Low cost tips for getting around in a camper traveling by spending less. Here's how to travel more without spending too much in hotels and restaurants, 10 tips for those who love motorhomes.
Let's face it, if it weren't for the cost, we'd always be on the go. Unfortunately, until they invent teleportation, we will continue to meet fixed costs that limit our chances of traveling the world: planes, hotels, restaurant meals, very often affect our budget more than we would like.
However, there is a means that allows us to cut them down a lot: the camper!
The camper, in addition to being the convivial vehicle par excellence, is the perfect solution for those who love holidays on the road, for those who want to travel often and be able to take advantage of every little weekend or weekend off, and for those who - like me - tend to take everything with them because you never know. In addition, it allows you to save a lot on out-of-pocket expenses and consequently leave more often.
Even when traveling by motorhome, however, there is always room for improvement in terms of expenses.
These are mine ten tips for an even more low cost holiday.
1. Times and reservations
First of all, even if it may seem that traveling by camper requires less preparation - and in some respects it really is - the fundamental advice to limit our expenses as much as possible is, as always, to organize ourselves well and, sometimes, even in time. Certainly one of the best aspects of a motorhome holiday is the freedom that comes with it: no reservations to be made, fixed timetables, trips to the airport, or limited luggage. However, especially for longer journeys, it is good to prepare at least an itinerary outline, pay attention to which are the best days for the transfer stops, and identify which are the most suitable places to stop.
2. Fuel and highway
Another very important issue is that of fuel. The camper is certainly the low cost vehicle par excellence, but that does not mean that it is free! The item of expenditure that affects the most is undoubtedly the supply. Before leaving, it is therefore good to do some little research on diesel prices and understand where it will be convenient for us to fill up if, for example, we cross several foreign countries. If you are staying in Italy, it may be a good idea to opt for white pumps which generally offer great prices. A little attention will allow us to avoid the drain on petrol on the highway!
3. Check before you leave
We must not forget that the camper is first of all a vehicle, in some respects even more delicate than a normal car. Before leaving, especially if the camper is owned by you and not rented, and therefore checked by the company that hires them, it is a good idea to regularly carry out some general checks to verify the efficiency of all its components. Pay particular attention to tire levels and pressure, two things that alone can significantly affect fuel consumption as well as, and above all, safety. In addition, proper maintenance of the vehicle will prevent - hopefully! - more serious problems while traveling. Nobody wants to leave and then end up in a breakdown in the middle of the road or find themselves without electric autonomy due to an exhausted service battery or, even worse, in the summer with the refrigerator that no longer cools!
4. Suitcases and camper spaces
Unfortunately for me, I'm the type that when he travels, he basically has a home branch in his suitcase. Perhaps also for this reason, if I have to travel, I tend to favor the car, which allows me to carry many more things than I could do by train or plane! Well, the camper has the advantages of the car, but to the nth degree! And this is very useful for us to save! It is important, given that we have the possibility, to make a good local mind of everything that could be useful. In general, purchases made in "emergency" cost us much more than they would in normal times. The best thing is to adopt the checklist method, which is to prepare a list that covers every eventuality and tick it off before you leave.
5. Oversized weights
It being understood that it is good to bring all the essentials (and the potentially useful!), It is also good to keep a sense of proportion! Always referring to the question of fuel, we must remember that, obviously, a greater weight will correspond to a greater consumption! Furthermore, especially in some European countries, there are strict controls and sanctions in case of off-weight driving! We therefore try to load everything that can avoid useless expenses, but without exaggerating. Furthermore, we also think about distributing the weights well inside the camper, and fixing them correctly.
6. Nights and overnight stays
The thing on which the camper will allow us to save the most is undoubtedly the overnight stay. Around Europe there are many respectable free equipped camper parking areas, and in any case, if we really do not find any free, even the numerous paid structures always cost significantly less than a hotel. Sometimes even the parking of the square of a small town or that of some cultural sites of interest represent a possibility of free and safe overnight stay. Do not forget the increasingly popular agri-campsites which, in exchange for a dinner at the farm with typical but above all homemade products and foods, offer free parking at their facilities. To be on the safe side, it is worth checking in time how many and which ones are present in the areas that interest us and keep a couple of possibilities open in case of unforeseen events.
7. Stops and highway codes
If you are traveling abroad, perhaps even crossing several countries, it is good to inquire about the parking regulations and the current highway code. This will not only avoid us fines that can sometimes be very high, but also unpleasant quarter of an hour to argue with the local police in languages ​​that we may not even know! In particular, we take into account the fact that you cannot stop anywhere to stay overnight, but that you must comply with national legislation, and that in some European countries equipment is required that are not mandatory with us, such as the first aid kit.
Meals and cooking
8. Meals and dishes
Another undeniable advantage of the camper, both for the wallet and for the quality of the trip, is the possibility of being able to prepare meals yourself: this will not only reduce the otherwise high costs of restaurants and bars, but, by shopping directly at large supermarkets or to the small local open-air markets, it will allow us to indulge in some delicious meals from time to time in typical environments to discover the authentic culinary traditions of the place we are visiting.
9. Less touristy routes
Another great freedom that the camper gives us is that of being able to take advantage of less “beaten” and more characteristic places. If the area we have chosen for our holiday is also a tourist destination, traveling by camper will allow us to stay a little away from the center and therefore save a lot. Often, when you travel by plane, for example, you are very bound to have to stay in the city center, or near the airport for strictly logistical reasons and to be able to move on foot or by public transport. With the camper, on the other hand, nothing prevents us from finding a "base" a little further away, and then deciding to move for visits: the savings and peace of mind will be tangible!
10. RV community
Finally, a fundamental thing: to rely on the well-fed community of motorhomers! For sure it will be difficult to find groups of fans of travel by train or plane around, but the camper represents above all an experience and a lifestyle, more than a mere means of locomotion, and boasts a large group of enthusiasts! On the net there are many experts who will prove invaluable for discovering tips and tricks on how to travel best and who will be ready to recommend the best itineraries or share photos of their trips! And maybe, over time, you will begin to meet and get to know many new travel companions.
