Want to tour Europe in a motorhome or campervan? Feeling a little overwhelmed and not sure where to start? Here’s everything you need, from what kit to pack, what paperwork you need to carry, how to prepare your van, European road trip itinerary ideas and tips for life on the road.
Don’t forget to grab your free Europe motorhoming checklist below.
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Touring Europe in a motorhome blog- our story
I remember the first time I took a motorhome to Europe. There were SO MANY rules and things to pack and what the heck are aires and how do I book one and what route should I take and do we need…
To say I was daunted was an understatement. Everywhere I looked for advice had totally contradicting information. I spent the first few days of our Europe road trip feeling exhausted and terrified that I’d forgotten something vitally important.
If you’re also feeling intimidated by the idea of travelling Europe in a motorhome, camper van or even a caravan, don’t panic. Since that first trip, I quit my job so we could explore Europe by motorhome as often as possible (let’s just not talk about 2020…)
I’ve travelled nearly 60,000 miles and visited 17 countries. I have made many MANY mistakes… but I’ve also learnt a lot about vanlife in Europe and what NOT to do. And I’m going to share that with you today.
I promise- it’s not as scary as it feels right now.
Today I’ll walk you through the various steps you need to take to plan your own motorhome road trip to Europe and, hopefully, you’ll feel much more confident by the end of it.
Don’t forget to grab your free printable Europe motorhome travel checklist, which will help you remember everything you need.
How to Tour Europe in a Motorhome, campervan or RV – where to start
Let’s start with the basics. Before you can head off to Europe in a motorhome, you need a motorhome or camper van! You can either buy one or hire one and there are pros/ cons to both.
TOP TIP: If you’re planning a 3 month or more trip to Europe, definitely buy a motorhome- it will be MUCH cheaper. Here’s our complete motorhome buyer’s guide to choosing the camper for you.
If you don’t already own a motorhome and are considering getting one, hiring a motorhome or campervan for at least a weekend, preferably a week, is the perfect way to know if motorhome life is for you, before you spend a lot of money on one.
Also, if you are looking to buy a motorhome for the first time, hiring one is a great way to learn what layouts work for you, what you like and dislike and what you’re looking for in your own vehicle.
Having said that, I bought my first motorhome with no experience and no planning and set off to tour around Europe after only 15 days… So do whatever feels right for you.
Motorhoming in Europe- 25 Essential things to know
Watch this video for 25 things you need to know about touring with a motorhome or campervan in Europe:
We hope you found the video useful. If you did, why not follow us on Youtube. We share new videos with tips for motorhoming and campervanning in the UK and Europe weekly, plus road trip ideas and epic destinations.
Motorhome Touring in Europe- where to stay?
Once you’ve got a vehicle to tour around Europe in, the next thing to consider is how do you want your trip to Europe to be and where are you going to camp/ park overnight?
- Do you want to stay at a campsite with pitches for motorhomes, campervans and caravans which has loads of facilities and activities for the kids to do?
Deciding the type of holiday you want to have will make planning your motorhome trip a lot easier. Here’s a bit more information about the types of motorhome parking available in Europe to help you decide.
Motorhome campsites in Europe
Campsites in Europe are very similar to ones in the UK; you arrive, are given or can select a pitch with or without electric (depending on what you booked) and that’s it. Often, you will need to provide ID when you arrive and some places even keep hold of your passport while you stay.
Campsites often have great facilities- like swimming pools or a beach on a lake, watersports, play area, restaurants, fresh bread delivery, shop etc. Dogs are normally always welcome, but there isn’t always a dog walk/ run where they are allowed off lead.
European motorhome travel in the school holidays- or not?
If you’re travelling in the school holidays, you’ll want to book up the campsite (if you’re using one) asap- the best ones get booked up months in advance.
If you’re NOT travelling during the school holidays, you might want to consider getting an ACSI camping card– you’ll save a lot of money on campsite charges.
Aires in Europe
For me, I prefer to travel around Europe in my motorhome and explore different places during my trips instead of staying in one area. I generally stay only one night in a place.
There are two types of motorhome overnight parking options instead of campsites. The first are approved Motorhome parking places, which are called Aires in France, Stellplatz in Germany and Sostas if you’re campervanning in Italy. They’re all pretty much exactly the same!
Motorhome Parking Tips for Aires
You cannot pre-book Aires- they operate on a first-come basis. I found people tended to move on about 10-11am and most were parked up by 4pm, so try and move within that window for the best chance of finding a space. When I toured Italy, I left a little earlier (around 9ish) and aimed to be parked for lunchtime-ish, which I think helped to get in where I wanted without problems.
I like aires, as I feel happier leaving my motorhome if I want to go off an explore, and don’t want to deal with the noise or expense of a European campsite.
You can find more on how to use aires and find motorhome parking around Europe here.
Wild camping with a motorhome or campervan in Europe
The other option for overnight motorhome stopovers in Europe is wild parking, which is staying somewhere that’s not an ‘approved’ place overnight and then moving on the next morning.
Rules for wild parking with a Motorhome in Europe
There are many different rules and different stories about motorhome wild parking across Europe. Wild parking is technically illegal in many countries, such as Switzerland – but I’ve stayed off-grid in my motorhome hundreds of times without any trouble at all. Heck, it was a night wild camping in the Alps in Switzerland in our motorhome which made me decide to change my life and go motorhome travelling (almost!) full-time!
Wild parking in France in a motorhome or campervan is tolerated, as long as you’re not near the coast or in a restricted area. Find out more about motorhome wild camping in France.
My advice is to research the rules for the country you’re visiting, and then check out Park4night. Don’t park if it says ‘No Overnight Parking’. Also, always trust your gut. If you’re not sure and not happy, move on to an approved Motorhome stop point, so you can get a good nights sleep without worrying about being woken up for parking illegally.
You can find everything you need to know about how to wild camp with a motorhome or campervan here.
How to find free/ cheap Motorhome Parking spots in Europe
So, HOW do I find these overnight stopovers in vans in Europe? There are three apps I use. They’re all great but work in slightly different ways.
Park4night
Park4night is what I mainly use when motorhome touring in Europe- and it is BRILLIANT. It’s both an app and a website- I tend to use the app most while travelling. There is a small annual fee but it’s well worth paying for.
This is how I use it:
- Drive to somewhere I want to explore- or a place en-route if I’ve got a long route planned.
- As I get closer, open up the app on my iPad or laptop (read more about getting internet in a motorhome)
- Put in the area you are heading for into Park4night and filter your options.
- Look at photos and comments to remove any with bad reviews, or which are too small for your motorhome to fit into.
- Check to make sure the place is open! A lot of places close between Oct- Apr.
- Then I tend to go on gut feel. I might have two or three options at this point but if I’m honest I’ll know which one of those three I like the idea of most, and that’s the one I head for first. If I get there and it’s full/ closed/ turned into a building site (has happened twice to us!!) then I have other options I can fall back on and I can head to those next.
I use Park4night as it tends to have the most options for places to stay in Europe. However, there are some other good choices too.
Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?
Camper contact
Camper Contact works in a very similar way to Park4night, however, the BIG thing it offers which I love is you can remove all parking spaces which aren’t suitable for longer motorhomes. I love this feature if you want to make absolutely sure it’s suitable for a longer vehicle.
Camper contact is free on the website but the app requires payment, which is another reason we prefer Park4night.
Searchforsites
Search for sites is another motorhome parking app but is better for in the UK. Again, it’s a really useful site and well worth checking as occasionally there are different places on here than on the other two. Pretty much all the reviews on here seem to be in English, which can help when you want to read what people thought!
Between the three of these motorhome parking apps, I’ve travelled around Europe without any problems. Once, in Italy in August, a preferred Aire was full, so I had to move on elsewhere and a few times the place I’ve been heading for no longer exists!
If you find out of date information, please take the time to update the app so other motorhomers don’t do the same thing. They are all great resources and, without them, motorhome road trips in Europe wouldn’t be nearly so easy.
Other parking schemes in Europe
In Europe, there are several schemes similar to Britstops as a great source of free overnight parking stops for motorhomes. In France, France Passion is a similar set-up, and there are others around Europe.
You can find a list of all the motorhome overnight parking schemes and how to find them here.
Motorhome Route Planning for Europe trips
Once you’ve decided where you’re staying, you can start planning a motorhome route in Europe. Obviously, if you’re just travelling to one campsite and back again, then the route will be fairly straightforward.
However, if you’re planning to use aires or going off grid, then you can decide where you want to visit, what you want to see and if you’re going to be using toll roads or not.
You can grab our free road trip planner and use that to help you plan your route and things to do.
The other thing you’ll need to plan is how you’re going to get to Europe. If you’re in the UK, will you take the ferry or use Eurotunnel? There are pros and cons of both but it’s worth deciding quickly so you can book in advance and hopefully save some money.
TOP TIP: If you want some ideas for where to visit, here are some of the best Europe road trip itineraries for motorhomes and campervans.
Tolls in Europe
Many people are concerned about tolls in Europe and like to plan their routes to avoid them. There are pros and cons to this. Tolls occur in nearly every European country which doesn’t insist on a vignette. If you’re motorhoming in Germany you can enjoy some free autobahns (same if you’re motorhoming in Holland.)
When you plan a route in a country without a vignette, you have two options:
- The quick way (which uses tolls roads when necessary)
- The cheap way (which doesn’t!)
There is no right answer- it’s whatever’s best for you. If you only have a week for your motorhome holiday, many people will want to get to their destination asap, which means using toll roads.
If you have more time, you may want to save money and take the slower, but usually prettier, back roads. Do whatever’s right for you.
If you want to get an idea on how much a toll route might cost, use the website https://www.viamichelin.com/
This site will tell you the approximate driving costs for your trip, both in fuel consumption and tolls. The fuel setting is annoying as you can’t select for a motorhome/ camper, although you can select the appropriate mpg, but the toll charges & vignette costs (as long as your motorhome is under 3.5 tonnes and 3m tall,) are very accurate.
Motorhoming in Europe- paperwork you need to carry
So, you’ve got a vehicle, a plan for overnight stays and the beginnings of a route. Now it’s time for the paperwork you need to carry, both for your motorhome/ campervan and also for you.
Nobody likes this bit, because it’s pretty boring, but it’s also essential. I’ve been stopped twice, both times in France and both times near the ferry at Caen. The police seem to love waiting there and pouncing on Motorhomers and campervanners who might have forgotten something.
In France, fines for speeding or incorrect paperwork must be paid in cash on the spot, or else you’ll be escorted to the nearest police station- not the most welcoming start to your holiday! However, if you have all the following, there’s nothing they can do except wish you a ‘bonne journee’ and see you on your merry way.
READ MORE: Essential advice for motorhome touring in France
Complete list of paperwork needed to tour Europe in a motorhome
Here are your next steps for paperwork and staying organised (don’t forget you can download our FREE Europe motorhome travel checklist to keep organised)
Want to head to Europe with your motorhome?
Grab your FREE (printable) checklist and discover 25 things you NEED to take with you when you travel in Europe. Make your life easier today.
Motorhome Insurance
You need motorhome insurance which covers travel in Europe (and other places like Morocco if you’re planning to venture further afield). You also might want to get Breakdown cover which includes recovery to Home- just in case the worst happens. Bring your original certificate with you, not a photocopy.
Health Insurance
The rules for health cover for UK residents in Europe have changed after BREXIT. You now MUST have travel insurance. Make sure you read the conditions carefully- many ‘cheap’ policies don’t cover you for more than a week or two at a time, so if you’re planning on going away for longer you’ll need to find an appropriate insurer. Ideally, get repatriation cover to the UK- just in case.
Europe Motorhome Travel- Essential items you need to carry
Unlike in the UK, there are some things you legally NEED to carry in your motorhome, campervan or car when you’re touring Europe. These essentials Europe travel accessories include:
stika.co Road Legal UK Unit…Shop on Amazon
Ring Automotive RCT1 9 Piec…Shop on Amazon
AA High Visibility Fluoresc…Shop on Amazon
AA Car Headlamp Headlight B…Shop on AmazonUseful kit for travelling Europe in a Motorhome or camper
Assuming your van is already packed with these essential motorhome accessories, there are a couple of things which will make your life easier when touring Europe in a camper.
Motorhome Wi-Fi
Is wifi in a motorhome an essential? For us it is- we work from the road, so we need a reliable way to contact the outside world (and upload blog posts like this!) Our life just wouldn’t work if we didn’t have a decent Internet connection.
For years, we had a wifi dongle in our motorhome and, quite seriously, it’s BRILLIANT. We’ve travelled all around Western Europe and it didn’t let us down once. Oh ok, it’s failed to get a signal just once and we were parked on the top of a mountain in the Swiss Alps at the time- I’m not sure I can blame it for that!!
We use data SIMS with Vodafone, 3 and EE and we find EE and 3 to have the best coverage across Europe. You can buy Prepaid SIM cards of data from Amazon (like this one) or take out a monthly contract (which is what we did)
More recently, we’ve installed this internet system in our van and it has been equally good, although we haven’t been able to travel much to really test it out.
TP-Link 4G Cat4 LTE Travel …Shop on AmazonData Roaming in Europe
If you are travelling outside your home country, you need to make sure that data roaming is enabled on your phone AND that you have a plan which allows you to use data in other countries cheaply.
You will also need to know how to avoid paying high charges for data roaming in Europe.
Also, be aware that the data limit you have at home will probably NOT be the same as your allowance abroad- so be cautious with how much you use. It’s hard to track data usage, but things like using maps, watching TV in your motorhome, streaming videos or putting photos on Facebook can all use up a LOT of data very quickly.
Sat-Nav
I highly recommend investing in a proper motorhome sat-nav before your start driving around Europe, especially if you have a larger motorhome, RV or campervan. You want something you can put your vehicle dimensions into and be able to avoid narrow roads, low bridges or weak crossings.
Here are some of the best motorhome and campervan sat-nav systems on the market- have a look and make sure you know how to use it before you set off.
Never, ever rely entirely on the sat-nav; keep an eye out for road signs and height restrictions as well. I also use my personal iPad or phone to find an alternative route should I hit a traffic jam- both of those have ‘traffic’ setting enabled on them so I can see where the traffic is and how to get around it.
I often end up navigating my motorhome down tiny country lanes in the middle of nowhere- after all, it’s not a proper adventure unless there’s grass growing in the middle of the road!
Also, be careful where you mount your sat nav, especially if you’re using an ipad. Many countries now say it’s illegal to have the satnav mounted on the windscreen or blocking the driver’s view.
Campervanning in Europe – POWER!!!!
One of the joys of touring Europe in a Motorhome is the freedom that you can find on the continent which you just can’t get in the UK. Being able to stay off-grid in my van gives me that freedom. But, in order to do that, I need to manage my motorhome power requirements.
Inverter
The solution to this is an inverter (and possibly a power pack, depending on how power-hungry you are!)
I charge as much as I possibly can whilst I am driving the motorhome. I do this by running the invertor as I drive. The inverter is connected directly to the motorhome leisure battery and then I added a 2-plug extension lead, which allows us to charge our laptops on a drive, saving our precious battery power while we’re camped.
I fitted and love these invertors but there are many other options out there if you need a different size/ power output.
Generator
I didn’t want a generator on our motorhome. I didn’t want to be THAT van with the generator going all evening, ruining everyone else’s peace and quiet. But, as my husband said, if we’re going to camp in the middle of nowhere for days at a time, we need an alternative power source ‘just in case’.
We’ve agreed that we will NEVER use it except in an emergency or for servicing, and we did a lot of research to find the best one for us in terms of noise levels and size.
We’ve used it several times of the past couple of years, including while touring Norway and Austria. We’re really impressed at how quiet it is and how well it works even after months of not being started!
12v Hairdryer
Whilst we’re on the subject of power, both Jade (my daughter) and I have long hair. We love letting it air dry on hot summer days, but if we’re motorhoming in winter it’s essential for us to have a hairdryer.
RELATED: Planning winter motorhome living or a trip? Read this first…
Believe it or not, we actually carry TWO hairdryers onboard (much to my husband’s ‘delight’…)
One is a good, powerful but lowish wattage one we use when we have electric hookup, and the other is a 12v one, which plugs into a cigarette lighter socket in the cab. Honestly, it’s not the best hairdryer we’ve ever tried, but better than nothing on a cold winter’s day.
Alternatively, a rechargeable hairdryer.
Solar Panel
I do have a solar panel onboard my motorhome- I believe it’s an essential motorhome wild camping accessory. It keeps the battery topped up whilst I’m camping and allows me to stay off-grid for a little while longer- at least if it’s sunny!
Gas
One of my very first motorhome trips to Europe almost ended after 2 days due to…err… gas. Or rather, a lack of it and an inability to get any more! There are some important lessons I learned and things you need to know about how to find LPG (gas) in Europe.
To combat that ever happening again (we hope!!), I fitted Gaslow refillable bottles. These went easily into my existing motorhome gas locker and were able to self fit them. Filling took a little while to figure out- turns out you need to TWIST the nozzle clockwise, but so far, so good! I’ve now had these installed for over a year and wouldn’t switch back- refillable gas is SO MUCH cheaper and easier while travelling Europe in a motorhome.
Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?
Motorhome Touring in Europe – Other items which might be useful
ACSI card
ACSI is a scheme you can buy a membership to (like a motorhome club), which then gives you massive discounts on campsites for motorhomes, campervans, RVs and Caravans- as long as you travel outside the peak seasons.
Toll Pass
I LOVE the European toll pass. It’s sooooooo satisfying being able to sweep past all the huge queues at some of the tolls and go through the automated toll pass lane in France. It also works if you’re motorhome touring in Spain & Portugal. The best bit is not having to worry to find the change at each toll- it just sends you a bill at the end of the month which is paid automatically by Direct Debit so its one less thing I need to worry about!
I bought ours at Sanef Tolling, although they have now changed their name to Emovis-tag.
Tyres & Snow chains
If you are planning to go motorhome skiing or tour Europe in a motorhome in the Winter, think about your tyres and snow chains. It’s compulsory in most countries with Mountains (France, Germany etc) to have winter tyres fitted and to carry snow chains which will fit onto your tyres. This is usually enforced between 01 November and 15 April. This list by the AA gives a great guide for you.
Red and White reflective warning backboard for motorhomes/ campers
If you have anything extending past the back of your motorhome/ camper (like a bike rack or a tow bar), you MUST have a red and white striped backboard on the back. Make sure it’s the aluminium one, not the cheap version- the cheap version is not legal in Italy.
Travelling Europe in a Motorhome or campervan- Safety
Here are some important things to know about travelling in Europe
Emergencies
112 can be dialled anywhere in Europe in an emergency, accident or distress situation.
Security and theft
I have several things I do to protect my vehicle and possessions whilst travelling. I also have several things I do to safeguard myself if I’m back in the UK preparing for my next trip. Be sure to grab our FREE guide to motorhome security.
I have been lucky to have never been the target of theft, but it does happen. Most thefts are opportunistic- if you leave something outside unattended there’s a chance it will be taken- just like in the UK. Also, if you park in busy, built-up areas, there is more chance of ‘unsavoury types’ spotting the van and taking their chances- just like in the UK.
I strongly believe that touring Europe in your motorhome is no more dangerous than touring in the UK, but common sense should be used. I’ve chosen to fit an additional motorhome door lock which can be locked from both the outside and the inside.
Want to head to Europe with your motorhome?
Grab your FREE (printable) checklist and discover 25 things you NEED to take with you when you travel in Europe. Make your life easier today.
Euros
Try and get your Euros in advance as you’ll get a better rate than if you use the ferry/ tunnel. You can get money out of cash machines abroad- but, of course, there are charges for that.
Also, don’t forget that not every country in Europe uses Euros. Here are some popular ones which might catch you out!
- Bulgaria – Lev
- Croatia – Euro (formally Kuna)
- Czech Republic – Kurona
- Denmark – Krone
- Hungary – Forint
- Norway- Krone (See how expensive our trip to Norway was!)
- Poland – Zloty
- Romania – Leu
- Switzerland – Swiss Franc
There are others in the East as well- make sure you check in advance- but nearly everywhere has a cash machine so you can always get money out if you need to.
Spare Keys
I think it’s sensible to carry a spare set of keys for the motorhome with me. I hope I will never need them, but a spare set is going to be completely useless sitting back in the UK. So I decided to bring them with me and keep them well out of the way.
Medication
Make sure you’re carrying enough Medication for you and any pets you have. We always carry a little more than necessary- just in case! Be prepared to explain your medication and prove what it is with a doctor’s note or something similar- just in case customs question you.
Mobile Phones
Using a phone whilst driving is illegal in many countries. It is also illegal in some countries (such as France) to use a headset with an earbud whilst driving. Your phone must be completely hands-free.
Driving in Europe- what to do in the event of a road traffic accident
You should have a European Claim Form provided by your insurer before you leave. In the event of an accident, all parties complete and sign the form at the scene and then send a copy to your insurer for assessment.
What to do at the scene:
- Stop your vehicle immediately but safely- out of the flow of traffic if possible.
- If a vehicle is blocking the road, use hazard lights and put the red warning triangle 30 metres from the scene to warn approaching traffic
- Exchange your details with the other involved parties. Be sure to get:
- Name and address of all the people involved in the accident
- Vehicle registration numbers of all parties
- Insurance company details of all parties
- Take photos of damage using a camera, GoPro or phone
For more details, read our step-by-step guide on dealing with a road traffic accident in Europe
Motorhoming in Europe- Other Things to know
Sidelights must be switched on in the following countries at ALL times: Croatia, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Sweden & Switzerland
Daytime lights MUST be switched on for Motorbikes at ALL times in all conditions in ALL countries. Ours are wired so they automatically come on with the engine- saves us forgetting!
On-the-spot fines are common in all countries, although if you’re campervanning in Ireland the Police are not authorised to collect fines. Some places, like Croatia, give you 8 days to pay. Other places, such as if you go touring in Portugal, equip their police officers with an ATM to ensure fines are paid immediately!!
Be careful of low-emission zones and areas which require a congestion charge or something similar, such as Paris and London. These places are often clearly signed but it can be worth Googling requirements before you visit an area. Also, don’t forget you need a Vignette for Motorways/ toll roads in Switzerland and Austria. For a complete list of rules in each country, here’s the AA.
Touring Europe in a Motorhome – Final thoughts
Phew!!! There is a LOT of information in this post- and at first glance it can be overwhelming. None of it is ‘difficult’, but it will take up a bit of your time as you get it all organised. Here are some final tips to help you make the most of your big adventure!!
- Driving on the right is not as terrifying as it seems! Don’t forget- all the roads are set up for it- you don’t have to remember to go around the roundabout the wrong way- it naturally happens as that’s the way the road system works.
- Learn a little of the language. In France, Germany, Belgium and Holland, English is widely spoken, but they love it if you make an effort. After al, you are in their country and if you show a little respect to them they will really help you when you need it.
- Accept that you are a tourist- you will make mistakes and probably look like an idiot. But that’s part of the fun of travelling!
- Learn to ‘slow travel’- travelling by van is about the journey as much as the destination. This can be hard when you’re on a tight schedule, but try not to overbook your time so much that you can’t relax a little or explore random things that you find along the way- like an ice cave we randomly found in France…??!!
- Having said that, do a little research as you travel so you don’t miss some amazing places. We like to pick an area and then Google it to see what great adventures are waiting for us.
New to motorhome or camper travel in Europe? You might find these posts helpful:
See all our Europe motorhoming posts here
NEED GEAR? If you need any kit or essentials for motorhoming in Europe, here’s what we recommend and where to find it
I hope you have the BEST adventures- be sure to tag me in your posts and show me where you end up! Let me know what you think of the guide in the comments below- I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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Last update on 2025-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
