From Brexit to budgie smugglers: top tips for touring abroad
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12 top tips for campervanning in Europe
A road trip through Europe is one of the main reasons many people buy a campervan. Rather than flying over the Continent at 30,000ft or whizzing through the countryside on a 200mph train, driving lets you get up close and personal with Europe’s picturesque landscapes and diverse cultures.
But whether you’re planning a leisurely jaunt through Brittany or taking a long trek to Croatia, you need to be well-prepared and know what you’re doing.
Here's 12 top tips to help make campervanning abroad go as smoothly as possible.
Iain Duff Content Editor: Campervan/Camping
Iain Duff Content Editor: Campervan/Camping
Campervanning in Europe: everything you need to know
No matter if it’s a weekend break or a six-week expedition, you will need to plan where you want to go on your European campervan holiday and pack accordingly.
Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know for a smooth and enjoyable journey, from the essential documents and equipment you will need to driving tips.
1 Plan your route
It’s tempting to think you can jump into your campervan and go wherever the mood takes you, but you should consider planning your route in advance, taking note of tolls in many European countries. While toll roads can be efficient, exploring smaller villages can add charm to your journey.
A good paper map can be a valuable companion alongside digital navigation tools. Some people prefer unplanned wandering and this is possible because of the ready availability of aires for nightly stopovers in many European countries, but watch out for the peak holiday season and popular destinations.
2 Get your campervan road ready
Before setting off you need to make sure your campervan is ready to drive abroad. As usual before any long trip, check tyre pressures and the oil, coolant and windscreen wash levels.
Fit deflector stickers to your headlights so you don’t dazzle oncoming vehicles at night. Your campervan will also need a UK sign – either a sticker or a logo on the number plate.
Other important equipment needed includes high-vis vests, warning triangles and breathalysers, but check the local rules in all the countries you’re passing through.
3 Aire we go
Many European countries have an abundance of overnight stops for campervans and motorhomes, referred to generally as aire de service du camping-car, commonly shortened to aires (stellplätze in Germany and sostas in Italy), which are low cost or even free, with water and dump stations and sometimes electric hook-ups. Not all have these facilities, though; some are just parking.
And while many will be free, often water needs to be paid for, sometimes using coins and other times by use of a token (jeton in France) which have to be bought at a nearby shop or café.
4 Use motorway services
If you’re used to grotty, overpriced UK motorway services, this might not sound like great advice, but think again. Most on the Continent are a joy to use – some are simply picnic areas but others have petrol stations, shops and excellent food outlets. Do bear in mind, though, you’ll need some local currency to use the loos at some stops.
The best services we’ve encountered are in Switzerland, where everything is predictably pristine and the food reasonably priced and genuinely of restaurant quality.
5 Copy your essential documents
Make photocopies of essential documents, such as your passport and driving licence, and keep them separate from the originals. That way, if anything gets lost, you've still got copies of the paperwork, which will help you continue your travels.
6 Check your roaming charges
Contact your service provider to ensure your phone works seamlessly abroad. Since Brexit, most mobile companies have scrapped free roaming in the EU for UK customers, so it's essential to be informed.
7 Create shade
They say only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, but, if you insist, make sure you’ve got plenty of shade.
If your campervan doesn’t have a built-in awning, buy a canopy or driveaway awning that will provide protection from the sun at the hottest time of the day. You can also create a makeshift sun shelter using a tarp.
8 Pack a washing-up bowl
For some reason, sink plugs seem to go missing on campsites abroad all the time, so it makes sense to take your own washing-up bowl if you are using the site’s washing-up facilities.
A collapsible bowl is the best option for space-saving reasons. Bringing your own loo roll is also advisable as many sites on the Continent don't supply it.
9 Take an electric adaptor
Your blue UK electric hook-up cable will work on many sites in Europe but there are some, especially in France, where you’ll need an adaptor to use in your electric gadgets.
Try to check the situation at your potential campsite in advance – you can buy adaptors at camping shops at home but some sites will lend you one if you pay a deposit.
10 Pack your budgie smugglers
When it’s hot, cooling off in the pool is bliss, but for reasons best known to themselves, many campsites on the Continent insist that men must wear tight, budgie-smuggler-style trunks rather than long swimming shorts.
So, make sure you take a pair with you or risk having to traipse around the shops looking for a pair or being banned completely from the campsite swimming pool. At some sites you also need to wear a swimming cap – you can usually pick these up locally for a couple of euro.
11 Know your limits
Before attempting to bring back food and plants to the UK, check local import regulations. Ignoring these regulations can lead to complications at customs.
12 Beat the bugs
Mosquito bites can ruin a foreign holiday, especially if they get infected, so you can never have too much spray and cream with you.
Citronella candles can also keep the bugs at bay but, if you do get bitten, make sure you’ve got something to relieve the symptoms stashed in your first aid box.
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