Budget hints and tips. Might have to cancel my first road trip. Too expensive :-(

kp64zl said:

There are loads of people who live in vans on a super tight budget -- just take a look at the climbing community e.g. around El Chorro (near malaga) - who are living on a fraction of the money being discussed here over longer periods. Fair few people in the Llanberis area doing similar....

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Completely agree, I follow loads of people on YouTube and Instagram with the #vanlife. There an inspiration to how to live on a super strict budget and in a van (conversion or otherwise) and wish I did it when I was younger with my then girlfriend. However, not many with two young kids though, throw them in the mix with a super strict budget and it soon becomes #vanstresslife ;-)

kp64zl said:

We very much enjoyed our stay at this campsite in Northern France:

The owner is particularly hospitable

Camping les marguerites

Site du camping les marguerites en baie de Somme à Saint Firmin Le Crotoy

campinglesmarguerite.free.fr

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Thanks @kp64zl

steve and lisa said:

I agree with saving a ferries etc.. but all this talk of eating wheatabix every morning and buying cheap food from Lidl is not the point of a holiday, the point of holidays for us includes the food as much as travel. Trying local cuisine is a big part for us.

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Indeed, but buying local needn’t be expensive, and sampling local cuisine needn’t be a daily experience.

At the end of August we had a ten day break in the Loire Valley. The boys cycled every morning to the depot du pain for fresh breakfast and lunch bread. The final morning we had croissants.

A round of ice creams from the campsite was over 10 Euros. A ten minute cycle ride to the Super U and I could buy a four pack of ice lollies for 1.50 Euros or a four pack of Magnum lookalikes for 3 Euros.

We cooked every night except one when we went to a restaurant in town and ate the Plat du Jour, (the boys probably had chicken nuggets and chips from the children’s menu).

An excursion to the local market can be free (however unlikely), riverside walks or canal side cycle rides are free. Our trip to Villandry was 9 Euros for Clare and 5 Euros for me, the boys were free (I stayed out of the castle but in the gardens and woodland with the dog).

Cross the pond via Eurotunnel.
It’s quicker, cheaper and you can collect Tesco points and use them for the crossing. Northern France has loads going on. DD beaches are worth a look and loads of nice beaches around Brittany.

MartG said:

You realise that there's going to be 100's using your discount code now! Just joking - handy info there, thanks

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You can get 15% off if you book direct as they have a sale on

MarkVw2017 said:

We are going in May so if any of you are in Northern France that week, let me know

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How old are your children, and when in May are you going.

We are planning a trip for 20 - 31 May with our boys who will then be 6;5 and 5;1.

I prefer northern Spain, Clare prefers within a day’s drive of Calais which probably means north of Clermont-Ferrand. What we do agree is that the site should have a pool which will be open at the end of May.

The campsite were we stayed at the end of August was 22 Euros per night for the four of us plus dog and EHU. It had three pools including one heated pool.

Take a thermos flask. Fill it before you leave a site and you have a drink on route says on service area coffee. Look for supermarkets on route they are often near motorways like the Intermache or carrefour chain. Usually cheaper for fuel and you can pick up supplies.

We have gone to Italy/France for three years now. The biggest budget difference is food, eat out or eat in or near van. We actually eat most meals by the van or by the beach. Cheese, sausages, pasta for the kids, olive oil etc. Fantastic products. We then take a cup of coffee or croissant which usually is 1/10 of the price in sweden.
I have not calculated the sum of any year.
My tips is don't overdo it, go to one location and make one or two stops along the way.
On the way we eat food we have in the van. I often even do my own coffee at rest stops in germany because I think it tastes better.
We almost always use park4night on the way down and home, we have narrowed it down to one overnight stop in germany.
For us flying is no way cheap, parking at the airport, rent a car at the destination etc.

kave said:

We have gone to Italy/France for three years now. The biggest budget difference is food, eat out or eat in or near van. We actually eat most meals by the van or by the beach. Cheese, sausages, pasta for the kids, olive oil etc. Fantastic products. We then take a cup of coffee or croissant which usually is 1/10 of the price in sweden.
I have not calculated the sum of any year.
My tips is don't overdo it, go to one location and make one or two stops along the way.
On the way we eat food we have in the van. I often even do my own coffee at rest stops in germany because I think it tastes better.
We almost always use park4night on the way down and home, we have narrowed it down to one overnight stop in germany.
For us flying is no way cheap, parking at the airport, rent a car at the destination etc.

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Agree about own coffee being better, the coffee in UK is always expensive and not my taste. Spain and France the coffee is better but sometimes it is nicer to stop somewhere with a view. With your own facilities there is less need to look for service areas with coffee and loos. Even when I have travelled though France with my car I usually picked up Bread and meats or cheese for a lunch time snack, quicker than going into a restaurant.

Amarillo said:

How old are your children, and when in May are you going.

We are planning a trip for 20 - 31 May with our boys who will then be 6;5 and 5;1.

I prefer northern Spain, Clare prefers within a day’s drive of Calais which probably means north of Clermont-Ferrand. What we do agree is that the site should have a pool which will be open at the end of May.

The campsite were we stayed at the end of August was 22 Euros per night for the four of us plus dog and EHU. It had three pools including one heated pool.

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Thanks.

We are leaving UK 22 May and staying for around a week (hopefully). Nothing certain yet as re planning a whole new route due to this threads hints and tips , but Northern France seems a good choice.and yes, a pool would be a proper treat, my kids love the water!!

My children are 11 (boy) and little girl (6 - going on 18).

It would be absolutely wonderful to meet anyone around then, even for a quick cuppa ;-)

Firstly from my experience (France/Germany/Nederlands/Belgium/Denmark) £40 for campsites is in my experience is way over what you should expect to pay in Europe. I didn't pay more than 35euro even in Sweden and Denmark which are supposed to be expensive. We paid around 20euro on average, most expensive I came across was Sweden at the above price. UK prices seem the highest in Europe from my experience (I haven't done Spain though so maybe I'm wrong?)

Ultimately travelling abroad is expensive but many things cost less than the UK (until you look at Denmark/Sweden/Norway etc) so you can claw some of that back.

A few things I've noticed that made a difference

• Slow down the difference in fuel consumption is huge between 60 and 70mph. We would get about 42mpg at 60ish but came down to 35mpg at 70-75 at 82mph it was 33-34mpg
• Ferrys and tunnel are the biggest expenses, shop around or travel at off peak times makes a big difference.
• Plan to do the odd wild camp or more basic site. Aires are very cheap or even free, but not very nice in my experience and I wouldnt personally stay there with kids.
• Shop in the supermarket rather than eat out.

Ultimately campervan can be very cheap if you stay in the UK and use CS sites and basic sites. In the EU sites are generally cheaper than here but the distances are longer and the sea crossings soon add up.

We spend over 2k for two of us for our 3 week tour of Denmark with a stop in Sweden of a few days.

Good afternoon,

I can fully understand the budget issues. The family has only such and such income which needs to cover all financial bills. It is easy to get carried away over the summer holiday, but the autumn is coming for sure. Children are back in school. I don't know how it is in the UK, but in Ireland certainly it is not that cheap at the beginning of the school year.

Last summer we spend a wee bit over 3x weeks in Europe. The journey was over 6,200 km long and covered France, Germany, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Italy, France, Spain.
Even with the long distance (and therefore a lot of diesel) it was the cheapest holiday we made (have I said that it was only my wife and me). Camp sites were not expensive (even in Pompeii in the middle of July) and the cost of food for the two of us was neglect able. Have I said that we brought most of the food from Ireland and did a bigger shopping in Lidl Germany. In the remaining places we just bought fresh things like bread or fruit.

The biggest cost are the ferries. We sailed from Dublin to Cherbourg and from Santander to Cork. In comparison the crossings were the most expensive part of the holiday.

Living in Ireland unfortunately won't give us an option as to use the ferries. I planned a trip through Scandinavia summer 2020, but I don't believe that it won't happen this year. We also need to save more money for that. Instead we will stay in Ireland and will go up the Wild Atlantic Way (which is nice too, but still not the same). Without the ferries I couldn't see a reason not to go to Scandinavia.

What I am trying to say is, maybe you want to decide to stay in the UK (which is wonderful as well. Certainly we will, at some stage spend some weeks there ((but there are the ferry costs...)) for a year (or two) and put money aside for a bigger / longer holiday on the continent.

Best of luck with your planning.

Happy California
Eberhard

MarkVw2017 said:

Dear Cali Gurus,

THANK YOU!!

Once again, this forum has shown why it is absolutely amazing and a major reason why I bought a Cali. The support and friendliness is second to none!

I've not been fortunate enough to meet any of you but you still go out your way to give in depth replies and share your wisdom, all I can say thank you to all who posted on this thread!! I would love to meet you all one day!

Some absolutely brilliant advice which I cannot tell you how much I appreciate.

My wife says a massive thank you to you all as well and can't believe the replies and help!!

We have decided we bought the Cali to have adventures, so after all your advice, going to cancel the Spain route and go around Northern France and get it down to a week, will be well within our budget and we can still eat well, maybe even out at some restaurants and have fun days out with the kids.

I'm now currently in Starbucks looking at Dover ferries and North France campsites. So still very much in road trip holiday mode thanks to you all.

We are going in May so if any of you are in Northern France that week, let me know and I will happily make you a bowl of Weetabix for breakfast and a glass of water, you taught me well wise ones

Once again, a massive thank you!

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Wife and I go to France for holidays (not during early August) and worked out total costs of a month away at 900£ but not including food we bought and cooked. We had about 3 restaurant meals which came to 100£. Average camp costs were 12euro but we do have two solar panels so no EHU. Not using toll roads.
I doubt two children would double your costs so 2000£ maximum costs family four?

MattBW said:

• Slow down the difference in fuel consumption is huge between 60 and 70mph. We would get about 42mpg at 60ish but came down to 35mpg at 70-75 at 82mph it was 33-34mpg

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Agree.... but:
one of the reason to buy a Cali it is also its agility and speed compared to a big white. Having a van capable of doing more than 100mph, I travel at 80ish as I have the bikes on the back carrier. But slowing down to 60 especially on long journeys it would drive me mad....
Totally personal opinion btw.

MartG said:

You realise that there's going to be 100's using your discount code now! Just joking - handy info there, thanks

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It's no problem as it's a no cost to the 'friend' As long as I pay the annual renewal it remains valid. Not worth joining fee plus annual fee for a single trip but I do 6 on average per year.

MarkVw2017 said:

Thanks.

We are leaving UK 22 May and staying for around a week (hopefully). Nothing certain yet as re planning a whole new route due to this threads hints and tips , but Northern France seems a good choice.and yes, a pool would be a proper treat, my kids love the water!!

My children are 11 (boy) and little girl (6 - going on 18).

It would be absolutely wonderful to meet anyone around then, even for a quick cuppa ;-)

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I think that there is a greater than 50% chance that we will go back to here over half term:

The main reason being one of the pools is heated and semi outdoor.

Pitches are about £20 per night for two people, but you'd have to pay £7 per night more for a child 7-18.

If you plan your route on this map you can use motorway/dual carriageway and avoid most tolls.


Red - Toll motorway; Blue - Free motorway; Green - Dual carriageway

1. From Calais, take the road to Rouen, short toll section on A16 (8,60 Euros).
2. Rouen to Tours, virtually all toll free motorway (2,10 Euros).
3. A10 from Tours to J25 tolled then local roads (4,00 Euros).

https://www.lesormes.com/en

We’ve had a really good holiday here if you don’t want to travel far into France. Not sure what camping costs are as we did a static van, but thinking of going back in the Cali as they have built an amazing looking pool! Swim pools are the highlight of our kids holidays as well.

Also, if Holland is an option, Duinrell is fantastic for kids - waterpark, amusement Park, lovely town within walking distance and so safe.

One thing to bear in mind is costs go up hugely for the May half term but sometimes all the site facilities may not be open yet. The french site that didn’t mow the grass on the pitches or open the pizza restaurant till the day after the English half term for example.........

I like the look of the canoeing at the site Amarillo suggested - we have taken inflatable canoes in our old truck so hoping it will all fit in the Cali!

Calimili said:

Agree.... but:
one of the reason to buy a Cali it is also its agility and speed compared to a big white. Having a van capable of doing more than 100mph, I travel at 80ish as I have the bikes on the back carrier. But slowing down to 60 especially on long journeys it would drive me mad....
Totally personal opinion btw.

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If you are willing to pay for the extra fuel thats good, we generally did 120kph (75mph) and occasionally 130kph (82?). If we wanted to save a few miles we dropped down to 70mph.

The time difference over 200 miles between 70 and 80 isnt really massive and if you are in a nice area you can enjoy the views.
200 miles at 60mph = 3 hours 20mins
200 miles at 70mph = 2 hours 51mins
200 miles at 80mph = 2 hours 30

MattBW said:

If you are willing to pay for the extra fuel thats good, we generally did 120kph (75mph) and occasionally 130kph (82?). If we wanted to save a few miles we dropped down to 70mph.

The time difference over 200 miles between 70 and 80 isnt really massive and if you are in a nice area you can enjoy the views.
200 miles at 60mph = 3 hours 20mins
200 miles at 70mph = 2 hours 51mins
200 miles at 80mph = 2 hours 30

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Agreed, for "short" journeys going fast bring little advantage. Going through France all the way to Spain though, I'd rather spend 20 quid more and get there 3 hours earlier. Especially for the kids.

MattBW said:

The time difference over 200 miles between 70 and 80 isnt really massive and if you are in a nice area you can enjoy the views.
200 miles at 60mph = 3 hours 20mins
200 miles at 70mph = 2 hours 51mins
200 miles at 80mph = 2 hours 30

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Real world driving isn’t that simple.
200 miles at 60mph will be pretty close to 3h20. But any faster than that and every time you come up to some a$$ overtaking in the overtaking lane doing 60 you will need to slow to their speed until they move in. It’s probably worse on French motorways as they often have just one overtaking lane.

Amarillo said:

Indeed, but buying local needn’t be expensive, and sampling local cuisine needn’t be a daily experience.

At the end of August we had a ten day break in the Loire Valley. The boys cycled every morning to the depot du pain for fresh breakfast and lunch bread. The final morning we had croissants.

A round of ice creams from the campsite was over 10 Euros. A ten minute cycle ride to the Super U and I could buy a four pack of ice lollies for 1.50 Euros or a four pack of Magnum lookalikes for 3 Euros.

We cooked every night except one when we went to a restaurant in town and ate the Plat du Jour, (the boys probably had chicken nuggets and chips from the children’s menu).

An excursion to the local market can be free (however unlikely), riverside walks or canal side cycle rides are free. Our trip to Villandry was 9 Euros for Clare and 5 Euros for me, the boys were free (I stayed out of the castle but in the gardens and woodland with the dog).

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That sounds like a nice campsite @Amarillo, where was it if you don't mind sharing. I would absolutely love to go the Loire valley region.

Amarillo said:

Real world driving isn’t that simple.
200 miles at 60mph will be pretty close to 3h20. But any faster than that and every time you come up to some a$$ overtaking in the overtaking lane doing 60 you will need to slow to their speed until they move in. It’s probably worse on French motorways as they often have just one overtaking lane.

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Travel on a Sunday.

I bet you'll have a fab time in northern France. I haven't been in Brittany for some years but I remember having an epic time there with our kids. And the Normandy peninsula has some lovely bits. As someone said, the D Day beaches are really interesting, including Arromanches where you can still see the remains of the Mulberry harbour. Loads and loads to see and do, and lots of unspoilt rural France in between.

Amarillo said:

Real world driving isn’t that simple.
200 miles at 60mph will be pretty close to 3h20. But any faster than that and every time you come up to some a$$ overtaking in the overtaking lane doing 60 you will need to slow to their speed until they move in. It’s probably worse on French motorways as they often have just one overtaking lane.

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Thankfully the French know how to drive and overtake and move back to the near side lane.
You can drive massive distances without needing to hit the brakes, well apart from the Peage Booth...

Compared to the French back roads, with 50 limits and village after village and don’t get me started about all those traffic islands. You can’t drive more than 500 yd’s without hitting one

soulstyledevon said:

Thankfully the French know how to drive and overtake and move back to the near side lane.
You can drive massive distances without needing to hit the brakes, well apart from the Peage Booth...

Compared to the French back roads, with 50 limits and village after village and don’t get me started about all those traffic islands. You can’t drive more than 500 yd’s without hitting one

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And speed cameras. Lots of speed cameras.