There’s something pretty magical about bundling your family into a campervan, firing up the engine, and hitting the open road. Whether you’re heading to the lavender fields of Provence or the waterfalls of the Black Forest, a European campervan road trip is one of the best ways to experience the continent as a family.

At Quirky Campers, we know a thing or two about family-friendly adventures. In fact, some of our most loved trips have been shared between parents and little ones, exploring sun-drenched coasts, medieval castles, and forest trails. We’ve pulled together everything you need to know to make your family’s EU road trip one to remember – without stress, delays or overpacking.

Why Choose a Campervan for Your Family Holiday?

1. Total Freedom

Campervan travel is the ultimate in flexible family fun. No set schedules, no check-in times. Want to stay an extra day by the lake? Go for it. Need to stop for an emergency snack break or a dinosaur museum detour? You’re in charge.

2. Home Comforts on the Move

A Quirky campervan isn’t just a vehicle – it’s your portable home. With a kitchen, proper beds, sink, toilet, and sometimes even a shower, you can take all the comforts of home with you.

3. No Airport Hassles

Say goodbye to passport queues, tiny airline seats, liquid rules and suitcase Tetris. With a campervan, you can bring everything from extra cuddly toys to scooters and even the family dog.

4. Budget-Friendly

Avoid pricey hotels and peak-season flights. Cook your own meals, skip tourist traps, and sleep in stunning spots for less.

5. Quality Family Time

From campsite games to card-playing by candlelight, campervan life brings the whole family together – no screens required (though Netflix downloads are always handy!).

EU Travel: It’s Easier Than You Think

Yes, driving to Europe in a campervan is perfectly doable – and fun! Ferries from Dover, Newhaven, Portsmouth, and Hull get you to France or the Netherlands in a matter of hours. No jetlag, no queues, no waiting around.

Post-Brexit, here’s what you need to know:

• UK passports must be valid for at least 6 months and less than 10 years old.
• You can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
• Make sure your campervan insurance covers European travel (Hire with Quirky Campers and this is sorted for you!)
• You’ll need a UK sticker, headlight deflectors, and a warning triangle. (An EU Tracel Pack if you’re hiring with us)
• Bring your EHIC or GHIC for emergency healthcare.
• Don’t forget travel insurance with good family cover.

For a deeper dive into campervan travel logistics, check out this blog on our founders’ own European family adventure.

Best Family-Friendly EU Road Trip Routes

1. France: Normandy & Brittany (Short Route)

Perfect for: first-time family travellers.

Route: Ferry to Caen or Cherbourg, then follow the coast west into Brittany. Explore medieval towns, kid-friendly beaches, and the Mont-Saint-Michel.

Highlights:

• The Bayeux Tapestry
• Saint-Malo aquarium
• Dinosaur parks and creperies galore

2. Spain: The Northern Coast Road

Perfect for: beach bums and foodies.

Route: Drive from Santander or Bilbao along Spain’s north coast, stopping at surf beaches, caves, and family-run tapas bars.

Highlights:

• The Picos de Europa
• Altamira Cave replicas
• Playa de Oyambre (sandy paradise!)

3. Germany: The Black Forest & Bavaria

Perfect for: fairy tales and forest adventures.

Route: Catch a ferry to the Netherlands, drive down through the Rhine Valley to Germany. Forest trails, cuckoo clocks, and castles await.

Highlights:

• Europa Park (Germany’s answer to Disneyland!)
• Triberg waterfalls
• Neuschwanstein Castle

4. Italy: Lake Garda to Tuscany

Perfect for: sun, swimming, and culture

Route: Take a longer route via France into northern Italy, visiting Lake Garda and working your way to Siena.

Highlights:

• Gelato in every town
• Pisa’s leaning tower
• Thermal pools in Saturnia

5. Netherlands & Belgium: Art and Animals

Perfect for: educational fun

Route: Catch the ferry to Hook of Holland. Discover windmills, Van Gogh museums, and some of Europe’s best zoos.

Highlights:

• Efteling fairytale theme park
• Antwerp Zoo
• Amsterdam Science Museum

What to Pack for a Family Campervan Road Trip in Europe

Packing for a campervan trip is more about clever organisation than cutting down. Here’s what we recommend:

Essentials

• Passports + travel documents
• EHIC/GHIC cards + travel insurance
• Driving licence + vehicle documents
• EU travel kit (UK sticker, triangle, headlamp deflectors)

Kitchen Kit

• Easy-cook meals (think pasta, wraps, cereal)
• Reusable containers & cutlery
• Coffee kit for grown-ups!

Kids Kit

• Games, books, colouring sets
• Tablets + headphones for long drives
• Outdoor toys (balls, frisbee, scooters)
• Favourite cuddly friend

Vanlife Must-Haves

• Fairy lights or lanterns
• Refillable water bottles
• Clothes pegs, wipes, bin bags
• Picnic rug & folding chairs

Comforts & Extras

• Blankets, pillows
• First aid kit & medicines
• European plug adapter
• Spotify playlists & downloaded films

Campervan Travel Tips for Families

• Make driving part of the fun: Let the kids track the route and choose music.
• Plan loosely: Have a route in mind, but leave room for surprises.
• Snack stash = peace: Always bring more snacks than you think you’ll need.
• Pick campsites with extras: Playgrounds, pools, even pizza nights!
• Assign jobs: Kids love responsibility. Make them snack monitor or co-pilot.
• Avoid night driving: It’s more stressful and less scenic.
• Create routines: Keep bedtimes and mealtimes fairly regular.
• Capture memories: Let the kids take photos or keep a trip journal.
• Use offline maps: Don’t rely on data in remote places.
• Keep cooking simple: Pasta, wraps, BBQs – no one expects gourmet.

Budget Tips for Family Road Trips

• Book ferries early for the best deals.
• Mix free stopovers (France’s Aires) with paid campsites.
• Shop in local markets and cook your own meals.
• Choose shoulder season (June or September) to avoid crowds and costs.

Can I Take A Hired Campervan Into Europe?

Yes! Of course you can, and lucky for you, Quirky Campers have an amazing range of campervans for hire with EU-travel allowed. Every booking comes with breakdown cover and insurance included, so you not only have a gorgeous, unique campervan conversion to call your own, you also have peace of mind for your whole trip. Check out the full range of campervans for hire to the EU here!

Why a Campervan is the Best Way to Travel Europe with Kids

Travelling by campervan with your family through the EU is one of the most rewarding and stress-free ways to explore the continent. Forget airport queues, baggage limits, and the hassle of multiple hotel check-ins, just pack up your essentials (and a few extras!) and hit the road. With a campervan, you can experience the incredible variety Europe has to offer, from the beaches of Brittany to the forests of Bavaria, all at your own pace. You’ll have home comforts like a toilet, kitchen, and proper beds, so you can focus on quality time, spontaneous detours, and discovering hidden gems. Plus, with easy ferry or Eurotunnel access from the UK and simple driving rules across much of Europe, it’s more accessible than you might think.

Check out our comprehensive guide to travelling the EU by Campervan for the full lowdown on taking a campervan to Europe.

FAQs: Family Campervan Travel in the EU

1. Do we need a special licence to drive in Europe?
Nope! Your standard UK driving licence is fine for most campervans.

2. Are Quirky Campers campervans equipped for families?
Yes! Many of our vans sleep 4+ and include seatbelts, child-safe fittings, and flexible spaces.

3. Can we bring our dog?
Absolutely – many of our vans are dog-friendly. Just let us know when booking. EU rules for pet passports are changing, so please check official laws before travelling with your furry friend!

4. What if our van breaks down abroad?
European breakdown cover is included in your booking if you hire with Quirky Campers.

5. How do I keep food fresh on the road?
Choose a campervan with a cool box or fridge to keep food fresh. Stop regularly to restock fresh food at local shops.

6. Is it easy to find campsites in Europe?
Yes – you can use apps like Park4Night or Campercontact to find great family-friendly spots.

7. Can we wild camp in Europe?
It depends on the country. It’s allowed in parts of Europe, but less so in France and Italy. Always check local rules.

8. What about charging phones and tablets?
Most vans have USB ports or 12V sockets. Bring a power bank for back-up.

9. Do I need to book campsites in advance?
In peak summer, it’s a good idea, especially near beaches or major towns.

10. Can I hire a van from Quirky for EU travel?
Yes! Just select the EU travel option when booking and add the EU Travel Pack as an extra.

11. Is campervan travel safe for children?
Yes, as long as you follow safety rules: use proper seatbelts or child seats, and never leave kids unattended.

12. Is it cheaper to campervan or hotel in Europe?
Generally cheaper! With no hotel or flight costs and the option to cook your own food, campervanning is a budget-friendly option.

13. Can you sleep in campervans in Europe?
Yes, in campsites or legal stopover spots. Some countries allow wild camping in rural areas.

14. Is the ferry or Eurotunnel better with kids?
Ferries are a fun break from driving with space to walk around. The Eurotunnel is quicker but can feel more confined.

15. What are the warmest places in Europe for families in summer?
Southern France, northern Spain, and parts of Italy offer reliably warm weather without being unbearably hot.

16. Is August too hot for campervanning in Europe?
Some parts like southern Spain or inland Italy, can be very hot. Choose coastal routes or higher altitude spots like the Alps for cooler nights.

Whether you’re planning a week in Normandy or a month looping through Spain and Italy, a European road trip in a campervan is one of the most enriching and memorable ways to holiday as a family. Let the kids learn about the world from behind a window instead of a worksheet, and reconnect with each other away from the usual distractions.

Ready to plan your family road trip? Book your campervan now and start making memories.

Explore EU-ready campervans and get planning today!

Laura Hammond

Laura is a professional copywriter and is the in-house writer at Quirky Campers, where she combines her love of campervans, travel and writing! When not writing she loves to find new adventures surfing, hiking and cycling.