The Ultimate Campervan Holiday Checklist: Everything You Actually Need

Can't think of everything you should pack for your next adventure?

We've created the ultimate campervan holiday checklist to help you prepare for your trip, whether you're heading away for a weekend in the UK, planning a family camping holiday or touring Europe.

From campervan essentials and kitchen equipment to clothing, toiletries and campsite accessories, this practical packing list covers the things you'll need for a comfortable trip. You can also download our printable campervan checklist PDF and tick off each item as you pack.

Packing for a campervan holiday can feel like a bit of a juggling act. You want to bring everything you need without filling every cupboard, drawer and storage box before you've even left home.

Whether you're heading off for a weekend in Cornwall, touring the Scottish Highlands or travelling further into Europe, this checklist will help you get organised before setting off.

Not everything on this list will be necessary for every trip. Use it as a starting point and tick off the items that make sense for your vehicle, destination, weather and travel plans.

1. Documents and important information

• Passport
• Driving licence
• Campervan registration certificate (V5C, where applicable)
• Campervan insurance documents
• Breakdown cover details, such as AA or RAC
• Health insurance details and relevant medical information
• Travel insurance documents, if applicable
• European health cover details, if applicable
• Booking confirmations for campsites and attractions
• Vehicle hire agreement, if hiring a campervan
• Emergency contact details
• Vehicle recovery and assistance telephone numbers
• Spare vehicle keys, stored securely
• International driving documents, if required
• Pet vaccination and travel documents, if travelling with pets
• Copies of important documents, stored separately

Tip: Check your driving licence, insurance and breakdown cover are suitable for your vehicle and destination before travelling.

2. Money and payments

• Debit card
• Credit card
• Cash
• Coins for showers, laundry and machines
• Toll payment arrangements or toll badges
• Travel money for overseas trips
• Details of campsite bookings and deposits

3. Electricals and technology

• Mobile phone
• Mobile phone charger
• USB charging cables
• Power bank
• Camera and charger
• Batteries and spare batteries
• Navigation device and charger
• Offline maps downloaded to your phone
• Tablet or iPad and charger
• Laptop or netbook, if needed
• Headphones or earphones
• Radio
• Suitable travel adapters
• Extension lead and campsite electrical hook-up cable, where required
• Multi-socket adapter suitable for your electrical setup
• Portable lighting
• Torch or head torch
• Spare charging cables
• Alarm clock, if required
• Camera memory cards and storage
• Power bank charged before departure

Tip: Test your chargers and electrical equipment before you leave. Check that any campsite hook-up equipment is compatible with your campervan and meets the relevant safety requirements.

4. Personal care and toiletries

• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Shower gel
• Hand soap
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush or comb
• Hairdryer or hair straightener, if needed
• Towels and washcloths
• Toilet paper
• Wet wipes
• Sun cream
• After-sun lotion
• Lip balm
• Glasses or contact lenses, plus spares
• Contact lens solution
• Make-up and remover, if needed
• Razor and shaving cream
• Nail clippers
• Nail scissors
• Perfume or aftershave
• Insect repellent
• Insect bite relief
• Personal medication
• Painkillers suitable for you
• First aid kit
• Plasters and blister plasters
• Antiseptic wipes or solution
• Any prescribed medicines and prescriptions
• Hand sanitiser
• Disposable tissues
• Any personal comfort products you normally use

5. Clothing and footwear

• Everyday clothing
• Underwear and socks
• Comfortable trousers or shorts
• T-shirts and tops
• Warm jumpers or sweatshirts
• Pyjamas
• Warm socks for evenings
• Waterproof coat or rain jacket
• Waterproof trousers, if hiking
• Umbrella
• Walking shoes or hiking boots
• Comfortable closed shoes
• Flip-flops or sliders for campsite showers
• Sandals or Crocs for around the campsite
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat or cap
• Swimwear
• Quick-drying clothing
• Spare outfit for unexpected weather
• Laundry bag

6. Cold-weather and winter essentials

• Insulated coat
• Extra warm layers
• Gloves
• Hat or beanie
• Scarf
• Waterproof boots
• Fleece blanket
• Warm bedding
• Windshield frost cover
• Ice scraper
• De-icer suitable for vehicle use
• Approved campervan heating equipment, if fitted
• Winter sleeping bags or duvets, if needed
• Snow chains, if appropriate and permitted
• Winter tyres, where suitable or required
• Roof box, if needed and compatible with your vehicle
• Backpack for winter walks
• Ski or snowboarding equipment, if required

Winter tip: Check the forecast and your campervan's heating, ventilation and carbon monoxide safety arrangements. Never use a barbecue or unapproved fuel-burning heater inside a campervan.

7. Warm-weather and summer essentials

• Sun cream
• Sun hats
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Beach towels
• Flip-flops
• Travel fan suitable for your power supply
• Insect repellent
• Mosquito net, if needed
• Ice cube tray
• Coolbox and cooling blocks
• Reusable water bottles
• Lightweight clothing
• Tick remover
• Beach bag
• Picnic blanket

8. Campervan essentials and vehicle equipment

• Paper maps or a road atlas
• Offline navigation maps
• Vehicle handbook
• Breakdown and recovery details
• Spare keys
• Engine oil suitable for your vehicle
• Correct coolant, if required
• Screenwash
• Tyre pressure gauge
• Tyre inflator or compressor
• Puncture repair kit, where suitable
• Spare wheel and tools, if supplied
• Wheel brace and jack, if appropriate for your vehicle
• Warning triangle, where required or recommended
• High-visibility vests
• First aid kit
• Levelling ramps
• Traction boards, if needed
• Parking disc, where applicable
• Wheel clamp, if needed
• Spare bulbs, where replaceable
• Basic tool kit
• Duct tape and cable ties
• Work gloves
• Disposable gloves
• Cleaning cloths
• Suitable disinfectant
• Hand-held vacuum
• Doormat
• Awning and fittings
• Windbreak
• Toilet chemicals compatible with your toilet system
• Water hose and suitable fittings
• Drinking-water hose, if applicable
• Waste-water hose or container, if needed
• Levelling and parking accessories
• Vehicle claim form or accident details
• European toll equipment, vignettes or emissions-zone permits, if needed

Before you go: Check tyre pressures, lights, oil and coolant levels, and that your vehicle's essential safety equipment is present. Only carry out checks and maintenance that you can safely perform.

9. Campsite and outdoor essentials

• Camping chairs
• Camping table
• Awning or shelter
• Windbreak
• Outdoor lamp
• Torch or lantern
• Hammock and suitable fittings
• Picnic blanket
• Tablecloth
• Chair cushions
• Outdoor rug or doormat
• Barbecue, where permitted
• Barbecue tongs and utensils
• Firepit and fuel, where permitted
• Washing line and pegs
• Laundry basket or bag
• Dustpan and brush
• Outdoor storage boxes
• Bin bags
• Reusable rubbish and recycling bags
• Pocket knife or multitool, used and stored safely
• Mallet and suitable tent pegs, if required
• Spare blanket
• Camping games

Tip: Check campsite rules before using barbecues, firepits, awnings or windbreaks. Some sites restrict open flames or certain equipment.

10. Bedding and sleeping

• Pillows
• Pillowcases
• Sheets
• Duvets or sleeping bags
• Spare blanket
• Mattress topper, if needed
• Sleeping bags suitable for the expected temperature
• Earplugs
• Eye mask
• Extra bedding for colder nights

Check what bedding is included if you're hiring a campervan, as this varies between rental companies.

11. Cooking and kitchen equipment

• Plates
• Bowls
• Cups and mugs
• Drinking glasses
• Cutlery
• Cooking pans
• Pots and cookware
• Cooking utensils
• Chopping board
• Sharp kitchen knife, stored safely
• Tin opener
• Corkscrew and bottle opener
• Kitchen scissors
• Measuring jug
• Kettle suitable for your power supply
• Coffee maker or cafetière
• Teapot
• Thermos flask
• Coolbox
• Cooling blocks
• Food storage containers
• Reusable sandwich bags
• Food bags or suitable wraps
• Washing-up bowl
• Sponge and scrubbing brush
• Washing-up liquid
• Scouring pads
• Tea towels
• Hand towels
• Drying rack
• Kitchen roll
• Rubbish bin and bags
• Food clips
• Coasters
• Bucket
• Jerry can or water container suitable for its intended use
• Reusable water bottles
• Salt, pepper and favourite herbs or spices
• Cooking oil
• Tea, coffee, sugar and long-life milk, as needed
• Lighter or matches, stored safely
• Food thermometer, if useful

Make sure your cooking equipment is suitable for your campervan's layout and power supply. Never use a barbecue or outdoor camping stove inside an enclosed vehicle.

12. Food, drink and supplies

• Drinking water
• Tea and coffee
• Breakfast ingredients
• Bread and wraps
• Easy lunch ingredients
• Dinner ingredients
• Snacks
• Fruit
• Long-life food
• Cooking oil and seasonings
• Milk or alternatives
• Reusable food containers
• Food storage bags
• Travel snacks
• Drinks for the journey
• Reusable water bottles
• Emergency non-perishable food
• Any dietary-specific foods

Plan your food around the length of the trip, available fridge space and opportunities to shop along the way. Avoid packing more fresh food than you can safely store.

13. Cleaning, laundry and waste

• Washing-up liquid
• Sponges and cloths
• Tea towels
• Hand soap
• Hand sanitiser
• Cleaning products suitable for your surfaces
• Disinfectant, where appropriate
• Bin bags
• Recycling bags
• Laundry detergent
• Washing line and pegs
• Laundry bag or basket
• Toilet paper
• Toilet chemicals suitable for your system
• Disposable gloves
• Kitchen roll
• Dustpan and brush
• Small vacuum
• Air freshener, if wanted

14. Entertainment and activities

• Books or e-reader
• Board games
• Playing cards
• Downloaded films or music
• Headphones
• Tablet or games console
• Journal or notebook
• Pens and pencils
• Colouring or sketchbook
• Magazines or newspapers
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Bikes and helmets
• Kite
• Football, volleyball or other sports equipment
• Swimming floats or pool toys, where appropriate
• Hiking backpack
• Walking poles, if needed
• Fishing or other hobby equipment, if applicable

15. Items for the journey

Keep these somewhere easy to reach rather than buried in the back of the campervan.

• Drinking water
• Easy-to-reach snacks
• Sunglasses
• Phone and charging cable
• Navigation device
• Offline maps
• Travel documents
• Booking details
• Music or podcasts downloaded for offline use
• Wet wipes
• Tissues
• Hand sanitiser
• Spare jumper
• Rain jacket
• Reusable drinks bottle
• Rubbish bag
• Travel games, if travelling with children
• Sick bags, if needed
• Regular medication

The driver should keep their attention on the road. Set up navigation before setting off and only handle phones or other devices when safely parked.

16. Personal bag or suitcase

• Everyday clothing
• Underwear and socks
• Pyjamas
• Comfortable evening clothes
• Warm jumper
• Waterproof jacket
• Walking shoes and socks
• Comfortable closed shoes
• Flip-flops or shower sandals
• Swimwear
• Towels for swimming and washing
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Toiletry bag
• Personal medication
• Handbag or day bag
• Rucksack
• Laundry bag
• Spare clothing for changing weather

17. Optional extras for trips abroad

• Passport validity checked
• Travel insurance
• Relevant vehicle insurance documents
• Breakdown cover for the countries visited
• Driving documents required for your destination
• European health cover details, if applicable
• Required vehicle safety equipment
• Toll badges or vignettes
• Emissions-zone permits
• Travel adapter
• Local currency
• Offline maps
• Mobile roaming arrangements
• Campsite reservations
• Pet travel documentation, if applicable
• Destination-specific driving rules checked

Requirements vary by country, so check current official guidance before travelling.

18. Final checks before leaving home

• Check the weather forecast
• Check your route and planned stops
• Confirm campsite bookings
• Check the campervan's tyres and lights
• Check fuel or charge level
• Check oil and coolant where appropriate
• Confirm breakdown cover is active
• Check that windows, doors and roof vents are secure for travel
• Secure loose items inside the vehicle
• Check cupboards, drawers and fridge doors are closed
• Disconnect campsite hook-up before driving away
• Secure bikes, roof boxes and external equipment
• Turn off appliances as appropriate
• Check water and waste tanks
• Take rubbish out
• Lock up at home and take your keys

The secret to packing for a campervan holiday

You don't need to take everything on this list. The best packing list is the one that suits your campervan, your destination and the kind of holiday you want.

For a short summer weekend, you might only need a fraction of these items. A winter trip, a family holiday or a longer European tour will require more planning.

Start with the essentials, check what your campervan already contains, and add the extras that will make your trip more comfortable.

Save this checklist for your next adventure, tick things off as you pack, and enjoy the freedom of life on the road.

Happy travels from VanLifeUK.com!