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 ideas and methods it’s good to plan your good campervan holiday- even in the event you’ve by no means rented one earlier than!
Why rent a camper van?
There are a lot of explanation why hiring a campervan is a good suggestion. If you happen to don’t at the moment 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, in the event you’re attempting to avoid crowds and resorts (you understand, because of a pandemic or one thing…), a campervan is a implausible possibility for staying isolated- particularly in the event 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 it’s good to think about and resolve earlier than you even begin campervan rent corporations or quotes, so let’s begin there.
- How many individuals
- What structure?
- Lavatory?
- Dimension?
- Weight/ driving restrictions
- Insurance coverage
How many individuals might be travelling within the Campervan?
That is vitally essential and impacts many of the subsequent choices you make. You will have a seat belt per particular person, together with any child in a automobile seat.
You additionally want to ensure 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 virtually unending rabbit gap, particularly in the event you’ve by no means rented or owned a campervan earlier than. There are a whole lot of various layouts, kinds and accessories- a lot of that are completely down to private desire!
Nonetheless, some issues to think about are:
- Is a hard and fast mattress a necessary, or are you content to make up bench seats each night time?
- 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 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 the event you’re planning to wild camp or use aires!)
Lavatory
One other factor to consider is what toilet necessities do you’ve gotten? Many {couples} are blissful utilizing the good open air or utilizing a porta-potti. Showers will be had at a campsite or utilizing a photo voltaic bathe.
If any of that makes you frown, then it’s good to rent a campervan with a fitted toilet. There are a lot of varieties of those on the campervan rent books- however it could prohibit your goals of a basic VW for the week!
Campervan Journey- Dimension issues!
I hate to interrupt it to you, however larger isn’t at all times higher. Particularly in the event you’ve by no means pushed or employed a big campervan or motorhome earlier than. Plenty of area could appear beautiful, however it’s good to study to park it- one thing which isn’t at all times straightforward.
After all, a lot of that will depend on what you wish to do throughout your campervan hire- we’ll get to that shortly.
CAMPERVAN HIRE IN EUROPE- measurement restrictions
Europe has many extra tolls than the UK- and the scale of your camper can actually have an effect on the worth of those tolls! Over 3.1m excessive is classed as a truck, so any motorhome with an above cab mattress may very well be costly.
Additionally, bigger campers are usually much less fuel-efficient and likewise they have a tendency 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 corporations received’t rent to anybody underneath 25 or who has held their driving licence for lower than a yr.
Additionally, in case you are hiring a campervan or motorhome over 3.5 tonnes, you’ll want to ensure 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 received’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 vital one! Many Campervan rent corporations do NOT embody mileage- and this will add a HUGE quantity to the worth in the event 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 worth.
Age
In my coronary heart, I desire a basic VW. I believe they’re awesome- fairly, cool … and much too small for me! Apparently, they aren’t the best issues to drive both (previous gearboxes and no energy steering!) Additionally they don’t typically have air-conditioning, which will be essential relying on location.
Newer vans are far more financial, increased, safer and higher at placing extra right into a small area! Additionally they are inclined to have headroom for these of us who’re above common top!
Different issues to consider with Campervan Rent
Most motorhomes solely have guide gearboxes. There are a number of computerized campervans for rent available on the market, however they arrive at a premium.
Campervan Rent in UK and Europe- Planning your journey
In my view, it’s good to reply these questions earlier than you begin campervan rent corporations. HOWEVER, in case you are reserving final minute, you could wish to simply e book no matter is obtainable after which plan your journey round that location!
- Determine the place you wish to go
- WHEN
- How lengthy for?
- Plan your itinerary
- Spherical journey or a method?
- Price range
Determine the place you wish to go throughout your camper rent
That is an apparent place to begin, however really will be fairly difficult, 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 street journey.
If you happen to’d like some Europe street 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 possibly can journey throughout your journey.
TOP TIP- in the event you’re travelling Europe or the UK for longer than a month, you would possibly wish to think about shopping for your individual van. It is perhaps cheaper in the long term!
When is one of the best time to rent a campervan in UK or Europe?
Sincere reality? There’s a cause us Brits and Europeans speak in regards to 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 will 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 choose the September/ October interval; the youngsters are again in class, campsites and roads are quieter, however the climate remains 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 unhealthy for visitors on a Financial institution Vacation and you might 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 instances in the event you presumably can; campervan rent and campsites value extra and in every single place is busier .
Finest time to Campervan rent in Europe:
Campervan Rent in Europe has slightly extra flexibility by way of season and climate than the UK. Many individuals from Britain flee all the way down to southern Spain or Italy for the winter (November-March). It’s repeatedly good climate all by way of the winter right here, with only some wet days in the event you’re fortunate.
Additional north, anticipate snow. Many locations from mid-Europe up has mountains, and these are all busy ski locations. After all, this implies snow… and campervan rent within the snow isn’t for the faint-hearted or the unprepared! It may be achieved, however I’d recommend not on your first journey.
Plan your itinerary
As soon as you understand the place to go, plan a tough itinerary. All the time depart sufficient room to detour to enjoyable locations you discover alongside the way in which. Discover ways to plan an ideal street journey itinerary right here.
Spherical journey or a method?
There’s a premium for one-way campervan rent, however it may prevent loads of time in the event you’re not planning to circle again. If that is one thing you’d like to think about, search for a rent firm who presents a method camper journeys.
Price range for campervan rent in UK and Europe
Lastly, it’s good to resolve your price range. Campervan rent will be greater than you think- particularly within the faculty holidays. All the time get a number of quotes so you possibly can examine.
discover Campervan Rent corporations
There are a LOT of campervan rent corporations. And sure, it may be overwhelming. Be sure any firm you cope with has a correct telephone quantity and registered deal with. Additionally, earlier than you contact them, do a Google seek for critiques. Don’t fear in regards to the odd unhealthy overview, but when there’s a recurring theme or loads of negativity, it’s time to maneuver on.
Issues to examine your motorhome or campervan rent firm present
Be sure the corporate offers the next, or be ready to carry your individual!
- Towels
- Mattress linen
- Pots, pans, plates, utensils
- Out of doors seats/ BBQ/ Bike rack/ awning
- Rest room chemical compounds (not essential- they’re simply purchasable in UK and Europe)
- Mileage
- Capacity 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 (examine you don’t must 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 on your automobile if crucial
In case you are in any respect not sure, choose up the telephone and communicate 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 if in case you have an issue. So choose an organization you are feeling blissful 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 it’s good to pay for. Get EVERYTHING in writing, together with a precise value for mileage if it’s not limitless. Be sure to know what state gas, water, waste and fuel tanks should be returned in.
Verify pick-up and drop-off places, particularly in the event that they’re in numerous places. Keep in mind that, not like automobiles, it’s uncommon for campervan depots to be close to main airports, as a result of measurement of the campers. Some corporations will provide to rearrange airport transfers for you; others will assume you’ll make your individual method to/ from the placement. Be sure that’s clear prematurely.
Additionally, affirm the closest airport. Many main cities in Europe have a number of airports at completely totally 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 a giant metropolis (potential), then it’s good to be assured shifting the car round metropolis streets as quickly as you permit. If you happen to’re not, choose a depot and firm in a extra distant area- however settle for that might be tougher to get to!
Campervan hire- what paperwork do it’s good to gather the camper?
Most corporations would require:
- Driving licence (plastic half solely)- examine it’s in date!
- Probably an Worldwide Driving Allow.
- Possibly a code from the DVLA. Ask them prematurely 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
In case you are flying in from someplace exterior Europe, be sure you are allowed to drive a campervan in Europe. Additionally, be certain all the things is offered as you anticipate (you actually don’t wish to be bringing sleeping baggage or saucepans in your baggage!)
Having stated that, keep in mind 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- accumulating the motorhome
Be sure to get a full and thorough handover and don’t fear about how lengthy it takes. The particular person doing the handover may have achieved the spiel one million instances earlier than, and it’s straightforward for them to neglect or assume you understand one thing. Do NOT be afraid to ask questions or ask them to clarify one thing additional. If unsure, ask them in the event you can take photographs or movie one thing to remind your self later.
Be sure to know the next as a naked minimal:
- fill gas (and is it petrol or diesel?)
- fill water
- join electrical
- The place’s the fuse field?
- flip fuel on/ off
- substitute/ refill a fuel bottle
- Is there a crash hose on the fuel bottle? If not, don’t drive with it switched on.
- gentle fridge (and if it’s a guide change over or computerized)
- The place the leisure battery is?
- empty waste water
- empty rest room
- Place of fireplace blanket/ extinguisher, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Examine they work.
- placed on heating/ scorching water on electrical panel and the best way to alter controls. This bit might take a while to sink in.
- lock cab and hab space, and the best way to impasse steering/ set alarm if potential.
- HEIGHT, WIDTH, LENGTH and WEIGHT of camper. Write these down and hold them helpful.
Campervan Journey in Europe- further issues to think about
- Is there a toll go? (Unlikely- you’ll most likely need to 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 regulation?
- Do you’ve gotten all paperwork wanted to drive (you should carry this always)
Earlier than you drive ANYWHERE, examine the car fastidiously for any harm, regardless of how small. Take photographs of EVERYTHING and ensure all harm is famous down. It might be arduous to examine 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 suggestions
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 things sorted out. Having stated that, we took our camper wild tenting on the primary night time… and I soaked all my garments with the bathe accidentally. So anticipate 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 an incredible journey.
Once you return to the motorhome/ camper depot, be sure you have abided by their guidelines by way of water/ waste tanks (usually should be empty to keep away from a advantageous.)
Additionally, be sure you are on time to keep away from a big fine- these corporations 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 the event you’re planning on hiring a campervan in Europe or UK. It’s completely our favorite method to discover a rustic and we’ve been fortunate sufficient to get pleasure from some spectacular locations in our camper.
For extra campervan journey concepts in UK and Europe, take a look at our street journey itineraries.
