No caravan, no problem: The simple and cost-effective way to fuel your grey nomad adventure

As we enter our golden years, there comes a mounting urgency to explore the beautiful world around us. However, while we may have more time on our hands to travel, the realities of international jetsetting can be challenging. In addition to the costs, the long flights, busy airports and jet lag can be physically taxing. Plus, you might find yourself hesitant to leave your beloved pets behind for extended periods of time.

Luckily, there are no shortage of spectacular wonders to explore in our own backyard – and road tripping offers the perfect way to do it with your fur baby in tow. Thanks to car rental marketplaces like Turo, it’s easier and more convenient than ever to embark on grey nomad adventures. You don’t even need your own caravan!

What is Turo?

With 3.1 million users globally, Turo is the world’s biggest peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace. Like Airbnb for cars, it allows you to skip the rental queue and pick up your dream vehicle from a trusted host. In some cases, they’ll even drop it off at your door!

With over 1500 different makes and models available on Turo, you can take to the open road in everything from to a sleek Tesla or Mustang, to an elegantly rugged G-Wagon. Or, if you’re looking for something a little more self-sufficient you can even book a campervan, caravan or minivan as your new temporary home.

How does Turo work?

Booking a car on Turo is far more seamless and effortless than queuing up at a car rental counter. By downloading the Turo app or accessing their website on a desktop, you can browse thousands of different vehicles to suit your needs — including those that are pet friendly.

You can hire your car of choice for a few days or several months, depending on the length of your adventure. There’s also the option to add on delivery, plus extras like camping gear, extra mileage, and protection plans.

For additional peace of mind, you can securely and directly message your host within the app to ask any questions. Then, you can arrange to safely pick up your car from your host, organise contactless pick-up or have it dropped at your door, if available.

What are the benefits of booking with Turo?

With thousands of Turo hosts across the country (as well as the UK, Europe and the US), you can easily get access to a car or campervan whether you’re exploring the deserts of the Red Centre or cruising down the Sapphire Coast.

Each and every one of Turo’s trusted hosts are real people, many of whom share a passion for travel and adventure. As well as a basic guide to the car you’re renting, many hosts will even give you local recommendations and tips for a more personalised experience. It’s also very easy to find a ride your four-legged friend is welcome in with Turo  – simply select the ‘pet friendly’ filter on site under the features menu and you’ll be shown options from hosts who are as happy to have your fur baby on board as you are.

As well as a selection of protection plans which limit your financial responsibility for damages to a host’s car, Turo also offers 24/7 customer assistance and roadside support. So, you can rest assured you’re in good hands, no matter what your plans are.

Turo is also a more cost effective way to travel, offering more flexible and budget-friendly options than traditional car rental services. As they put it themselves, it’s the only place you can hire a MG3 for $65 a day or a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon for $1550 a day.

Finally, Turo is certified carbon neutral, with initiatives in place to offset 100 per cent of all emissions from trips. This means you can feel good about travelling in a sustainable way, and leaving the planet in great shape for future generations.

Ready to hit the road, grey nomad style? Browse Turo’s full range of vehicles here.