✍️ Tracking Our Expenses on the Road
To keep tabs on everything while traveling, we use a simple but effective method — my phone’s Notes app. Every day, we jot down what we spent, what we ate, where we parked, and even attach a few photos. It’s like a mini digital travel journal that keeps me organized and helps me relive the moments later.
Then, I (Cha) transfer everything into my Travel Journal, a physical diary where I reflect, write stories, and preserve those memories. Without these tools, we’d totally forget the little things — especially the prices! Having both versions keeps our journey vivid and documented.
🚐 Our Route & The Bottom Line
For this trip, we explored Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Vatican City, San Marino, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark in our camper van — truly living the dream one road at a time.
53 Days | 11 Countries | 2 People | €4,893 Total
Wondering what it really costs to travel Europe in a camper van? We're breaking down every single euro we spent during 53 days of van life — from gas to groceries, tolls to treats — and sharing all the insights we've learned along the way.
💸 How Much Does Van Life in Europe Cost?
Our ROUTE in 2024 van life Europe
Total Cost: €4,893 for 53 days
= Approx. €94/day for two people
BUDGET: 100€/day for 2 persons
Let’s break that down by category 👇
- Fuel – €2,042
- Camping & Parking – €377
- Groceries & Cooking in the camper – €901
- Restaurants /Dine out– €792
- Activities, Entrance Fees & Fun – €287
- Ferries & Toll Roads – €445.60
- Laundry, Grooming – €48
🔋 1. Fuel – €2,042
Fuel was our biggest expense. We drove around 11,000 km, crossing multiple borders. Prices varied by country, but the long distances (especially in Scandinavia) really added up.
Fuel station in Norway
Self service fuel stations in Europe
🅿️ 2. Camping & Parking – €377
We mostly relied on Park4Night, an essential app where fellow travelers share free and paid camper spots with reviews, photos, and facility info. While we often found free spots, in places like Switzerland or urban Italy (Rome, Milan), we had to use paid campgrounds or official parking lots.
Wild Camping dinner at Vattern Lake in Sweden
🛒 3. Groceries & Cooking in the camper – €901
We cooked most of our meals in the van — pasta nights, grilled meats, and warm breakfasts. Michael always takes the lead on the grill, while I handle the dishes. Not only did cooking save money, it also made our evenings feel cozy and homey.
grocery shopping/cozy camping in stunning locations
🍽️ 4. Restaurants /Dine out– €792
We love food, and for us, one of the best parts of traveling is immersing ourselves in the local cuisine. From savoring creamy gelato, fresh pizza, and authentic pasta dishes in the heart of Rome, to discovering hearty Czech meals in Prague and trying traditional dishes in the scenic towns of Norway — eating out became both a treat and a cultural experience. While cooking in the van helped us save money, we made room in our budget to enjoy street food, café stops, and the occasional splurge at a local restaurant. This category definitely added up faster than expected, but it was 100% worth it. We found that balance is key: mixing self-cooked meals with local food experiences allowed us to enjoy the best of both worlds without overspending.
Dining out/trying local cuisines in Europe is an experience
🎟️ 5. Activities, Entrance Fees & Fun – €287
Michael loves to bike. We bring our foldable bikes to explore cities. But when the center is too far (or I’m just not in the mood to bike through hectic traffic), we opt for public transport — like we did in Rome. We mix in free experiences with bucket list visits like Vatican Museum or Theatre dela Scalla or historic sites.
🛣️ 6. Ferries & Toll Roads – €445.60
This one definitely surprised us! While we expected some road expenses, the total cost of tolls and ferries turned out to be much higher than anticipated. In Italy, toll highways are frequent and can cost anywhere from €5 to €30+ per stretch, depending on distance. The real budget-busters, though, were the ferry crossings—particularly the major one from Poland to Sweden, which was essential for heading north without a huge detour, and the multiple fjord ferries in Norway, which are often the only practical way to continue your route. While some toll roads can be avoided with a bit of extra planning and scenic detours, ferries are often unavoidable in northern and coastal Europe. We recommend checking local ferry schedules and prices in advance, and setting aside a buffer in your budget for these travel essentials.
Ferry ride in Norway
🧺 7. Laundry, Grooming – €48
This category covers the small but necessary expenses that keep van life comfortable and hygienic. We typically used self-service laundromats every 10–14 days, which cost around €10–€15 per wash and dry, depending on the country. Some campsites also offered laundry facilities, which added convenience. Grooming was minimal—just the occasional haircut, which we found affordable in local barbershops (roughly €15–€20). Though it was our smallest expense category, it’s good to budget for these essentials so they don’t catch you off guard on the road.
Doing our laundry at Camping Portowy
Note: This total does not include camper van essentials (like the van itself, insurance, and gear), internet costs, or our roundtrip flight tickets to and from Europe. This breakdown only covers our day-to-day living expenses while on the road — fuel, food, parking, activities, and other daily needs.
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📱 Must-Have Apps for Van Life in Europe
Here are some of the apps that we use:
- Park4Night – For finding free/paid overnight spots.
- Google Maps – Still one of the best, especially with custom pins. Route planning, traffic, and satellite scouting.
- Polarsteps – Auto-tracks your trip with GPS and lets you add notes/photos. Creates a shareable digital travel diary.
- Komoot – Best for planning scenic routes, hikes, or bike rides.
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💬 Van life can be as affordable or as luxurious as you want. For us, it was all about balance — comfort, adventure, and making beautiful memories without breaking the bank.
🧭 Key Takeaways & Tips for Budget Van Life
📝 Top Tips:
- Cook your own meals to save big.
- Use apps to find free overnight spots.
- Keep a daily budget log (even in your Notes app).
- Plan routes to avoid unnecessary tolls and ferries.
- Treat yourself sometimes — experiences matter too!
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