Your First Campervan Trip: A Practical Guide

When you travel by campervan for the first time, it’s tempting to pack everything and try to see everything. You don’t need to. Choose an area close to home, get to know the vehicle and decide where you’ll spend your first night. Leave the rest of your time for the journey and the places you discover along the way.

Start with a short trip

A weekend is enough to find out whether you enjoy being on the road or prefer spending more time at each stop. Choose one main destination and save a couple of nearby alternatives. If the weather changes or your planned overnight stop is full, you’ll be glad you have another option.

Plan just one main activity each day: a walk, a visit to a town or an experience with someone local. Check the route on a map, including narrow roads, height restrictions and any access points that could be difficult for your campervan.

Learn how the campervan works before you leave

If you’re renting, use the handover to ask how the water, electricity and cooking equipment work, along with the bathroom and heating if the vehicle has them. Try the essentials before you drive away. It’s easier to sort out a question there than at the end of the day, when you’re looking for somewhere to sleep.

Make a note of the vehicle’s height, find its documents and save the assistance number. Check how many approved seats have seat belts, too. Every campervan is equipped differently, so look over yours even if you’ve travelled in one before.

Find somewhere to sleep before dark

Save a first choice and a backup for each night. A campsite may suit you if you want showers and other facilities. For a brief stop, a designated campervan area might work better. Check what each place offers and any conditions before you head there.

In Spain, sleeping inside a properly parked vehicle does not, by itself, turn parking into camping. Spain’s traffic authority distinguishes parking from setting up items outside the vehicle, such as an awning, table or chairs. You still need to follow signs, time limits and local rules. Before travelling, read the DGT’s guidance on campervans and motorhomes and check the rules for each place you plan to stop.

Pack what you need and leave room to move

In a small space, being able to find your things makes a real difference. Pack the essentials and check what the vehicle already includes before you fill your bag.

What to check Before you leave Documents Driving licence, vehicle documents and rental terms, if applicable. Sleeping Bedding or sleeping bags suited to the weather and what the campervan provides. Food and water Enough for the first day and a planned place to refill your water. Hygiene Basic supplies and places to empty the tanks, if the vehicle has them. Navigation A downloaded route, the location of your first overnight stop and a backup. Clothing Layers suited to the forecast and comfortable shoes for walking.

Secure everything before setting off. Check that doors, windows and exterior equipment are closed according to the vehicle’s instructions.

A simple plan for your first weekend

Day one: arrive and settle in

Give yourself plenty of time to collect the campervan and keep the first drive short. Pick up what you need for dinner and reach your overnight stop while there’s still enough daylight to get your bearings.

Day two: enjoy the area

Spend the morning on an activity and leave part of the afternoon free. Take a walk, stop for a meal or ask at a visitor information centre what’s worth exploring. You don’t have to drive somewhere new to make the most of the day.

Last day: leave time for the journey home

Allow time to tidy the campervan and empty its tanks at an appropriate facility, if needed. Once you’re home, write down what you used and what you missed. That short list will be more useful on your next trip than trying to pack perfectly the first time.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a large campervan?

Not necessarily. It depends on how many people are travelling, what facilities they need and where you want to drive. Before booking, check the approved passenger seats and the details of the specific vehicle.

Can I sleep anywhere I can park?

Not always. Check that parking is allowed, follow signs and local restrictions, and avoid taking up space outside the vehicle. If you’re unsure about a spot, look for a designated area or a campsite.

What if my plans change?

That’s why you saved a backup. Adjust your route, but check the conditions at the new stop before heading there, especially if you intend to stay overnight.

Your first trip doesn’t have to go perfectly. It’s a chance to find your pace, learn how the campervan works and discover what you enjoy doing when you arrive somewhere. Once you’ve chosen a destination try getting to know it through people who live there.