Roadtrip in a campervan: The 12 best places for a self-drive holiday is written by The editorial staff, RejsRejsRejs in cooperation with FDM Travel, who are specialists in self-drive holidays worldwide.
Where are you going on a road trip? Here are the coolest places for a self-drive holiday
There's something special about driving out into the open with freedom packed in the trunk. When you travel in a campervan, you have your home with you – and the world is open to you. You decide the pace, the route and the stops along the way. It's a form of holiday with freedom, time for reflection and closeness to both nature and those you travel with.
Here we guide you to some of the very best places in the world to go road trip in a campervanPlaces where the roads wind through magnificent landscapes, where you can spend the night under the starry sky, and where great experiences await around every bend.
From fjords and mountains in the north to remote and enchanting nature in the south, there is something for everyone. So fasten your seatbelt, turn the key and head out into the blue on an adventure.
New Zealand – magical nature in a country made for motorhome road trips
New Zealand is a true campervan paradise. Magnificent natural experiences await here, and the country is perfect for a self-drive holiday: good conditions for a campervan holiday, great contrasts and unforgettable stops every time the road turns a bend.
On the North Island you can drive through green hills, volcanic landscapes and past hot springs. The city of Rotorua smells of sulphur and adventure, and the Hobbiton film set is a magical must for Lord of the Rings and Hobbiton movie lovers. On the South Island you can experience everything from ice-blue glaciers and mirror-like lakes to dramatic mountain passes and spectacular Milford Sound.
New Zealand has one of the world's best networks of campsites and free camping areas – many with views that will blow your mind.
Plan your self-drive holiday in New Zealand here
South Africa – a different self-drive holiday
If you dream of a self-drive holiday where adventure, wildlife, culture and desert landscapes merge into one journey, then you should go on a road trip to South Africa.
South Africa offers a mix of raw nature, culture and history. You can drive along the Garden Route, through the wine regions of Stellenbosch, past coastal cliffs and cozy small towns with a surfer atmosphere – and you can stay overnight at campsites where you fall asleep to the sound of cicadas and wake up to the morning sun over the savannah.
And if you want to extend your adventure a bit, it's a good idea to take a detour north and combine your trip with the neighboring country. NamibiaA landscape awaits you here that feels like something from another planet: sand dunes in Sossusvlei, deserted dirt roads, desert sky with a thousand stars and wild animals on the horizon.
It takes a bit of planning and the roads can be rough, but that's just part of the experience. Both South Africa and Namibia have great facilities for campervan travellers, and it's a fantastic way to experience countries that are rich in contrasts and adventurous experiences.
Get the best travel deals for a self-drive holiday in South Africa and Namibia here
Japan – discover the unknown Japan on a road trip
Japan has become popular, and for good reason. That doesn't mean you have to follow the flow of tourists through the most popular attractions. Quite the opposite. If you really want to experience the real Japan, take a self-drive campervan holiday away from the most popular routes and explore the unknown Japan that few other tourists see.
Outside the big cities, mountain villages, hot springs, rice terraces, shrines and contrasts await. Wild Tokyo is a must-see on a trip to Japan, and it's also a great starting point for a road trip. From here you can go on an adventure and drive along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or Hakusan Shirakawago White Road, or experience the raw and untouched Hokkaido to the north. Here, the nature is magnificent and the tourists are few.
With a campervan you have the freedom to experience the country on your own terms. You can sleep by a lake in the mountains, wake up to the morning sun over rice fields and experience a Japan that few others see.
Plan your road trip to Japan in a campervan here
Norway – road trip by mountains and fjords
You don't have to travel to the other side of the globe to find world-class road trip scenery. Norway is a fantastic choice for a self-drive holiday in a motorhome. Here you drive through landscapes that feel like something out of a fairy tale: deep fjords, high mountains and mountain roads that wind through breathtaking nature that invite you to take your time.
The motorhome gives you the opportunity to stop where the view is most beautiful. In Norway, there are many places; Trollstigen, Lofoten, the Atlantic Road and the Geirangerfjord are just some of the highlights.
With a campervan you can spend the night in the most beautiful places and wake up to magnificent nature. In many places you can spend the night in nature, and there are plenty of cozy campsites if you want a little extra comfort. And then there is just something special to sit with a cup of coffee in your hand and look out over the Geirangerfjord as the day quietly begins.
Plan your self-drive holiday with a motorhome in Norway here
Canada – magnificent nature in a motorhome
I Canada It's as if everything is a little bigger. The open roads, the deep forests, the mountains, the lakes – and not least the silence. This makes the country a dream destination for those who dream of a self-drive holiday in a motorhome, where there is room for both adventure and peace.
The classic route goes through Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Rocky Mountains. Here you will get beautiful turquoise lakes, deep forests and mountain peaks – and the opportunity to spot wildlife along the way. You may even encounter a bear along the way. This is not unusual during bear season in the national parks.
The Icefields Parkway is an incredibly beautiful stretch of road, and in a camper van you have the freedom to take as many breaks as you want. Canada is used to campers, and there are plenty of good spots here. But you can also find more primitive camping areas where you really feel the nature around you. In Canada, nature experiences are endless, and there is no better way to experience it than in your own mobile home.
Get the best travel deals with self-drive holidays in Canada here
Great Britain – self-drive holiday with culture, nature and history
United Kingdom is an obvious choice for a quiet and atmospheric road trip in a camper. Here you will find magnificent nature, cozy villages, historic castles and breathtaking coastlines – all within easy reach.
Drive north to Scotland, where the highlands open up with dramatic mountains, deep lochs and small villages with Celtic history. Here you can wake up to mist over Loch Ness and end the day with tea and shortbread. To the south, Cornwall and southern England await, where you can drive along the coast with sea views and stop in small seaside towns with colorful cottages and old pubs.
The Cotswolds and South Downs offer rolling hills, flowering hedges and villages where time seems to stand still. There are plenty of camping options and it is easy to get around. Great Britain is perfect for those who dream of a self-drive holiday with nature, history and that special British charm.
Spain – voted one of the world's best road trip destinations
Spain is more than just sunshine and city breaks. Northern Spain has been voted one of the world's best road trip destinations – and it's easy to see why once you've driven along the wild Atlantic coast, eaten your fill of 'pintxos' in San Sebastián and hiked in the green mountains of the Picos de Europa.
Here in the north of the country you will experience a completely different side of Spain: lush nature, authentic mountain towns and exciting culture. You can follow the coastal road through the Basque Country and Galicia or take the inland route through the wine regions of Rioja and the medieval towns of Castilla y León.
With a campervan you have the freedom to stop wherever you want, take the day as it comes and find little local gems far from mass tourism. It's a self-drive holiday with beautiful nature, culture, good food and a feeling of finding something that everyone else hasn't discovered yet.
See the best travel offers to Northern Spain in a motorhome here
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USA – the ultimate road trip country
No list of road trip favorites is complete without the country that was almost made to be explored in a camper van. USA is probably the ultimate road trip destination for many. And with good reason, because the big country is an obvious choice to experience by car. The USA is a road trip country with a capital R, and the possibilities and routes are many.
Everything is geared towards life on the road; wide roads, great campsites and drive-in everything. It all creates a culture where traveling by car is the most natural choice. You can take the iconic Route 66 cross the country, drive through the desert in Arizona, follow the Pacific coast on Highway 1 or disappear into the green forests of the Northwest.
The national parks are a world in themselves. From the deep gorges of the Grand Canyon to the waterfalls of Yosemite and the steaming geysers of Yellowstone. Experiences await you here that you will not soon forget. In the motorhome you can live in the middle of nature, and there are countless opportunities for camping.
No matter where the roads take you on your self-drive holiday, there are really good options for renting a motorhome. Platforms like GoCamper makes it easy to compare prices and models from different rental companies so you can find the perfect camper for your road trip.
Plan the ultimate road trip to the USA here
Slovenia – a road trip around Europe's overlooked gem
Slovenia is perhaps one of Europe's most overlooked countries when it comes to road trips, but it really is a gem for a self-drive holiday in a campervan. Here you get mountains, lakes, coast and cozy towns, and it's all within easy reach of each other.
The Julian Alps and Lake Bled offer postcard landscapes where you can wake up with the sunrise over the mountains and enjoy the silence before the day begins. Further south, vineyards, small mountain towns and a short – but beautiful – stretch of coastline on the Adriatic Sea await.
It's easy to travel around and there are many campsites. You can find everything from small, cozy sites by rivers and forests to larger sites with modern facilities. Slovenia is perfect for those who want to experience a lot without having to drive thousands of kilometers.
Plan your motorhome road trip to Slovenia here
Australia – experience the huge country on a road trip in a campervan
Australia calls for adventure. Vast expanses, red deserts, long beaches and small towns with charm and soul. A self-drive holiday in a campervan here gives you the freedom to find your own way through a huge country and get the best experience on a road trip.
Along the east coast you can follow the bright blue coastline of the Pacific Ocean, visit cozy surf towns and swim in hidden lagoons. To the west, more desolate areas, dramatic rock formations and a starry sky that is almost impossible to fathom await. And in the middle of the country lies the red desert, the Outback, where you can experience the iconic rock of Uluru.
Australia has a solid network of campsites and free places to stay overnight in your campervan. It is popular to experience Australia on a self-drive holiday in a campervan, and therefore the conditions are also really good. You can easily find accommodation while getting very close to nature.
See the best travel deals for a road trip in Australia here
South Korea – where culture meets nature on a self-drive holiday
South Korea is a hidden gem for campervan travellers who want to experience a country full of contrasts. Here you will encounter modern cities, historic temples and scenic national parks, all of which can be experienced on one trip. A road trip in South Korea therefore provides plenty of variety without having to drive forever between each stop.
Experience the vibrant city life of Seoul, hike in Seoraksan National Park, and explore the UNESCO-listed Gyeongju Royal Tombs. You can also visit traditional 'hanok' villages and end the day with Korean street food at one of the bustling markets.
It's a road trip where you get culture, nature and a big city – all while experiencing a side of Asia that few other tourists get to see.
Plan your road trip to South Korea and find the best deals here
Costa Rica – between volcanoes and jungle on wild roads
Though Costa Rica may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of words like road trip and campervan, but it is still the perfect place for a self-drive holiday. A road trip adventure a little out of the ordinary awaits you here, where the roads lead to great and wild experiences. So if you want to go on a wild road trip, this is the perfect place.
Costa Rica is a dream come true for nature lovers who want to experience rainforest, volcanoes and exotic wildlife all in one trip. A country where you can travel far in a short time, yet so rich in experiences and nature that every day feels like a new adventure.
Drive through lush rainforests, visit active volcanoes like Arenal, sail through the canals of Tortuguero, and finish at the beautiful Pacific beaches of Manuel Antonio. Along the way, you might be lucky enough to encounter sloths in the trees, snorkel over colorful coral reefs, and cross suspension bridges high above the forest floor. With a campervan, you have the freedom to go at your own pace and find the hidden gems along the way that few others discover.
See offers for an adventurous road trip to Costa Rica here
Here are the 12 best countries for a road trip in a campervan
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Japan
- Canada
- Norway
- Great Britain
- Spain
- USA
- Slovenia
- Australia
- South Korea
- Costa Rica
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