Planning a campervan rent within the UK or Europe? Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the camper rental choices? Don’t panic- this information will share the information and methods you could plan your good campervan holiday- even when you’ve by no means rented one earlier than!
Why rent a camper van?
There are numerous the reason why hiring a campervan is a good suggestion. Should you don’t at present personal a camper, there are a LOT of benefits to hiring one earlier than you buy- it’s a good way to check out if it’s for you.
Additionally, when you’re attempting to avoid crowds and resorts (you realize, because of a pandemic or one thing…), a campervan is a improbable possibility for staying isolated- particularly when you rent one with its personal rest room and bathe.
Campervan Rent in UK and Europe- issues to resolve first
There are a LOT of issues you could contemplate and resolve earlier than you even begin campervan rent firms or quotes, so let’s begin there.
- How many individuals
- What format?
- Rest room?
- Measurement?
- Weight/ driving restrictions
- Insurance coverage
How many individuals shall be travelling within the Campervan?
That is vitally vital and impacts a lot of the subsequent choices you make. You’ll need a seat belt per individual, together with any child in a automobile seat.
You additionally want to verify there are an applicable variety of sleeping berths- some campervans might have 4 seatbelts however solely sleep 2 or 3.
What format?
That is an virtually endless rabbit gap, particularly when you’ve by no means rented or owned a campervan earlier than. There are a whole lot of various layouts, types and accessories- lots of that are completely down to private choice!
Nonetheless, some issues to contemplate are:
- Is a set mattress an important, or are you content to make up bench seats each evening?
- Would you like an consuming space you possibly can all collect round contained in the van, or do you intend to eat exterior?
- When you’ve got kids, the place will they sleep and do you continue to have someplace to take a seat after they’ve gone to mattress?
Additionally, remember that many Europe campers don’t include an oven as standard- they’ve a hob and infrequently a microwave (not helpful when you’re planning to wild camp or use aires!)
Rest room
One other factor to consider is what rest room necessities do you may have? Many {couples} are joyful utilizing the nice open air 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 could rent a campervan with a fitted rest room. There are numerous 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 larger isn’t at all times higher. Particularly when you’ve by no means pushed or employed a big campervan or motorhome earlier than. A number of house could appear pretty, however you could be taught to park it- one thing which isn’t at all times straightforward.
In fact, a lot of that is determined by what you wish 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 usually much less fuel-efficient and in addition they have a tendency to price extra to rent within the first place! So actually take into consideration what you want.
Campervan hire- Weight/ driving restrictions
That is vital in some ways. For instance, many campervan rent firms gained’t rent to anybody below 25 or who has held their driving licence for lower than a yr.
Additionally, if you’re 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 embody insurance coverage, however many gained’t embody your private possessions, solely harm to the camper itself. You’ll want a journey insurance coverage coverage which can cowl your issues.
Mileage
This is a crucial one! Many Campervan rent firms do NOT embody mileage- and this will add a HUGE quantity to the value when you’re planning to tour Europe.
So both plan a vacation which doesn’t embody a lot driving, or discover a firm which incorporates limitless mileage within the value.
Age
In my coronary heart, I desire a traditional VW. I feel they’re awesome- fairly, cool … and much too small for me! Apparently, they don’t seem to be the best issues to drive both (previous gearboxes and no energy steering!) Additionally they don’t typically have air-conditioning, which could be vital relying on location.
Newer vans are rather more financial, increased, safer and higher at placing extra right into a small house! Additionally they are likely to have headroom for these of us who’re above common peak!
Different issues to consider with Campervan Rent
Most motorhomes solely have guide gearboxes. There are a number 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 could reply these questions earlier than you begin campervan rent firms. HOWEVER, if you’re reserving final minute, you might wish to simply guide no matter is offered after which plan your journey round that location!
- Resolve the place you wish to go
- WHEN
- How lengthy for?
- Plan your itinerary
- Spherical journey or a method?
- Funds
Resolve the place you wish to go throughout your camper rent
That is an apparent place to start out, 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 a whole information to planning your UK highway journey.
Should you’d like some Europe highway journey itinerary concepts, these are good for any size of vacation.
Quick or long run motorhome rent?
Are you hiring the campervan for a weekend? Week? Extra? All of it will have an effect on how far you possibly can journey throughout your journey.
TOP TIP- when you’re travelling Europe or the UK for longer than a month, you would possibly wish to contemplate shopping for your individual van. It could be cheaper in the long term!
When is the very best time to rent a campervan in UK or Europe?
Trustworthy reality? There’s a cause us Brits and Europeans discuss concerning the climate a LOT, particularly within the north. It rains… quite a bit. And this generally is a actual ache in a campervan- particularly a small one.
Clearly, no climate could be assured, however right here’s a tough information:
Greatest 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 choose the September/ October interval; the children are again at school, campsites and roads are quieter, however the climate continues to be (hopefully!) heat sufficient and light-weight sufficient to take a seat out within the evenings.
Attempt to keep away from driving anyplace on a Financial institution Vacation within the UK (Google them to make certain). The roads are notoriously unhealthy for visitors on a Financial institution Vacation and you can simply be gridlocked for a number of hours.
The large summer season holidays within the UK are mid-July to starting of September. Keep away from these occasions when you presumably can; campervan rent and campsites price extra and in all places is busier .
Greatest time to Campervan rent in Europe:
Campervan Rent in Europe has a bit 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 commonly good climate all by means of the winter right here, with just a few wet days when 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 carried out, however I might counsel not to your first journey.
Plan your itinerary
As soon as you realize the place to go, plan a tough itinerary. All the time go away sufficient room to detour to enjoyable locations you discover alongside the best way. 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 might prevent a variety of time when 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 could resolve your funds. Campervan rent could be greater than you think- particularly within the college holidays. All the time get a number of quotes so you possibly can evaluate.
Methods to discover Campervan Rent firms
There are a LOT of campervan rent firms. And sure, it may be overwhelming. Be certain that any firm you cope with has a correct cellphone quantity and registered tackle. Additionally, earlier than you contact them, do a Google seek for evaluations. Don’t fear concerning the odd unhealthy evaluation, but when there’s a recurring theme or a variety of negativity, it’s time to maneuver on.
Issues to test your motorhome or campervan rent firm present
Be certain that the corporate supplies the next, or be ready to carry 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
- Capability 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 (test you don’t have to carry 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 to your automobile if needed
If you’re in any respect not sure, choose up the cellphone 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 in case you have an issue. So choose an organization you are feeling joyful talking with.
BEFORE YOU CONFIRM YOUR CAMPERVAN HIRE:
Learn the paperwork fastidiously. Then learn it once more. Be sure to perceive precisely what is roofed, what’s not and what extras you could pay for. Get EVERYTHING in writing, together with an actual price for mileage if it’s not limitless. Be sure to know what state gas, water, waste and fuel tanks should be returned in.
Affirm pick-up and drop-off areas, particularly in the event that they’re in several areas. Keep in mind that, not like automobiles, 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 technique to/ from the situation. Be sure that’s clear upfront.
Additionally, affirm the closest airport. Many main cities in Europe have a number of airports at completely completely different areas (like Heathrow and Gatwick for London.) Discovering the closest airport to the depot might affect which flight you guide.
Take into consideration the place the depot is. If it’s in the midst of a giant metropolis (attainable), then you could be assured transferring the automobile round metropolis streets as quickly as you allow. Should you’re not, choose a depot and firm in a extra distant area- however settle for that shall be tougher to get to!
Campervan hire- what paperwork do you could acquire the camper?
Most firms would require:
- Driving licence (plastic half solely)- test it’s in date!
- Probably an Worldwide Driving Allow.
- Perhaps a code from the DVLA. Ask them upfront if that is wanted.
- Bank card
- Probably proof of your journey insurance coverage (once more, ask beforehand what they’ll want on assortment)
Fly-Drive RV Holidays
If you’re flying in from someplace exterior Europe, be sure to are allowed to drive a campervan in Europe. Additionally, ensure all the things is offered as you count on (you actually don’t wish to be bringing sleeping luggage or saucepans in your baggage!)
Having mentioned that, do not forget that UK and Europe is filled with folks really dwelling their lives, and it’s straightforward to choose up necessities pretty cheaply if wanted.
Campervan rent tips- gathering the motorhome
Be sure to get a full and thorough handover and don’t fear about how lengthy it takes. The individual doing the handover could have carried out the spiel 1,000,000 occasions earlier than, and it’s straightforward for them to overlook or assume you realize one thing. Do NOT be afraid to ask questions or ask them to clarify one thing additional. If unsure, ask them when you can take photographs or movie one thing to remind your self later.
Be sure to know the next as a naked minimal:
- Methods to fill gas (and is it petrol or diesel?)
- Methods to fill water
- Methods to join electrical
- The place’s the fuse field?
- Methods to flip fuel on/ off
- Methods to exchange/ refill a fuel bottle
- Is there a crash hose on the fuel bottle? If not, don’t drive with it switched on.
- Methods to gentle fridge (and if it’s a guide swap over or computerized)
- The place the leisure battery is?
- Methods to empty waste water
- Methods to empty rest room
- Place of fireplace blanket/ extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Verify they work.
- Methods to placed on heating/ sizzling water on electrical panel and alter controls. This bit may take a while to sink in.
- Methods to lock cab and hab space, and impasse steering/ set alarm if attainable.
- HEIGHT, WIDTH, LENGTH and WEIGHT of camper. Write these down and preserve them useful.
Campervan Journey in Europe- extra issues to contemplate
- Is there a toll move? (Unlikely- you’ll in all probability need to pay to 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 package as required by European legislation?
- Do you may have all paperwork wanted to drive (it’s essential to carry this always)
Earlier than you drive ANYWHERE, test the automobile fastidiously for any harm, irrespective of how small. Take photographs of EVERYTHING and ensure all harm is famous down. It might be laborious to test 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 evening suggestions
Don’t plan an excessive amount of to your first day and ideally guide up a campsite to present your self time to settle in and get all the things sorted out. Having mentioned that, we took our camper wild tenting on the primary evening… and I soaked all my garments with the bathe by chance. So count on the surprising!! 🙂
First evening 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, be sure to have abided by their guidelines when it comes to water/ waste tanks (usually should be empty to keep away from a superb.)
Additionally, be sure to 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 when you’re planning on hiring a campervan in Europe or UK. It’s completely our favorite technique 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, take a look at our highway journey itineraries.
