COST of European Campervan Road Trip - Summer '23 (UK - Belgium - Germany)

Time for the roundup! We are back in the UK following our recent European Adventure to Germany and Belgium in our Auto-Trail Adventure 65 campervan. In this video we share how we plan, book and travel including the costs. See if you can guess which was the most expensive this year - Tolls, Fuel or Campsites?
Join us as we share a behind the scenes look at our trip to Belgium & Germany including the cost of travel and how it compared to France in 2022...
Thanks so much for watching, we love reading your comments and it gives us inspiration to create new content, please feel free to drop us a comment and let us know what you thought of our trip, any ideas to save money or where you would like to see us visit in future.
If you want to skip to chapters in the video including the summary of costs, please click the links below:
00:00 - Intro
03:06 - How do we plan our trips?
05:49 - Where did we stay?
18:00 - What went wrong?
19:00 - How much did it cost?
25:35 - Why use ///what3words?
Our camera kit for anyone interested:
Sony a7C
Sony ZV-1
Sony Xperia 5 iii
Rode VideoMicro
Rode Go 2
Insta360 One X2
DJI Ronin SC
DJI Osmo 6
#europeantravel #germany #europeroadtrip #vantasticadventures #autotrail #fiatcampervan #autotrailadventure65 #bordercollie #sheepdog #molliethecollie #vanlife #motorhome #campervan #campingcar

[@10deadgoldfish]

Hi Iain and Caroline, recently found your channel which is now our favourite. Working our way through your vlogs and thoroughly enjoying them. Loved Caroline’s one word response ‘still?’ at12.38 to your giggling at the name Lake Tittisee😅 Haven’t yet seen the cuckoo clock reveal so looking forward to that. Wishing you good health and wonderful trips through 2024, Paul and Linda

[@VantasticAdventures]

Aw thank you, that's lovely and welcome to our channel 🥰 You have reminded us we haven't shared the cuckoo clock yet, we completely forgot so thank you 😁👍🏼 Hopefully it will feature in a video soon, lots of travel planned this year too 😁

[@10deadgoldfish]

@@VantasticAdventures Thanks Iain, look forward to the clock reveal 🙃Just watching your Forfar and Stonehaven video now and as always enjoying your banter 👍

[@WanderingWilkos]

Don’t want us to see their bar bill😂 they said sat in front of an impressive drinks cabinet …. You pair are legends… love the videos

[@VantasticAdventures]

😂😂😂 that's all Caroline's, she collects the bottles apparently 😬😂 We tried to work out how much we spent on food and drink but the cash only situation made it hard to track.... Honest 😂 Thank you, made us laugh 🤣 🥰

[@rogergusty1722]

Making no plans ..... sounds like the makings of the ideal holiday. AND it sounds as if you did have the ideal holiday. Thoroughly enjoyed the videos of your trip over the last few weeks. Thank you Iain and Caroline .... already looking forward to your next video.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Roger, glad you enjoyed it we absolutely loved Germany and the freedom of not having to be somewhere at a certain time made it more of an adventure 🥰 Especially the Rhine crossing 😂 Away this weekend so should be another travel video next week, enjoy the rest of your weekend 😁👍

[@andy81052]

Just watching your summer 23 cost of trip, nice to see you have a nice bottle of asbach. I went to the Black forest a couple of year's ago and went to the distillery.

[@Me-ie8gl]

Hi great vlog and thanks for allowing us on your trip. What3 words is fantastic, we use it as we do a lot of walking and used it once as we came across someone who was not feeling well and the Gendarmes flew a helicopter to collect them and fly them to the nearest hospital, I cannot recommend highly enough.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you 🥰 That's a good example of why it works so well, thank you 😁 it was so helpful to us 👍

[@timw2973]

A great and comprehensive round up on a wonderful trip. Great idea to use what 3 words. Look forward to seeing the cuckoo clock and future vlogs 👍👍

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Tim 🥰 They said it takes about 6-8 weeks to arrive as the one Caroline ordered is hand built by a small maker of just a father and son 😁 she's very excited 😊

[@johnhogan007]

Thanks guys for another great video 👍 Very informative 👌 Glad to hear the van didn’t let you down. Happy, and safe, travels to you all.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you John, very pleased with the van 🥰👍

[@naechance]

Really enjoy the videos folks, lots of inspiration! On the fuel consumption, I’ve found that any brand new diesel engine I’ve had, the consumption has improved slightly once the engine is fully run in, so that could explain the change in fuel economy 😊

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you that's a great point ref the fuel economy, it was quite noticeable too and we had the Aircon on more on this trip so expected it to be slightly worse but will take that 🥰👍

[@stuartw969]

Very helpful video. Thanks.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Stuart 🥰

[@colinnewmarch1106]

Holiday looked great, nice to get the costings as well. We have recently come back from Brittany, Portsmouth to St Malo (overnight) then back from Caen. No toll roads in Brittany, and the area is just great, Lovely campsites at Quiberon, superb cycling area, and Port Navalo, the site next to the beach, on the way back to Caen we stopped for 2 nights at Domfront, a walled town ,all well worth a visit , we did 800 miles in total over 3 weeks

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Colin that's really useful to know about Brittany, we haven't explored that part of France in the van and the alternative crossing is a great idea 🥰👍 Not been to Domfront before either so will add to our list as that sounds lovely, thank you so much 😁

[@colinnewmarch1106]

Domfront about hour and a half from Caen, municipal site 18 euros a night included electric

[@richardsracingmad]

Hey, I used to use Allways ferries / freight for crossings. Phone them and have a chat. They did some very good prices when I was transporting race cars about across Europe, but they do vans too…..great service as well. Next trip, get a quote from them. I also used them for a car crossing, again cheaper.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thanks Richard that's great! Will definitely give them a try before our next trip to Europe as the Le Shuttle was very expensive indeed 😬 Thank you 🥰

[@LeisureBit]

It’s great that you looked back and covered the costs. It looks like even the sites abroad have increased much like the Uk. It’s a shame you didn’t include the bar bill 😂😂 Rachel & David

[@VantasticAdventures]

😂 not sure anyone would have believed us 🍻🍻🍻😉 Thank you yes it did seem more expensive than last year and with slightly a better exchange rate this year too, would like to try a mix of Aires next time as that was a great experience. Enjoy the rest of your weekend both 🥰

[@Meggy6571]

Hi Guys, Nice and informative vlog, The costs were surprising as we don't travel over the water. One comparison we spent a week at the East Coast in August last Yr and it £320 on a serviced pitch we felt robbed. That did not include fuel 😢 Maybe over the water is the answer 🤔. All that said wherever you go no matter the cost it's all about the enjoyment 😊 Enjoy the rest of your trips ☺️ Hope Mollie was glad to see you. Paul and Joanne 👍 🌞

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you both 🥰 Services pitches have definitely increased in the UK too, it sounds a lot for your week but the site we are on currently looks about the same for a serviced pitch (they are all full too ). We love the UK and most of our travel will still be here but it was nice to try Germany camping, Europe seems to be very well set up for it - the fuel and crossing is the biggest cost but there are so many lovely places to explore close to the ferry ports you don't need to drive too far, Belgium is lovely 🥰 Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thank you 😊

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Excellent review. We like to do this when we get home and reflect so that we understand what we enjoyed most and the costs etc. It helps us to decide what to do next. Enjoyed your videos, entertaining and informative 😃🚐💙 Trev n Sue

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Trev & Sue 🥰 it's interesting to look back on the costs and maybe one day in the future we will watch it and think how cheap that fuel looked 😂👍

[@karlospappy8908]

We never plan when we go to Europe even when we were towing our folding camper, the Rhein site was my favourite if a lot larger than we would normally look for. I refuse to use Le Shuttle now as ferries are about £200 cheaper for a return which is a chunk of cash towards fuel, although not as comfortable as sitting in your own vehicle. Looking forward to the final price of the Cuckoo clock (school boy error there I think Iain) If your away this weekend hope Friday was peaceful as we had a massive storm for 4 hours from about midnight. Cheers K.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you 🥰 yes completely agree ref the ferries, the train was ridiculous really for what we could have paid so will shop around next time 👍 We did get heavy rain on Friday night but we didn't pop the roof as camping off grid so wasn't too bad, hope it dried out for you, we got soaked Saturday morning exploring but our own fault for leaving coats and big umbrella in the van 😂👍

[@markgower4184]

Dover to Calais through the camc was well cheap at £197.00 return I've just got back from Europe first time there we booked a camp site in dunkirk for first night and then Amsterdam for three nights and then into Germany camping aires and it was brilliant Germany was absolutely amazing cant wait to go back 😊

[@VantasticAdventures]

That sounds a brilliant trip Mark! 🥰 We really love Holland too, the Dutch people are so friendly 😁 We didn't get to try German Aire but will be returning so will definitely try them, thank you 👍 Your crossing was a much better price, we are not going to use it again if the same price we paid and will look at ferries again, thanks for sharing gives us a good bench mark 😁👍

[@jimevans2133]

Great video and enjoyed following your trip. Spotted the Asbach brandy and the Rhudesheimer coffee cups on your drinks cabinet. Nice souvenir.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Ah great spot Jim 🥰😁👍 it is a lovely drink and the cups are a nice memory of the trip 😄 thank you 🥰

[@ScottishVanTrips]

We are off for a week in September and seriously considering Belgium. The weather in Scotland looks rainy, so thinking of possibly heading down. Long way for a week though so not sure. Thanks for the costs, great to see the comparison.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Belgium is a really great destination that we have tended to ignore in the past and drive straight down France but it has a lot to offer and some great breweries too 😂😉 Weather was similar to the south east of the UK so generally pretty good, if you don't want to drive down to Dover though you could go from Hull to Rotterdam which is an overnight crossing and explore Holland / Belgium that way, we haven't tried it yet but hopefully soon 😁👍 Thank you 🥰

[@danellis7386]

Great series of videos, thanks! Our first European trip was Germany this June and we loved it. We found the supermarkets and even fuel was cheaper there, we only went as far as the Mosel so you have given us some great ideas for when we go back next June. We live near Hull so the ferry to Rotterdam worked great for us, saved lots of driving and with CAMC discount was pretty cost effective. We are off to France next week so we are rewatching your France series for ideas.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Aw thank you so much 🥰 Germany is amazing isn't it? Such a lovely country and very well suited for camping 😁 Thanks for the tip on the Hull ferry, didn't realise the discount worked on that too 👍

[@mickyg3820]

Really really informative video🙏🏻 and I also wanted to say I’ve recently started following your channel! And you are both such lovely happy people to watch ❤

[@VantasticAdventures]

Aw thank you so much, that's very kind of you 🥰 Welcome to our channel, mostly travel with the occasional beer review thrown in for good measure 😂👍 We are currently away in the van so next week should be another travel video 😁

[@mickyg3820]

@@VantasticAdventures brilliant! Hope you both have a lovely time as you always do 👍🏻 and can’t wait to watch your newest video next week! Keep doing what you’re doing, always an absolute pleasure watching your videos 😊 and such lovely people ❤️

[@user-ny5yu8fv7e]

Hi guys very informative, we l9ve Germany...Cuckoo Clock...you can claim German vat and taxes back. Maybe easier when in Germany. Bought goods pre EU same way, and caravan pre brexit when you could choose which country to pay tax in. Have fun and travels.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Ah thank you so much that's really useful 🥰 We didn't really think it through in the shop, the lady just said they could deliver instead of us carrying it, not until we got back did we realise so will check out what we paid etc. 👍 Thanks so much for sharing and great idea with the caravan buying, bet that was great fun too 🥰

[@langerstravels]

Hi have a look at Black Friday end November sales. I booked DFDS including premium lounge for £194 July crossing Cheers David

[@VantasticAdventures]

Ah that's a great idea thank you David 🥰 especially for the lounge, makes the crossing something to look forward too 😁👍 Will check that out and get planning our dates for 2024 now 😊

[@brianinbrisbane6632]

Thanks very much again for the info and tips. My wife and I are headed in very much the same direction soon. We too don't count beer/wine consumption on trips as long as we keep the amount under our body weight😅.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Ha ha that's a great way to measure 😂👍 thank you, it was a fantastic trip and we would definitely recommend the places we visited, hope you have an amazing time, great time of the year to go too, less busy and not too hot 😁👍

[@alexspeirs8675]

Thanks for all your information

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Alex, glad you found it interesting 🥰

[@NBNatureTrailvan]

Great info. Thanks guys. Interesting that you were heading to Salzburg originally. We literally just booked a site for next year down that way. We think we will book on the way down and then just see what comes our way on the way back. We will definitely make a note if these sites. Could we just ask - German sites always ask for minimum seven day bookings or you have to book at least seven days in advance? Really interesting guys. Thanks for sharing this 👍👍👍👍

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you 🥰 It looks a fantastic area you will have a great time, we are hopeful maybe next year we will actually make it ourselves 😂 regarding the German campsites, most are independent not part of a group like we found in France so they did vary quite a bit but Rudesheim for example to book a pitch in advance it was 7 nights minimum stay or try and turn up on the day but we do think this was due to high season in Europe, their schools were already on holiday by July, may not have the same issues in June etc. 😊👍

[@NBNatureTrailvan]

ah, thank you - looks like we will be travelling in early September so may not get those issues. We will be sure to book in advance whatever I think but then just chill anywhere on the journey back. Thanks for the info!🙏🙏🙏🙏 @@VantasticAdventures

[@Steve-on-the-move]

Great video guys, I’m really glad you enjoyed Germany 😊 I think a lot of people underestimate the country. If you need any tips on you next German visit, just let me know.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Steve 🥰 we absolutely loved Germany, will definitely be back hopefully soon 😁 Would like to explore more lakes so any recommendations would be great 👍

[@tonyflanagan5682]

That Shuttle cost is mad. We did a trip the end of June on DFDS and got ten percent off and was approx 200 quid cheaper. That’s a lot of brass to save an hour or two imo. Thanks for breakdown of your costs and the travel vlogs 👍

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thanks Tony 🥰 yes we think now the cost was too much, we could have even stayed the night before and caught the ferry which would have still saved around £150 and we would have had plenty of time to explore Bruges then too. Will definitely shop around next time as some great tips in the comments 😁 Thanks for your advice will check DFDS next too 🥰👍

[@danellis7386]

@@VantasticAdventures we paid £490 return for the Hull > Rotterdam ferry last June. Leaves at 8:30pm so we worked a half day, last check in is 7pm. Had a nice relaxing evening in the bar and woke up next morning in Rotterdam. Saved lots of fuel and stress of driving down to Folkstone.

[@VantasticAdventures]

@@danellis7386 thank you that sounds brilliant! Will definitely check that next time before we book 🥰😁

[@paulreyland9671]

Another very informative video, plenty of good tips, thanks both

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Paul 🥰

[@ivanhogg5018]

The CAMC discount code for tunnel. Is it an actual code(i cant find) or is discount built into the price you see after search? Cheers.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Hi Ivan, you need to login to the website and then it automatically works out the club price for you, we did a comparison on a different device to make sure it actually worked and it genuinely saved 10%. You then get a confirmation emails from CAMC not Le Shuttle but everything worked fine including the number plate recognition when we arrived etc. If you need to make any amends you just ring the club and they sort for you 😁👍

[@jacquelinebrown8093]

If Mollie barks at the cuckoo clock can I buy it half price ?

[@VantasticAdventures]

😂😂😂 yes definitely, couldn't take both noises 😂 🥰

[@richardsracingmad]

I’m guessing Fuel….as biggest cost.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Good guess it was ours too until we worked it out 😂👍

[@rogerjob2780]

😎🍷🚍⚓️🇬🇧👍

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you 🥰

[@stevenperrin6010]

That’s a big expense on campsites, did you use any ACSI sites ? We done 21 nights in France in July and our costs were just under £300, no aires used

[@VantasticAdventures]

We didn't use that unfortunately, last year we said we should try this year then completely forgot 😂 will check it out as looks a good saving especially your costs, that's brilliant 😁👍 Thank you 🥰