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After Heath and I RVed to all 50 states, I set my sights on the remainder of the world. The place else on the earth might we journey by RV? Turns on the market are fairly a number of nations the place RVing and tenting are WAY extra well-liked than it’s right here within the States!
However I’ve had a tough time discovering extra details about the place all on the earth we will RV. I’ve seen a number of lists of “all” the nations on the earth the place you possibly can RV, however most of them record not more than 10 nations! I knew they have been lacking fairly a number of spots. So I sat down and did a LOT of analysis to take advantage of complete record of the place you possibly can journey the world in an RV.
This record contains almost 60 nations the place you possibly can RV all over the world! Under I’ll share what I learn about RVing in these nations, plus sources for studying extra.
What RVing Across the World Is Referred to as
“RVing” encompasses journey by a number of completely different automobiles that go by completely different names on every continent. I check with car tenting as RVing, however the time period RV is just used right here in North America!
Listed below are a number of of the phrases you must know:
- In North America, RVing means touring by motorhome, camper, or trailer.
- In Australia and New Zealand, you rent a motorhome on your campervan vacation to go caravanning. (Say that 5 occasions quick.)
- In Africa, the phrase motorhome and camper are interchangeable. (Didn’t know RVing was a factor in Africa, did ya?)
- In Europe, you journey by motorhome (equal to American Class C’s or B’s) or by caravan (equal to a journey trailer). The time period campervan can also be used. You might go motorhoming in your campervan.
- In Asia, you hire tenting automobiles, which may vary from a custom-made minivan to a small motorhome.
- In South America, you’ll hire a camper (or probably drive your personal RV throughout the borders). Because of the infrastructure in South America, you extra incessantly hear of individuals overlanding throughout the continent.
- In Antarctica, simply kidding. There aren’t any type of RVs there based mostly on my analysis. You’ll be able to go to by cruise although or keep in a tent on the ice, should you’re actually into tenting!
Of the six continents the place you possibly can RV, I’ve RVed on 4 on the time of penning this put up. My purpose is to in the end camp on each continent, however convincing my husband to camp in a rooftop tent surrounded by lions is proving troublesome. 🦁
Let’s get into the record, in no explicit order.
Iceland
Primarily based on Instagram alone, Iceland is likely one of the extra well-liked locations for RV leases. I’m continually seeing photographs of their glaciers, lagoons, and waterfalls!
Iceland has been close to the highest of my bucket record for some time and the truth that tenting is big there’s a main plus! Many leases are 4×4 automobiles too, so you possibly can actually get off the crushed path and discover. Though from my analysis, wild tenting is just permitted for tents, not motorhomes.
And sure, in Iceland you possibly can really hire a camper year-round! Would you need to camp in Iceland in January when the solar rises after 11 AM and units earlier than 4 PM with a excessive of 3º? Most likely not. However hey, a minimum of that’s 3 levels Celsius! And should you go to within the winter, there’s a good chance you’ll see the Northern Lights, that are speculated to peak in 2024!
Or you possibly can go to in July and August when the nation’s mountain climbing is at its finest. That is peak vacationer season so count on crowds and seek for camper leases early.
Japan
A couple of years in the past, somebody who listens to our podcast despatched us a Fb message and informed us that he and his spouse live in Japan and occupied with RV life. WHAT?! There are some components of the world the place you count on tenting to be well-liked, and Japan was undoubtedly not one in every of them! Seems that much like the US, many retirees take to the open roads to RV across the islands.
We lately took two weeks to tour Japan and located the nation surprisingly simple to navigate. There aren’t many sources for planning an RV highway journey in Japan, which made planning this journey troublesome. We shared our expertise in a video collection on Youtube:
Japan appears to have the smallest motorhomes—and motorhome is a stretch. It’s all #vanlife! (Even in a 16-foot van, my husband nonetheless managed to get us caught!) Motorhome leases additionally don’t come geared up with bogs. In my expertise, bogs are in all places so this was much less of an issue than I imagined!
Learn Extra About Japan: Ought to You Lease an RV in Japan? What to Know Earlier than You Go
Japan is a collection of islands, however you possibly can ferry your van to the 4 main islands: Honshu (the place you’ll discover Tokyo and a lot of the different Japanese cites you’ve heard of. I like to recommend beginning your journey right here.), Kyushu (scorching springs!!!), Shikoku (one of the best for browsing) and Hokkaido (the northernmost island the place you possibly can’t RV within the winter).
China
I’ve heard the RV market in China in comparison with the US within the 80s. It’s nonetheless very new, however it’s booming amongst center and upper-class households. RV leases and campgrounds have gotten extra widespread.
China has lately turn out to be extra accessible for American vacationers, however not a lot data has been printed about easy methods to plan an RV journey across the nation as of but.
Mexico
Mexico will get a nasty rap, with many vacationers contemplating it too troublesome to journey wherever exterior of resorts. However over the previous few years, there’s been an insurgence of RVers crossing the border into Mexico—specifically into Baja.
The Baja Peninsula boasts a ton of shoreline and superior seashores. Baja affords boondocking spots and campgrounds (though good electrical energy is more durable to search out and plenty of campers decide to depend on photo voltaic as an alternative). However the largest consideration shall be water. Consuming the water in Mexico nearly ensures you’ll get sick, so that you’ll want to search out purified or bottled water for consumption.
The professional of RVing in Mexico is that it’s proper there so that you can drive throughout the border, so no want to fret about renting an RV. Anxious about security? Right here’s a terrific weblog put up by Loopy Household Journey sharing their experiences touring in Mexico.
Norway
After we discuss to anybody about RVing overseas, Norway inevitably comes up as an RVers paradise! Most lately we watched our pals, the Holcombes, exploring throughout Norway and the surroundings appears unimaginable!
From what I’ve discovered, Norway affords a ton of boondocking choices because of allemannsretten. Translating roughly to “freedom to roam” this Norwegian legislation stems from a Nordic custom giving each man entry to public lands.
France
Maybe the most well-liked nation in Western Europe for RVing is France. Between the shoreline and the Alps, there’s a great purpose why this nation retains popping up on our radar for RVing. Of all of the nations the place I’ve RVed, this one is a prime contender for probably the most camper-friendly nation on the earth.
France is probably the most visited nation on the earth and most vacationers flock to the cities. We have been surprised by the great thing about each nook in France! That is one place that lives as much as its status for beautiful surroundings and phenomenonal meals.
Be taught extra about motorhoming in France: What It’s Like RVing in France
Italy, Germany, Austria, Spain, Portugal, England, Eire, The Netherlands, Mainly all of Europe
I’ve singled out a number of European nations like Norway, Iceland, and France as a result of these are the highest three nations I hear folks speaking about when contemplating an RV journey. However you possibly can RV throughout Europe.
Right here’s what Wherever Campers—who we’ve got used twice in Europe—say about the place you possibly can journey in Europe:
“You’ll be able to transfer freely between these nations: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Nice Britain, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Eire, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Sadly we don’t permit our campers to be pushed to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Turkey as they’re excluded from our insurance coverage plan and likewise for the security purpose[s].”
So almost in all places in Europe.
When you’re questioning what number of choices you might need for tenting in these nations, right here’s a snapshot of all of the websites listed on Park4Night for Albania: 
I by no means would’ve considered Alabania as a preferred tenting vacation spot, however you possibly can see they undoubtedly have choices! That is the app we utilized in Italy and will simply discover parking tons, boondocking, and campgrounds all around the nation. Tenting is much more well-liked in Europe than it’s within the States, so there’s no scarcity of RV leases and campsites throughout the continent.
That’s 38 nations in Europe that Wherever Campers mentions. Nonetheless, I consider they’re incorrect in mentioning Monaco. The second smallest nation on the earth really prohibits motorhomes and caravans, however after visiting, I did see a motorhome driving down the highway. So you possibly can maybe cross via this small nation, however don’t count on to remain in a single day. We share how we legally visited Monaco in our RV on this video:
South Africa, Namibia and Botswana
YES. I by no means would’ve considered southern Africa as being a preferred space for RVing, however it’s. And never simply based on my Google analysis! I had a pair attain out a number of weeks in the past to inform me that they’ve been RVing in South Africa for years! RVing may not be the appropriate phrase although, as most motorhomes in Africa are extra like American overlanding automobiles.
Whereas I believe the concept of RVing in southern Africa sounds superb, it’s undoubtedly an journey reserved for extra campers than glampers. When you’re snug offroading and being surrounded by animals, you may love this journey.
Worldwide Campers additionally simply began providing leases at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, making visiting the Seven Wonders of the World a bit of extra attainable!
Morocco
Most of Africa and the Center East aren’t RV-friendly, however simply throughout the ocean from Europe, you will note campers! You’ll be able to ferry over or hire an RV in Morocco.
Of all of the locations the place you possibly can go by motorhome, I used to be most shocked by Morocco. Who would’ve thought? I do know you possibly can camp in tents within the Sahara, however motorhomes I didn’t count on. In response to the critiques, motorhome leases are well-liked with households with younger children.
Belize, Costa Rica, & Panama
When you cross the border into Mexico and need to maintain heading south, one can find beachfront tenting choices all through Central America. Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama have all been singled out as nations with the infrastructure to help campers (though should you’re heading from nation to nation, you’ll additionally drive via different Central American nations).
I discovered choices for campervan leases in Belize and Costa Rica, however I couldn’t discover as many in Panama.
As you possibly can see within the video above, campervan is an apt time period. Many of the leases on this space are smaller vans or SUVs which have kitchenettes and rooftop tent beds.
The largest concern I’ve seen with RVing throughout Central America is border crossings. Some bordering nations don’t have one of the best relationship which may make crossing the borders a bit of bushy.
Cuba
Cuba appears like an island too small for RVing and some years in the past, this nation wouldn’t make the record! RVing is turning into increasingly more well-liked as a singular approach to discover a rustic.
You’ll be able to hire campers from one firm out of Havana. It’s essential to reserve any parking spots forward of time as restrictions for in a single day parking are enforced.
Chile
That is one of the best nation in South America for a highway journey! Chile is thought for its abundance of nationwide parks and has loads of tenting choices—however it’s arduous to search out RV tenting choices. Most campgrounds are for tents or cabins. However that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t RV there, simply that you simply received’t have full hookups. Suppose overlanding!
It is a random photograph I discovered on Instagram of somebody who took a highway journey in Chile for his or her honeymoon. It appears unimaginable!
World Large Campers affords leases in Chile, that are all 4×4 automobiles that may deal with the nation’s terrain. The time period camper right here means both an SUV with a rooftop tent or a truck camper.
Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru, Argentina
World Large Campers additionally affords leases in Colombia and Argentina, although these aren’t the one South American nations with tenting and glamping choices.
Largely, you’ll find tour corporations that can take you on guided journeys throughout South America. The tour firm I researched recommends a 4×4 car underneath 35 ft lengthy that’s absolutely self-contained with a observe that claims “count on no hook-up amenities” on the continent. You must also journey with model new tires and a potable water air purifier.
A couple of suggestions different vacationers shared for RVing in South America that is likely to be useful in these nations are:
- Don’t drive at night time. (That is explicitly acknowledged in lots of locations. Partially as a result of highway circumstances, partly for security.)
- Carry an additional gasoline can and replenish each time you see a gasoline station. Stations are few and much between and also you don’t need to get stranded.
- Train warning at border crossings. Have all obligatory paperwork (car registration, proof of insurance coverage, rental settlement if relevant, and so on.), a global driver’s allow, and your passports prepared.
New Zealand
New Zealand has a status for being probably the most campervan-friendly nation for good purpose. The grocery shops even have campervan parking!
There are many boondocking choices throughout the nation—referred to as freedom tenting—and plenty of nationwide parks. New Zealand is likely one of the most lovely nations on the earth, with beautiful seashores, staggering mountain peaks, and a TON of mountain climbing.
Now we have RVed in New Zealand twice and it by no means disappoints. It’s a stunningly lovely nation constructed for tenting. We’ve shared a ton of knowledge on what it’s like campervanning in New Zealand on our Youtube channel. You’ll be able to take a look at all 30 episodes right here.
Australia
When you’re a fan of seashores or deserts, Australia is a good RVing vacation spot! The nation is camper-friendly with many caravan parks or vacation parks (AKA their two names for RV parks).
It’s necessary to notice that Australia is the sixth-largest nation on the earth and that it’s largely inhabited alongside the coast. Enterprise inland and providers are few and much between.
However should you keep on the coast…
Look how cute! This photograph screams Australia.
One main distinction in RVing down underneath? Campgrounds in Australia (and New Zealand) possible received’t provide full hook ups as most vans received’t have a bathroom or motorhomes can have a cassette bathroom. Campers exterior of North America usually don’t have a “metropolis water fill” hook up both. You fill your tank with water an then use the onboard water pump.
Canada
Our neighbors to the north, we’ve RVed solely in western Canada to this point and it’s one in every of our favourite locations. The Canadian Rockies are beautiful in the summertime, fall, and coated in snow. I can’t suggest it sufficient!
Lake Louise blanketed in snow ❄
We’ve all the time pushed our personal RV throughout the border into Canada, however there are many RV rental corporations throughout the nation too. Whereas components of Canada are a bit of extra distant than in America, most of the RVing customs and tradition are the identical. It’s undoubtedly the simplest nation for Individuals to go to in RV!
USA
And final however not least, our nation. After we began RVing in 2014, there have been method fewer sources obtainable to RVers. Now there are apps, blogs and books all about easy methods to RV right here within the States.
Touring by RV within the US, you’ll discover that some states are extra RV-friendly than others. States like Arizona and Florida can have an abundance of RV parks and states like California have a status for being very RV-unfriendly (although it’s nonetheless our favourite state when it comes to magnificence!). You’ll be able to even hire a van in Hawaii and examine off all fifty states through RV!
RVing Across the World FAQs
Are you able to journey the world in an RV?
When you can’t go to each nation on the earth in an RV, you possibly can go to a great chunk of the world by RV if that’s your dream. I personally have discovered it to be the easiest way to jaunt throughout Europe with our household, however continents like Africa or Asia can be harder.
Do different nations have RVs?
Generally referred to as by different names, all the above-listed nations have RVs of some form. They’re typically referred to as campers, motorhomes, vans, tenting automobiles, auto caravans, caravans, or campervans.
Which nation is finest for a campervan?
After visiting each, it’s arduous to decide on between France and New Zealand for probably the most camper-friendly nation. New Zealand has to win for its ample boondocking or “freedom tenting.” However France affords RV providers at gasoline stations throughout the nation and it’s very simple to navigate.
New Zealand is well-liked with adults and {couples}, however we lately revisited the nation with our younger children and found a complete new aspect to the islands.
Can you’re taking an RV abroad?
Sure! You’ll be able to ship your RV overseas.
When you’re trying to spend a month or longer RVing overseas, transport your van or motorhome could be value it.
Our pals Kathy and Peter lately shipped their Winnebago Revel to Europe for a six-month highway journey. The full value for transport (together with transport, import and export charges, and insurance coverage) was round $3,000. That’s lower than a one-month RV rental would value, making transport a gorgeous possibility.
Nonetheless, you will have to think about what changes will should be made on your North American RV to be suitable with European campsites. For instance, you’ll want adapters on your electrical plugs and a composting or cassette bathroom. Crossing the oceans to completely different continents means not being supplied the identical RV providers. Campgrounds overseas typically don’t have dump stations for black waste such as you see within the US and Canada, so adapting your RV for world conveniences could also be troublesome. The Winnebago Revel is manufactured with a cassette bathroom, making this rig particularly simple to ship abroad.
Remember that campsites and roads are considerably smaller overseas than within the US and Canada. I wouldn’t suggest transport an RV longer than 28 ft or 8.5 meters at an absolute most. The smaller the RV, the extra locations you possibly can go to.
For firsthand data and extra particulars on transport an RV to Europe, you possibly can learn this detailed put up on easy methods to ship an RV to Europe right here.
Is an RV the most affordable approach to journey?
Journey is all the time as costly as you make it. You’ll be able to hire an inexpensive van or an costly one. You’ll be able to go to glamping resorts or camp in parking tons! Forex and the worldwide financial system play a big issue, with RV life being dearer or inexpensive based mostly on the nation.
Associated: How A lot Does It Value to Campervan in New Zealand?
All of the Nations The place You Can RV
These are all of the nations the place RVing is a factor. I didn’t record nations the place you possibly can drive your RV throughout the border (like Nicaragua), however solely nations the place I might discover data on tenting, RV parks, or RV leases. Technically you possibly can cross many, many borders in an RV. However not all nations provide the infrastructure to help that sort of journey.
All collectively that involves roughly 58 nations the place you possibly can RV all over the world. That’s 1 / 4 of the globe! To date we’ve solely RVed in 12…time to plan our subsequent journey!
When you’ve personally traveled by RV out of the country (or know of a invaluable useful resource by somebody who has), be at liberty to drop hyperlinks under so I can replace this text with extra data on worldwide RV life.
Extra Assets for Worldwide RVing
