Your First Campervan Trip in Europe: Everything I Wish I'd Known

Tom Eriksson

April 22, 2025

5 min read· 53 views

Your eight-year-old has just declared they need a bathroom "right now," your toddler's nap is overdue by two hours, and you're staring at a narrow stone-paved street in a medieval German town with your rented campervan. Sound familiar? European campervan travel with kids requires more than wanderlust and a sense of adventure. It demands strategic planning, backup plans for your backup plans, and the wisdom to know which battles are worth fighting when confined to 20 square meters with your entire family.

Rent or Buy? The Campervan Dilemma

What worked for us and what to consider

When we booked our first campervan trip, renting seemed the obvious choice. For a family of five, buying a campervan is a hefty investment, and we weren't ready to commit. Rental prices vary wildly across Europe; expect €80–€150 per night in peak season (June–August) for a mid-size campervan that fits your family comfortably. We went with a well-equipped VW California from a rental company in Berlin (€120/day), which offered a decent balance of space, comfort, and fuel efficiency.

Pros

Renting offers flexibility - no maintenance worries and you can try different models.
Buying is a long-term investment, perfect if you plan multiple trips.
Rental companies often include insurance and roadside assistance.

Cons

Renting can get expensive during high season, especially with extras like bedding and kitchen kits.
Buying means upfront costs plus storage, maintenance, and depreciation.
Some rentals have mileage limits with costly penalties for extra kilometers.

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If you're like me and want to test the campervan lifestyle before buying, renting is the best bet. Just double-check what's included; some rentals don't throw in nap mats or child seat adapters, which you'll need for younger kids.

Route Planning: Beyond Google Maps

How we turned a simple drive into a kid-friendly adventure

Planning a route with three kids aged 4, 7, and 11 requires more than just distance and time. I always budget for at least two stops every hour to stretch little legs, snack, and let out some energy. For our trip from Berlin to the Bavarian Alps, we mapped out stops at playgrounds, lake beaches, and quirky roadside diners like Gasthof Alte Post in Lenggries (which serves a mean Kaiserschmarrn for around €7 per portion).

Good to Know

Avoid driving during your youngest's usual nap times to keep tantrums at bay. The hum of the engine doesn't always lull kids to sleep, and sudden traffic jams can mean cranky little passengers.

We used the app Park4Night extensively. It's a lifesaver for finding family-friendly parking spots, campervan service areas, and even secret swimming spots. Parking apps are crucial because European towns often have strict campervan restrictions and narrow streets, especially in historic centers.

Essential Route Planning Tips

1
1. Break it down - Plan daily drives of no more than 150 km to keep kids comfortable and avoid rushed mornings.
2
2. Scout playgrounds - Use apps like Park4Night or Google Maps to find kid-friendly stops near your route.
3
3. Have backup plans - Weather can change fast, so know your indoor options (museums, aquariums) along the way.

Wild Camping Laws in Europe: Know Before You Go

Avoid fines and stay safe - country by country

Wild camping (the dream of pitching your campervan anywhere under the stars) varies a lot across Europe. In Germany, wild camping is mostly prohibited, except in designated areas. France is more lenient, especially in rural regions, but check local rules. In Norway and Sweden, the "Allemansrätten" (Everyman's Right) lets you camp freely on uncultivated land, but stay respectful and limit your stay to a night or two.

Country	Wild Camping Allowed	Notes
Germany	No	Allowed only in designated areas; fines apply otherwise.
France	Limited	Some rural areas allow it; check local signage.
Norway	Yes	Allemansrätten allows free camping; max 2 nights on private land.
Sweden	Yes	Same as Norway; respect nature and private property.
Netherlands	No	Wild camping prohibited; use official campsites.
Spain	Limited	Varies by region; many National Parks forbid it.
Italy	Limited	Generally no; exceptions exist in mountains and remote areas.

Good to Know

Even where wild camping is legal, quiet hours, no fires, and packing out all trash are strict rules. Locals appreciate respectful campers, and kids can learn a lot about 'leave no trace' ethics.

Packing the Essential Gear: What I Almost Forgot

Hard-won lessons from our first trip

You might think a campervan comes ready to roll, but our first trip showed me how easy it is to forget crucial gear. The kids' nightlight and white noise machine saved our sanity on rough sleeping nights, and a compact travel blender meant fresh smoothies even when we couldn't find a grocery store open past noon.

Campervan Family Gear Checklist

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Portable blackout blinds - European campervans often have thin curtains; kids need darkness to nap.
2
Travel games and audiobooks - for quiet drive entertainment (especially important for the 11-year-old).
3
Collapsible laundry basket - keeps dirty clothes organized and off the floor.
4
Plug adapters and power bank - charging options can be limited at campsites.
5
First aid kit with kids-friendly items - blister plasters and insect bite cream are lifesavers.
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Reusable water bottles - helps cut down on plastic and keeps everyone hydrated.

Did you know?

According to a 2023 European campervan rental report, families with children make up over 40% of all bookings during school holidays.

Mistakes That Will Cost You Money (and Patience)

Avoid these common pitfalls for a smoother trip

One blistering hot day in the French Alps, we learned the hard way that not booking campsites ahead can turn into a costly game of musical chairs. Most popular spots fill up fast in summer, and last-minute bookings can cost double, or push you into less family-friendly places. Also, ignoring mileage limits might seem harmless until that final rental invoice arrives. For us, it was an extra €250 charge in Italy because we miscalculated our route.

Avoid These Costly Mistakes

1
Pre-book campsites and services - especially in high season and popular regions.
2
Know mileage limits - monitor your kilometers daily and plan routes accordingly.
3
Fill diesel/tank before returning - rentals usually want you to refill to avoid expensive top-up fees.
4
Don't ignore parking rules - fines for illegal parking in European cities can be steep and are often enforced immediately.

And yes, I once tried ordering a "panini" in Tuscany and ended up with an unexpected plate of local cheese and cured meats instead. My Italian is rusty, but the kids loved the impromptu picnic. These imperfect moments often become the most memorable parts of family travel.

green trees near lake and mountain during daytime

Bavarian Alps, Germany

The fresh mountain air, the scent of pine forests, and the sound of cowbells made our campervan stop at Lake Walchensee remarkable. Perfect for a family paddle and snack break after a morning drive.

Campingplatz Walchensee

4.7

Family-friendly campsite with playground, direct lake access, and clean facilities.

€35–€50 per night for campervan pitchSeestraße 10, 82432 Walchensee, Germany

Gasthof Alte Post

4.5

Traditional Bavarian restaurant known for its hearty dishes and kid-friendly menu.

Main courses around €12–€18Bahnhofstrasse 5, 83661 Lenggries, Germany

Ultimately, campervan travel with kids isn't about perfect planning. It's about adjusting on the fly, embracing discoveries, and finding joy in the unexpected moments that become treasured memories. With the right preparation and realistic expectations, your family's first campervan trip in Europe can become a treasured story.

So pack those snacks, download your parking apps, check the wild camping laws for your route, and prepare for an adventure that's as much about the journey as the destinations. Your kids might complain about the leg cramps, but years from now, they'll remember the sunsets from the campervan window and the joy of freedom on the open road.

Tom Eriksson

Travel Editor at Vitano Magazine

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