Camping with a van has grown in popularity over the years, and we’re not surprised. The mobility and flexibility that camping with a van gives you is something you will never experience with any other accommodation option. Being able to take your sleeping spot with you wherever you want without having to carry all of your luggage makes a camper van trip a popular go-to.
Thanks to the increase in camper vans and the possibility to rent them pretty easily, it has made camper van traveling more accessible than ever before. But before you head up to your next camper van adventure, be sure to look up these tips to ensure the best and most enjoyable trip for yourself and your travel buddies!
What should I take on a campervan trip?
- Have The Right Mindset
- Enjoy the ride
- What to pack for a camper van trip?
- Plan your camper van trip ahead
- Take some entertainment with you
1. Have The Right Mindset
Let’s get one thing straight: Camper van traveling is not for everyone. You need to be okay with the thought of living in a car and traveling on the road for days, weeks if not even months. This includes usually eating in the car and only taking a few stops at the local camps explicitly designed for campers with camper vans. Traveling with a camper van can be one of the best experiences you will ever have. Especially if you have the right attitude and know what to expect.
And as a side note, depending on how many people you are traveling with, be sure to get a right-sized camper van for your upcoming trip. Otherwise, things might get a bit too tight from time to time. These vans can usually be rented from bigger cities at reasonable prices. Be sure to check the price and possible additional costs before renting the van and whether or not you have to pay any fee upfront.
2. Enjoy the ride
This goes hand in hand with the right mindset when planning a camper van trip, but it’s still worth mentioning. A camper van is not a sports car, which means that the rides will not be fast and smooth – more likely, they will be steady and safe. When traveling as a camper, the journey itself is what matters, not just the destination. Sometimes you might not even have a clear destination in mind when traveling as a camper. You are there to enjoy the ride.
3. What to pack for a camper van trip?
This is where all the fun begins – packing for a trip with the camper van. Here you need to be able to really think (depending on the length of your trip, possibly even months in advance) about what you might and might not need when living in a van. Therefore be sure to pack these essentials for your trip at least:
- Food and beverages
- Clean linens and pillows for the ”bed”
- Portable water for dishwashing and laundry
- Kitchenette fuel (propane or butane, if necessary)
- Rope and a knife
- Toilet paper
- Connection cables for campsites
For more inspiration on what to pack for your next camping trip, be sure to check out these must-haves on a road trip! Here you might find a few ideas to add to your list of tips for your camper van trip.
4. Plan your camper van trip ahead
It makes a huge difference whether you decide to make your camper van trip to Iceland or to Scandinavia. The climate is usually drastically different in addition to culture and prices. In addition, be sure to do some research on the area where you are planning on making your next trip with the camper van and make sure it fits your needs and desires. Also, plan ahead roughly the length of your trip. This helps with the packing as well as with planning the upcoming route.
5. Take some entertainment with you
This is worth mentioning, as sometimes, believe it or not, just sitting in a car while driving a highway might get a bit boring. This is why you should definitely pack some entertainment for yourself! This can include a pack of cards, board games, or interesting books to read while on the road. These are also perfect icebreakers for when you arrive at a camper stop and want to hang with other campers by the bonfire. Also, you can have a chat and a good laugh with your travel buddies during the trip. It’s the best way to brush the doze away! In addition, be sure to look up these movies and books when searching for some leisure-time activity during your trip.
Hopefully, you found these tips helpful and can use them while planning your next trip with the camper van! Going on road trips with a camper van sounds really fun, right? So, are you ready to rent a camper van and go on amazing adventures with your travel buddies? Or maybe you are up for a new kind of fun, which is traveling with other passionate travelers? JoinMyTrip has just the trips for you! Check out our group trips around the world guided by our like-minded TripLeaders.