Travel: how your camper van experience will save you money
Do you dream of sandy beaches in Bali, the temples of Angkor, or the lunar landscapes of the Atacama? But then, a little voice (often your banker’s) whispers in your ear: “Long-distance travel isn’t for your budget, buddy!”. What if we told you that little voice is sorely mistaken? 🤔 And even better: if you’re a motorhome travel enthusiast, you ALREADY have the keys to debunk this misconception and explore the world without breaking the bank!
We’re convinced of one thing: the motorhome spirit is much more than a vacation style; it’s a true travel philosophy. And this philosophy, based on autonomy, resourcefulness, and finding the best deals, is your best passport to adventure, even thousands of miles from your trusty four-wheeled steed. Forget the image of long-distance travel being reserved for millionaires! We’re going to show you how your experience as a motorized nomad will save you big bucks, even when the motorhome stays safely in the garage.
So, fasten your seatbelt (an airplane one, this time!), because we’re taking off for a guide that will revolutionize your view of long-haul travel. Get ready to discover how to transform your motorhomer reflexes into superpowers to conquer the world on a controlled budget. Let’s go! 🚀
Before even thinking about booking a plane ticket to an exotic land, let’s do a little assessment 📝. You, the expert of life on wheels, have unknowingly developed skills that are worth their weight in gold when it comes to traveling on a tight budget. These are your superpowers, and it’s time to use them for even BIGGER adventures!
Mastering the daily budget: a second nature
In a motorhome, every euro (or dollar, or pound!) counts, right? Optimizing fuel fill-ups, finding the cheapest local products to whip up homemade meals, knowing where to find free water… all this is your daily routine. This constant mental gymnastics to manage your expenses is exactly what’s needed for budget-friendly long-distance travel!
Direct Transposition:
Smart meals: Forget tourist-trap restaurants for every meal! Just like in your van, favor local markets to buy fresh, seasonal produce. Prepare epic picnics for your exploration days. If your accommodation has a kitchen (hostel, rental), it’s the jackpot! 🥳
Optimized transport: In the same way you plan your motorhome stops to avoid unnecessary and costly detours, you’ll analyze local transport options. Local buses, carpooling, walking… every saving counts. It’s a bit like preparing your motorhome road trip, but on a different scale!
The art of finding smart (and often free!) accommodation 🛌
Who hasn’t spent hours on Park4Night or searching for THE perfect, discreet wild camping spot with a breathtaking view? 🤩 This quest for the accommodation “grail” is a valuable skill. You know there are alternatives to 5-star campsites and overpriced hotels.
Hostels: Friendly atmosphere and unbeatable prices, often with shared kitchens.
Homestays (like Airbnb, but look for private rooms or more modest entire homes): To immerse yourself in local culture and get insider tips.
Small local guesthouses: Often much more authentic and economical than large hotel chains.
Couchsurfing (for the more adventurous): Sleep for free at a local’s home, with exchange being the primary focus.
Autonomy and resourcefulness: your travel companions
In a motorhome, you quickly learn to be autonomous. A small breakdown? Out comes the toolbox. An unforeseen event? You adapt. This ability to find solutions, to not be fazed by the first obstacle, THAT’S the spirit of the seasoned traveler. We’re far from the 10 beginner mistakes to avoid in a motorhome; you’re already at the next level! 😎
Direct transposition:
Information Gathering: You know how to find practical info (bus schedules, local customs, good deals). Forums, blogs (like ours!), traveler groups become your best friends.
Adaptability: Missed a bus, a site is closed, capricious weather? No panic! You know how to bounce back and find a Plan B. This flexibility is essential when traveling far on a limited budget.
Managing “Minor Ailments”: A well-thought-out first-aid kit, knowing where to find a laundromat, how to charge your electronic devices… details that, when mastered, make the trip smoother and less expensive.
With these already well-honed superpowers, you’re much better equipped than you think to conquer the world without emptying your savings account!
Traveling far: transposing your “motorhome attitude” to the ends of the Earth
Now that we’ve established that you’re secretly a budget travel superhero/heroine thanks to your motorhome experience, let’s get down to business. How do we concretely make this “vanlife state of mind” propel us to distant horizons without making our wallets cry famine? It’s simpler than you think!
The flight: just one step ✈️
Yes, to go to the other side of the planet, unless you have A LOT of time and an amphibious motorhome 🛶 (we’re working on it!), the plane is often a necessary step. And that’s where many get stuck, imagining astronomically priced tickets. Stop! Breathe 🧘. Finding a reasonably priced flight is a bit like finding the last fresh baguette at 7 PM: it takes a bit of flair and strategy, but it’s doable.
Reflexes to adopt (which you may already have for your ferries or crossings!):
Be flexible as a reed: If your dates aren’t set in stone, play with flight comparison calendars. Leaving on a Tuesday instead of a Saturday can sometimes cut the bill in half!
Anticipate or grab last-minute deals (with caution): Both strategies can pay off.
Consider shoulder seasons: Fewer people, gentler prices, and often still very pleasant weather.
Once you have a destination in mind that catches your eye, for example, the dream beaches and Mayan culture of Mexico, the search can begin. By being a bit smart and keeping an eye on offers, you can find attractive options. For example, companies like Air Caraïbes offer flights from Paris to Cancun; keep an eye out for these kinds of routes. The idea is to consider this flight as the initial “big leap.” Once this step is taken, your motorhomer instincts take over to control the budget on site.
Once at your destination: activate “explorer motorhomer” mode
That’s it, you’ve landed! 🛬 Forget the idea of rushing to the first all-inclusive resort. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: live an authentic and economical experience by applying the principles you hold dear.
Our advice: The first thing to do upon arrival? Head to the local market! It’s the best place to get the pulse of the country, find fresh and delicious products for next to nothing, and often, strike up a conversation with the locals. It’s our HQ in every new city, whether it’s to discover the must-sees of Edinburgh or to soak up the atmosphere of the Tyrol in Austria.
Your new on-site roadmap:
Smart accommodation (again and always): As we said, hostels with shared kitchens are your friends. Small family-run guesthouses, homestays via dedicated platforms (favoring rooms or small accommodations)… The idea is to find a clean, safe place that won’t weigh down your daily budget.
Economical eats: The market + accommodation kitchen combo is the foundation. Rediscover the simple pleasure of a picnic with a breathtaking view. Try local street food (often delicious and very affordable), but avoid tourist traps with hefty bills.
Clever travel: Walk! It’s the best way to discover a city and it’s free. Use local public transport: buses, subways, trains… they are often an adventure in themselves and much more economical than taxis or ride-sharing services. To explore further, carpooling can be an option.
Budget-friendly activities: Not all wonders of the world cost money! Hikes, public beaches, visiting typical neighborhoods, strolling through parks, discovering local crafts (looking costs nothing!)… Be curious and creative.
Basically, you do what you already do so well in a motorhome: you live simply, you prioritize experience over expense, and you keep your eyes wide open to seize opportunities. 👀
Want to rediscover total freedom? The “fly & (small) van” option
We understand. Even if the previous tips allow you to travel far and light, for some of us, the call of the road, the freedom to stop where you want, when you want, is sacred. That feeling a vintage van or a well-equipped motorhome provides is unique. So, if the idea of not having your “home on wheels” with you in a distant land gives you a slight buzzkill, know that there’s a solution: “Fly & Van”!
When the call of the road is felt, even thousands of miles away
The concept is simple: you fly to your dream destination, and once there, you rent a converted vehicle. It could be a compact van, a converted panel van, a small low-profile motorhome, or even a car with a rooftop tent and a kitchen kit. The idea is to regain that autonomy and flexibility that are so dear to you.
Destinations that are particularly well-suited for a “Fly & Van” adventure:
Australia 🇦🇺 and New Zealand 🇳🇿: The undisputed queens of van road trips. Top-notch infrastructure, breathtaking landscapes.
The United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦: Vastness of national parks, legendary routes… the American (or Canadian) dream on four wheels!
Certain Northern European countries (Iceland 🇮🇸, Norway 🇳🇴): For grandiose landscapes, even if the cost of living and rental can be higher.
And increasingly, “emerging” destinations for vanlife: Mexico (especially the Yucatan Peninsula), some South American countries, and even Southeast Asia are starting to see a boom in rental offers for more or less rustic converted vehicles.
What you need to know before taking the plunge 🚦
The “Fly & Van” option is enticing, but it requires a bit of preparation and thought. It’s not always the most economical solution overall, but it offers an incomparable level of freedom.
Our opinion: Renting a van abroad is a bit like embarking on your first road trip in the Lake District or planning a trip to discover the Cotswolds: it requires doing your homework on local specifics (driving, parking, insurance). But what a blast once you’re there! 😄
Points to consider:
Rental cost: This can vary enormously depending on the destination, season, type of vehicle, and duration. Compare offers carefully!
Insurance: NEVER skimp on this. Check what’s included, the deductibles, and take out additional options if necessary. It’s as crucial as knowing the steps for an ETA for England if you’re crossing the Channel.
Local regulations: Where can you park overnight? Is wild camping tolerated/allowed? Research scrupulously to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Included equipment 🍴🛏️: Check carefully what is provided (bedding, crockery, camping gear) so you don’t have to buy on-site or overpack your luggage.
Vehicle condition 🧐: Take detailed photos/videos at pick-up and drop-off.
If you’re ready to do the research and the budget allows, then go for it! Rediscovering the pleasure of the road and the unexpected at the other end of the world is an unforgettable experience.
So, ready to (temporarily) trade your 4 wheels for wings?
There you have it, we’ve done a (sort of) owner’s tour of how your valuable motorhomer experience can literally give you wings to explore the world. Gone are the days when “long-distance travel” rhymed with “empty bank account.” You now have all the cards in hand – or rather, all the tips in mind – to prove otherwise.
Just because we love the freedom of our van or motorhome doesn’t mean we have to deprive ourselves of the wonders that are within flying distance. One doesn’t preclude the other! On the contrary, the philosophy of the road – autonomy, resourcefulness, a taste for simple and authentic things – is universal. It applies just as well to small country roads as to the beaten paths at the ends of the earth.
We sincerely hope this article has given you a good dose of inspiration and, above all, the conviction that YOUR dreams of elsewhere are within reach. Sometimes, all it takes is a change of perspective, trusting yourself, and applying what you already do so well.
And now, it’s your turn to play! 🎤 What distant destination are you secretly longing for that you thought was inaccessible? What are YOUR globetrotter or motorhomer tips that you’d like to share for traveling far without breaking the bank? Let loose in the comments below, we can’t wait to read them! 👇
Adrien
We are Sophie, Adrien, and our two adorable little ones. Passionate about travel, discovery, and gastronomy, we bought a 2007 Rapido camper van to travel differently, travel more, and introduce our children to the world. Here, we share our wonderful discoveries and tips for activities to do with children in France and beyond ! Welcome !
