Traveling around Europe in a campervan offers an amazing amount of freedom. You can wake up in the mountains of Norway and cook dinner in the valleys of Estonia. In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about renting and driving a campervan in Europe.
Planning the trip
How long should a European campervan trip be?
The majority of campervan travelers in Europe prefer to travel for 3-6 weeks. This length of time provides the opportunity to slow down and visit different parts of Europe while avoiding continuous driving.
| Trip length | Best for | Typical travel style | Recommended approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 weeks | First-time travelers | One or two countries with shorter driving days | Rent a compact campervan |
| 3–6 weeks | Classic European road trips | Mix of cities, mountains, and coastal areas | Renting usually still makes sense |
| 2–4 months | Seasonal slow travel | Flexible routes with slower pacing | Buying may become cheaper |
| 4+ months | Long-term van life | Country-hopping and extended stays | Buying becomes more attractive financially |
Renting vs. buying a campervan in Europe
Renting is generally preferred when taking an extended road trip (usually a few weeks). The cost of a rental can begin at approximately $84 per night, depending on the location, the type of vehicle rented, and the season. There are many other advantages to renting a campervan vs. buying one. For example, it is much easier to obtain insurance when renting a campervan. When renting a campervan, after the trip is over, you don’t have to deal with common issues like registration, repairs, resale, or storage.
When planning to take an extended road trip of several months, purchasing a campervan will likely be cheaper than renting. That said, this requires much more work. Non-Europeans may find it difficult to obtain insurance, register a purchased campervan, and sell it before leaving Europe.
| Trip length | Estimated rental cost | Estimated net buying cost | Lower-cost option in this model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 days | €1,680 | €5,300 | Renting |
| 30 days | €3,600 | €5,300 | Renting |
| 45 days | €5,400 | €5,300 | Buying, slightly |
| 60 days | €7,200 | €5,300 | Buying |
| 90 days | €10,800 | €5,300 | Buying |
| 120 days | €14,400 | €5,300 | Buying |
Choosing the campervan
How to choose the right-sized campervan?
While larger RVs provide more room for personal items in addition to providing a warm, dry place to stay when you encounter rain while traveling, larger RVs can be very difficult to maneuver on narrow rural country roads or windy mountain roads, ferries, and tight city streets/parking lots, making travel much more stressful than with a smaller camper.
On the other hand, a small camper offers many benefits, such as finding parking easily, driving, and navigating tight places without stressing out. But it does require you to become more organized with using the limited storage space inside.
| Camper type | Typical length | Typical height | Sleeps | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact camper van | 16–18 ft | 8–9 ft | 2 people | Couples, city driving, narrow roads, budget travel |
| Standard camper van | 19–22 ft | 9–10 ft | 2–4 people | Balanced comfort and drivability for most European trips |
| Large camper van / Class B+ | 22–25 ft | 10–11 ft | 3–5 people | Families needing more storage and indoor space |
| Small motorhome / Class C | 24–28 ft | 11–12 ft | 4–6 people | Longer trips with more comfort and full amenities |
| Large motorhome | 29–35+ ft | 12–13 ft | 5–8 people | Large groups and campground-focused travel |
Driving in Europe
How to plan a campervan route through Europe?
Start by selecting a general itinerary. Then include enough flexibility to take “detour” days and adjust your plans based on changing weather conditions, campsite availability, and border restrictions. Consider the best countries to visit based on your preferred type of trip, such as longer, scenic routes through Scandinavia, coastal travel at a warmer time of year in Portugal, mountainous regions, or lower daily costs in the Balkan region. The most popular camp sites are available on a first-come basis during peak seasons.
Here are some examples of potential itineraries:
What paperwork do you need for a campervan trip in Europe?
The paperwork you need when taking your campervan through Europe depends entirely on whether you are renting one or bringing your own. There is generally much less paperwork involved with rented campervans because many of the necessary insurance documents are completed by the rental company prior to your trip.
Below is a listing of additional paperwork needed:
| Requirement | Rental campervan | Owned campervan |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Required | Required |
| Driver’s license | Required | Required |
| International Driving Permit (IDP) | Sometimes required | Sometimes required |
| Vehicle registration documents | Usually handled by rental company | Required |
| Insurance valid in Europe | Usually included | Required |
| Breakdown coverage | Usually included | Recommended |
| Pet documentation | If traveling with pets | If traveling with pets |
Where can you find places to camp in Europe?
Campervan travel in Europe is generally quite easy due to the large number of campsites, motorhome areas, overnight parking lots(aire’s), and farm stays.
Traditional campsites are the most common option and usually include:
- bathrooms and showers
- electricity hookups
- laundry facilities
- WiFi
- waste disposal
- kitchens or small shops
Travelers also frequently utilize “aire” parking spaces specifically designated for motorhomes. While they generally cost less than full-service campsites, “aire” spaces typically offer basic overnight parking and, occasionally, access to water or a dump station.
Increasingly across Europe, there are farm-stay options and private camping clubs. These are generally smaller operations that offer the opportunity to park at a vineyard or privately owned property in exchange for a minimal charge or product.
How much should I budget per day for traveling around Europe in a campervan?
Most campervan travelers in Europe spend somewhere between €70 and €250+ per day, depending on the season, vehicle size, travel pace, and overall comfort level.
| Expense category | Budget traveler | Mid-range traveler | Higher-end traveler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | €40–€80 | €90–€180 | €200+ |
| Fuel | €15–€30 | €30–€60 | €60+ |
| Campsites/parking | €0–€20 | €20–€45 | €50+ |
| Food | €15–€30 | €30–€60 | €80+ |
| Tolls/ferries/extras | €5–€15 | €15–€40 | €50+ |
| Estimated daily total | €70–€145 | €185–€385 | €440+ |
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