When preparing for a trip, the question of the budget is a fundamental element. Indeed, the traveler must take into account several factors to establish an adequate budget that meets all his needs. Whether it is for the rental of the van, for food, for activities or for fuel, all of this must be planned in advance in order to avoid problems.
The budget for travel expenses
Fuel
Generally, fuel is one of the biggest expenses of a trip. Indeed, with the rise in current prices, fuel has become a precious element that travelers who often seek to limit its consumption to avoid refueling regularly.
The fuel budget will depend on several factors: the type of road taken, the vehicle model, vehicle consumption, driving style, etc. Adopting the “slow travel” method, for example, makes it possible to reduce consumption. It is indeed brought to your attention that driving fast will deplete the fuel in the tank more quickly.
Tolls
When establishing his itinerary, the traveler must note whether his journey includes one or more passages at tolls. If so, then he will have to budget for it. Toll costs depend on the type of vehicle: a vehicle over 2 meters in height is classified as “2nd class”. Its toll will therefore be more expensive than other vehicles.
To avoid this expense which risks inflating the budget, it is advisable to take the secondary roads instead. In addition, the landscapes are more pleasant on these secondary roads than on the highways.
Services
In general, access to service stations where the traveler can fill the drinking water tanks and empty the van is free. However, there are certain areas where this type of service is chargeable, including electricity at terminals or when camping (for those who drive an electric van). In order to avoid finding yourself in a restrictive situation, it is therefore recommended to always provide a budget for the services.
The budget allocated to parking
Whether during the day or at night, parking a van can sometimes be expensive. It is therefore wise to plan a fairly substantial budget to ensure that you can park your van in places dedicated to this purpose.
The “night spots”
Many travelers prefer to live the road life 100% by favoring spots in the middle of nature. These are free and allow you to fully appreciate the “ roadtrip ” experience.
However, there are profiles who prefer to have peace of mind and opt for a paid campsite or a motorhome area. Within these dedicated places, travelers will be able to stay safe and they will have access to various amenities such as electricity, water and sometimes even a freely accessible water heater.
The car parks
Whether for walks or hikes, it is necessary to be able to park your van in a place provided for this purpose. However, parking spaces for motorhomes are often quite expensive. In classified villages, car parks can be very expensive, which requires adequate preparation.
Le budget nécessaire pour la nourriture
Cooking or eating out?
Travelers in a campervan have a very interesting advantage: the presence of a fully equipped kitchen. Thanks to this equipment, travelers can then prepare their meals like at home. This is an effective way to save money on your meal budget. However, on certain occasions (visits to new cities, no desire to cook, etc.), it is also possible to taste the local gastronomy. This helps to discover new flavors and enjoy comfort not necessarily available inside the van.
Go shopping
Even if travelers have planned to take some groceries with them, it can still happen that they need some things that they did not plan for at the start. To avoid paying the high price, it is advisable to buy from local producers. This also allows access to fresh products, generally sold at low prices.
The leisure budget
Activities
A roadtrip will usually lead travelers into the wilderness, where they can indulge in different free activities: strolling around a lake, swimming in the sea, hiking in the mountains, etc. On the other hand, there are still certain types of leisure where it will be necessary to spend money. The amount varies depending on the activity: a kayak rental can cost less than a skydive. Some regions even offer hot air balloon rides.
Extras
Besides leisure, there are the little extras of everyday life. Namely shopping, buying souvenirs, buying small local snacks… These are the ones that will make travelers feel that they are indeed on vacation.
The budget provided for the rental of the vehicle
To carry out a roadtrip, it is obviously necessary to be properly equipped. The camper van is the ideal accessory to guarantee a comfortable and pleasant journey. This type of vehicle is very practical for travelers due to the presence of all the necessary elements for its comfort: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, toilet…
The type of vehicle
Prices on the market vary depending on the model of van chosen. 2-seater vans will of course be more accessible than motorhomes for 6 people. Beyond the space provided by the vehicle, it will also be necessary to look at the level of comfort it offers: interior shower, hot water, pop-up roof…
The duration
The longer the rental period, the more expensive it will be. Vans are generally rented by the number of nights. Some service providers also impose a minimum rental period.
The options
Providers, whether individuals or professionals, sometimes offer additional options that can be useful, but quite heavy on the budget. It will then be necessary to be careful to choose the options according to the real needs during the trip. With Van-it, travelers can, for example, take advantage of options such as the presence of a plancha, bike rack or solar shower.
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