Cruising down the open road, drifting from place to place before stopping off spontaneously for the night: the campervan life has never been more popular, offering portable, private accommodation that’s Covid-safe. If you are ready to join the community of campers this summer, PaulCamper might have just the right wheels for you. A cross between car sharing and a holiday apartment service, the Berlin-based rental platform offers around 9000 vans, buses, motorhomes and caravans to hire for as long as you want, from three-day trips to Brandenburg to multi-week voyages across Europe. Keen camper Dirk Fehse founded the website in 2013 as a way to link up wannabe campers with vehicle owners looking to share costs (the average van is only used for four weeks a year). This smart idea means you get to try out the camper lifestyle without the big financial investment or the hassle: just choose what dates you want to travel, select the type of vehicle and pick one of the countless vans to rent.
Browsing through the site, you come across an amazing assortment of homes on wheels, from back-to-basics delivery vans to super-luxe American RVs. For the latest tech and Autobahn comfort, you can opt for a brand-new VW camper, or for a trip back in time there’s the classic Hermann Westfalia from 1986 that’s tailor made for sunsets and surfboards. If you are after something really different (and your driving skills are up to the job) the Egon converted fire truck is a big red retro box that’s perfect for those happy to cruise in the slow lane. Whatever model you go for, all vans come with comprehensive insurance and all you need for your hol, including a bed, a fridge or coolbox and a gas stove for your meals on wheels. Time to pick your van, make a plan and get ready to hit the road!
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Konrad Stöhr, Uriel Mont & PaulCamper
