Road trips are a fun way to see the world. Air travel is great, but flying from one destination to the next means that you miss a huge amount of fun in the middle. It’s like eating a Victoria sponge cake minus the jam and buttercream. Sure, the sponge tastes OK, but the best bits are missing!
Most people don’t travel from one continent to another via car. It would simply take too long. In this instance, air travel is a sensible mode of transport. Flying from A to B is quick, relatively inexpensive (unless you upgrade to First Class), and convenient, but if you want to take the scenic route, a road trip is a lot more enjoyable.
Road Trip Essentials
To extract the maximum enjoyment from a road trip you need three things:
- The right vehicle
- A fun travel companion
- An interesting route/itinerary
If any of the above are lacking, your road trip will be sadly diminished. You might still have fun, but it won’t be the trip of a lifetime. For the purposes of this article, let’s take a look at the first requirement: vehicle.
Rentals vs Own Vehicle
There are hundreds of different vehicle options available for hire if you prefer not to take your own, from basic car rental all the way to van lease Mode of transport is a personal choice, but if you have a long trip planned and you’re traveling overseas, it is sensible to hire a vehicle. Rental vehicles come with comprehensive insurance, are well maintained, and road legal. If your rental vehicle breaks down, you can request a replacement and continue with your trip. It’s a lot better than being stuck in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, with a vehicle that is beyond economic repair and no alternate means of transport.
Transport and Accommodation
You will need accommodation while you are on the road. Some people choose to book their accommodation on the hoof, using sites like Airbnb. Others prefer to be super organised and book hotel rooms for every night of their trip. However, both of these options give rise to a degree of inflexibility, as you will have to follow a predetermined route. One other option worth considering is hiring a camper van. You then have the freedom to wander off the beaten track and stay anywhere you like.
Different Types of Car
Assuming you’re not keen on the idea of trundling along in a slow but steady campervan or skipping showers for a week, let’s take a look at cars you might wish to hire for your trip.
The larger the vehicle, the more expensive it will be to hire. BMWs or Audis are fast, comfortable, and luxurious, but not cheap to run. A hot hatch such as a Mini Edinburgh looks sexy, is cheaper to hire, and is great for a Mr. Bean-style trip along the French Riviera.
However, if you really want to enjoy a trip of a lifetime, rent a prestigious sports car, pull on your designer shades, and act like a celebrity.