We are going to Europe for three weeks in May or June. We have an 8 and 10 year old. We are thinking of renting a VW Westfalia for the trip (We used to own one, and in fact camped in in for a two-month trip from Idaho to Alaska up the Al-Can). Does anyone have any recommendations one way or the other, or good places to rent? (We are very flexible on our itinerary, etc.)
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6790 posts
I think the biggest issue with your plan (aside from the cost - don't know about that) is that having any car will be a serious pain in the butt in any large European city - in a lot of cities, a car is just so much of a headache, it's not worth it. That's with a standard size (that is, small) car. With a VW camper van, it will be even worse. This is not a knock against these vehicles - I once owned one and enjoyed many a trip in them (not in Europe, but across the US and down through Mexico...fond memories). If you are not going to do any big cities, then this might work, but I would think very long and hard about it before I committed to driving one in Paris, Rome, etc....no thank you!
FWIW, Rick travelled extensively with his kids, says it's doable and often has lots of good advice on that, so taking along the VW van is not necessarily your only option.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
I think it's a good idea. Stay in campgrounds. There are well equipped campgrounds everywhere that will accomodate your "caravan". I agree with the comment that driving in big cities is an expensive headache. Most cities have campgrounds on the outskirts with walking distance public transportation into the city center.
Diesel is the better option in Europe. Be sure to bring a GPS with European maps from home. I have a TomTom Go 920 that does well but people also like the Garmin Nuvi's.
I read an article in Washington Post's travel section last year (I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the article) about a woman who took her daughter and a friend through Italy in a VW camper van. It was kind of funny because they ended up staying in hotels all but one night and broke the back window when they backed into a tree. The article might have a link where she rented the van.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
You should do google research on subjects such as 'campervan europe' and 'camping europe' or other titles.
And read some travel guides from your local library or Rick's books.
You will like the convenience except when you drive in traffic or try to park.
You will find Europe far different than your experience in driving a campervan in the US.
Finding camper parks may be difficult. I would spend as much time as I can in researching before I contract for a vehicle.