Touring Europe in Your Motorhome: A Comprehensive Guide
23/02/2024Europe has plenty to enjoy. It’s packed with diverse countries, each of which presents something culturally interesting or visually appealing. Every corner of the continent boasts captivating landscape enriched by natural scenic wonders, some of which may even change your perspective on life. Hotels offer reliability and convenience during holiday trips, but immersing yourself in the European experience reaches unparalleled heights if the trip is taken in a campervan or motorhome. Even better if it’s in a luxury motorhome from Coachman!
With almost complete autonomy you can craft a spectacular and enriching journey – and at exactly your own pace. In the comprehensive guide we’ve put together for this edition of our blog, we present several tips to help facilitate that journey. The tips featured here cover both pre-trip and your time on the road ahead.
Are there legal requirements to comply with when travelling in Europe?
You must ensure that all of the correct required documents for each country that you’re visiting on your itinerary have been sorted out and are in your possession.
Passport: This includes your passport with at least three months remaining on it (from your departure date from Europe back into the UK). It must also have been issued within the last ten years. Since November 2023 visa-free travellers to EU countries have been obligated to register online with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
Driving licence: A valid UK driving licence is crucial when you intend touring Europe in a campervan or motorhome, as it grants you the privilege of driving in all EU countries. Licences which have been issued in Jersey, Gibraltar, Guernsey or the Isle of Man must also be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. A UK sticker placed on the back of your campervan or motorhome is also a requirement (unless the number plate features the Union Jack). An anomaly to this rule is that in Spain this is a requirement even if you possess the new flag-style number plates.
Is there any other paperwork I need to sort out?
It’s not a strict legal requirement, but obtaining a Global or European Health Insurance Card is worth it. This will ensure you can gain access to any medically necessary state-provided healthcare in EU countries (in other words, medical treatment that cannot wait until you have returned to the UK). Additionally, travel insurance including European motorhome / campervan breakdown cover is advisable. This will offer you comprehensive coverage for any unforeseen vehicle issues during your time enjoying your European travels.
Do I need to prepare my motorhome for travel in Europe?
Subjecting your motorhome to checks and (if required) maintenance is a really smart move if you are planning on spending time on the road, particularly if the amount of time is significant and on foreign shores. The checks you should do include ensuring correct tyre pressures across the vehicle, the proper functioning of brake and indicator lights, and the optimal operation of any onboard water and gas systems. If necessary, you could book in with a professional mechanic to conduct a thorough inspection of the engine.
Do I need to do any planning for my European motorhome trip?
Before setting off on your continental adventure, it’s well worth undertaking some research and coming up with a schedule so that your trip has an element of structure to it. It’s true that motorhoming brings a real sense of freedom, but it’s always worth building in an element or option of knowing what you are doing and when.
Spend some time planning a route through the countries you intend to visit, and make notes on any factors such as toll roads. These may sway you into researching an alternative route from destination A to destination B, which does not feature roads or points which require payment, along each portion of your overall journey. You should also research optimal points at which you can refuel your vehicle, as well as well-placed rest stops along the way. Building these sorts of elements into your plan will ensure that you are never panicking about whether there is going to be a fuel stop coming up. You should also investigate likely parking options (ensuring, of course, that they are always legal for the country you are visiting, and appropriate). You will be able to find a wealth of information on this from websites which offer guidance on parking and overnight stays.
What should I take on a European trip?
Essentials: You should always take the essentials for living: some food, clothing, bedding and general domestic essentials such as toothpaste, towels, toilet roll, lightbulbs, washing-up liquid etc. Remember to not overpack on these items, though – remember that you will be able to shop as you go for some of them. You will also need to consider packing the right clothes for whatever circumstances you see yourself in when on your travels – for instance if you end up visiting Vienna and want to go to the opera matinee where there is a reduced dress code, it’s perhaps still not acceptable to turn up in shorts and a Coldplay t-shirt!
Leisure: If you are planning on getting a little closer to a fantastic mountain range or rural trail by hiking, or cycling through some remarkable scenery, then you will obviously need to take other bits of equipment with you in your motorhome – a bike, for instance! If that’s the case then you should also remember to pack contingency essentials such as a puncture repair kit, or even waterproofs.
Travelling across Europe will unfold a truly mesmerising experience for you, and you are likely to fall in love with the continent as you travel through the treasures of France, Spain, Germany and more. Heading eastward brings its own set of incredibly rewarding experiences, in countries often not quite so ‘headline’.
In essence, the key advice we are offering before you set off on your European adventure is to make sure you are prepared. A little bit of planning can save you some pain – and no-one needs pain when being on the road should be all about pleasure. Here at Coachman we have an amazing stock of luxury vehicles designed to make your UK or European on the road experience the very best it can be – from 4-berth motorhomes to high-end A-class cruisers. Browse our site or get in touch for more information.
