A couple in their late 40s who were struggling with rent and bills have given up their home and possessions to travel the world in a campervan for just £30 a day. Kath Cross, 49, and Stuart Hall, 48, have covered over 25,000 miles through the Sahara desert, Europe, and Scotland in their 7.5m Mercedes Sprinter since Kath stopped paying rent four years ago.
From Cardiff to the Sahara
The pair, originally from Cardiff, have toured more than 15 countries with their dog Nala and are set to exceed 20 countries by the time they return from Montenegro. On average, they spend between £900 and £1,200 a month, equating to around £30 to £40 per day. This is far cheaper than the monthly rent of Kath's four-bedroom home in Cardiff.
Living like royalty on the road
Their fully equipped campervan allows them to 'live like kings and queens,' featuring a shower, toilet, king-size bed, sink, and a fully working kitchen with an oven and gas burner. Reflecting on her decision, Kath, a mother of two, said: 'It was a choice we made between one life and another - and we don't regret a second of it.'
She added: 'When I sold my possessions, it made me realise that you are supposed to own things - not them own you. When you have a mortgage, a car payment, you are owned by society, fixed because you have to stay where you are and pay your bills. The more of my stuff I sold the more free I felt - the more I am realising those possessions owned me and pinned me in one place. Life owns you and you are supposed to own it!'
A shared love for adventure
Kath and Stuart first met in 2021 at a walking group and bonded over their shared love of nature. During their first year together, they hiked over 105 UK peaks. In 2022, after Kath's daughters left home, she packed up her rental property and sold her possessions to pursue her 'lifelong dream' of travelling the world.
Stuart, who converted the van's interior, said: 'We can even do a roast dinner!' While travelling, Kath runs a successful online business she started in 2012, and Stuart works as a truck driver when they return to the UK to top up their funds. Together, they produce content for Vanavigation, including YouTube episodes, travel guides, and blogs.
Budget-friendly travel
Despite spending over half their budget on fuel, the pair say they don't live like they're on holiday. They mostly cook in the van and pay for only a few activities each month. Kath explained: 'As fuel prices have gone up we have just slowed down! We just drive a bit slower and make a few less stops - which means we extend the trip really.'
She added: 'Life really is a lot cheaper in the van - you don't need two wages. We were away for 101 days and our average spend was £1,000 a month - this is less than my rent used to be in Cardiff and we lived like kings and queens!'
Journey so far
The couple has driven 3,000 miles to Denmark and back, 7,000 miles around Spain and Portugal, 2,000 miles to Scotland, and 8,000 miles to the Sahara. They are currently in Montenegro, having driven through France, Italy, Albania, Greece, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. Their next stops include Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, and France.
Describing their Sahara trip as 'totally surreal,' Stuart revealed they enjoyed drinking coffee from their own mugs and waking up to the sight of 40 camels. The pair advocate for mindful and sustainable travel. Stuart said: 'We choose to step lighter on this earth. My big diesel van has much less of a carbon footprint than a three-bed house where people leave the lights on! We don't buy new stuff, we wear clothes until we can't wear them anymore and we live light on plastics.'
Kath concluded: 'You can't dream yourself into this life, you have to make intentional decisions to get here. You have to let go of other things to get here. We left the rat race - and we're really glad about it.'
