Motorhome travel is a very popular way to travel in North America. So why not travel that way in Europe? Actually it is a good idea, provided you know what you are getting into.
Europeans know that camping is a great way to see Europe. While camping is popular in the US, for some reason non-Europeans seldom camp in Europe. I love to camp in Europe. Yet in a cumulate period of about 3 years (stretched over several decades), I have only met one or two Americans, and a handful of Canadians in a European campground. Somehow Australians have figured it out, as I have met many Australians on organized camping tours. But every campground is packed with Europeans from all over the continent.
There are many good reasons why Europeans like to stay at campgrounds. European campgrounds are clean and convenient. Every large city has several well-situated camping locations within the city limits or just outside. Public transportation will quickly whisk you into the heart of town in minutes. Also, camping is much more intimate than a hotel and a great way to come into contact with people from other countries. If you like to see places beyond the tourist traps, camping allows you to explore far more than hotel travel.
While individual campsites are less private than US campgrounds, their more open design means they are seldom full and reservations are rarely needed. Also, virtually every European campground has plenty of additional useful facilities such as hot showers, kitchens and eating areas. Many locations have laundry facilities. Some even have extra entertainment such as beaches, mini-golf or pools. It isn't uncommon for Europeans to treat these campgrounds as destinations in themselves, spending several weeks enjoying the amenities of the camp resort. And while many campgrounds close in the winter, others are open year round.
So maybe you'd consider camping in Europe, but what are you going to camp in? I frequently enjoy tent camping. It's cheap and fun, but it does require lugging around a tent on your back and additional transportation considerations, like a train pass. When I'm not so eager to rough it, like in early spring or late fall, or when I want access to the few locations not reached by trains, I choose motorhome camping. Motorhome travel allows great freedom, without giving up all the luxury.
Just like traveling in the US, a motorhome allows great spontaneity in your travels. With total control over your transportation, you can explore any little town or countryside. And with your hotel room traveling with you, you never have to worry about changes in your itinerary. However, there are some significant differences between US and European motorhome travel.
If you already own an RV and thought about taking it to Europe, it can be done, but I strongly recommend against it. First of all, considerable damage can be done to your valuable vehicle in the process. Additionally, the amount of paperwork needed isn't fun. And when you finally get it there, you will likely find that it isn't suited for European travel. For example, all of your wiring needs to be 220v, hose hookups may need to be altered, and likely it will be too large to travel to most locations. Remember, most roads in Europe were laid out and designed in medieval times for horse travel. A large American-style RV often can't fit on the small winding roads. While one may fit on the large highways, forget venturing onto any city streets.
(Continues on next page.)
