Planning a campervan rent within the UK or Europe? Feeling slightly overwhelmed by all of the camper rental choices? Don’t panic- this information will share the guidelines and methods you should plan your good campervan holiday- even in case you’ve by no means rented one earlier than!
Why rent a camper van?
There are various the explanation why hiring a campervan is a good suggestion. In the event you don’t presently personal a camper, there are a LOT of benefits to hiring one earlier than you buy- it’s an effective way to check out if it’s for you.
Additionally, in case you’re making an attempt to avoid crowds and resorts (you already know, on account of a pandemic or one thing…), a campervan is a unbelievable possibility for staying isolated- particularly in case you rent one with its personal bathroom and bathe.
Campervan Rent in UK and Europe- issues to determine first
There are a LOT of issues you should think about and determine earlier than you even begin campervan rent firms or quotes, so let’s begin there.
- How many individuals
- What structure?
- Lavatory?
- Measurement?
- Weight/ driving restrictions
- Insurance coverage
How many individuals will likely be travelling within the Campervan?
That is vitally essential and impacts many of the subsequent choices you make. You will want a seat belt per individual, together with any child in a automobile seat.
You additionally want to verify there are an acceptable variety of sleeping berths- some campervans might have 4 seatbelts however solely sleep 2 or 3.
What structure?
That is an nearly unending rabbit gap, particularly in case you’ve by no means rented or owned a campervan earlier than. There are tons of of various layouts, types and accessories- a lot of that are completely down to non-public desire!
Nonetheless, some issues to contemplate are:
- Is a set mattress a necessary, or are you content to make up bench seats each night time?
- Would you like an consuming space you may all collect round contained in the van, or do you propose to eat exterior?
- When you have kids, the place will they sleep and do you continue to have someplace to sit down after they’ve gone to mattress?
Additionally, remember that many Europe campers don’t include an oven as standard- they’ve a hob and sometimes a microwave (not helpful in case you’re planning to wild camp or use aires!)
Lavatory
One other factor to consider is what rest room necessities do you’ve? Many {couples} are completely satisfied utilizing the good outdoor or utilizing a porta-potti. Showers could be had at a campsite or utilizing a photo voltaic bathe.
If any of that makes you frown, then you should rent a campervan with a fitted rest room. There are various varieties of those on the campervan rent books- however it might limit your goals of a traditional VW for the week!
Campervan Journey- Measurement issues!
I hate to interrupt it to you, however greater isn’t at all times higher. Particularly in case you’ve by no means pushed or employed a big campervan or motorhome earlier than. Numerous area could appear pretty, however you should be taught to park it- one thing which isn’t at all times straightforward.
In fact, a lot of that is dependent upon what you need to do throughout your campervan hire- we’ll get to that shortly.
CAMPERVAN HIRE IN EUROPE- dimension restrictions
Europe has many extra tolls than the UK- and the scale of your camper can actually have an effect on the value of those tolls! Over 3.1m excessive is classed as a truck, so any motorhome with an above cab mattress might be costly.
Additionally, bigger campers are typically much less fuel-efficient and in addition they have an inclination to value extra to rent within the first place! So actually take into consideration what you want.
Campervan hire- Weight/ driving restrictions
That is essential in some ways. For instance, many campervan rent firms received’t rent to anybody underneath 25 or who has held their driving licence for lower than a 12 months.
Additionally, in case you are hiring a campervan or motorhome over 3.5 tonnes, you’ll want to verify your driving licence covers it. You could find out extra about that right here.
Campervan Journey Important- Insurance coverage
Most campervan rent quotes embrace insurance coverage, however many received’t embrace your private possessions, solely harm to the camper itself. You’ll want a journey insurance coverage coverage which is able to cowl your issues.
Mileage
This is a crucial one! Many Campervan rent firms do NOT embrace mileage- and this may add a HUGE quantity to the value in case you’re planning to tour Europe.
So both plan a vacation which doesn’t embrace a lot driving, or discover a firm which incorporates limitless mileage within the worth.
Age
In my coronary heart, I desire a traditional VW. I believe they’re awesome- fairly, cool … and much too small for me! Apparently, they aren’t the best issues to drive both (outdated gearboxes and no energy steering!) In addition they don’t typically have air-conditioning, which could be essential relying on location.
Newer vans are way more financial, larger, safer and higher at placing extra right into a small area! In addition they are likely to have headroom for these of us who’re above common top!
Different issues to consider with Campervan Rent
Most motorhomes solely have handbook gearboxes. There are a couple of computerized campervans for rent in the marketplace, however they arrive at a premium.
Campervan Rent in UK and Europe- Planning your journey
In my view, you should reply these questions earlier than you begin campervan rent firms. HOWEVER, in case you are reserving final minute, it’s possible you’ll need to simply e-book no matter is offered after which plan your journey round that location!
- Resolve the place you need to go
- WHEN
- How lengthy for?
- Plan your itinerary
- Spherical journey or a method?
- Funds
Resolve the place you need to go throughout your camper rent
That is an apparent place to begin, however really could be fairly tough, particularly for campervan rent in UK and Europe. There are simply so many locations to discover! Right here’s an entire information to planning your UK highway journey.
In the event you’d like some Europe highway journey itinerary concepts, these are good for any size of vacation.
Brief or long run motorhome rent?
Are you hiring the campervan for a weekend? Week? Extra? All of this can have an effect on how far you may journey throughout your journey.
TOP TIP- in case you’re travelling Europe or the UK for longer than a month, you would possibly need to think about shopping for your individual van. It may be cheaper in the long term!
When is the most effective time to rent a campervan in UK or Europe?
Trustworthy reality? There’s a purpose us Brits and Europeans discuss in regards to the climate a LOT, particularly within the north. It rains… lots. And this is usually a actual ache in a campervan- particularly a small one.
Clearly, no climate could be assured, however right here’s a tough information:
Finest time to Campervan rent in UK:
April- October. Ish. In 2018 March and April had been AMAZING climate. In 2019 it barely stopped raining and it was sooo chilly. I want the September/ October interval; the children are again in class, campsites and roads are quieter, however the climate continues to be (hopefully!) heat sufficient and light-weight sufficient to sit down out within the evenings.
Try to keep away from driving wherever on a Financial institution Vacation within the UK (Google them to make sure). The roads are notoriously dangerous for site visitors on a Financial institution Vacation and you can simply be gridlocked for a number of hours.
The massive summer time holidays within the UK are mid-July to starting of September. Keep away from these occasions in case you presumably can; campervan rent and campsites value extra and in all places is busier .
Finest time to Campervan rent in Europe:
Campervan Rent in Europe has slightly extra flexibility when it comes to season and climate than the UK. Many individuals from Britain flee right down to southern Spain or Italy for the winter (November-March). It’s usually good climate all by means of the winter right here, with only some wet days in case you’re fortunate.
Additional north, count on snow. Many locations from mid-Europe up has mountains, and these are all busy ski locations. In fact, this implies snow… and campervan rent within the snow just isn’t for the faint-hearted or the unprepared! It may be completed, however I might recommend not on your first journey.
Plan your itinerary
As soon as you already know the place to go, plan a tough itinerary. At all times depart sufficient room to detour to enjoyable locations you discover alongside the way in which. Learn to plan an ideal highway journey itinerary right here.
Spherical journey or a method?
There’s a premium for one-way campervan rent, however it could prevent numerous time in case you’re not planning to circle again. If that is one thing you’d like to contemplate, search for a rent firm who gives a method camper journeys.
Funds for campervan rent in UK and Europe
Lastly, you should determine your price range. Campervan rent could be greater than you think- particularly within the faculty holidays. At all times get a number of quotes so you may evaluate.
The best way to discover Campervan Rent firms
There are a LOT of campervan rent firms. And sure, it may be overwhelming. Make certain any firm you cope with has a correct telephone quantity and registered tackle. Additionally, earlier than you contact them, do a Google seek for evaluations. Don’t fear in regards to the odd dangerous overview, but when there’s a recurring theme or numerous negativity, it’s time to maneuver on.
Issues to verify your motorhome or campervan rent firm present
Make certain the corporate offers the next, or be ready to deliver your individual!
- Towels
- Mattress linen
- Pots, pans, plates, utensils
- Outside seats/ BBQ/ Bike rack/ awning
- Rest room chemical compounds (not essential- they’re simply purchasable in UK and Europe)
- Mileage
- Means to cross borders with the camper
- Insurance coverage (private possessions aren’t usually covered- you’ll want your individual coverage)
- Breakdown help (and what it covers!)
- Fuel bottle (verify you don’t have to deliver a full one back- not at all times straightforward to do!)
- Campervan necessities: Electrical cable, levelling blocks, water filler hose
- Do they supply sat-nav?
- Free parking at depot on your automobile if obligatory
In case you are in any respect uncertain, choose up the telephone and converse to somebody. In the event that they’re not useful earlier than you’ve even booked, they’re REALLY not going to be useful after you’ve paid your cash, even you probably have an issue. So choose an organization you are feeling completely satisfied talking with.
BEFORE YOU CONFIRM YOUR CAMPERVAN HIRE:
Learn the paperwork rigorously. Then learn it once more. Ensure you perceive precisely what is roofed, what’s not and what extras you should pay for. Get EVERYTHING in writing, together with an actual value for mileage if it’s not limitless. Ensure you know what state gas, water, waste and fuel tanks have to be returned in.
Verify pick-up and drop-off places, particularly in the event that they’re in several places. Do not forget that, not like vehicles, it’s uncommon for campervan depots to be close to main airports, because of the dimension of the campers. Some firms will provide to rearrange airport transfers for you; others will assume you’ll make your individual solution to/ from the situation. Ensure that’s clear upfront.
Additionally, affirm the closest airport. Many main cities in Europe have a number of airports at completely completely different places (like Heathrow and Gatwick for London.) Discovering the closest airport to the depot might affect which flight you e-book.
Take into consideration the place the depot is. If it’s in the course of an enormous metropolis (attainable), then you should be assured transferring the automobile round metropolis streets as quickly as you allow. In the event you’re not, choose a depot and firm in a extra distant area- however settle for that will likely be more durable to get to!
Campervan hire- what paperwork do you should acquire the camper?
Most firms would require:
- Driving licence (plastic half solely)- verify it’s in date!
- Presumably an Worldwide Driving Allow.
- Possibly a code from the DVLA. Ask them upfront if that is wanted.
- Bank card
- Presumably proof of your journey insurance coverage (once more, ask beforehand what they’ll want on assortment)
Fly-Drive RV Holidays
In case you are flying in from someplace exterior Europe, ensure you are allowed to drive a campervan in Europe. Additionally, be sure that all the pieces is supplied as you count on (you actually don’t need to be bringing sleeping baggage or saucepans in your baggage!)
Having mentioned that, do not forget that UK and Europe is filled with individuals really residing their lives, and it’s straightforward to select up necessities pretty cheaply if wanted.
Campervan rent tips- amassing the motorhome
Ensure you get a full and thorough handover and don’t fear about how lengthy it takes. The individual doing the handover could have completed the spiel one million occasions earlier than, and it’s straightforward for them to neglect or assume you already know one thing. Do NOT be afraid to ask questions or ask them to elucidate one thing additional. If unsure, ask them in case you can take photographs or movie one thing to remind your self later.
Ensure you know the next as a naked minimal:
- The best way to fill gas (and is it petrol or diesel?)
- The best way to fill water
- The best way to join electrical
- The place’s the fuse field?
- The best way to flip fuel on/ off
- The best way to substitute/ refill a fuel bottle
- Is there a crash hose on the fuel bottle? If not, don’t drive with it switched on.
- The best way to gentle fridge (and if it’s a handbook swap over or computerized)
- The place the leisure battery is?
- The best way to empty waste water
- The best way to empty bathroom
- Place of fireplace blanket/ extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Test they work.
- The best way to placed on heating/ scorching water on electrical panel and the right way to alter controls. This bit might take a while to sink in.
- The best way to lock cab and hab space, and the right way to impasse steering/ set alarm if attainable.
- HEIGHT, WIDTH, LENGTH and WEIGHT of camper. Write these down and maintain them useful.
Campervan Journey in Europe- further issues to contemplate
- Is there a toll cross? (Unlikely- you’ll most likely must pay on your personal tolls)
- Is there a vignette if wanted (important in Switzerland)
- Do you want a crit-air sticker (France and some different cities in Europe)
- Is there the important equipment as required by European legislation?
- Do you’ve all paperwork wanted to drive (you need to carry this always)
Earlier than you drive ANYWHERE, verify the automobile rigorously for any harm, regardless of how small. Take photographs of EVERYTHING and ensure all harm is famous down. It could be exhausting to verify the roof- it’s your name if you wish to ask them to examine it or not.
Hiring a campervan in Europe or UK- first night time ideas
Don’t plan an excessive amount of on your first day and ideally e-book up a campsite to offer your self time to settle in and get all the pieces sorted out. Having mentioned that, we took our camper wild tenting on the primary night time… and I soaked all my garments with the bathe accidentally. So count on the sudden!! 🙂
First night time in a camper? Right here’s a step-by-step printable information so that you can obtain and take with you.
Returning the campervan
Awwww- it’s throughout. I hope you’ve had a tremendous journey.
Once you return to the motorhome/ camper depot, ensure you have abided by their guidelines when it comes to water/ waste tanks (usually have to be empty to keep away from a tremendous.)
Additionally, ensure you are on time to keep away from a big fine- these firms don’t have lengthy to show their vans round between bookings.
Campervan rent in UK and Europe- abstract
I hope the following tips have been useful in case you’re planning on hiring a campervan in Europe or UK. It’s completely our favorite solution to discover a rustic and we’ve been fortunate sufficient to take pleasure in some spectacular locations in our camper.
For extra campervan journey concepts in UK and Europe, try our highway journey itineraries.
