Picking a Van-Hire Ferry
If you are relocating abroad, planning a cruise, or touring a band overseas, you might find the need to book a rental van on a ferry. That could be a very complicated feat unless you know the right approach to take.
The initial thing to do is arrange overseas use with your van hire company. If you are travelling Europe, then specifically arrange for Europe use. You may have to pay for European insurance and breakdown coverage. Remember that not all companies permit overseas use, so check if you can make the necessary arrangement.
Next, determine the shipping dimensions of your vehicle. You need to know the height, length, and width of the hire van inclusive of roof racks, bike racks, and other accessories. Get the dimensions in metres because that is how most ferry companies measure them.
Select your ferry route with care. Note that the ideal choice does not have to be the cheapest or shortest route. What you need to determine is the total cost of the trip, as well as total time to reach your destination. Decide among two options - "longer crossing and less driving" and "shorter crossing and more driving" - and then calculate the total cost of each option. The factors you need to consider are motorway toll costs for each route, fuel costs, length of travel, mileage surcharges for hire van, and quote for each ferry crossing. On top of these, account for stress associated with each option. Some factors are non-monetary, but they count a lot.
Some travellers prefer longer crossing and less driving because of lesser hassle and cheaper price. This is especially true for those who move to Bilbao, Spain. Many ferries dock at Bilbao allowing tourists to reach most Spanish destinations easier, faster.
