Planning to journey Europe in a Campervan? Feeling a bit overwhelmed and daunted by vanlife in Europe? Wish to be sure you don’t neglect something on your journey?
*We work laborious to make this the very best motorhome journey weblog and street journey web site attainable, stuffed with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so when you purchase via hyperlinks on this website we might earn a commission- at no additional price to you. All opinions stay our personal.
In case you discover this put up helpful, you’ll be able to additionally deal with us to a espresso – we promise to get pleasure from it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we’d even take pleasure in a biscuit (or two!)
Don’t worry- we all know precisely how you are feeling. Earlier than we set off for Europe for the primary time, we felt barely terrified (in an over-excited kinda method). And all of it labored out tremendous. (Aside from forgetting to convey any fuel. And dropping all our recent water. And burning out our brakes coming down a mountain. You recognize, little issues like that…!)
However we’re nonetheless travelling Europe by van two years later- so it will probably’t be that onerous!! 🙂
I promise you, somewhat little bit of preparation will make all of the distinction. That’s what this information will enable you with- making ready for Vanlife in Europe!
How you can journey Europe in a campervan
So, you’ve purchased your camper van. You’ve packed, adjusted and repacked your campervan. You’ve made listing after listing after listing. You might need even spent a couple of nights away in your van. You’re feeling able to set out and tackle the world. (Or, you recognize, Europe.)
In case you’d like some extra steerage on street journeys and van journey, we’ve got some implausible guides and checklists that can assist you get began in our FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY- click on right here to test them out!
And don’t fear when you’re renting a camper and haven’t even seen it yet- you’ll be simply tremendous when you comply with the recommendation beneath. It’s completely attainable to decide up a van and take it straight on an epic street journey journey.
Vanlife Europe – the boring, however oh so important paperwork
Sorry, however this paperwork stuff actually is important. I promise it will get extra thrilling afterward!
We’ve been stopped twice, each occasions close to the ferry at Caen, France. I really like travelling in France in our van, however the French police close to the UK border do appear to like to pounce on campervanners who might have forgotten some important paperwork. Or who break the pace restrict. Don’t let that be you!
Fines should be paid in money there after which; no- they don’t present any proof when you’ve been caught rushing. It’s their phrase towards yours. In case you don’t have money, you’ll be escorted to the closest money level and requested to withdraw the right amount.
Additionally, don’t anticipate them to have change. Our tremendous was for 90€, and we solely had 20€ notes… fortunately one other one that was stopped occurred to have 2 x €10 notes, in any other case we’d have been going to the cashpoint 15 miles away at the back of a police automobile!
To the police’s credit score, we provided to provide them the additional 10€ simply so we might be on our method, however they wouldn’t take it.
On-the-spot fines are frequent in all international locations, besides Eire the place the Police should not authorised to gather fines. Some locations, like Croatia, provide you with 8 days to pay. Different locations, like when you go campervanning in Portugal, give their law enforcement officials an ATM to verify fines are paid instantly!!
Crucial bits of paperwork are:
- V5 Logbook (yep, the unique)
- If it’s a rent car, proof that you’re allowed to drive and cross borders
- Insurance coverage
- Legitimate MOT
- Driver licence (pink half solely)
- Worldwide Driver Allow (if required- learn the put up when you’re unsure)
Different gadgets it’s essential carry for Vanlife Europe
- UK sticker hooked up to the again of auto or reg plates (and trailer when you’ve got one)
- First help equipment– do you know it’s unlawful to NOT cease at an accident in France and lots of different locations in Europe?
- Warning Triangle
- Hello-vis jacket which should be simply reached with out leaving the car (or getting off a bike!) We advocate carrying at the very least 2, ideally one per individual.
- Motorhome pace stickers for some vans
- Spare gentle bulbs- tough when you’ve got LEDS however we stock a few random outdated bulbs only for present
- Headlight deflectors as our UK headlamps are pointing the ‘unsuitable method’ for European roads-
- Radar detectors are forbidden EVERYWHERE in Europe.
- You may also want a pink/ white striped reflective board when you’ve got bicycles or a motorhome storage field.
Campervan route planner- Planning a route round Europe
Europe is superior to discover by camper, but it surely will also be daunting. We recommend planning a unfastened route, so you recognize the place you’re headed however go away time to discover locations you discover alongside the way in which.
We prefer to preserve a notice of locations we discover or hear about on Google maps and use these factors to plan our subsequent journey. However you’ll be able to preserve a easy listing in your telephone which you refer again to everytime you want inspiration!
Touring Europe in a campervan – Discovering locations to remain
Most individuals travelling Europe in a camper are doing so on a funds. Due to this fact, it’s essential discover low cost, or ideally FREE locations to remain. That’s known as wild or free tenting.
You’ll be happy to know that Europe is MUCH higher at offering locations for vans to cease for the night time, at the very least in comparison with the UK (though Brit Stops helps.)
Listed below are our favorite methods to seek out locations to remain for the night time:
Park4night
This free app is what we primarily use when touring in Europe in our van. There are LOADS of locations marked appropriate for campers, vans or motorhomes to park for the night time. Some are paid (and marked as such), some have amenities and others are completely wild tenting spots in the midst of nowhere.
Most locations have opinions and images so you’ll be able to see the place you’re staying- we keep away from wherever that doesn’t.
Phrase of warning- some websites/ aires have guidelines towards unmarked/ unconverted vans. If that is you, learn the opinions rigorously so that you just’re not requested to maneuver on whenever you arrive. Or use the locations marked ‘Nature’ on the app- there shouldn’t be anybody there who cares.
France Ardour
France Ardour is a set of native companies throughout France, which provide free in a single day parking for vans, in return for a meal/ buy some wine at their store. It’s speculated to be utterly with out obligation, however we’ve heard tales of a tough promote. It really works nice when you’re planning to eat out anyway, however when you’re making an attempt to save cash, Park4night is likely to be a greater possibility for you.
In order for you extra data on how we decide our locations, right here’s a video we did explaining our course of:
Is wild tenting authorized for campervans in Europe?
Generally. There are completely different guidelines in numerous international locations. For instance, wild tenting is illegitimate in Italy. But you’ll nonetheless discover locations on Park4night the place it’s tolerated. Additionally, the accepted locations (Sostas in Italy) price from as little as 2€/night time.
Wild tenting can be unlawful in Switzerland- till you attain the Alps and individuals are merrily parking free of charge in any layby they will discover. My favorite night time ever touring within the van was spent within the Swiss Alps, wanting up on the Milky Approach, with nothing however the wolves for firm. And it price us completely NOTHING!! You may as well get pleasure from wild tenting with a campervan in France.
My recommendation is to take a look at the legalities within the nation you might be heading for. In case you’re unsure and never glad, transfer on to an accepted cease level. You will discover extra recommendation on wild tenting in Europe right here.
Aires- Accepted Locations for Campervans, excellent for vanlife in Europe
Europe is NOT just like the UK and Motorhomers/ campervanners should not handled like a nuisance- most cities make wonderful provision for them and you’ll keep in clear, fairly places inside straightforward strolling distance of city centres or points of interest.
These locations are known as Aires (France and Belgium) / Sostas (Italy)/ Stellplatz (Germany) For the sake of ease, let’s name all of them aires for now.
You can’t pre-book Aires- they function on a primary come foundation. A campervan will match properly into all of them except you’ve gotten a trailer- a number of the areas will be fairly tight. Some aires have guidelines towards unconverted vans/ vans with signage staying- make sure to learn the opinions rigorously (you will discover opinions on Park4night.
Campervan Journey tips- some important equipment to assist make life simpler.
Wi-Fi!
Is Wifi an important? For me it’s.
I’ve a wifi dongle within the van and it’s BRILLIANT. I frequently have a number of units related to it without delay with out drawback. Sure, sometimes it’s a gradual connection, however for comfort and power-saving I haven’t discovered something to beat it. I cost it utilizing a 12v charger whereas driving and it simply lasts a few days when wild tenting.
Sat-Nav
We use an outdated, second-hand iPad with Co-Pilot navigation app put in onto it. It’s been nice and we love the offline map function.
In case you don’t need an app, these campervan sat navs are superior and really useful- significantly when you’ve got an even bigger, taller van.
Additionally, watch out the place you mount your sat nav. Many international locations now say it’s unlawful to have the satnav mounted on the windscreen or blocking the motive force’s view. We use a mount on our dashboard, the place it’s low sufficient to not trigger any issues. Listed below are some choices chances are you’ll like:
Journey Europe in a Campervan- POWER necessities!
Inverter
One of many joys of touring Europe in a campervan is the liberty. We love with the ability to park in distant places for days on finish. Having to discover a campsite each night time so we had electrical energy would actually damage that! (To not point out blow our vanlife funds!)
The answer is an inverter (and presumably an influence pack relying on how energy hungry you might be.
We cost while we’re driving by working the inverter as we drive, which expenses the laptops. We cost telephones/ iPads utilizing USB sockets within the cab.
Photo voltaic Panel
We do have a photo voltaic panel onboard, which actually helps after we’re wild/ free tenting with a camper. It helps high up our batteries and permits us to remain off-grid within the van longer.
Gasoline
We use Gaslow refillable bottles, that are so helpful and make getting fuel as we journey a lot simpler. There are many locations throughout Europe to purchase refillable fuel and you employ it similar to a petroleum station; some petrol stations even promote LPG fuel.
If that isn’t an possibility on your campervan, be sure you get a equipment with varied nozzles, so you’ll be able to simply swap between the various kinds of bottles out there.
Europe in a campervan- Tips about Security
Emergencies
112 will be dialled wherever in Europe in an emergency, accident or misery state of affairs.
Thieves & Safety
Vanlife safety is principally about frequent sense (and at all times leaving an space in case you are unsure.) We’ve stayed put twice, even after we had doubts and each occasions we’ve ended up regretting our choice.
We don’t journey in our van with any jewelry, little or no cash and only a few gadgets of worth. We attempt to minimise the chance as a lot as attainable, however on the identical time it’s important to get out and benefit from the locations you go to; in any other case, what’s the purpose. Set up a extremely good lock in your camper, each for outdoor and for inside. We additionally like to make use of a steering lock as a visual deterrent.
Important Suggestions for Touring in a van in Europe
The place to get water and waste whereas travelling Europe by campervan?
In case you’re not planning to make use of campsites (and also you don’t have to!) there are a number of choices for getting recent water and eliminating waste. PLEASE don’t simply dump your black waste when you’ve got a bathroom onboard- there are many locations to get rid of it hygienically.
Many service stations (additionally known as aires, confusingly!), present a motorhome service level. Usually this prices 1-2€ to get all the pieces you want. We discover these utilizing the Park4Night app- there are hundreds all through Europe. Some aires even have disposal points- once more, you usually have to pay for them.
Sidelights while driving your camper
Sidelights should be switched on within the following international locations at ALL occasions:
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Italy
- Norway
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Low Emission Zones in Europe
Watch out of low-emission zones and areas which require a congestion cost or related, like Paris and London. These locations are sometimes clearly signed however it may be straightforward to be caught out. We attempt to Google every metropolis earlier than we go to, or park properly outdoors and catch a practice in.
Vignettes in Europe
Additionally, you want a Vignette for Motorways/ toll roads in Switzerland and Austria.
Driving on the unsuitable facet of the street!
Driving on the right-hand facet is just not as scary because it appears! Promise.
Don’t neglect some (VERY few) roundabouts in France nonetheless give precedence to folks coming ON to the roundabout- so when you’re already going round it’s important to cease and allow them to on! (Don’t ask- it’s a French factor!!)
In all our years of driving in France with a automobile and a camper, we’ve got NEVER discovered one in all these roundabouts, however we’ve got been caught out every now and then by a member of the… older… era driving onto a roundabout with out proper of method, forgetting he has to cease! (I hate to say it- but it surely does appear to be the lads who do that!!)
Simply watch out and listen when you’re not sure- at all times anticipate the surprising!!
Touring in a van in Europe- important suggestions for camper van life
Euros
Attempt to purchase your Euros prematurely as you’ll get a greater price. You need to use money machines in Europe however there are sometimes excessive expenses for that.
Additionally, don’t neglect that not each nation in Europe makes use of Euros. Listed below are some common ones which don’t!
- Bulgaria – Lev
- Croatia – Kuna
- Czech Republic – Kurona
- Denmark – Krone
- Hungary – Forint
- Norway- Krone
- Poland – Zloty
- Romania – Leu
- Switzerland – Swiss Franc
- United Kingdom- Pound Sterling
There are others in East European as well- be sure you test prematurely.
Toll Cross
This go is superior for with the ability to skip the queues in case you are touring Europe throughout Summer time. We love not needing to seek out change as we travel- it simply sends us a invoice on the finish of the month. We use Emovis-tag.
Remedy
Ensure you’re have sufficient medicine for you and any pets. Be ready to elucidate your medicine and show what it’s with a health care provider’s notice or one thing similar- simply in case customs search the van and ask you.
Truly, on that notice, EXPECT to be searched at customs/ borders. They do search campers and vans quite a bit!
Tyres & Snow chains
In case you’re travelling Europe by campervan in the course of the winter, you may want snow chains and all-weather tyres. You will get these fitted in Europe with out drawback.
How you can journey Europe in a camper van- Remaining ideas
I do know the concept of travelling abroad in a van will be daunting- particularly in the event that they don’t communicate the identical language! Nonetheless, none of that is troublesome; you simply must be organised, which may take a while. Listed below are some remaining suggestions and inspiration on your campervan travels:
- Be taught somewhat of the native language. English is broadly spoken round a lot of Europe, however they adore it when you make an effort. In spite of everything, you might be of their nation and somewhat respect to them means a a lot friendlier welcome!
- Settle for you’re a tourist- you’ll make errors and possibly seem like an fool. Don’t let it put your off your camper van journey!
- Attempt to ‘gradual journey’- travelling by van is concerning the journey as a lot because the vacation spot. This may be laborious whenever you’re on a schedule, however strive to not cram a lot in you’ll be able to’t have a day by the seashore or at a winery when you fancy it.
- Having mentioned that, do some analysis as you journey so that you don’t miss some wonderful locations. We like to choose an space after which Google it to see what nice adventures are ready for us! Then we plot a tough itinerary on Google Maps.
- You don’t wish to spend your time with a damaged down camper. Ensure you do these important car checks earlier than you go!
I do know you’ll LOVE with the ability to journey Europe by campervan. Let me know the place you finish up- I’d like to see your photos. Secure travels.
Final replace on 2023-11-18 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API
