Tips for renting

Austrians swap hotel rooms for motorhomes

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

More and more Austrians want to spend their vacation in a motorhome. First they rent, then they buy their own rolling home. In the last nine years, the number has increased by almost 80 percent - and the trend is still rising.

Austrians are increasingly spending their vacation in a motorhome with an adventure atmosphere instead of in a hotel with an all-inclusive package. This type of vacation is particularly popular with children. Those who want to travel the country for longer also get away more cheaply by cooking for themselves. Just how popular independence has become in this country is also reflected in the rising number of registered motorhomes. The number has increased by around 78 percent since 2015. According to Statistics Austria, the number of caravans has increased by around 15 percent in the same period.

"Fortunately, the camping trend is continuing - more and more people want to own their own rolling home," says Tomas Mehlmauer, President of the Austrian Camping Club (ÖCC). Newcomers and young travelers who want to try out camping vacations clearly don't buy a home on four wheels straight away, but rent campers, motorhomes and the like. According to the Öamtc, there are a few things to bear in mind.

Tomas Mehlmauer, President of the Austrian Camping Club: "The camping trend continues".

(Bild: Österreichischer Camping Club)

If you want to rent a camper, you should book in good time - the sooner you know when you want to go, the better. Not only does this save money, but there is also a greater choice of vehicles in the desired period. As the demand for campervan hire has risen steadily in recent years, booking too late can mean that there are no vehicles available for the planned vacation weeks. "If you want to rent vehicles as cheaply as possible, you should not only book early, but also compare prices from different providers and offers," says Mehlmauer. It is important to look at the overall package in order to calculate any additional costs. For example, it is important to consider what insurance is included and whether and how many free kilometers are included in the package.

When renting a camping vehicle, a high deposit is usually required so that the rental company can be held harmless if something happens. This usually costs between 600 and 1,000 euros. The expert recommends taking a close look in advance at the circumstances under which the deposit will not be refunded in full. Otherwise you could be in for a rude awakening at the end of your trip. "Before booking, you should check the terms and conditions and the insurance cover very carefully. This allows you to assess in advance whether additional costs will be incurred," explains Mehlmauer. For example, there is often a surcharge for young drivers under the age of 25.

Return conditions are important

You should have the vehicle explained to you in detail when you pick it up. The use of gas for the stove and heating is just as important to understand as the use and emptying of the camping toilet. The fresh water tank and gas bottle should also be full and the waste water tank empty when you pick up the vehicle. If there are any complaints on or in the vehicle, it is important to make a note of these in the rental agreement. Photo documentation can help in the event of disputes.

It is also advisable to clarify the condition in which the rental vehicle must be returned. The standard is a full tank of gas and an empty waste water tank. Otherwise this can result in high additional costs.

The rental contract should be read carefully to avoid any nasty surprises.

(Bild: ©DragonImages - stock.adobe.com)

When fixing the pick-up and return dates, you can also ask whether the private car you are driving to the rental office can be parked in the rental office's parking lot during the trip and whether additional parking fees will be charged.