How To Travel The Vanlife Way

Vanlife is a lifestyle travel trend that has been making big waves in recent years. The idea behind vanlife is to acquire a cheap van, do the necessary changes and fixes to make it ready for long term travel, and then use it as a mobile home while on the road.

Many younger people have taken up vanlife over buying normal property due to how cheap a lifestyle it can be, but it can also be the perfect way of getting around a country while saving as much money as possible.

What You Need to Know

Living in a van poses a series of challenges that need to be overcome. One of the biggest is the limited amount of space. Unless you’re willing to spend the money and hire an expensive, specially-customised RV for travel – which can cost more than a house – it makes more sense to instead buy or build your own. Many long-term travel vans tend to be Ford Transits or VW family vans, and while conversions do open up a lot of space, things will still be very limited.

For those couples that want to take up vanlife and travel around a country, it’s a good idea to always remind yourself that being in a tight space can lead to some frustration, and sometimes the best thing to do is pull over somewhere safe and go for a walk.

The Costs

While it’s certainly cheaper than living in a house, the vanlife still needs a certain amount of money to maintain every month. Fuel is arguably the most important, but this depends entirely on how much you intend to travel. Food is another one, and it’s a good idea to have a small fridge installed in the van to keep things fresh in case you’re unable to make it to any nearby shops. It’s also a good idea to stay stocked up on cleaning products, as it’s important to clean the van every day. Having a small Mi-Fi router is also a good idea, allowing you to read emails, watch videos, play the best pokies online, and more. Keeping funds aside for repairs and replacements is vital, in case you break down and need a certain part replaced.

The Advantages

Despite all of the costs mentioned above, cost remains the biggest advantage to getting into the vanlife. If you, for example, are planning to tour a country like Canada or Greece, having a mobile home that can be taken everywhere makes much more sense than staying in expensive hotels every night, or even staying in backpacker establishments.

The biggest advantage, however, is the freedom. Many people that live in their vans have complete freedom of mobility. If they find a place that they think is particularly beautiful, they are able to stay there long-term. If the weather starts to turn, they can simply pack up and drive somewhere else. It also provides the chance to follow the summer and avoid the colder months.

All in all, vanlife can be a cheap and rewarding way to travel a new country, and it’s an easy way of life to fall in love with.