Europe
Campervan Rental Europe 30+ Countries, Endless Routes
Europe has the most mature campervan rental market in the world. Multiple fleet companies, strong peer-to-peer platforms and infrastructure built for motorhome travel. Free wild camping in Scandinavia. 10,000+ aires in France. Coastal routes from Portugal to Croatia. Cross-border travel is standard.
European Rental Platforms
| Platform | Type | Price Range (EUR) | Best For | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indie Campers | Fleet | €80-€250/night | Widest European coverage, 40+ depots | Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, UK, Iceland + 15 more |
| roadsurfer | Fleet | €90-€280/night | Premium VW California vans, strong app | Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands |
| Yescapa | Peer-to-peer | €60-€200/night | Cheapest option, local owners | France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, UK + 10 more |
| McRent | Fleet | €100-€300/night | Large motorhomes, families | Germany, France, Spain, UK, Scandinavia + 15 more |
| Touring Cars | Fleet | €100-€280/night | Scandinavia and Iceland specialist | Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland |
| Outdoorsy | Peer-to-peer | €70-€250/night | Growing EU listings, strong insurance | UK, France, Germany (expanding) |
Peak season (July-August) runs 30-50% higher. Shoulder months (May-June, Sept-Oct) offer the best value with good weather across southern Europe.
Best European Road Trips
Norway: Atlantic Road and Lofoten
2-3 weeks from Oslo or Bergen. The Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien) is 8 km of bridges over the open ocean. Lofoten Islands have fishing villages, midnight sun (June-July) and free wild camping under allemannsretten. Trollstigen mountain road is hairpin switchbacks over a waterfall. Norway is expensive — €150-€200/day all-in including fuel, ferries and food. Free camping helps offset costs.
Iceland Ring Road
Route 1 circles the island in 1,322 km. 10-14 days minimum. Waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, volcanic landscapes and hot springs. Wild camping was restricted in 2015 — campgrounds are required (€15-€25/night). The Camping Card (€159 for 28 nights at 40 sites) is excellent value. F-roads in the highlands require 4WD. Wind is the biggest driving challenge — campervans get pushed sideways in storms. June-August only for comfortable conditions.
Portugal: Lisbon to Algarve
300 km south from Lisbon. 7-10 days along the coast. Best budget European destination — campgrounds run €15-€25/night. Algarve cliffs, Sagres (the end of the world) and the wild Alentejo coast. Wild camping is technically illegal but tolerated in some areas outside of summer. Winter (November-March) is mild — 15-18°C — and uncrowded. Indie Campers has depots in Lisbon, Porto and Faro.
Scotland: North Coast 500
516 miles looping the Scottish Highlands from Inverness. 5-7 days. Dramatic sea cliffs, castles, single-track roads and whisky distilleries. Scotland has right to roam laws — wild camping is legal (and free). Road is narrow in places — campervans over 7m will struggle. Midges (tiny biting insects) are fierce June-August. May or September for fewer bugs and better road availability.
Croatia Coast: Split to Dubrovnik
230 km along the Adriatic. 5-7 days with island detours. Split's Diocletian's Palace, Hvar Island ferry, Makarska Riviera beaches and Dubrovnik's old town. Croatian campgrounds are excellent — many sit right on the coast with swimming access. €20-€40/night. Wild camping is prohibited. May-June and September have the best weather without the August cruise ship crowds.
European Camping Infrastructure
France: Aires de Service
France has 10,000+ aires — designated motorhome parking areas with water, waste disposal and sometimes electricity. Most cost €5-€15/night. Some are free. The park4night app lists all of them. France is the most motorhome-friendly country in Europe. Boulangeries open at 7am. Need I say more?
Scandinavia: Right to Roam
Norway, Sweden and Finland allow free wild camping on uncultivated land (allemannsretten / allemansrätten). Park for one night, move on. Keep 150m from the nearest house. No fires in dry season. This makes Scandinavia the cheapest campervan destination despite high living costs.
Germany: Stellplätze
Germany has 3,500+ Stellplätze — motorhome overnight parking areas. €5-€20/night with services. The Stellplatz culture is deeply ingrained. Many include toilets, fresh water and electric. Some are in town centers — park your van and walk to restaurants and shops.
Southern Europe: Campgrounds
Spain, Italy, Croatia and Greece rely more on traditional campgrounds. €15-€45/night depending on location and season. Many are beachfront. Wild camping is technically illegal in most southern European countries — enforcement varies from "no one cares" (rural Portugal) to "instant fine" (popular Spanish beaches).
European Rental Tips
- → Manual transmission is standard. Most European campervans are manual (stick shift). Automatic transmission costs €10-€30/day extra and has limited availability. Book early if you need automatic.
- → Toll roads add up. France, Italy and Spain have expensive highway tolls. Paris to Nice costs €80+ in motorway tolls. Use the free "N" and "D" roads for a slower but cheaper (and more scenic) route.
- → Vignettes for some countries. Switzerland (€40), Austria (€10 for 10 days), Czech Republic (€12 for 10 days) and others require pre-purchased highway stickers. Buy them at the border or online before crossing.
- → Diesel is king. Most European campervans are diesel. Fuel costs €1.50-€2.00/litre across the continent. Norway is the most expensive at €2.00+. Spain and Portugal are cheapest in Western Europe at €1.50-€1.70.
- → Low emission zones. Many European cities restrict older vehicles from entering the city center. Paris, London, Berlin, Amsterdam and many more. Check your van's emission class and get the required sticker/registration before entering. Fines range from €50-€200.
Europe Campervan FAQ
How much does a campervan cost in Europe?
€80-€300/night. Budget vans from €80. Premium from €150. Peer-to-peer on Yescapa from €60. A 2-week trip costs €1,500-€4,500 in rental depending on season and vehicle.
Can I cross borders freely?
Within the EU/Schengen zone, yes. Some companies restrict travel to Eastern Europe or the Balkans. UK requires a ferry and may have restrictions. Always check the rental agreement for allowed countries.
Where can I wild camp?
Legally: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Scotland. Tolerated in rural areas of Portugal, Spain and Greece. Prohibited and enforced in France, Italy, Germany, Croatia and most popular tourist areas. Use aires, Stellplätze or campgrounds where wild camping isn't legal.
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