How to Choose the Right Van for Your Adventures (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Wallet)

So, you’ve decided to hit the road, good choice. Freedom, fresh air, questionable haircuts, and the open road await. But before you start naming your kettle or Googling “portable shower solutions,” there’s a big decision to make: what van is right for you?

Choosing your van is like choosing a travel partner: it needs to be reliable, relatively drama-free, and ideally not smell weird.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common van types, what they’re good for, and how to figure out which one fits your style.

🚐 Panel Vans (Sprinter, Transit, Crafter)

The All-Rounders

These are the Swiss Army knives of vanlife. Tall, roomy, and just serious enough to make you feel like you’ve got your life together — even if your socks are drying from the dashboard.

Pros:

• Stand-up headroom (a luxury until you try to change trousers hunched over a bed)
• Enough space for a bed, kitchen and shower
• Good resale value and lots of DIY guides online

Cons:

• Expensive to buy and repair
• Parking them in a city is like parallel parking a giraffe
• Might set off stealth alarms with a “builder’s van” vibe

Best for: Full-timers, remote workers, people who like stretching inside

🚗 Campervan Conversions (VW Transporter, Transit Custom)

The Cool Kids

You’ve seen them on Instagram: perfectly parked by the ocean, fairy lights glowing, a surfboard artfully leaned on the side like it wasn’t just used to chase seagulls.

Pros:

• Easier to drive and park (even in those cursed UK coastal lanes)
• More fuel-efficient
• Still looks cool when it’s muddy

Cons:

• Limited headroom (if you drop a sock, you’re crawling to get it)
• Smaller kitchen and storage
• You probably will want to upgrade eventually

Best for: Part-time vanlifers, city parkers, minimalists with great playlists

🚚 Box Vans & Luton Vans

The DIY Dreamers

If your Pinterest board is full of oak countertops and hidden compost toilets, this might be for you. Box vans offer loads of space and a blank canvas, and enough height to host a yoga class.

Pros:

• Huge space inside
• Squared shape makes insulation and furniture easier
• Often cheaper than Sprinters

Cons:

• Feels like steering a small building
• Parking anxiety is real
• Screams “not stealth” unless your idea of stealth is bold confidence

Best for: DIY enthusiasts, couples or pets with lots of gear, people who love a good challenge

🚙 SUVs & 4x4s with Rooftop Tents

The Adventure Nomads

Technically not a van, but if you like climbing mountains before breakfast and boiling water on a rock, this one’s for you.

Pros:

• Go-anywhere attitude (and suspension)
• Great for wild camping
• Easy to set up, harder to fall out of in the dark

Cons:

• Not much comfort in bad weather (unless you’re into soggy sleeping bags)
• Limited storage and cooking space
• Feels less like a home, more like glorified camping

Best for: Off-road wanderers, weekend warriors, people who say “I’ll just pack light” and actually mean it

How to Choose the Right One for You

Ask yourself:

• How often will I travel? (Weekends? Months? Are you selling your sofa?)
• Do I need to stand up inside? (Tall folks, this one’s for you)
• Will I cook or order takeout for 6 months straight? (Both are valid)
• Do I want to stealth camp in cities or find remote beaches?
• Am I building this myself, or do I cry at flat-pack furniture?

Final Thoughts

There’s no perfect van, only the one that fits your needs, quirks, and budget. Take your time, try a few out, and remember: your first van probably won’t be your last. And that’s okay.

Already living the vanlife or still in the spreadsheet phase? Drop a comment below I love hearing about different setups (and stealing ideas with full credit, of course).