With summertime on the way, now is the perfect time to start planning a day trip in Auckland. You can make a getaway with friends and family by hiring a van and driving to a picnic or fishing spot. However, you can’t do this on a whim. You need to hire a van in Auckland and organise the trip. Here are a few travel tips to get your planning started.
Book The Van Ahead Of Time
Your main priority when planning a day trip with a group is to book the hired van ahead of time. When you start planning, you can discuss the budget and decide how much each person can contribute. Once you have a budget, you can start looking for a van rental company that you trust. Having a budget in mind also gives you strict parameters of what model and size van you can comfortably afford.
Booking the van ahead of time is a smart decision. Some rental companies change their prices depending on the time of year, or if there’s a holiday around the corner. You can also book ahead of time to avoid any mishaps closer to the day. If you leave it too late, you might find the van has already been booked, with the only other vans available being unsuitable to your needs. You might be forced to find a new rental company, or settle for a vehicle that is over budget. You might even have to hire a van that’s too small to accommodate all of you, which means you’d either be cramped and uncomfortable or be forced to hire a second vehicle
Set A Time And Place For Departure
Hiring a van for a day trip is great because you can bring family and friends along. However, the more people who join you the more organised you’ll have to be. You don’t want to drive the van to each person’s home to collect them, and you don’t want to waste time waiting for latecomers.
As a group, decide on a place where everyone can meet before you depart. The meeting place can be at someone’s home, or a midpoint where everyone can travel to in good time. You should also set a fixed time to meet so that each person can be adequately prepared to arrive on time. Remember, each person has contributed funding, so the last thing you want is to waste valuable time. On the day before you leave, make sure that everyone is aware of the time and place of departure so that you can all go together in good time.
Discuss Who Drives And When
Having a rotating driving schedule is smart. Even though you’re only going out for the day, some destinations require six hours or more to get there. In this case, most people would make this into a weekend trip. For a trip like this, you don’t want only one person responsible for driving, in case they get tired or ill. Therefore, being able to give the wheel to someone else is a benefit for everyone driving so that they’re properly rested.
Make sure that the route has been planned out, and that everyone knows precisely where they’re driving, and where they’re stopping to refuel. You don’t want to get lost or take a wrong turn – especially if everyone has pitched in for the petrol costs.
What To Pack
What you need to pack for a trip like this largely depends on what you intend on doing when you arrive at your destination. If you’re having a picnic, then you’ll need a blanket and a basket of food, drink and cutlery. If it’s a fishing trip, you’ll need fishing gear.
However, there are certain items that you’ll need to bring regardless of where you’re going or what you’re planning. Make sure that there is enough water and healthy snacks for everyone while you’re on the road. Driving can dehydrate you, so each person will need enough water to keep hydrated.
You’ll also need a first aid kit, in case someone gets injured on the way, or at your destination. The first aid kit should have plasters, bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, painkillers, sunscreen and gloves.
Conclusion
The next time you plan a day or weekend trip with friends and family, make sure that you follow these tips for streamlined organisation of your trip. You’ll find it less stressful, with more control on things that could go wrong, such as hiring a van in Auckland late, or not having a rotation of responsible drivers. Follow these travel tips and your trip will happen without a bump in the road!