We travelled from Calgary to Vancouver in a Venture Vans camper, swapping hotel rooms for a cosy bed on wheels. With a helpful Irish owner and plenty of camping equipment included, it turned out to be a lovely way to experience Canada.
Canada had been on our wish list for years. Those mountain roads and impossibly blue lakes had a lot to answer for. Eventually, we stopped looking at photographs and saw some of it ourselves.
For our journey from Calgary to Vancouver, we rented the Compact Cruiser from Venture Vans. Having a bed travelling around with us was a big part of the appeal. We didn’t need to unpack at a different hotel each evening; our little space came along for the ride.
The van also had a rooftop tent. We liked the idea of trying it, but the bed inside won us over. We slept in the van every night.
Sometimes, the best endorsement is simply having another option and never feeling the need to use it.
Our experience with Venture Vans – a familiar accent far from home
Venture Vans is run by Tim, an Irishman who was friendly and welcoming throughout our rental. Hearing a familiar accent so far from home was a lovely bonus.
The information we received before our trip was detailed and straightforward, so we felt well prepared. Everything was clearly explained, and we could get on with enjoying the journey without needing much help.
Whenever we wanted to double-check something, though, Tim was there. He was easy to contact and always happy to answer our questions. Venture Vans also offers 24/7 support during your rental, which provides reassurance when you are travelling somewhere unfamiliar. We did not need much assistance ourselves, but knowing help was available made the whole experience feel relaxed.
The company is based in Vancouver, so discuss collection and return arrangements directly with Tim if you are planning a route like ours.
The Compact Cruiser – a little home with plenty packed into it
We chose the Compact Cruiser, which gave us an indoor bed and a rooftop sleeping option.
It came with automatic transmission and air conditioning. Bluetooth was handy for the longer drives, too. A road trip needs a soundtrack, especially when the distances start making Irish journeys look rather short.
What appealed to us was the size. We wanted to try campervan life without taking on an enormous motorhome, and this felt like a comfortable middle ground.
Inside, we had our sleeping space and the equipment we needed for camping. Keeping everything together made life easier. Our bags stayed with us, and we could prepare meals without depending on finding somewhere to eat at every stop.
Gradually, the van stopped feeling like a rental vehicle and became our temporary home. A small one, admittedly, but that was part of its charm.
Keeping costs down – a compact way to explore Canada
Canada can be an expensive place to travel, so having transport, a bed and cooking equipment together makes a practical difference. Venture Vans includes unlimited kilometres and has no cleaning fees, making it easier to plan your budget for a longer road trip.
The Compact Cruiser’s size has advantages, too. Its good fuel economy helps keep driving costs down, and it is easier to park than a large motorhome when stopping in towns or picking up supplies.
A smaller van can also give you more choice when booking campsites, including smaller pitches that may cost less than spaces for larger RVs. Depending on the ferry operator’s vehicle-height categories, its lower profile may mean a cheaper fare, too. Check the dimensions and current fares when planning your crossing.
Being able to prepare meals along the way also helps keep spending manageable, leaving more of your budget for the places and experiences you came to Canada to enjoy.
Sleeping in the van – the rooftop tent could wait
The sleeping setup was one of our favourite parts of the trip.
We found the van cosy, and the temperature felt just right throughout the night. After being out exploring, we were happy to climb inside and settle down.
The supplied bedding included foam mattresses and full-sized pillows, with sleeping bags and soft blankets to get comfortable under. Proper pillows might sound like a minor detail. They matter a lot when you are trying to get a decent night’s sleep.
We stayed inside every night of our rental. The rooftop tent remained an option, but we were so content with the indoor bed that we never tried sleeping up there.
That means we cannot offer a first-hand verdict on the tent itself. We can say that having a choice was useful.
Each van accommodates two people as standard. A rooftop tent add-on is required for three or four travellers, while couples can choose it for extra space or because they prefer sleeping above the van.
Our experience was during our own trip’s weather conditions, of course. Ask about the setup for your travel dates, especially if you are visiting in a colder season.
The camping equipment – fewer things to squeeze into a suitcase
Flying over from Ireland with your own camping kit would be a fairly ambitious packing exercise. Thankfully, much of what we needed was already supplied.
The cooking equipment included a propane stove, pots and pans, plus utensils and the usual plates and cutlery. A sink and a potable water tank were included, and a Yeti ice cooler box provided somewhere to keep food chilled.
Washing-up essentials were included as well. Cooking outside sounds wonderfully romantic until you remember that someone still has to clean the pan.
They also considered small details, including a bottle opener and corkscrew. These are exactly the sort of things you forget until the moment you need them.
Camp chairs gave us somewhere to sit outside. The kit also included a clothesline, a Bluetooth speaker and a power pack for charging devices.
Bear spray and a first aid kit were supplied, alongside outdoor equipment such as a hammock and an axe. Familiarise yourself with the safety equipment, and check local fire restrictions before using the stove or lighting a campfire.
Having so much provided saved us a lot of preparation. Before booking, confirm the current equipment list for your particular van.
Calgary to Vancouver – a journey worth taking your time over
Travelling from Calgary to Vancouver gives you a proper sense of Canada’s scale. There is a lot of country between those two cities.
Having our accommodation with us suited the journey. We could spend the day travelling and exploring, then return to a space that already felt familiar.
We also liked being able to prepare our own meals. Eating out is part of the fun of travelling, but you do not necessarily want to do it for every meal on a longer holiday.
You still need to organise suitable places to stay overnight. A campervan takes care of the bed; it does not remove the need to plan campsites.
For us, that combination worked beautifully. The days felt adventurous, while the evenings had a comforting bit of routine.
Booking Venture Vans – start with your route and dates
We would happily recommend Venture Vans based on our experience. Tim was a pleasure to deal with, and the Compact Cruiser suited the kind of trip we wanted.
Visit the Venture Vans website to explore the vehicles and enquire about availability. Discuss your route, pickup point and return arrangements directly, and ask about the rooftop tent if you need additional sleeping space.
Venture Vans also accepts drivers under 25. If that applies to you, ask about the minimum age, licence requirements and any additional charges before booking.
What stays with us is how cosy that little van felt at night. We had come to Canada for the scenery, but we grew surprisingly fond of the place we slept between adventures.
Disclaimer: Venture Vans provided us with a discounted campervan rental in return for sharing our experience. As always, all opinions expressed in this review are entirely our own.
