Glamping vs Camping – What's the Difference?

For many people, an outdoor trip is a much-needed escape from their busy lives and offers you the opportunity to explore nature and see beautiful landmarks across the company. When it comes to camping, many people are torn between camping and glamping, whilst others aren’t even sure of the difference between the two. 

In this blog, we’ll explain the differences between glamping vs camping and why you might want to choose one over the other. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll know if glamping is the thing for you or if you’d prefer to stick to standard camping.

Already know what you want from your trip? Indulge in a luxury bell tent from Boutique Camping and experience the finer side of camping trips.

What is Camping?

We all know what camping is on a basic level but what does it actually involve? Camping is the act of sleeping outdoors and can be done in a number of settings from wonderful woodlands to music festivals. The main thing that camping is known for is pitching and sleeping in a tent and having only basic amenities. Normal camping focuses on stripping things back to natural or older times in an attempt to refresh or reconnect with the world around you.

What is Glamping?

Glamping means “glamorous camping” and with this type of camping, all the focus is on an indulgent, comfortable and luxurious experience. Glamping aims to give you all the amenities you experience at home with even more glamour, similar to what you would experience on a trip to a high-end hotel. 

When you choose to glamp you’ll have access to things like full electricity, running water, heating and even air conditioning. 

Glamping vs. Camping: What’s the difference?

When assessing glamping vs camping, the most obvious differences are the levels of amenities and luxury. 

Comfort 

Comfort is the main focus of glamping, designed to give people all the comforts of their home inside a spacious tent. You’ll get to experience luxurious glamping accessories like real beds, furniture and things like running water and heating. For a full list of all the types of things you can take with you, check out our blog on what to take glamping.

With camping, comfort is not a priority rather the focus is on the basic level of protection and safety to get you through the night. You’ll be sheltered from the elements but won’t have beds and instead only basics like sleeping bags and you certainly won’t have running water. 

Price 

Camping is a fairly inexpensive hobby, particularly if you opt for wild camping where you don’t need to pay to stay on a campsite. Once you have a tent and your supplies you won’t need to make any extra purchases and your equipment can be used for many trips.

Glamping campsites are known to be more expensive as they come with luxury amenities and fully kitted tents. If you’re off glamping in your own tent, you’ll have to purchase and transport all your own furniture with you which can increase transport costs. 

Things to do 

There’s no shortage of fun activities to enjoy when camping or glamping, but the type of activities you’ll enjoy will most likely differ. Camping involves venturing off for activities away from your site like exploring nature, water sports or hiking. With glamping, there are plenty of on-site experiences like relaxing in hot tops or unwinding with a movie in the comfort of your own tent. 

Tents

The most notable difference between camping vs glamping is your accommodation. Standard camping tents are often made from nylon or polyester and are made to fit only you and your essentials. They are basic in design and don’t offer a lot of light or airflow.

A glamping tent like our specially designed bell tents are made to offer a spacious, bright space for multiple people and all of your glamping essentials. Our bell tents are made from a higher quality, breathable polycotton fabric, with options like fire retardant fabric that allow you to cook and heat up your tent too. For more on our exceptional tent quality, you can dive into our fabric guide. 

Why Choose Camping? 

There are a wide range of reasons to want to opt for camping but there are also a few cons to choosing camping.

The main reason many people opt for traditional camping is because it offers a cheap and affordable way to embark on a trip and explore the country. You can immerse yourself in nature and explore some of the best campsites in the UK and everything these spots have to offer. 

If you’re looking to strip yourself of all modern technology and really disconnect from the busy world and work life then camping is the perfect opportunity. The minimal amenities may be a negative if you’re used to your comforts but when you’re in need of an escape this can be brilliant. 

The main downside however is that due to the lack of comforts, camping can become unpleasant in adverse weather conditions. 

Why Choose Glamping?

If you’re all about the finer things in life then opting for glamping is definitely the choice for you. 

As mentioned before, when it comes to camping vs glamping, the reason people choose to opt for the latter is for the extra comforts. If you love homely touches like a hot shower and unwinding with your favourite show in the evening then you won’t need to make compromises with a glamping tent. You can enjoy nature right outside your food whilst also having some truly unique experiences and seeing sights across the country.

With glamping, you’re also enjoying a stress-free experience with minimal set-up. A dedicated glampsite has everything ready for you on arrival, including a pre-pitched tent. You can also avoid hauling gear around as well as paying for all of the accessories.

Obviously, when it comes to glamping the main concern for many people is the price. It’s important to remember that glamping is a luxury experience with more than just the camping essentials so you can expect to be paying a more premium price.

Give Glamping a Go with Boutique Camping

By now you should know the differences between camping vs glamping and if you’re ready to go all out in luxury with the latter then it’s time to get yourself ready with a Boutique camping bell tent. Whether you want to enjoy a cosy night under the stars or a lavish festival hang-out spot, our bell tents are designed to give you that extra dash of luxury in all sorts of environments.

We’ve got a great range of different tents, each designed for different purposes, so if you want to know the best bell tent for your glamping trip, get in touch with our expert team and we’ll help you find the perfect option.