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February 8, 2023 By Team Lazy Camper Van

Camper Van Rental Montreal – Options and Prices in 2023

If you’re reading this chances are you are looking to rent a camper van in Montreal to explore the provinces of Quebec or Ontario or even farther. 

Perhaps you want to drive to Gaspesie to see the beautiful Rocher Percé, or you want to go see whales in Tadoussac, or perhaps you are feeling adventurous and want to visit the crystalline waters of the Bruce Peninsula Park in Ontario.

Camper vans are very popular, and with good reason: they provide accommodation, transportation and sometimes a full kitchen, all at once.

But finding the right camper van for your needs may be a bit confusing and time consuming given the number of offers on the market.

This is why in this article we will give you some useful tips and questions to ask yourself, so you can find the type of van and budget that works for you:

The number of people travelling:

The first thing to ask yourself is how many people will be traveling in the camper van. In our opinion, camper vans are best for two people, especially if you are looking for something small, easy to drive and to park. However, it’s possible to find cars that aren’t necessarily gigantic RVs if you are more than two people (keep reading to find the answer to this). 

Also, if you are a couple with a young child… and are used to co-sleeping, you’re probably good to rent something with a bed that is for two people, BUT (and this is very important) make sure that there’s an actual full third seat inside the van – with a seatbelt, of course – and that you bring your own child seat or the company offers one.

Bottom line, if you are only two people – or a solo traveler – renting a small camper van such as a Dodge Caravan, Toyota Sienna or Westfalia is going to be the best for you, in our opinion. At the end of the article we will let you know which companies offer these models and what’s the approximate price.

Evaluating your level of “comfort with discomfort”:

Going camping in a camper van is already more luxurious than traveling with a tent. 

However, if you are renting a small, minimalist camper van – like Siennas, Caravans or Westfalia –  don’t expect to have a LOT of luxury. Most camper van conversions have at least access to clean water – and a tank for dirty waters – as well as basic kitchen equipment either inside or outside, like a portable camping stove. 

In terms of toilets, many companies – ourselves included – don’t rent portable toilets, in order to keep logistics simple and prices low – and also because we live in a province and a country with good facilities in terms of parks, rest stops and gas stations.

However, if you really want to have a luxurious experience where you have a full toilet and perhaps even a shower, you’re better off renting a Dodge Promaster or Mercedes Sprinter conversion. See the end of the article to know which companies in Montreal offer these models. 

Another advantage of these bigger models is that they tend to be big and tall, like cargo vans, so if you care about being able to stand up and walk inside the van, this is a PLUS. Of course the downside of bigger cars is parking, fuel consumption and their generally higher costs.

Time spent inside the van vs. outside the van:

If your goal with renting a camper van is to do things like hikes, visit national parks, reserves, do kayaking or other water activities: chances are you’re going to spend most of your time out and about. 

In this case, having a bigger van (which is often more expensive) is probably not the best idea, given that most of the day the van will be empty, sitting in a parking lot or on your campground.

One case where you may be spending more time inside the van is if you are planning on traveling in the spring or in the fall (those “transition seasons”) as the time you spend hiking or doing outdoor activities may be more limited.

PS: In these “transition” seasons, temperatures may or may not be super cold. But what’s more annoying than the cold itself it’s the fact that it gets humid! 

If you are renting a bigger van during the transition seasons – or in the winter – make sure the van is insulated or has some kind of heating technology, as none of the big space will be that useful if it’s super humid inside.

That being said, if you are traveling with a small, minimalistic van (Siennas, Caravans, etc.) with no real insulation or heater – other than the one when the engine is on – it’s still possible to have a great time – as long as you don’t leave when it’s -20°.

At Lazy Camper Van we have gotten clients starting their trips as soon as April 15, and others coming back as late as December 5, and they all reported having a great experience, although they did have to spend a bit more time inside coffee shops, restaurants or museums – and some of them who left for a long time reported spending one or two night in an Airbnb’s when it was too humid or rainy – or to get a little break.

Where to find campervans that suit your needs (and how much do they cost, approximately, in 2023) departing from Montreal?

No camper van option is perfect 100%. Some may be too small, or too expensive, or too big to park. The most important thing to find the option that fits your needs is to be clear in your priorities, so you can be realistic about your expectations.

If you are one or two passengers, max, and you are into the minimalist type of camper vans….

And if you want to be able to park in nature or in the city with no one really guessing that there’s a full bed and fridge and water faucet inside your van, then you are welcome to consider Lazy Camper Van (that is us):

  • We ONLY rent Toyota Siennas, our fleet runs from models ranging from 2005 to 2019, but they are all well cared for. Plus when you only have ONE make and one model, the maintenance is way easier 😉
  • We are currently accepting reservations for the 2023 season. Departures and drop offs take place in Verdun, two minutes away from Metro de L’Église, all days of the week from 10h00 and 12h00.
  • We are a small business run by a couple, so we give you personalized attention and a full tour + tutorial of the van, in person, when you come pick it up.

Our vans come with everything you need to sleep, eat and travel in comfort. We have discounts if you leave during the spring and the fall, but to give you an idea of prices in the high season, a week in July in 2023 (e.g. Friday to Friday) in a classic van is 1232 $ + taxes., full insurance included.

Pro tip: Always double check the pricing page…

Our blog posts may become obsolete in the future so the information may change in the future, so always refer to your quote or invoice for the most updated information. In 2023 you can also try our online reservation tool here: https://reservation.lazycampervan.ca/ to have real time information.

Please note we are currently only offering vans that are 2-passengers and no young children are allowed because the vans only have two front seats. 

If our offer is not for you either because you want something less minimalistic or because you are 3-4 people, here’s other places that we recommend you check out and how much to expect in terms of price, approximately:

  • Rvezy: this is like an Airbnb but for camper vans. The prices tend to range from 60$ per night for very very basic vans, great if you literally just need a bed and some basics – to 280$ – 400$ per night for Sprinter-type conversions. Make sure you use the filters to see how many people can sleep in and ask where all the beds are if it’s not clear. Sometimes it says it has 3-4 seats to transport passengers, but the bed situation inside is something else – or they may be a roof tent situation.
  • Outdoorsy: very similar to Rvezy. In this website you may be able to find “Chevy” type conversions which are like the middle point between a mini camper van (like a Dodge Caravan or a Toyota Sienna) and the big “delivery” type vans like Promasters. Some of these models even have 3 beds *inside* the car, so something to think about if you are more than two people but don’t want to have a roof tent.

A note on Rvezy and Outdoorsy and “Airbnb” type websites….

Keep in mind that these two options (Rvezy and Outdoorsy) are meant to be peer-to-peer, so you are more likely going to be dealing with an individual – instead of a corporation. This can be great if you enjoy the idea of the sharing economy, and helping a person pay their bills 😉 – But just make sure you check the reviews and ask questions, to avoid any unpleasant experiences. Granted, some big businesses also list in these platforms, but more often than not these will be individuals.

  • Vanpackers – Le Baroudeur: they have a big fleet of campervans for 2 and 4 people (with roof tents) in the style of Dodge Caravans. The cheapest rentals for 2 people vans start at about 1574 $ + taxes for a full week (e.g. Friday to Friday) or at 1815$ + taxes for 4 people vans, for the same time frame. Note that this company charges by day (not by “night” or cycle of 24 hours), so when you go from Friday to Friday, you are billed 8 days. On their website you can really choose the exact van you want, including the model, year, etc. and they also offer other things like buying your own camper kit.
  • Vanlife MTL: these are the best option for the “fancy” types of conversion, like Sprinters or Promasters. That being said, the fancyness comes with a price tag, as a full week in July 2023 may cost you about 2280$ + taxes, and again, here they charge you by “day” (instead of nights), so from Friday to Friday you are being billed 8 days. If having to park a bigger vehicle is not an issue for you and you have the budget, this can be a very interesting experience. Also, this company also sells converted vans, so if you are looking into buying a camper van, renting for a few days can be a great way to test the product before investing.

That is it for the tips today. If you have any questions feel free to drop us a line to lazycampervan (at) gmail (dot) com. We have social media profiles but we don’t often check our DMs, so email is the best way to reach us 🙂

Team Lazy Camper van

We are Jonathan and Sonia, owners of Lazy Camper Van.

Since 2019 we manage our small business from A to Z. We are travel enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and life partners – and clearly we don’t know how not to mix pleasure and work.

The writing of this article was the result of team work 💪

    Filed Under: Uncategorized

    June 27, 2019 By Sonia Ortiz

    Date Ideas Montreal: 5 Activity Ideas For Couples Visiting The City For The First Time

    So you’re visiting Montreal for the first time and you’re completely overwhelmed by the amount of choices and places to see.

    Listen: I know you really want to choose the best spots, optimize your time and perhaps even impress your partner 😉

    Perhaps you’re the one who had the initial idea to visit this Montreal city, and now you’re like: “Oh shit, I better come up with a real GOOD plan that he or she is gonna love!“

    GREAT. I got you my friend!

    If this is you, then you’re in the right place because this list will give you some inspiration, while saving you some time and energy.

    Think of it as combinations of things you can do that will make you feel like a local.

    In fact, this list is completely based on the kinds of dates I like to have with my husband Jonathan, so consider this advice from one couple to another couple, ok?

    If you’re into moving your body (e.g. lots of walking), eating, and drinking… then keep reading!

    Off the beaten path date idea #1: Mount-Royal Mini Hike + Restaurant

    This is a short hike with lots of stairs, so it’s perfect if you like short workouts with high intensity 😉

    You don’t have to make it a workout, of course, you can take your time.

    The best thing about this idea? You get to see great views and then be hungry and ready for some good food!

    The cost of this activity is pretty much whatever restaurant you choose, and your Metro ticket, if applicable, because the access to the top of the Mount-Royal (where the chalet is) is free 🙂

    My best advice for you to get there would be to get off at Peel station and then walk up to McTavish Street or Peel Street, until you find the first set of stairs at the bottom of the mountain.

    From there, follow the crowds and stairs, and once you get up, enjoy the views!

    Then come down the same way, and you’ll be near the Guy Concordia neighbourhood, where you’ll find some of the best Asian restaurants.

    My recommendation: go to Kazu, one of the best Japanese restaurants in Montreal. Of course, check the opening times beforehand, always.

    This idea looks something like this

    Best time of the day to go: probably before lunch (again, double check the day see if the restaurant is open), or for sunset time.

    Price: $

    Off the beaten path activity combination #2: Bike ride + Beer

    When you’re in Montreal in the summer, you’ll see lots of bike stations called BIXI.

    These are all fun and nice, but I personally find them better suited for locals who are looking to go from point A to point B very quickly.

    As a visitor, you want to enjoy the city and actually take your time, so I would advise using a more specialized rental company that’s better suited for visitors, like Ma Bicyclette, for example, located near the Atwater market.

    If you want to visit a nice nature spot by bike, I suggest you go to Parc Rene-Levesque. It’s truly beautiful!

    As for the beer place, I would recommend Terrasse St-Ambroise a big, outdoor terrasse that’s a classic spot for bike lovers as it’s near the bike path on the canal.

    The bike rental + Parc Rene Levesque + Terrasse St-Ambroise Combo

    Best time of the day to go: early afternoon (around 2-3 pm), that way you have enough time to bring the bike back, etc.

    Price: $$

    Off the beaten path activity combination #3: Morning Walk Along the River + Coffee & Croissant

    Verdun is one of the most amazing neighbourhoods in Montreal (ok, we’re totally biased because that’s OUR neighbourhood), but really.. it’s THE place to be at.

    We even have a new urban “beach”… how awesome is that?

    Now, one of the BEST things you can do in Verdun is simply to walk along the waterfront… it’s sooo freaking beautiful.

    (Ok, if you find walking boring, although I promise you it’s not, remember you can always rent a bike from option #2 and do that kind of thing instead).

    After your walk, you can finish it all up with a nice coffee and croissant from Sweet Lee’s and Café Saint-Henri. It’s two separate vendors, but they share the same space.

    One spot that’s really fun to visit is the Natatorium building. This is a public pool that is a totally cool looking art-deco type building.

    Seriously, the croissants at Sweet Lee’s Bakery are NO JOKE. I almost regret working so close to them because the temptation is always there!

    Source: Instagram account Sweet Lee’s Bakery
    Nice little strategic walk in the local neighborhood

    Best time to go: late morning, or mid-afternoon.

    Price: $

    Off the beaten path activity combination #4: 5 à 7 + Music show

    If you’re a music geek, you’re lucky because Montreal is one of the BEST cities for music shows.

    Going to a local bar or music venue totally makes you feel like a local.

    It’s the best! We go see shows all the time when we travel.

    Check out places like Bandsintown to see if your favorite artist is playing in the city.

    Or: if you’re more into the indie rock type thing, we have a local promoter called Blues Skies Turn Black that brings some of the newest and coolest bands.

    For 5 à 7 (which basically means Happy Hour), there’s plenty of bars and places, but here are two of our favorite ones:

    • Benelux (for beer lovers), especially the location in Downtown on Sherbrooke Street will be closer to music venues.
    • Le Mal Nécessaire (in Chinatown), perfect for cocktail lovers.
    Serious Cocktails at Le Mal Necessaire= A Must. Source: Instagram Le Mal Necessaire

    Best time to go: 5 à 7 pm 😉 because most shows start at 8-9 p.m

    Price: $$$ depending on the ticket for the show.

    Off the beaten path activity combination #5: Relaxation + Brunch

    Ok… every yin needs a yang right?

    After so many days of moving around and visiting things and combining ideas to optimize your time, you may want to have some relaxation time.

    And so we’re on to the next thing that always makes me feel like a local… That is: to visit the cities’ yoga studios and gyms!

    If you’re looking for some nice yoga studios, I highly recommend Modo (various locations – it’s hot yoga) or Wanderlust (not hot, but it’s with music though).

    These studios offer a variety of classes, all day long, some more dynamic, some more yin and relaxing.

    It can be a great opportunity to recharge your energies!

    Date idea: if you go to Wanderlust, there’s an amazing and very stylish filipino restaurant called Junior close to it. That can be your after-brunch idea!

    I know Junior offer brunch on weekends for sure (but again, always check opening hours on your own).

    Yoga + brunch idea

    Best time to go: 10 am ish and then brunch.

    Price: $$$

    And there you have it: some off-the-beaten path date ideas for your next Montreal trip.

    I hope you enjoyed this post, and if you’re visiting Montreal but you also want to visit other places in Quebec, consider renting a Lazy Camper Van.

    These are minimalistic Toyota Siennas, 100% equipped with everything you need to eat, sleep and travel in nature!

    Thank you for reading this post!

    Follow Lazy Camper Van on Instagram and Facebook for more information, offers and content about traveling in Quebec et the art of simple living (ON the road, and OFF the road!)!

    ?Are you visiting Montreal but you would also like to visit the rest of Quebec, road trip style? Then check out our available mini camper vans for rental. Follow your inspiration on the road! Request a quote here.

    Sonia Ortiz

    Co-Founder Lazy Camper Van

    Loves coffee, doggos and existential questions. Habla español. Venezolana-Canadiense.

      Filed Under: Uncategorized

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