What is it Like to Drive a Classic VW Camper Van?

A classic VW camper is one of the most memorable ways to see Portugal. It is also nothing like driving a modern van. Before you book, we want you to know exactly what to expect, so your trip is about the views and not about surprises behind the wheel.

Let’s rewind the clock to 1972 when Portugal only had 88,000 vehicles on the road compared to the 410,000 now. That’s a substantial increase in the number of vehicles on the road, and they all move faster now. Vehicle technology has certainly improved tremendously over the years too. So, how does an old VW camper van (T2) perform on the road with modern traffic conditions?

Luckily, you can hire a VW T2 campervan at our location in Faro, Portugal, so you can enjoy the experience or try before you buy.

Before you book: the quick version

• Steering: there is natural play in the wheel, so you will make small, constant corrections
• Gears: the gear lever has a long throw, a bit like stirring a pot
• Brakes: modern front discs, but the pedal travels further than you are used to
• Speed: comfortable cruising is around 60 km/h; this is not a van for long motorway stints
• Feel: it takes most drivers an hour or so to settle in, and most end up loving it

If smooth, quick and quiet matters most, one of our modern campervans will suit you better. If you want the trip to feel like part of the adventure, read on.

Why our classic campers are newer than they look

Our T2s look like they rolled out of the 1960s, but they were built new in Brazil in 2013. Volkswagen Brazil kept making the classic design long after Europe moved on, because it was affordable, tough and easy to repair. The result is a van with a modern engine and modern brakes, wrapped around a design that still drives the way it did decades ago.

That is the key thing to understand. The van is reliable and well looked after, but the driving experience is classic by design.

A road trip in a VW camper is surely one of the best experiences in Portugal, but these vans demand respect, undivided attention and a higher level of driving ability than a typical modern vehicle.

What driving a classic VW camper is really like

Steering: small corrections, all the time

Modern cars let you switch off. A T2 does not. Volkswagen’s own manual allows for 4 to 5 cm of play in the steering wheel, which means the van wanders slightly and you correct it continuously. It feels strange at first, then becomes second nature. Keep both hands on the wheel and give it your attention, especially in crosswinds along the coast.

Shifting gears: long throw, rear engine

The engine and gearbox sit at the back, and the gear lever is at the front, connected by a long rod. That is why the lever travels further than you expect between gears. It is not loose or faulty, it is simply how the T2 works. Move it deliberately rather than quickly and it soon feels natural.

Brakes: modern, with a longer pedal

The Brazilian T2 has disc brakes at the front, so stopping power is modern. The difference is the pedal, which travels further before it bites. Leave a little more distance to the car in front and you will be fine.

Engine and speed: built for the slow road

The T2 runs a 1.4 litre, 80 bhp engine, the same unit used in the VW Fox. That is modest for a van this size. On the flat it cruises happily at around 60 km/h, and on steep climbs, such as the roads up to Monchique, you will be using lower gears and taking your time. We recommend planning routes on national roads rather than motorways. They are more beautiful anyway.

Fuel efficiency & reliability

The engines are new despite the vintage VW bus styling. They are much more reliable than van engines in the 60’s and 70’s. As for fuel efficiency, the combination of modern fuel injection and an ECU result in a very respectable fuel consumption of 10L per 100km. They are not super pollutants like the 1960’s version and produce significantly less CO2.

Tips for your first day

• Take ten minutes in the car park at pickup to try the steering, gears and brakes
• Start on quiet roads before heading into towns or onto busier routes
• Plan shorter driving days than you would in a modern van
• Avoid tight old-town streets where possible

The feeling of driving a classic VW camper

Driving a modern van gets you from A to B. Driving a T2 turns the road itself into the reason you came.

It starts the moment you pull out. People notice you. Pedestrians stop mid-step and smile. Kids press their faces to car windows and wave. Other drivers slow down beside you just to take a second look, and somewhere along the coast road, someone in an oncoming car will throw up a peace sign. You will find yourself throwing one back.

The pace changes how you travel, too. With the window down and the engine humming behind you, you hear the sea before you see it and smell the eucalyptus and pine as you pass. You stop more often, because you can. A viewpoint, a fruit stall, a café in a village you would have flown past on the motorway.

And when you stop, people come over. A retired couple who drove one through Europe in the 1970s. A local fisherman who learned to drive in his father’s Kombi. Travellers wanting a photo, a peek inside, or simply to ask where you are headed. Conversations start that would never happen in a white rental van, and more than a few of our customers have ended up with an invitation to dinner or a tip for a beach that no guidebook mentions.

That is the real magic of a classic VW camper. It is not the fastest or the smoothest way to travel, but it is the most human. People see the van and see a story, and before long you are part of it.

Who a classic VW camper suits best

A T2 is ideal if you enjoy driving, want to slow down, and see the journey as part of the holiday. It suits couples and small groups planning a relaxed route, such as our 7 day Algarve road trip, starting from our Faro location.

It is less suited to tight schedules, long motorway distances, or drivers who are nervous behind the wheel of a large vehicle. In that case, a modern van will give you a calmer trip.

Thinking of buying one? Hiring a T2 for a week is the best test drive there is. If you fall for it, our sister company Campershop sells campervans.

Frequently asked questions

Is a classic VW camper hard to drive?

It is not difficult, but it is different. Expect to concentrate more than in a modern van, particularly on steering. Most drivers feel comfortable within the first hour.

How fast does a VW T2 go?

It cruises comfortably at around 60 km/h. It can go faster, but it is happiest at a relaxed pace.

Can I drive a classic VW camper on the motorway?

Yes, but it is not where the T2 shines. We recommend national roads wherever possible.

Where can I hire a classic VW camper in Portugal?

Our classic T2s are available from Siesta Campers Faro.

Do I need a special licence?

A standard car licence is enough.

Why so few companies rent classic VW campers

Keeping classic campers on the road is hard work. It takes years of experience, specialist parts and a lot of care, which is why so few companies offer them. We keep doing it because nothing else feels quite like it. If you want to slow down, be present and discover Portugal in a real and authentic way, a T2 is waiting for you.

Ready for an unforgettable experience? Book your classic VW camper >>