Some cars are just cars. They take you to work, to the supermarket, back home, and that is the whole story. Other cars become travel partners. They carry you to new cities, small villages, random beaches you find late at night on a map. They hold your stuff, your snacks, your friends, and a lot of memories.
If you care about travel, your next car should feel more like the second type. The good news is you do not need a brand new SUV to do that. With a bit of planning and some smart online research on platforms like AutosToday, you can find a car that fits both your budget and the way you like to explore.
Before you look at any listing, ask yourself how you really move when you travel.
If most of your trips are city breaks, a compact car that fits into tight streets and underground car parks may be more useful than a big off-roader. If you seem to end up on gravel roads, mountain passes and unplanned detours, a car with a little extra ground clearance and decent tires will make life much easier.
Writing this down gives you a small “travel profile”. Every car you consider should support that profile, not fight against it.
Travel is not just about people. It is also about bags, food, water, cameras, folding chairs, and all the random things you throw in the back. When you check cars, think less about maximum seats and more about flexibility. Can the rear seats fold flat. Are there hidden storage spots. Is the loading lip low enough that you are not lifting heavy bags too high.
If you like camping or slow travel, a wagon, hatchback, or compact SUV with a long, flat cargo area can be much more useful than a sedan. Even in smaller cars, clever design makes a big difference. Split folding seats, seatbacks that recline a little, and a wide opening tailgate turn a normal car into a small base camp.
A lot of travellers like used cars for a simple reason. You relax quicker. The first small scratch does not feel like a disaster, and you are not paying the highest price for depreciation.
If you are ready to see what is out there, use the web as your map. On the used car search on AutosToday you can plug in your budget, set a minimum boot size or body style, choose fuel type, and keep the search within a distance you are happy to travel for a viewing. In a few minutes you have a list of real cars that could handle your normal weeks and your long weekends.
Check listings over several days. You will quickly see which models keep appearing in your price range and what normal mileage looks like. This helps you spot fair offers and avoid strange “too good to be true” ads.
A travel car spends a lot of time in motion. Comfort and noise levels are just as important as power and looks.
On a test drive, do not stay only in the city. If you can, take the car onto a ring road or short highway stretch. Listen to wind and road noise. Pay attention to seat support after twenty or thirty minutes, not just the first five.
Try basic travel actions. Can you adjust the seat and steering wheel enough to feel relaxed. Are there proper headrests for rear passengers. Can you reach the climate controls and audio without looking down for too long.
Think about your longest trip of the year. If this car already feels tiring after a short test drive, it will not magically feel better after four hours on the road.
Modern cars are full of screens and features, but only a few really help on a trip. Useful things to look for:
You do not need every option on the list, but choosing a car with the right basics will make every journey smoother.
When you budget, include the first year of travel, not only the purchase price. Add rough costs for:
These small details turn a normal car into a tool that is ready for real trips. They also help you avoid breakdowns and last minute stress right before you leave.
If the seller agrees, bring at least one suitcase or a travel backpack on the viewing. Put it in the boot. Fold a seat if you usually do that. This simple test shows you how the car behaves on departure day better than any brochure ever will.
Imagine arriving late at a guesthouse, tired and hungry. Do you see yourself still liking this car when you park, unload, and lock it for the night. If the answer is yes more than once, you are close.
In the end, the car is not the main character. The road, the people and the places are. But the right car makes all of that easier. It lets you travel a little farther, worry a little less, and stay more present in the moments you actually care about. With a clear picture of how you travel, a sensible budget, and the help of tools like to find real options, you can turn your next car from a simple purchase into a long term travel partner.
Start with the way you actually travel
Before you look at any listing, ask yourself how you really move when you travel.
- Do you take long weekend road trips across borders, or mostly short escapes one or two hours from home.
- Do you travel alone, as a couple, or with friends and kids.
- Do you stay in cities and hotels, or chase remote beaches, mountains and campsites.
If most of your trips are city breaks, a compact car that fits into tight streets and underground car parks may be more useful than a big off-roader. If you seem to end up on gravel roads, mountain passes and unplanned detours, a car with a little extra ground clearance and decent tires will make life much easier.
Writing this down gives you a small “travel profile”. Every car you consider should support that profile, not fight against it.
Space and layout matter more than you think
Travel is not just about people. It is also about bags, food, water, cameras, folding chairs, and all the random things you throw in the back. When you check cars, think less about maximum seats and more about flexibility. Can the rear seats fold flat. Are there hidden storage spots. Is the loading lip low enough that you are not lifting heavy bags too high.
If you like camping or slow travel, a wagon, hatchback, or compact SUV with a long, flat cargo area can be much more useful than a sedan. Even in smaller cars, clever design makes a big difference. Split folding seats, seatbacks that recline a little, and a wide opening tailgate turn a normal car into a small base camp.
Why used can be ideal for travel
A lot of travellers like used cars for a simple reason. You relax quicker. The first small scratch does not feel like a disaster, and you are not paying the highest price for depreciation.
If you are ready to see what is out there, use the web as your map. On the used car search on AutosToday you can plug in your budget, set a minimum boot size or body style, choose fuel type, and keep the search within a distance you are happy to travel for a viewing. In a few minutes you have a list of real cars that could handle your normal weeks and your long weekends.
Check listings over several days. You will quickly see which models keep appearing in your price range and what normal mileage looks like. This helps you spot fair offers and avoid strange “too good to be true” ads.
Comfort on the road, not only in the showroom
A travel car spends a lot of time in motion. Comfort and noise levels are just as important as power and looks.
On a test drive, do not stay only in the city. If you can, take the car onto a ring road or short highway stretch. Listen to wind and road noise. Pay attention to seat support after twenty or thirty minutes, not just the first five.
Try basic travel actions. Can you adjust the seat and steering wheel enough to feel relaxed. Are there proper headrests for rear passengers. Can you reach the climate controls and audio without looking down for too long.
Think about your longest trip of the year. If this car already feels tiring after a short test drive, it will not magically feel better after four hours on the road.
Tech that actually helps when you explore
Modern cars are full of screens and features, but only a few really help on a trip. Useful things to look for:
- Phone mirroring for navigation and music
- Cruise control for long stretches
- USB ports for everyone’s devices
- A decent sound system for podcasts and playlists
- A reversing camera if you often park in unfamiliar, tight spots
You do not need every option on the list, but choosing a car with the right basics will make every journey smoother.
Plan for the “travel year”, not just day one
When you budget, include the first year of travel, not only the purchase price. Add rough costs for:
- New tires if the current ones are weak for long-distance work
- A full service so you start from a clean baseline
- Roof bars or a box if you know you will need extra cargo
- Simple accessories like a trunk liner, phone holder, and charging cables
These small details turn a normal car into a tool that is ready for real trips. They also help you avoid breakdowns and last minute stress right before you leave.
Test with your real gear
If the seller agrees, bring at least one suitcase or a travel backpack on the viewing. Put it in the boot. Fold a seat if you usually do that. This simple test shows you how the car behaves on departure day better than any brochure ever will.
Imagine arriving late at a guesthouse, tired and hungry. Do you see yourself still liking this car when you park, unload, and lock it for the night. If the answer is yes more than once, you are close.
Let the car support your stories
In the end, the car is not the main character. The road, the people and the places are. But the right car makes all of that easier. It lets you travel a little farther, worry a little less, and stay more present in the moments you actually care about. With a clear picture of how you travel, a sensible budget, and the help of tools like to find real options, you can turn your next car from a simple purchase into a long term travel partner.
The miles, the photos and the stories will do the rest! (Image source: Freepik)
