Caravan Travel Abroad: A Practical Guide for Europe

Are you thinking about your next holiday and considering renting a caravan? Caravan travel is something you can dive into even without prior experience, but if you’re heading abroad, it pays to be prepared. Read our practical guide to caravan travel in Europe so that nothing catches you off guard on the road.

Where to rent a caravan

Since the coronavirus pandemic, a huge number of motorhomes and campervans have appeared for rent online. While we now have more choice than ever, we also need to be more careful. Many private owners may not keep their vehicles in top condition, or they might not offer adequate insurance (the kind where you won’t be paying €1,200 excess for every minor scratch).

For renting abroad, you need to be confident that you’re getting a quality, well-maintained caravan. This is best achieved through specialised rental companies. Look for established motorhome hire firms with good reviews — companies like Indie Campers, McRent, or Touring Cars operate across Europe and maintain high standards. Always check the insurance terms and excess amounts before booking.

How to choose the right caravan

Choosing the right caravan is just as important as choosing the company you rent it from. I’m no expert to recommend the most reliable brand and model, but you should know that caravans come with varying levels of equipment and also differ in how many people they can accommodate for sleeping.

Most campervans can carry and sleep 4 people, but it’s no problem to find a 6-berth vehicle. For maximum comfort, choose recently manufactured caravans with the following features:

• chemical toilet with tablet system
• fridge with a combined power source (switching between gas and electricity to prevent outages)
• shower with adjustable water heating (when wild camping, you don’t want to waste electricity)
• at least a small bathroom (usually combined with the toilet)
• kitchen with gas hobs
• solar panels (for recharging batteries during the day)
• petrol/gas heating
• engine-driven air conditioning

If you’re planning to bring bicycles, check whether the caravan has a bike rack, or whether there’s space in the so-called “garage” — the rear boot of the motorhome where you typically store folding chairs, a table, and other accessories.

I’d also consider whether you need an awning. An awning provides shelter from both the sun and rain, and is much easier to set up than a separate tent. If you’re planning to stay in one spot with your caravan, an add-on tent that creates an “extension” can serve as a handy porch for the week.

Everything you need to know about caravan travel

Before hitting the road, make sure to get a thorough explanation of how to properly handle the following:

Emptying the chemical toilet

A chemical toilet cannot simply be emptied into any drain. Campsites have special disposal points for this purpose. While it’s less common in some countries, many European countries also have disposal facilities at petrol stations.

Draining grey water

Campervans have two water tanks — one for clean water and one for grey water (from the shower, taps, etc.). Grey water is drained via a valve on the underside of the vehicle into a designated drain. If it’s your first time with a motorhome, have your passenger guide you as you position the van over the drain. You need to line up precisely! If you open the valve while off-target, the water will spill everywhere and I can guarantee you’ll end up with soaking wet shoes. 🙂

Refilling clean water

Water is refilled using a hose through an inlet on the side of the caravan. Always ask whether the water is potable when refilling. It’s not always clearly marked at campsites and petrol stations whether the water is safe for drinking.

Connecting to electricity

A caravan with solar panels and appliances set to eco mode (fridge, water heater) can last 2-3 days before the battery runs out. At campsites and motorhome stopovers (Stellplätze) along motorways, there’s usually an electrical hookup available (often included in the campsite fee). I recommend plugging in whenever you can — you’ll then be able to switch on all the lights, properly heat the water, and if you have electric heating, run it all night without worry.

Replacing the gas bottle

Always make sure the rental company hands over the vehicle with a full gas bottle. Changing a gas bottle is straightforward, but the caravan usually doesn’t carry a spare. For someone without gas experience, hunting for a replacement bottle and fitting it can be an unpleasant interruption to your holiday.

Do I need a special driving licence for a caravan?

The vast majority of campervans fall under the sub-3.5 tonne category and only require a standard Category B driving licence. A special licence is only needed for very large motorhomes that resemble a coach.

What documents do you need for caravan travel in Europe?

For motorhomes weighing under 3.5 tonnes (the vast majority of campervans), a standard Category B driving licence is sufficient. You’ll also need to carry the vehicle registration document (V5C or equivalent) and proof of insurance. If the vehicle is rented, bring the rental agreement with you — ideally in English as well as in the local language of the rental company.

Caravan and motorway tolls

Caravan travel across Europe is generally more expensive than travelling by car. Besides higher fuel consumption, you need to factor in higher motorway tolls and road charges. Many countries have separate tariffs for motorhomes under 3.5 tonnes. Tunnel crossings are typically more expensive too, particularly in the Alps.

Very occasionally, you may be asked to weigh your motorhome. For example, in Austria, motorhomes are sometimes weighed and fined for exceeding the permitted gross vehicle weight.

You can find current motorway toll rates for all European countries on the website tolls.eu. Motorway vignettes can almost always be purchased at a petrol station before the border, or online.

I recommend buying motorway vignettes online and in advance. For example, in Portugal it’s not straightforward to buy a toll vignette outside of the internet (you need to borrow a box with an electronic chip), and if you don’t enter Portugal via a main border crossing, you may not be able to purchase one at all.

Caravan fuel consumption

Typical fuel consumption for a campervan ranges between 10–12 litres per 100 kilometres (approximately 24–28 mpg).

What is it like driving a caravan?

If you’ve ever driven a large van, you won’t be surprised. And if you haven’t, you’ll manage just fine. I strongly recommend choosing a caravan with a reversing camera, or at least parking sensors. That way you won’t have to pick up pieces of a broken indicator light, like I did. 🤡

Parking a caravan in cities

Driving a caravan comes with its limitations, and you’ll feel them most in busy cities where finding a parking spot is often tricky. I recommend searching for a suitable parking location online before you arrive, or even booking a spot in advance.

💡 A safe bet is always to look for larger paid car parks where you can see vans parked on Google Street View.

You won’t be able to get a caravan into virtually any underground car park, as they usually have a height restriction of about 2.2 metres, and campervans are at least 3 metres tall (plus antennas, roof windows, etc.).

Taking a caravan on a ferry

Generally speaking, you can fit a caravan onto any ferry in Europe. This is particularly tempting in Croatia, where you can easily hop from island to island. The ferry fare is based on vehicle length, and several islands even have campsites with dedicated motorhome pitches.

Caravan travel with a dog

A caravan is ideal for dogs — during the day we usually keep our dogs outside by the van, and we bring along a portable dog pen. Planning a caravan holiday with your dog? Make sure your pet has a valid pet passport, is microchipped, and has up-to-date rabies vaccinations — these are required for travelling between European countries.

Where to go on a caravan holiday?

We personally fell in love with the Dolomites, which are ideal for caravan holidays. We went in autumn, so we had no trouble finding a spot at a campsite. If you’re looking for a longer road trip, a fantastic route is Germany – France – Spain – Portugal.

Parking outside campsites – wild camping

Wild camping rules vary from country to country. Here’s a rundown of the regulations in some of Europe’s most popular destinations:

TIP: Try the Camperguru app, where you’ll find an overview of the best campsites and wild camping spots across Europe.

Austria by caravan

Throughout Austria, it’s legal to park at designated motorhome areas known as Stellplätze. You can find them on a map using the Stellplatz-Radar mobile app.

Wild camping in Austria is only permitted in four federal states:

• Upper Austria
• Styria
• Vorarlberg
• parts of Salzburg.

Slovenia by caravan

Unfortunately, wild camping is not permitted in Slovenia. You’re limited to designated Stellplätze, campsites, or private property with the owner’s permission.

Montenegro by caravan

Wild camping outside designated areas is also illegal in Montenegro.

Caravan travel in Belgium

Camping in the wild is not allowed in Belgium either. Due to the dense population, you’d struggle to find a remote spot anyway. Belgium has Stellplätze, and it’s not forbidden to park overnight in any car park, as long as there’s no sign prohibiting it.

Caravan travel in Germany

In Germany, you’re allowed to park for one night in any car park where there’s no explicit prohibition. Germans love their campervans, and you’ll find Stellplätze even in the middle of cities — Munich, for example, has several with a total capacity of several hundred pitches.

Caravan travel in France

Wild camping is not outright forbidden in France. However, you must not camp near monuments, on the coast, or in protected natural areas.

Camping in Italy – what to know about caravan travel

In Italy, camping is only permitted at registered and designated campsites. Camping outside these areas is prohibited — both on public land and on private property.