Europe by Motorhome: The Best & Only Touring Guide You Need!

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Campervan & Motorhome in Touring Europe

Do you want to explore Europe in your motorhome or campervan? The best thing about Europe is the culture, cuisine, rich history, nature and diversity, enough to last a lifetime of exploring. Taking a motorhome across Europe seems like an awesome idea, especially with our ultimate guide to help you work it all out!

We’re Phil and Izzy and we’ve been full-time touring and travelling in a motorhome in Europe for over five years. In this post, we share everything we’ve learned on the road in Europe.

Find out how you can travel Europe in a motorhome with practical motorhome advice, Europe motorhoming itineraries, travel tips and hints about living in a motorhome full time and loads of other useful stuff!

Basic Requirements for Europe Motorhome Travel

This section has been updated to reflect the post-Brexit agreement between the UK and EU on 24th December 2020. It’s boring, but spend just one day doing the research before you head off, and you’ll have one less thing to think about. If you do get stopped during your European tour you’ll have all the correct equipment and documentation to show. Our advice and travel tips cover the basics:

You must have at least three months remaining on your passport (issued in the past ten years) at your intended date of departure from Europe. If you’re travelling in a motorhome in Ireland, your passport only needs to be valid for your stay (UK citizens do not need a passport to travel to Ireland which is in the Common Travel Area).
A UK driving licence is needed for touring in a camper van in Europe. Your UK licence allows you to drive in all EU countries. If you only have a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man then you will need an International Driving Permit.
You must have at least third party motorhome insurance for your vehicle. You are not required to have a green card to prove you have vehicle insurance coverage when travelling in the EU. Make sure to check if visiting non-EU countries like Montenegro, Serbia and Albania that you are covered – you’ll need a green card for these countries too.
You must display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle, instead of a GB sticker, unless you have a UK number plate which displays the Union Jack flag. If you’re travelling in Spain you will need a UK sticker even if you have the new style UK number plates.
Headlights must be adapted for driving on the right.
You may need evidence of a return ticket and that you have enough funds to cover your stay – there is no fixed amount that a customs official might ask for, but you need to be able to show that you can maintain your motorhome lifestyle. Having said that, in the two years since Brexit, we don’t know anyone who has been asked to produce either a ticket of evidence of their financial position.
Brits should get a GHIC or EHIC (Global or European Health Insurance Card) – not a legal requirement, but free so why not?
We would also recommend your own travel insurance and Europe motorhome or campervan breakdown cover, but these are not legal requirements. We like True Traveller backpacking insurance if you need cover for more than three months.
An Animal Health Certificate, if you’re taking pets with you.
Any country-specific requirements for your vehicle – our country-by-country motorhome touring guides contain up-to-date information about what you need to carry in Europe.

The Ultimate Guide to Motorhoming in Europe

If you’re planning a motorhome trip to Europe for the first time, our guide has top tips, advice and info to help you plan your tour.

Don’t struggle to plan your European trip, find out everything you need to know before you go + loads of motorhoming tips for when you arrive.

FIND OUT MORE

Motorhome Europe After Brexit

Although the UK left the EU at the beginning of 2020, because the pandemic came swiftly on its heels, many of us are still realising the repercussions and getting used to how it affects travelling in a motorhome.

You can find out all the details you need in our guide to motorhoming in Europe after Brexit, and in our guide to motorhoming in Ireland, which due to being in the common travel area (CTA) has some different rules.

In the meantime, here are a few frequently asked questions and answers about what happens when you cross the English Channel:

Do I need a visa for Europe?

Nothing changes with your passport, but from 2025, the EU will introduce the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), which will be an additional entry requirement for visa-exempt travellers and will involve the traveller registering their details online before travelling, mainly for security purposes.

How long can I stay in Europe?

UK citizens can only stay in the Schengen Area (a zone in Europe where countries have no internal borders and allow the free and unrestricted movement of people) for 90 days in every 180 days in the Schengen Area.

The 90 in 180 day rule works on a rolling basis and it can be difficult to work out whether you are within the rules or not, especially if you have visited the Schengen area on several occasions in the preceding 180 days.

Long-term travelling by motorhome in Europe is still possible, you just need to be organised and have a plan to ensure you don’t overstay. This comprehensive post about campervan travel in Europe post-Brexit explains all the details and offers advice and insight into how long-term motorhome touring in Europe is still possible.

What food can I take in my motorhome to Europe?

The European Commission says the following:

Travellers are not allowed to bring in meat, milk or their products.
There is an exemption for powdered infant milk, infant food, and special foods or special pet feed required for medical reasons if weighing less than 2kg and provided that: such products do not require refrigeration before opening, that they are packaged proprietary brand products for direct sale to the final consumer, and the packaging is unbroken unless in current use.
For fishery products (including fish and certain shellfish such as prawns, lobsters, dead mussels and dead oysters), travellers are allowed to bring in up to 20kg or the weight of one fish if this is higher.
For other animal products, such as honey, live oysters, live mussels and snails, travellers are allowed to bring in up to 2kg.

Can I use my mobile data in Europe?

Internet access in Europe very much depends on who your mobile phone contract is with and when you started the contract. All UK providers now limit data usage in the EU in some way or another, and it’s a good idea to check with your provider to make sure you don’t run up a big bill. You can find lots of information in our guide to the best SIM cards in Europe, especially if you’re planning to be away for more than a few weeks.

We have been using and recommend ConnectPlus for cloud SIM connectivity in the UK and Europe. You can choose from unlimited data packs to just single days, depending on your needs. The device is no larger than a slimline smartphone, connects with up to ten devices, is charged easily with a USB and can be delivered within a few days of ordering. Use the code ‘thegapdecaders’ at checkout to get 50% off in the first month!

Can I take a pet to Europe in my motorhome?

The good news is that you can take dogs, cats and ferrets to Europe. You’ll need to book a pet-friendly cabin or kennels on the ferry or travel via the tunnel from the UK. Your pet will need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an animal health certificate (AHC).

When pets are travelling to Norway from countries in the EU/EEA (such as Germany or Denmark) the animal and necessary documentation must be presented to Norwegian Customs for checking. Walk or drive through the red zone in the Customs area to present your paperwork and pet.

When travelling to Norway from Sweden, the animal and documentation need not be shown to the Norwegian Customs if the animal has been kept legally in Sweden and meets all requirements for entry.

It can take some time to get all the documents together and the vaccines organised, so make sure you start the process well in advance and find out more about travelling in Europe with a dog before you set off with your fur baby!

Europe Campervan Hire or Taking Your Own?

Taking your own motorhome to Europe is relatively simple. There’s no need to temporarily import your vehicle, even if you’re touring and you don’t need to have a left hand drive van. Just make sure you have the right documentation and required safety equipment, and you’re good to go.

If you’re new to motorhoming, or campervanning on the continent for the first time, then a two week holiday in Western Europe is a great way to start, especially if you rent a motorhome.

Your rental company will ensure your campervan hire for Europe will come equipped with everything you need to enjoy a few weeks across the channel in July or August, and you’ll enjoy a great taste of European motorhome life.

Our recommended European campervan and motorhome hire company is Motorhome Republic, which has hundreds of pick-up locations across Europe, all perfect starting points to see all the best bits as you road trip Europe.

An aggregate motorhome and campervan booking site, Motorhome Republic pull together all the best deals from many different rental companies, to offer you a wide choice of options alongside an excellent English-speaking expert motorhome Concierge Team.

If you’re coming from North America and are used to traveling in a recreational vehicle, motorhomes in Europe are a little different from RVs in the States. Styled differently and significantly smaller (even if it feels large to us Brits!), we generally don’t have slide-outs, full-sized appliances or beds in our motorhomes.

Most European motorhomes use cassette toilets, rather than having a black or black and grey waste tank, but you’ll be pleased to know that European motorhomes are usually left-hand drive, so just like travelling in an RV at home 🙂

white motorhome by a river with green fold up chairs outside — Riverside motorhome camping in Sweden

Preparing Your Van for Europe

When planning and taking a motorhome or campervan road trip across Europe you’ll need to consider whether you have the right accessories in and on your motorhome for touring.

If you’re heading off on a short two week campervan trip in Europe, then you may already be well set up for this type of holiday and won’t need any special preparations to have a fantastic trip.

New motorhome owners or those planning a longer tour may want to make some changes or additions. What you change or add will depend on how much you want to spend and how you want to travel Europe in a motorhome.

Which countries will you visit?

Will you wild camp or stay on sites? How off-the-beaten track do you want to be?

Will you be travelling Europe in a campervan across seasons, or sticking to summer or winter?

Are you intending to leave Europe and/or the Schengen area for different regions of the continent?

What’s your budget?

For us, we have found the additions below to be worth the extra cost when spending more than a month or so on the continent. If you intend to travel long-term or regularly in Europe, then these extras will pay for themselves.

Heating

If you’re planning on spending winter in mainland Europe then you may need heating in your motorhome. Some areas in countries like Spain and Portugal are warm enough year-round for you to not need heating, but if you head into the mountains, then you could well be facing freezing temperatures.

Gas and LPG

You can’t take a UK gas bottle to Europe and exchange it. This means if you run out of gas, you’ll have to carry your empty bottle and buy a bottle in whichever country you are, as well as a suitable regulator. This is not difficult, but it is a hassle and an added expense.

Disposing of your empty bottle is illegal, and it’s also illegal to re-fill Calor gas-type bottles at the pump, so there really is no easy way to get gas if you’re not prepared.

If you’re touring for more than a month or so, we would highly recommend a refillable Gaslow or Gasit system which can be filled in any EU country (including the United Kingdom) at the pump using a set of special adaptors.

You’ll save money every time you fill, LPG (called GPL in Europe) from the pump is around 70% cheaper than buying it in a bottle.

The downside with a refillable system is that in the UK lots of garages have stopped selling LPG at the pump as the take-up of LPG vehicles has been surpassed by electric technology. A good compromise is to have one bottle on a refillable system and one UK bottle, and we hear about more and more people doing this.

If you’re planning to visit Morocco in your motorhome, gas at the pump isn’t available (nor in Finland) so this does need careful planning.

Solar

If you are planning on free camping in aires or wild camping in Europe (if you’re a wild camping newbie, it’s the ideal place to start) then you will need equipment to ensure you have electricity when you’re overnight parking off grid.

This might include a solar panel and you may want to upgrade your leisure batteries. You could also consider a solar generator, which is portable and will provide you with enough power to wild camp as much as you like, as long as the sun is shining!

RELATED POST: An Easy Guide to Motorhome Electrics

Air Conditioning

With summer temperatures regularly getting into the early 40s in Europe, air conditioning can be a lifesaver. One summer in France, despite being dyed in the wool wild campers, we spent every night in a campsite or aire, just so we could plug in and have air con!

If a roof-mounted a/c unit is too expensive, take a look at portable air conditioning solutions – the technology has advanced in recent years, and some of them are pretty good. Make sure to check the size though, as they can be large!

Awning

If you’re travelling in summer, then an awning of some description is an absolute must. Having one fitted retrospectively can be expensive, but a drive-away awning, a simple gazebo or even a collapsible umbrella can do the trick.

Water Filter

If you’re planning on visiting countries where the quality of potable water is questionable, or you don’t want to drink de-salinated water (common in southern Spain), then a water filter is a great option.

We have a Nature Pure filter fitted, a job a competent DIY’er could manage. We love not having to buy bottled water and then having to cart the empty bottles around until we find a recycling point.

motorhome parked on the beach by blue sea and mountains — Wild camping in Sicily Italy

What Kit Do You Need In Your Motorhome?

Are you taking a 2 week campervan trip in Europe or longer? Will you be travelling Europe in a camper van across seasons and into different regions of the continent?

Packing List

Have a look at our essential motorhome kit list for an idea of what kit and gear we think is important when taking a motorhome to Europe. You’ll also find links to a free motorhome packing list covering kitchen, garage, gadgets, safety equipment and personal essentials.

Motorhome Internet & Wifi

Connectivity is important if you want to stay in touch with loved ones, post on social media and keep up with what’s happening in the world.

We know that information regarding European roaming on a UK contract changes frequently so we keep our post about motorhome internet and wifi up to date, so you can check the best equipment and European sim card options for your needs.

Motorhome TV

We all like a bit of TV, and being in Europe doesn’t change that. There are lots of ways of getting TV in a motorhome, and when you’re abroad there are a few things to be aware of if you want to watch UK television.

Bikes

You also need to consider how you’ll get out and about, especially if you intend to remain static on a site or an aire for more than a few days.

If you’re in an urban area, local buses, trams and metros may work, and public transport is the best choice for city visits. If you’re more remote you’ll want to be able to get to the nearest village or head out for a day.

Make sure you research thoroughly if you want to tow a car – the law regarding A-frames in Europe is often misquoted and not always clear. You may find some helpful information on various Facebook forums for motorhome owners, and on the UK Government website.

RELATED POST: The Best Motorhome Bike Racks & Bikes

Gross Vehicle Weight

What and how much you pack will also depend on the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of your motorhome and how much storage space you have.

As a general observation, if you fill your storage space you are likely to be overweight – just because you have loads of cupboards doesn’t mean you should fill them all!

Read our guide to understand how motorhome weights work and don’t forget to include your toys like bikes, kayaks, gadgets and so on when thinking about weight.

RELATED POST: An Easy Motorhome Weight Guide

Driving a Motorhome in Europe

Each country differs, but on the whole, driving in Europe is very safe – the continent has by far the lowest RTA fatalities in the world. Sweden and Denmark have the best safety records, with Bulgaria and Romania lagging, and everywhere else somewhere in between.

As long as you practice caution, take it slowly and follow road signage, you’ll soon settle into it.

We’ve had both right and left hand drive motorhomes, and although LHD is a little easier, especially on narrow roads. Right hand drive is not a problem if you have a willing passenger!

Be aware that the Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus all drive on the right, just like the UK.

Satellite Navigation

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of motorhome routes through Europe. Make sure you have a motorhome sat nav that has European mapping, or use a satellite navigation app such as Google Maps, CoPilot and Maps.me

Yes, it’s possible to use a paper map but ideally, you want up-to-date information and be able to set your dimensions in the sat nav if you’re in a larger van. This helps to avoid routes with weight or height constraints, like low bridges and allows you to set your route to miss toll roads if you prefer to take the more scenic route.

RELATED POST: Motorhome Sat Navs: Best Models & Options for 2024

Dash Cam

We would also recommend installing a dash cam, which is a five minute job if you buy a plug-and-play model.

A common scam, especially in Eastern Europe, is for a driver to pull in front of you at speed and then brake hard causing you to hit them. Unless you can evidence their actions, you will be held liable and will have to pay any excess on your insurance, and maybe lose your no claims bonus.

Be aware that dashcams are illegal in Portugal and Austria due to their privacy law surrounding filming people in public.

Speed Limits for Motorhomes in Europe

Speed limits for motorhomes vary across Europe, and can also vary depending on your weight. When you enter a new country, there is usually a roadside sign advising you of these limits.

If you use a sat nav, it will inform you of speed limits, as well as update you with traffic news, and let you know when you’ve crossed a border on your campervan journey.

Speed cameras are common in Europe, and may be fixed or mobile. Both types of speed cameras can be visible or hidden, and it’s easy to be caught, even if you’re over the limit by just a few kilometres an hour.

Your sat nav may be programmed to alert you to speed cameras, however, this is not legal in all European countries, so check with our country-specific information below – or maybe just stick to the speed limit 🙂

Don’t think that because you’re from another country you can avoid speeding fines. If your motorhome is registered in the United Kingdom or anywhere in Europe, there is a data-sharing protocol in place which means you’ll be tracked down in your home country.

Toll Roads in Europe

Tolls on motorways are common across Europe, and if you’re looking to get somewhere quickly and easily, taking the toll road is often the most cost-effective option.

With pay-as-you-go tolls, you can pay with cash or by card at the toll booth. We think the best choice is an electronic tag like an Emovis Tag, which is linked to your credit card and works in France, Spain and Portugal, or a Telepass device which works in France, Spain, Portugal and Italy.

Where a vignette (physical sticker) is required, you must order this in advance or stop at the first fuel station on the motorway as soon as you enter the country and buy one there.

Vignettes are required in Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Montenegro, Romania, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Belarus, and you can buy some of these online at Digitale Vignette.

If your motorhome is over 3,500kg, arrangements will be different and you may need a physical onboard unit, which has to be collected and pre-loaded at the border.

In our experience, Norway and Portugal have the most complex toll systems, with different toll road operators requiring different processes. Check out each country in our motorhome touring guides.

Fuel in Europe

Fuel costs in Europe vary wildly from country to country. Generally, the further east and south you go, the cheaper the fuel.

Greece is the exception to the rule and although the furthest south and east you can go in Europe, it has some of the most expensive fuel on the continent!

Use the excellent Mappr tool to see at a glance what you’ll pay per litre.

In some countries, like Italy, there are two prices for fuel – one for self-service and one for attendant service and the latter can be up to €0.15 per litre (or 57¢ per gallon) more expensive! Beware Italian garage attendants who usher unsuspecting road trippers to the more expensive pumps…

In Europe, gasoline is generally called benzine or sans plomb and in the UK it’s called unleaded petrol – the pump handle is almost always green.

Diesel is usually called diesel or gasoil, and the pump handle is always black. But, these names can change slightly by country, so if you’re unsure use a translate app to work it out.

Low Emission Zones in Europe

Low Emission Zones (LEZs) are areas, usually in towns and cities, where the most polluting vehicles are regulated and either cannot enter the area or have to pay to enter the low-emission zone. Most EU countries have LEZ in place.

Vehicle emissions are classified in Europe by Euro Standards, which determine and categorise a vehicle’s emissions to determine its pollutant levels.

Before you travel into a low emission zone (mainly cities) you first need to find out if your vehicle is affected – this will depend on the vehicle type, age and fuel.

Each county has different regulations like Crit’Air in France and umweltplakette in Germany. Some require you to pay to enter online, some ask you to buy a physical vignette or sticker, some don’t allow you to enter during specific times of the week and some only allow Euro 6 (the least polluting) vehicles to enter. It’s complicated!

If you are planning on visiting cities along your campervan route, this is an area to look at early on as it can take weeks for the physical sticker to arrive. Find out more about each country in our motorhome touring guides.

Common EU Driving Rules

Under EU law, seat belts must be used in all vehicles. Children over 1.35m can use an adult seat belt. Those under 1.35m must use equipment appropriate to their size and weight when travelling in a car, like a car seat or booster cushion.
It is illegal to use your phone at the wheel in all EU and European countries. In France and Spain, you may not even use a phone as a satellite navigation device or with hands-free equipment.
All EU countries have different alcohol limits set in their drink driving legislation which may be different or lower to your home country. It’s best not to drink any alcohol if you’re planning on driving anywhere afterwards.
All European countries with mountains have rules about snow tyres and snow chains. Make sure you check these rules if you’re taking a road trip of Europe in colder weather.
Member states of the European Union have a standardised set of road signs, very similar to the UK.
In many European countries, certain discourteous behaviors, such as rude gestures in Germany and honking the horn without cause in residential areas in Spain and Italy are offences for which you can be fined! Make sure you’re aware of the specific European driving laws for each of the different countries that you intend to visit.

Road Conditions

Some European countries have less money to invest in their roads, and generally, the further east you go, the longer the roads have to wait for repair.

Large potholes, badly laid tarmac, lack of road marking, and poor quality of repairs can make driving challenging on country roads, and even on motorways in some countries.

Go at your own pace until you’ve got the measure of your surroundings, and leave enough room between your car and the vehicle in front, so you can see ahead and avoid the worst bits!

Driving Standards

Driving standards across Europe vary, from the considerate and patient Norwegians to the fast but competent Germans, and the feisty and loud Italians!

Each country has it’s own distinct bad habits and the best way to learn is to watch the locals and take it slowly until you’re comfrotable with what to expect.

In Greece, the Balkans and Italy, overtaking on bends, at the brow of a hill and generally where visibility is poor, is very common. Other drivers tend to slow down to ensure there is room for all the vehicles on the road, but it can be very disconcerting the first few times it happens.

In France, drivers will sit very close to your bumper waiting for the opportunity to overtake. They will also have their indicator flashing, to let you know they want to get past, and they do seem to have a particular dislike of motorhomes!

In Italy, the drivers are incredibly impatient and will honk their horns at the drop of a hat. They don’t give an inch if you’re trying to enter the traffic flow, so you have to do as they do, and just go when even the smallest opportunity presents itself.

Even though speed is not limited on 70% of the German autobahn network, the roads are often so busy that a de facto speed limit is established. But if you do get an empty stretch, observe any signage before you put your foot down!

Regardless of the driving laws in each country, you’ll always see locals breaking them. Using phones at the wheel, not wearing helmets on motorbikes and blatantly ignoring the speed limits are common.

Don’t get sucked into thinking this is OK – local police seem to have a lot less tolerance for tourists breaking the rules!

motorhome parked between the sea and a green field — Motorhoming in Italy

Europe Motorhome Destinations

How on earth do you choose where to go when touring Europe by campervan? There are so many different places to see, how do you fit it all in?

You could spend literally years in a camper in Europe and not see it all. If you don’t have much time or only want to take short trips, you’ll need to decide what to prioritise when route planning.

Is this a break from work to chase the sun and chill? Are you a culture vulture looking for Roman ruins and ancient worlds? Do you love hiking in the amazing national parks of Europe? Or, like most of us, looking for a bit of both?

If you’re looking for inspiration or don’t know where to start planning, our ready made and downloadable motorhome road trips for France, Germany and Italy and three months in Europe include detailed interactive maps, travel times and distances, day by day ideas for destinations, hikes and activities plus recommendations for campsites and aires at every destination.

motorhome driving along a mountainous road surrounded by trees — Driving in the mountains of Spain

Motorhome Touring Guides

Check out our motorhome touring guides for the most popular European countries, where you’ll find information about driving, motorhome services, camp sites, wild camping spots, suggested routes and top destinations. Be inspired by stunning landscapes, mountains and coasts and incredible road trips.

Motorhome Germany – A Complete Touring Guide

A motorhome tour of Germany offers incredible adventures. From the stunning Alps, the Black Forest with it’s gorgeous romantic road, to medieval cities, fairytale castles and magical Christmas markets this surprising and interesting country is a must-see road trip destination for campervans and motorhomes.

Motorhome touring in France is a joy and you’ll receive a warm welcome to this beautiful and eclectic country. We’ve spent months motorhome touring France and our advice and top tips for motorhome travel in France include driving, where to stay overnight and off-grid and wild camping to motorhome services and a round-up of the best motorhome destinations. You’ll find all the information you need for an amazing motorhome road trip in France.

With one of the best winter climates in Europe and friendly locals, Spain is a perfect country for a motorhome road trip. We’ve spent over 18 months travelling in a motorhome in Spain, and in this campervanning and motorhoming guide you’ll find lots of practical and helpful information. From tips about driving, where to stay overnight and wild camping, to motorhome services and a round-up of the best motorhome destinations, you’ll find all the information…

Portugal is a perfect motorhome and campervan destination. This tiny country in western Europe packs one hell of a punch; wild coastlines, beautiful natural parks, lively buzzing cities and exquisite wines and one of the hardest languages in Europe to learn! In this Portugal campervan guide, we share our own lived experience and travel tips about driving, where to stay overnight and wild camping, motorhome services and a round-up of the best motorhome and campervan…

A truly beautiful country, Norway is a real bucket list destination. If you love adventure and raw nature, then campervanning in Norway is for you. We’ve spent months motorhoming in Norway and our advice and tips for campervanning in Norway come from our own lived experience. We cover driving, budgeting, where to stay overnight and off-grid and wild camping, to motorhome and camper van services and a round-up of the best motorhome destinations. In fact, you’ll find all the…

Taking a motorhome to Italy is an experience not to be missed. This gorgeous country, full of beautiful light, fabulous food and landscapes straight from a film set, will not disappoint. We’ve spent months touring Italy by motorhome and in this guide, you’ll find lots of practical and helpful information about getting around Italy in a motorhome. From tips about driving, where to stay overnight and wild camping, to motorhome services and a round-up of…

Greece is a wonderful country to tour in a campervan if you like the road less travelled. Packed with ancient sites, beautiful beaches and turquoise seas, historic towns and cities, and majestic mountains, Greece is a country just waiting to be explored. Get our complete guide to motorhoming in Greece here.

Morocco is the perfect post-Brexit escape if you’re looking to spend three months out of the Schengen area. To enjoy your motorhome or campervan tour, planning and preparation is critical. Read on to find out all you need to know.

A motorhome road trip to Belgium is ideal for a quick get away from the UK and is a tiny yet fascinating country. Belgium is often overlooked and passed through en-route to elsewhere but if you make Belgium a motorhome destination, you’ll be glad you did!

red campervan on a road with Irish mountains in the background

Ireland is a fantastic non-Schengen option for motorhome travel. Easily accessible from the UK or Northern Ireland, this understated country packs a punch of lush rolling hills, dramatic coastlines, rich heritage and entertaining cities. Find out all you need to know in our campervan and motorhome Ireland travel guide.

Are you planning a motorhome holiday in Europe? With so many countries, cultures and even climates to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which destination in Europe is right for you. Check out our destination ideas and plan your European road trip with our helpful guides and motorhome travel tips.

Motorhome Route Planner Europe

Ok, so now you’ve got some ideas about where to go on your motorhome trip of Europe, you need to plan your Europe travel route.

Planning a route for touring Europe in a campervan can be as complex or as simple as you want. Some people like a clear plan and a short amount of driving time per day with overnight stops booked or planned in advance, others like to just go with the flow and see what happens.

It’s why we fall out every time we look at a map or start any road trip planning!

Do you want access to our FREE resource library packed with travel resources & motorhome checklists?

YES, GIVE ME ACCESS!

Overnight Stops for Motorhomes in Europe

When it comes to where to stay overnight in a motorhome or campervan, Europe has lots of great options;

Motorhome Campsites

Campsites are a great option if you have a family or you like to stay out for more than a few days at a time. They also make great overnight stays if you’ve been on the road for a while and facilitate things like clothes washing and cleaning your van.

We love a good campsite after a month off-grid or a long trip. Suddenly, everything seems effortless – no worries about whether there will be enough sun to top up the leisure batteries and no issues about how long it takes to rinse the conditioner from my hair in the shower! If there’s also a bar, we look forward to meeting fellow motorhomers for a good chinwag!

One way to save money on your trip is to get an ACSI card. This discount card is invaluable if you’re planning to use European campgrounds, with the scheme giving you up to 60% off per night prices out of high season. This can mean a site for as low as €13 a night.

It’s worth getting this sorted before your camping trip to Europe as ACSI need a couple of weeks to post the card and books to you.

The Best Campsites in Europe – For Campers, By Campers

If you’re going on a camping holiday, you’ll find some of the best campsites in Europe listed here, by campers who have actually stayed in them. Whatever your camping style, leave the urban life behind and enjoy the great outdoors in one of these fantastic European campsites.

ACSI Camping Card – 2024 Review & Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to motorhome in Europe, then the chances are you’ll want to stay on a campsite at some point. The ACSI camping card provides low season discount on thousands of campsites across Europe. We share all our top tips to help you get the most from your ACSI card.

Motorhome Aires

Motorhome aires are a great way to stay overnight for very little money, and can often be found in popular small towns and villages in the countryside of Europe from the north coast of France and the French Riv to the beaches of the Peloponnese.

French aires have paved the way for other countries to set up similar schemes, where the aire is funded by the local municipality to encourage motorhome visitors into the area.

There are now more than 10,000 aires across Europe, and many of them are like free campsites, with services often provided at no extra cost.

The costs and arrangements at each aire differ, so make sure to read the rules when you arrive. Aires cannot be booked and work on a first come, first served basis.

Aires in popular destinations fill up quickly, so make sure you have a back-up plan just in case, especially after a long drive when all you want to do is relax.

Park4Night is a great app for finding aires, or use All The Aires books to identify where you want to stay.

Motorhome Aires in France – All You Need to Know

If you’re planning a motorhome trip to France, the chances are you’ll want to stay in a French aire. But what is an aire, how can you stay in them and how do you find them? We answer all your questions about motorhome aires in France here.

Motorhome Aires in Spain – All You Need to Know

If you’re planning a motorhome trip to Spain, you’ll probably want to stay in a Spanish aire. But what is a Spanish aire, how do you stay in them and how do you find them? We answer all your questions about motorhome aires in Spain here.

Wild Camping

Another popular option, motorhome wild camping is widely accepted across Europe (except Portugal, which has really cracked down on this).

If you’ve only ever motorhomed in the UK, you might be surprised at the ease with which you can wild camp your way across the continent, without raising eyebrows or upsetting the locals. Much of Europe is much less densely populated than the UK and there are vast areas of land which are not populated at all that make good places for an overnight parking spot.

There are some rules (and a few unwritten ones too) which will help you find the right spot and stay safe when wild camping. Enjoy the freedom and hopefully a stunning view!

Motorhome Wild Camping – Your Complete Guide

Do you want to wild camp in your motorhome? Are you feeling a bit nervous about wild camping for the first time? Then read on for all our top tips and practical advice about how to wild camp in a motorhome and get off the beaten track like an expert!

How to Find Free Overnight Motorhome Parking UK & Europe

Wondering where and how to find the best free overnight motorhome camping spots? We share all the resources and motorhome parking tips you need for a great night’s free sleep when you’re on the road.

Alternatives to Wild Camping

If you’re not a wild camper at heart but don’t always want to stay on a site, there are lots of schemes to help motorhomers stay overnight in interesting places and are easy to build into your road trip itinerary if you want to get off the beaten path.

From France Passion to Portugal Easycamp, In Camper Con Gusto in Italy and Espana Discovery, all these schemes offer a place to stay overnight in a motorhome.

motorhome parked amongst vines in Portugal — Staying in a vineyard in Alentejo Portugal

Motorhome Services in Europe

Another surprise to UK motorhomers is just how easy it is to find services in Europe, one of the great things about motorhoming on the continent. Right across western Europe you’ll find services on a regular basis, almost in every town.

Many are free, some have to be paid for, but it’s usually no more than a few euros to empty your toilet cassette and grey waste, and fill up with fresh water. This makes the idea of camping off-grid so much easier.

Services can be found in aires, fuel stations, motorway services, supermarkets and on the outskirts of towns and villages. Use Park4Night to find services near you.

white overland truck parked on a beach with blue sea in the background — Having the best time parking up on the beach in Greece

Van Life Europe

You’ve done it… you’re on the road and starting your European motorhome tour, although adventure is probably a better word!

Frequently Asked Questions

Whilst we all have views about van life in Europe, some topics crop up time and time again. See our post about the questions we always get asked – if your burning question is not there then feel free to email us. We’re always happy to give an honest answer if we can and we love questions.

What do you do if something goes wrong?

Things can, and do, go wrong. At the time, it can be very anxiety provoking, especially if you don’t speak the language, or the problem is taking a lot of time to resolve and detracting from your holiday.

We drove around France for three weeks (it was August and EVERYWHERE was closed) with our over-cab bed held up with acro props and it was really stressful.

A good first place to ask for help is our Facebook group – remember to share the make and model of your vehicle when asking for help. Try researching your problem on the internet, there is so much information available, you may just find the answer.

Search in Google for a motorhome workshop near you. Most of these places are run by motorhomers themselves and they will help if they possibly can.

You will also find a list of top 20 motorhoming FAQs here – from why your fridge isn’t cooling to why your tap doesn’t work.

How much does it really cost to tour Europe in a motorhome?

Lots of people ask us how much it costs to live in a motorhome in Europe. Our answer is always the same – it depends on how you want to live.

Make sure you have emergency funds accessible to you, whether that’s cash stashed in a secret place (not our recommendation) or an emergency credit card. Read more about general safety in our motorhome security guide.

How do you make sure your relationship survives?

Being with your other half 24/7 in a small space may not be quite as romantic as you imagine! Motorhome life may come as a shock if you’re both used to rushing in from work at 6pm, collapsing in front of the TV before bed and then repeating for five days a week.

RELATED POST: Ten Truths of Travelling Together

How do you manage preventative maintenance on the road?

Prevention is always better than cure as far as motorhomes are concerned. In our experience, water and condensation are the two areas where people have the most problems.

Often it’s a simple issue, but the first time something goes wrong can be challenging and if you don’t know, you don’t know.

Preventing Condensation in Your Campervan: Top Tips & Tricks

If you’re struggling with condensation in your campervan our motorhome, find out what you can do to prevent and resolve the problem.

An Easy Guide to Motorhome Water Systems

In a motorhome, there’s no plumbing to take everything away, or fill everything up again. Your motorhome waste and water has to be managed on an almost daily basis. This easy guide to motorhome waste and water systems explains everything you need to know.

Motorhoming Tips for Beginners: Essential Know How for Motorhome Life

So, you’ve decided to buy a motorhome… great decision! You’ve joined a growing family of new motorhome owners who love the freedom of motorhoming. The ability to get away spontaneously and change your mind halfway there is priceless, but you probably already know that! We’re sharing our top tips about motorhoming for beginners so you can learn how to motorhome with confidence. This comprehensive guide includes information for new motorhome owners, practical motorhome advice and…

20 Amazingly Simple Camper Hacks

We’ve learnt a few tricks in the past couple of years about motorhome life and how to make things just a little bit easier. From money-saving storage ideas to sanity-saving hacks, there’s something here for you!

Motorhome Washing Machines – Which Is Best for You?

Motorhome life in the road means freedom to go where you choose, when you choose. But, the daily chores still need doing and if you spend more than a week or so in your motorhome, you’ll need to manage the laundry.

How to Take Your First Motorhome Trip (& have an amazing time!)

Going on your first motorhome or campervan trip with your brand new shiny van is a bit of a rite of passage. A shake out is a great idea to make sure things work, get to know your van and understand what kit you need to enjoy the motorhome lifestyle.

On-the-Go Convenience: An Easy Motorhome Toilets Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to motorhome toilets, where we’ll navigate you through the ins and outs of these essential facilities in your home on wheels. Whether you’re a seasoned motorhomer or a newbie to the world of van life, understanding the various types of toilets, their features, and maintenance can significantly enhance your road trip. Join us as we flush out all the details and make your journey on the open road a breeze!

Motorhoming Made Easy – Your Top 20 Questions Answered

Motorhoming is a fantastic way to travel, but van life is not always simple! We regularly get asked the same questions so we gathered all these together in one place, along with our answers and useful tips to help your motorhoming journey go smoothly.