Camper van trip
Discussion
I would like a bit of advice please if anyone has any comments it would be greatly appreciated. My boy friend and I would like to do something a little different this summer rather than the typical young person’s drunken holiday. We are considering renting a campervan from a company called Wicked Campers. They have a few depots around Europe and although we haven’t booked anything we were thinking about starting off in Amsterdam and making our way to San Benedetto del Tronto in Italy with a few stops along the way of course (Nürburgring, Neuschwanstein Castle and The Stelvio Pass). We were thinking of renting the campervan for 7-10 days.
Has anyone ever rented a camper in Europe before or have you heard any reports/experiences about Wicked Campers good or bad?
Also any tips for driving in Europe and places to go/see along the route. Thanks!
Has anyone ever rented a camper in Europe before or have you heard any reports/experiences about Wicked Campers good or bad?
Also any tips for driving in Europe and places to go/see along the route. Thanks!
Assume by campervan, you mean a proper modern jobby, rather than a VDub camper?
I have driven the latter around Cornwall, I'm afraid I don't want to set foot in one of those god forsaken things again. What a nightmare to drive and not much better to sleep in. Wifes idea!
On the other hand, a modern proper camper then I reckon it will be great. Many years ago, me and some mates hired one from UK, drove to Amsterdam then down to Rome and back, all in I think 10/11 days. Helped by 4 of us driving, taking shifts for the long stretches (did Rome to Calais non-stop). Assuming the van will be fully equiped, means you can pretty much stop anywhere you like. Take a good campsite book with you, so you can see how things go and head to a site once you know roughly where you will be.
Envious.
I have driven the latter around Cornwall, I'm afraid I don't want to set foot in one of those god forsaken things again. What a nightmare to drive and not much better to sleep in. Wifes idea!
On the other hand, a modern proper camper then I reckon it will be great. Many years ago, me and some mates hired one from UK, drove to Amsterdam then down to Rome and back, all in I think 10/11 days. Helped by 4 of us driving, taking shifts for the long stretches (did Rome to Calais non-stop). Assuming the van will be fully equiped, means you can pretty much stop anywhere you like. Take a good campsite book with you, so you can see how things go and head to a site once you know roughly where you will be.
Envious.
Yes by campervan I mean a proper modern one. My boyfriend and I both have classic cars and we know how unreliable and uncomfortable they can be at times… but at the same time we wouldn’t be without them!
The wicked campers come equipped with a table, chairs, little gas stove, utensils, pots and pans, a sink....pretty much everything we would need. I haven’t been able to find any other campervan company willing to rent a camper to two 21 year olds as we both would be taking turns at driving. A campsite book would be great I didn’t realise that such a book existed I'm sure it would advise you of good places to stay and the ones to avoid.
Thank you for your advice. Any other tips/experiences of driving around Europe?
The wicked campers come equipped with a table, chairs, little gas stove, utensils, pots and pans, a sink....pretty much everything we would need. I haven’t been able to find any other campervan company willing to rent a camper to two 21 year olds as we both would be taking turns at driving. A campsite book would be great I didn’t realise that such a book existed I'm sure it would advise you of good places to stay and the ones to avoid.
Thank you for your advice. Any other tips/experiences of driving around Europe?
Mrs Puggit and I borrowed her father's campervan a few years back and did a trip around France.
Not everywhere is acceptable of 'camping-cars' over in Europe. For instance many supermarkets have height barriers that prevent you parking inside the carpark. This is to prevent overnight stays. Likewise, you are not allowed to park a campervan anywhere in Monaco!
Try to avoid parking in motorway service stations - we did spend a very comfortable night in one near Le Mans, but have since been advised that overnight campervans are a target for thieves.
Top tip would be research, research, research. Be flexible on your trip, that's part of the fun - but always have a 100% possible failback plan for every night within striking distance!
Not everywhere is acceptable of 'camping-cars' over in Europe. For instance many supermarkets have height barriers that prevent you parking inside the carpark. This is to prevent overnight stays. Likewise, you are not allowed to park a campervan anywhere in Monaco!
Try to avoid parking in motorway service stations - we did spend a very comfortable night in one near Le Mans, but have since been advised that overnight campervans are a target for thieves.
Top tip would be research, research, research. Be flexible on your trip, that's part of the fun - but always have a 100% possible failback plan for every night within striking distance!
They're huge in Australia and NZ.
I just did a 3 week trip my gf in Australia in a similar (Jucy Rentals) camper to what Wicked use in Europe - the 90s shape Toyota Previa/Estima. They're a good size for two people (bed is full width of van and long enough for 6 footers) but not so big they're tricky to drive and will cruise on the motorway happily. You'll probably want to sort out campsites though, for toilet/shower facilities if nothing else. And if you're not used to camping, get used to cooking with a single burner!
Worth getting on their email list too - I ended up on it after making an enquiry and they often do relocation specials. They're vans that have to be back in the next couple of weeks (most recent Amsterdam > London, Munich > London, Malaga > London, at £50 total for 7 days hire) which can be great if you're on a budget and don't mind some flexibility on your travel plans.
I just did a 3 week trip my gf in Australia in a similar (Jucy Rentals) camper to what Wicked use in Europe - the 90s shape Toyota Previa/Estima. They're a good size for two people (bed is full width of van and long enough for 6 footers) but not so big they're tricky to drive and will cruise on the motorway happily. You'll probably want to sort out campsites though, for toilet/shower facilities if nothing else. And if you're not used to camping, get used to cooking with a single burner!
Worth getting on their email list too - I ended up on it after making an enquiry and they often do relocation specials. They're vans that have to be back in the next couple of weeks (most recent Amsterdam > London, Munich > London, Malaga > London, at £50 total for 7 days hire) which can be great if you're on a budget and don't mind some flexibility on your travel plans.
I think they only have Toyota Estimas and TownAce Noahs for the two seater vans, so they should fit most places that a regular people carrier will fit. I have heard that services and truck stops are ok but are prone to thieves and especially the ones in Italy, whether this is true or not though. Plus wicked campers all have their own individual paint job so they may draw a lot of attention. Did you enjoy driving around France?
Yes I think research is the key and to have it well planned. I think not to necessarily use the plan as gospel but have it there for a back up in case anything were to happen. We have a rough idea of our route and a few places we would like to go, although both of us hate sat navs but I think on this one occasion we will have to bring one with us.
Thank you for your advice.
Yes I think research is the key and to have it well planned. I think not to necessarily use the plan as gospel but have it there for a back up in case anything were to happen. We have a rough idea of our route and a few places we would like to go, although both of us hate sat navs but I think on this one occasion we will have to bring one with us.
Thank you for your advice.
Driving in France is a joy. If you're in a hurry, you can pay and use the autoroutes. If you're short on time, but want to see something of the country you can use the Route Nationals. In a campervan, you can just pootle around the D roads, which can be as good as a British trunk route, or can be a back-water.
The French have invested in their roads, and see them as a way of moving goods from A to B in the fastest possible time. Unlike us...
The French have invested in their roads, and see them as a way of moving goods from A to B in the fastest possible time. Unlike us...
That’s good to know that they are suitable for tall people, not that I have a problem with height being 5ft on the dot but my bf is over 6ft so if they were cramped it would have been an issue for him. I’m used to camping out I have Level 2 Mountain Leadership award so I quite enjoy camping however proper showers and toilets would definitely be great for a holiday.
Did you enjoy your time in Australia?
I am on their email list and I have seen some of their relocation specials for £1! That’s for the hire of a van for a week! It would be fantastic if we could get an offer like that but we are hoping to travel around August time so the chances of us getting one are very slim.
I would even consider starting in London and travelling through France to Barcelona. It might be better having a less complicated route for our first time driving in Europe and if we like the experience we could go again next year.
Did you enjoy your time in Australia?
I am on their email list and I have seen some of their relocation specials for £1! That’s for the hire of a van for a week! It would be fantastic if we could get an offer like that but we are hoping to travel around August time so the chances of us getting one are very slim.
I would even consider starting in London and travelling through France to Barcelona. It might be better having a less complicated route for our first time driving in Europe and if we like the experience we could go again next year.
Campers are great (I own one) but tbh I'd get a decent tent etc set up and take the car. It'll be more fuel efficient, faster, more comfortable, more fun and handier when you've set up camp and want to go for a look around.
And you can spend what you would have spent on camper rental on a couple of good hotels en route.
And you can spend what you would have spent on camper rental on a couple of good hotels en route.
I've used a company called "Just Go" a few times.
Good people to deal with and very good vehicles.
Consider starting from the UK if I were you. That way, you can leave home, fully stocked and equiped with provisions.
"Just Go" are near Luton.
You've just missed out on their bi-annual collection of vans. They fly you to Italy and you drive one of their brand new vans home. I think they give you a week to get back and hardly charge anything.
Good people to deal with and very good vehicles.
Consider starting from the UK if I were you. That way, you can leave home, fully stocked and equiped with provisions.
"Just Go" are near Luton.
You've just missed out on their bi-annual collection of vans. They fly you to Italy and you drive one of their brand new vans home. I think they give you a week to get back and hardly charge anything.
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