Living the van life doesn’t have to drain your wallet, try a van life budget! Whether you’re chasing sunsets or waking up to mountain views, there are plenty of ways to live your dream on a budget. From cooking cozy meals in your van to scoring free camping spots, we’ve got 10 clever tips to help you save money without sacrificing the adventure. Let’s dive in and make van life as cost-friendly as it is epic!
1. Cook Your Own Meals
Let’s be honest: we love dining out, but when it becomes a habit, it starts to take a serious toll on our budget. So, we’ve decided to mostly cook for ourselves and treat ourselves to a meal out once a week. It actually makes those meals even more special! We prefer shopping at local markets for fresh, local produce – it’s a great way to support small businesses and eat seasonally.
We also do a big grocery haul (it has to fit in the camper, of course!), which helps cut down on extra expenses. For fellow budget travellers, we highly recommend investing in a portable stove so you can cook anywhere! We’ve got an oven installed in both of our vans, and they’ve been a game changer for all sorts of meals. The Omnia oven is a great alternative if you’re tight on space!
2. Find Free Campsites
Overnighting at free camper spots really helps our budget! First things first, we always check the local rules for the country we’re travelling through. It’s a bit of a grey area when it’s not an official spot – sometimes it’s tolerated, but not always. For example, in the Netherlands, it’s strictly prohibited, and you can face a hefty fine! Some countries, like France and Belgium, offer tons of free camper spots, often with services included.
In some places, you can “camp” by setting up chairs and a table outside, but that’s usually not appreciated. We believe it’s important to respect the rules to keep the van life image positive. For a handy guide on where you can and can’t camp for free, check out Vanlife Atlas!
We mainly find our overnight spots through apps like Park4Night and Campercontact, but we also use iOverlander and FreeRoam. These apps are a lifesaver when it comes to finding the best places to park!
3. Stick to a Budget
Bai is amazing at keeping track of our budget! We usually set a monthly budget, but for shorter trips, we break it down weekly. We factor in fixed expenses (like insurance, subscriptions, camper taxes, etc.), fuel and transportation (including tolls, ferries, etc.), overnight stays, food and drinks, maintenance and repairs, internet and communication (SIM cards/hotspots), extra services (like dumping grey water, filling the water tank, and electricity), activities and entertainment and unforeseen costs like fines or car issues.
Expenses can really vary depending on your travel style, destination, and how you’ve set up your van life. During our 9-month journey across Europe, we averaged about €1,600 per month. This included dining out once a week and doing “budget-friendly activities” like visiting museums or contributing to a national park. It’s helpful to map out how much you want and can spend beforehand, which destinations you’d like to see, and whether it fits within your budget. Maybe you’re planning to take a temporary job, your van is a bit older and prone to mechanical issues, or you want to take several ferries to different destinations – these are all factors to consider.
Of course, it’s tough to plan everything in advance (and not necessarily the point), but it’s nice to have a rough van life budget in mind. And if you end up spending less than planned, you can always treat yourself to some fun extras with a good conscience!
4. Travel Slowly
At the beginning of our van life adventure, we tried to see as much as possible in a short time. After a few weeks, though, we felt overwhelmed and realised we weren’t really connecting with any of the places we were visiting. So, we decided to slow down, sometimes driving just 30 minutes from one spot to the next. Not only did this give us a chance to soak in each destination, but it also worked out better for our van life budget. It significantly cuts down on fuel costs. By travelling slower, you get to experience more, and next time, you can take the time to truly live each moment in a new place!
5. DIY van Maintenance
One big tip we always share is to keep your camper well-maintained. Check the oil and tyres every now and then. Show your van some love! By doing this, you can avoid unexpected costs down the road. From our own experience, taking the time to fix small issues, like a water leak, can save you a lot of money compared to calling in a professional right away. Sure, it can be frustrating at times, but it’s usually well worth it.
Some mechanical issues might be beyond your DIY skills, and in that case, it’s important to visit a garage. Also, having good roadside assistance insurance is super helpful. It costs a little, but when something goes wrong, you’ll always have the help you need!
6. Limit Paid Attractions
There are so many amazing activities you can enjoy without breaking the bank, and this is something we try to focus on. When we visit a city, it’s a bit trickier since many places have high entrance fees. But, there are also free walking tours you can join, where you can leave a tip for the local guides. You often end up learning the best stories and discovering hidden gems! We love to visit parks, go for hikes to waterfalls, or check out local events like markets or festivals. It’s a great way to experience the vibe of a place and keep track of your van life budget.
7. Shop Secondhand for Gear
We’re big fans of second-hand gear. Why? It gets a second life, and you can often find the most amazing things! For example, we bought our solar panels second-hand—they were previously used for a house. Even a lot of our clothes are second-hand. Some online camper stores even have sections for pre-loved items, many of which come with a good warranty. Or check out online marketplaces! Of course, it’s important to make sure the product is still in good condition. For instance, we wouldn’t buy a second-hand battery because it’s hard to tell if it still has a good lifespan.
8. Conserve Utilities
Speaking of solar panels, if you’re on the fence about getting them, we highly recommend them! They can save you a lot of money, especially since many service areas and campsites charge extra for electricity. That cost can really add up. During our journey through Southern Europe, we never had to use any campsite power. Our solar panels did all the work for us, and we’d occasionally top up the battery while driving (thanks to the charge-while-driving system).
You can also save a ton by being mindful of your fuel and water use. Also, a dry or compost toilet is a great option. You can use compostable pellets, like hamster bedding, which are super affordable compared to chemical products for cassette toilets and it’s more eco-friendly!
9. Seasonal Travelling
One thing we’ve learned while travelling in a camper is that off-season travel is much cheaper. You can often park for free, campsites are more affordable, activity fees drop significantly, and it’s quieter, with more options for overnight stays. We definitely noticed this with the ferries we took in Italy and Greece—they were half the price! Of course, this depends on the country, as some don’t have clear high and low seasons. And who knows, maybe you’re actually looking for more hustle and bustle!
10. Join the Van Life Community
One of the best pieces of advice you can get comes from fellow travellers. They’re the ones who know hidden gems, have experience with certain destinations, and so much more. You can get these tips from people you meet on the road, as well as from Instagram and Facebook community pages where you can ask all kinds of specific questions. Maybe even vlogs from Van Dwellers can give you the answers you’re looking for. Dive in and who knows, this could be just what you need to figure out your ideal van life budget!
Van Life Budget
Living the van life doesn’t have to cost a fortune. By being mindful of your expenses and making a few clever choices, you can stretch your budget and still have the adventure of a lifetime. From cooking your own meals to finding free campsites, it’s all about balance. Plan smart, travel slow, and don’t be afraid to tap into the van life community for more tips.
Ready to hit the road without breaking the bank? Let’s do it!
