice.

The hybrid approach

Many parks take a hybrid approach: full direct-to-van coverage on the premium pitches (hook-up pitches, lodges, glamping) and site-wide coverage on the touring sections. This lets you offer WiFi as a premium feature on your best accommodation while keeping costs manageable across the whole site.

This is often the smartest commercial approach, particularly when you're upgrading an existing system in phases.

What about the free-install model?

If budget is the main concern, the free-install model can unlock full direct-to-van coverage with zero upfront cost. Guests pay small daily or weekly WiFi passes, which fund the installation. For high-occupancy parks, this often works out as a revenue generator rather than a cost.