My Essential Alaska Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to Alaska. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Car rentals, arguably the best way to see Alaska, are best through Discover Cars! I always use Expedia's to compare the best rates & stays in the state. If you're traveling internationally, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required). For fun things to do, I recommend Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours in the area. Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance. Lastly, my packing list for your travels to the great state of Alaska.
About Vanderlust Vans: Alaska Campervan Rental
Vanderlust Vans is my my go-to campervan/adventure vehicle rental here in Anchorage. Like I mentioned above, my husband and I have rented from them 3 times now, all on trips to different areas of Alaska. With 15 different vehicles in their fleet, their options include Winnebagos, Dodge Minivans, Mercedes Sprinters, Ram Promasters and Ford Transits. My personal favorite is the Narwhal, one of their newer vehicles. We've also tested out their Poseidon Ford Transit which has plenty of space if you have lots of gear, and their Manta Ray Mercedes Sprinter if you want something a bit cozier. Most of their vehicles also allow pets on a case-by-case basis!
Because they're conveniently open year round, you can choose if you'd like to rent a van for just one weekend to keep the trip short or a few weeks at a time for something longer. Depending on what you're looking for you can also browse their fleet to figure out what works best for you, and compare amenities like showers, bathroom options, and sleeping arrangements. You can also add-on some extra amenities, like Starlink Wifi for only $10/night, and choose to register with your own insurance or through Vanderlust Vans insurance for a fee. Pricing depends on a few different things, like how many nights you want to rent and which vehicles you're looking for. On average you can expect a campervan rental to range from about $200-$350 a night, plus whatever add-ons you decide to include. Pick-up and drop-off is fairly easy, and their located in central Anchorage, with regular pick-up times of 3:00 pm and drop-off at 11:00 am.
My Experience Renting with Vanderlust Van in Alaska
Checking In & Picking Up Our Van
To be completely honest, my husband and I were truly blown away at how seamless the entire check-in process was. It took about 15 minutes, and included them checking our reservation, printing our receipts, and showing us around the van and instructing us on how to use everything inside (even though they already sent us the instruction video multiple times beforehand). We've rented cars and rv's in multiple countries, including other companies here in Alaska, and their process was so simple and easy compared to others. We chose to pick up our campervan at their main office location, and everything was ready for us - the gas was full, the heater gas was full, the propane was full, the windshield wiper fluid was newly topped off - and when we rented a van over Valentine's Day they had even prepared the van with decorations and surprised us with chocolates and a bottle of wine! They easily became some of the best hosts we've had with a vehicle rental here in Alaska.
Using the Van & Our Experience
On top of the smooth check-in and pick-up, Vanderlust Vans also gave us a 24/7 number to text with any issues (not that we've ever had any) and the vans are always clean and easy to drive. We've taken their vans on trips to Hope, Paxson, and Homer, and each trip has been so cozy and convenient. It's worth noting that there are certain roads that are prohibited to drive on, like the McCarthy Road and the Dalton Highway, but that's very common with vehicle rentals in Alaska. Being able to just pull over and camp wherever we want without having to set anything up is our favorite amenity of renting a campervan, and before you head out (a.k.a. leave the reliable service of Anchorage behind) I highly encourage you to watch the instruction video for your vehicle at least once. Their campervans come complete with dishwear and bedding, so you really just need your personal items before you can take off to begin your adventure. Before heading back and returning the vehicle, you'll want to tidy up and fill the gas back up to full to avoid extra charges. If you end up booking with them, make sure to tell them Deborah sent you! :)
Watch My Vanderlust Vans Adventure here!
Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in :
-> 15 Easiest Alaska Glaciers to Visit -> Where to Rent Bear Spray in Alaska -> 7 Best Tours in Alaska
Pin this Van Rental for Later!
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Hi, I'm Deborah! In 2022 my husband convinced me to move to Alaska. After living here for a year (then leaving to take a year long world trip) we realized there was no place we loved more. So now we're back - and I'm here to share all my best tips and hidden gems to make Your Alaskan Adventures the best they can be. \\\ My blog is free to read, but some links may be affiliates. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Learn more here. \\\ 
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