Kenny and I have clocked 11,000 km across 12 countries, and along the way I’ve learned a thing or two about surviving—and thriving—in a van. If you’re thinking of hitting the road, here are my top 7 practical tips for living comfortably while embracing the chaos. Plus, stick around for a bonus tip at the end—because who doesn’t love a bonus?

---

1. Find Your Campsite

Starting out in van life? Find your first campsite carefully. I got my van from the Steiners at Away With the Steiners and my first overnight spot in Zeeland had all the facilities I needed to figure out how to work my van. Pro tip: take advice from experienced van lifers—it saves you a lot of headaches.

After that, apps are your best friend:

• Search for Sites – lets you see pictures, facilities, and exact locations.
• Park4Night – great for hidden spots, overnight parking, and user reviews.

Always read the reviews! Some spots are quiet and beautiful, others might have local car enthusiasts zooming at 1 a.m. Decide what kind of chaos you’re willing to deal with before you park.

Extra tip: if you want a break from the van, try Trusted House Sitters. I spent 10 days in the Black Forest looking after dogs, which gave me a comfy base, a shower, and a little extra space.

---

2. Recycling

Europe loves recycling, and so should you. Many campsites have multiple bins for:

• Glass (sometimes separated by color)
• Plastic
• Food waste (composting!)

It’s super easy to stay tidy. No need to hoard rubbish in your van. Just use the bins provided. Bonus: it keeps your van smelling slightly less like a dumpster.

---

3. Water

Water is life in a van, literally. Some campsites give it free, some charge a token, and some include it if you’ve paid to stay overnight. Important: always use your own hose. You never know what the previous person did with theirs.

I also carry two 5L backup bottles just in case. Trust me, running out of water is not fun.

---

4. Toilet

Ah, the van toilet—the ultimate convenience and ultimate chaos. Most European campsites have:

• Simple dump spots (just a hole in the ground)
• Automatic chemical toilets (fancy but functional)

Chemical cassette toilets are easy:

1. Lift, slide, and remove the cassette.
2. Empty into the designated drain.
3. Add chemicals for next time.

Simple. Efficient. And slightly glamorous if you like saying “chemical toilet” with pride.

---

5. Washing

Washing clothes in a van is… an adventure.

• Start when your water tank is full. That way you have enough for showers, cooking, and clothes.
• Laundromats work, but expensive if you’re traveling long-term.
• My setup: a small electric washing machine for socks, undies, and t-shirts. Towels and bedding? Forget it. Handwashing + clever hanging + airflow + heater = survival mode.

Pro tip: gravity is your friend—hang wet clothes vertically to squeeze out as much water as possible.

---

6. LPG

Your gas tank powers your stove, heater, and sometimes your fridge. My setup:

• LPG tank with a gauge
• Easy connection adapters for different countries

It’s basically like filling petrol—but for your van’s soul. Not all petrol stations have LPG, so apps to the rescue. I use MyLPG to find nearby stations, prices, and opening times.

---

7. Greywater

Wastewater management is crucial. Underneath your van is a graywater tank—shower, sink, and dishwater all drain here.

Tips:

• Dump graywater at designated areas, drains, or campsites.
• Don’t carry it around—it’s heavy (1 liter = 1 kg!) and wastes fuel.
• A little hose cleanup after dumping keeps everything tidy.

Efficiency matters when you’re living on wheels.

---

Bonus Tip: Plan Smart, Stay Flexible

Van life isn’t about perfection—it’s about planning enough to survive, but leaving room for chaos. Whether it’s dodging trains, improvising laundry, or accidentally being kidnapped by an 86-year-old (true story, see my other adventures), embrace the unpredictability.

---

Van life is messy, hilarious, chaotic, and magical. With the right setup and a sense of humor, you can survive, thrive, and have a lot of fun on the road.

---

If you want more van life tips, tricks, and stories from Kenny and me, subscribe and follow along for the next adventure.