10 categories — check off or print

Campervan packing list: what do you bring?

A campervan is a house on wheels, which means bringing everything a house needs — plus the gear only a campervan needs. This list runs from documents to levelling blocks, in ten categories. First time renting? Read the campervan essentials category closely: that is where it goes wrong.

1. Documents

0 of 110 packed

2. Kitchen

Rental vans are usually basic. Check the inventory list and top it up — a sharp knife and a decent pan improve every meal.

3. Sleeping

4. Bathroom

5. Outdoors

6. Bikes

7. Electronics

8. Children

For the full list by age, see the packing list for a holiday with kids.

9. Safety

10. Campervan essentials

The category only campervans need — and exactly what people forget on a first rental trip.

Three things campervan travellers forget most

The right gas regulator. Every country has its own connection. Driving through Germany, France and Italy means you cannot refill your home bottle everywhere. Work out in advance where you will refill and bring the matching coupling.

Enough power cable. On many stopovers the power post is further away than you hope. Twenty-five metres is the practical minimum; with ten you regularly end up in the wrong spot.

Where to dump waste water. Grey water and the toilet cassette have to go somewhere, and not every site has a disposal point. Plan your route past stopovers with a service station, especially when wild camping.

The same list every campervan trip

A campervan list is long — which is exactly why it pays to build it well once. In PAKT you add these ten categories to your trip and tick them off together.

Travelling as a couple or a family? Assign who brings each item. After the trip the list stays, so the next one starts from adjusting rather than from zero.

Download PAKT
PAKT holiday planner — all your trips to hand, on the road in the campervan too
App Packing list app: what to look for Rather tick it off together than print it? Six criteria and an honest comparison. Packing list Complete holiday packing list The general base: documents, clothes, toiletries and electronics. Camping Camping packing list with kids For tent campers rather than campervans. Step by step How to plan a holiday The full timeline, from setting dates to departure day.

The whole campervan trip sorted

Put this campervan list into PAKT, invite your travel party and split who brings what. Next campervan trip you pick it right back up.

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Frequently asked questions

What do you take in a campervan?

Everything a house needs — kitchen gear, bedding, towels, cleaning supplies — plus the campervan-specific items: levelling blocks, fresh water hose, waste water hose, CEE power cable, toilet fluid, a spare gas bottle with the right regulator and a tyre pressure gauge. That last category is exactly what people forget on a first rental trip.

What is usually already in a rental campervan?

Usually the interior and a basic kitchen inventory: pans, cutlery, plates and cups. Toilet fluid, bedding, towels, levelling blocks and hoses are often not included. Ask the rental company for the inventory list and top up what is missing.

How long should a campervan power cable be?

At least 25 metres. On many stopovers and campsites the power post is further away than expected, and a short cable forces you into a worse pitch. Bring a CEE adapter too, so you can also connect to a standard socket.

What safety equipment is required in a campervan?

It varies by country. Almost everywhere: a warning triangle, high-visibility vests for all occupants and a first-aid kit. France requires a breathalyser, some countries two warning triangles, and mountain regions may require snow chains outside summer. Check the rules for every country you cross.

Do you need a special licence for a campervan?

For vans up to 3,500 kg a standard category B licence is enough. Above that you need C1. Many larger family campervans sit close to that limit, so check the maximum permitted weight before renting — and watch your loaded weight too.