Traveling off-season: the essence of van life

Traveling in a camper van during the off-season

While most travelers are putting away their summer suitcases and posting their “summer dump” on Instagram, savvy vanlifers are getting ready to come out of the woods. 

Whether with family during fall break, with friends in the middle of winter, as a couple in early spring, or solo whenever the mood strikes, the pleasure of a campervan vacation can be enjoyed all year round.

Renting a campervan off-season means rediscovering the peace and luxury of planning your itinerary day by day. Outside of summer, it's your turn to enjoy the pleasures of a quiet road trip.

The advantages of traveling in a campervan during the off-season

While summer remains the best season to enjoy tourist attractions, it is also the most expensive and busiest time of year. Take advantage of the low season for a unique travel experience. When the roads empty, true freedom begins. 

Fewer people, more freedom

 

The low season is a procrastinator's best friend. That campsite you forgot to book? Still available. No more crowded spots, parking lots that require 30 minutes of circling before finding a space, or traffic jams that double your travel time. From fall to mid-spring, access the best locations and drive at your own pace.

“We are dependent on the weather, but that opens up other paths and encounters for us. I also like this element of chance and spontaneity.” 
– Elsa, returning from an off-season road trip in Slovenia

More affordable rates

Forget €5 coffees by the sea and parking lots that miraculously become pay-and-display. When the regions return to their usual tranquility, prices start to fall. For your off-season campervan rental or camping trip, take advantage of attractive offers as soon as autumn arrives.

 

Rent your campervan off-season

Nature in all its glory

The Alps under a bright sun? Seen it all before. Provence under the snow? Already more unusual! In fall, winter, and early spring, the great outdoors is adorned with colors that most travelers will miss. In France and Europe, the forests in October are every bit as beautiful as those in Canada. The shores become cinematic, between small storms and celestial lights. The peaks bend under a magical white blanket.

 

Preparing your campervan for off-season travel

Want to travel during the off-season? Don't let rain, cold weather, or shorter days deter you. These unavoidable hazards are part of the beauty of van life. Sharpen your ability to adapt, cultivate your taste for silence, and embrace the unexpected. But above all, make sure you're properly equipped. 

Is rain part of the trip? Check out our list of activities to do in a camper van when it rains. 

Traveling in a camper van in winter

Before renting a van or camper van in winter, make sure it has the following equipment: 

- Good insulation: when you rent a premium campervan, you benefit from the best insulation technologies.

- Stationary heating: active when you are stationary, it maintains an ideal temperature inside the vehicle. Choose models with good hot air circulation. 

- Good energy autonomy: check for a secondary battery and sustainable energy sources, such as LEDs and solar panels. Generally, converted vans provide better thermal and sound insulation, as well as large clean water tanks. 

- An electricity converter: ideally, choose a converted campervan equipped with a 12 V <> 230 V converter, which is perfect for transforming the vehicle's electricity into domestic power, just like at home.

- Shower and equipped kitchen: after a day of skiing or hiking in the rain, a hot shower feels like a spa treatment. The same goes for the kitchen, where the oven is essential for preparing your best gratins.

>>>> WeVan's advice : Mega Mobil converted vans combine technologies suitable for off-season travel. Enjoy models with the largest bathrooms in van life, four-season insulation, and modern kitchen spaces. 

 Discover Mega Mobil campervans

The most beautiful destinations to discover in a campervan during the off-season

Discover the sea in winter

In winter, the sea becomes wild and raw again. There are no more “frills, treats, and apricot or chocolate doughnuts.” There is only you, facing the horizon and the waves, sometimes raging, sometimes as flat as a pancake. A blanket, hot chocolate, a good book, and the sound of the ocean as a soundtrack will recharge your batteries. Our favorite destinations?

 

 

- Brittany : the sea gets angry and the light is unreal. You won't be bothered by crowds. On the other hand, expect rain and wind. 

- The fjords of Norway : the Northern Lights and a sea that mirrors the snow-capped peaks. What more could you ask for? A camper van is essential to cope with temperatures that drop to -20°C.

- The Landes : enjoy the wide beaches where you can walk your dog and ride your surfboard. Miles of wild, soulful landscapes.

- Portugal : enjoy an average temperature of around 15°C and huge beaches where you can park your van for a surfing trip.

The mountains out of season

From the Austrian Tyrol to the Morvan, via the Swiss Alps and Slovenia, the mountains become meditative. Park in front of a misty lake and get out your tea set. Experience a season of contrasts, between hot drinks and fresh air, emptiness and intensity, gold-covered leaves and black rocks. Without the summer crowds, chamois and ibex come out for memorable photo opportunities.

 

“The steep mountains are imposing and reveal their snow-capped peaks. It's 13 degrees cooler than on the banks of the Soča River. There's even snow in places at 1,600 meters.” 
Elsa - Traveling with Mega Mobil in Slovenia

 

The South in early spring

When the rest of France is still hesitating between raincoats and sunglasses, the South has already brought out its swimsuits. Hop in your campervan rental, dust off the still-sleeping roads, and witness the awakening of an entire region. Discover Provence in full bloom or head to Andalusia, already with your feet in the sand. In Italy or Greece, enjoy tourist sites without the crowds, from Cinque Terre to the shores of the Aegean Sea. 

 

From January to December, van life never stops. From cozy moments in autumn to the joy of parking your van just steps from the ski slopes in winter to the springtime quest for the first swims of the season, traveling off-season in a converted van allows you to see life differently.

Need advice or inspiration? Contact your WeVan agency to organize your off-season van rental.

Contact your WeVan agency

FAQ

1. Can you sleep in a campervan in winter?

With stationary heating, good insulation, and your favorite blanket, you can be sure of a good night's sleep. All campervans available for rent on We Van are equipped for all seasons.

2. Are service areas in France open all year round?

Before you leave, check the list of open service areas, available on the Park4Night app. As winter approaches, some of them may reduce their services or close temporarily.

3. Can I rent a campervan with winter tires? 

Yes. In the Alps and Pyrenees, all our campervans are equipped with snow tires as soon as the Mountain Law comes into effect, around November.

 

>>> Article written by Théo Garcin

>>> Photos by Gürkan Yildirim and Thibaut Prioux