Solo Travelling mit dem Camper Van: 10 Tipps

Even if your first solo trip may seem unfamiliar and alienating at first, this way of travelling gives you a whole new freedom to experience your own adventures in exactly the way that suits your style.

To give you a closer insight into solo travelling, we asked our Adventure Crew member, pro freerider and surfer Lena Stoffel how she feels about solo travelling and how her last solo trip in September went.

How is Solo Travelling different from "normal" travel?

Lena: Well, for me personally it differs mainly in the planning. I plan a travel route differently when I’m alone. I plan in advance where I will stop and look for good and safe pitches or campsites. I chose my destination so that I can surf, but also in a way that I know there are good places to stay.

I also have friends on the Atlantic coast that I wanted to visit. I try to take a short break every two to three hours on the trip and don’t drive more than six to eight hours during the day. I also download interesting podcasts or audio books. What I can recommend as well, better stop for your snack, otherwise it can give quite a mess and distract enormously while driving. Without a passenger, some things become a bit more difficult while driving.

Are there any particular challenges when travelling solo?

Lena: Of course you worry about whether you can always manage everything as well on your own. For example, when looking for a parking space and then parking. But I have to say that so far I have always been positively surprised, the helpfulness among campers is really enormous and I have always found a helping hand pretty fast.

freedom and the curse of being
able to make every decision myself

What makes it special for you to travel alone?

Lena: When travelling solo, you are of course extremely confronted with yourself. To be honest, that’s exactly what put me to the test during my last trip. I had all opportunities and at the same time the freedom and the curse of being able to make every decision myself. And that’s not always as easy as you might think at first. But when it works out the way you want it to, it works out really well and that gives you more confidence in your decision-making.

What are the biggest differences for you between solo travelling and travelling with friends or family?

Lena: Travelling long distances alone is something completely different and much more strenuous than, for example, travelling with two or three people. That’s why you should think through your travel plans well in advance. If there are several of you, it also feels okay to be a bit more spontaneous.

The big advantage of solo travelling is that you can do whatever you want. You can surf where and when you want and organize your day freely. If you travel together with friends or family, you can’t help but adapt and compromise. This of course limits your freedom more than when travelling solo. So if you want to have the freedom to organize yourself without compromise and experience your own adventures, then solo travel is absolutely worth it.

What does a typical vacation day look like for you?

Lena: In the morning I set the alarm about 1 hour before sunrise, then I stay in bed for about half an hour. After getting up, the first thing I do is make myself a coffee, then I check the sea with the cup still in my hand. If it looks good, then I go surfing directly after the coffee.

Then I have breakfast. Sometimes I arrange to meet friends or acquaintances for a second surfing session, or for lunch or dinner. In between there are the boring things like shopping or filling the camper.

Where have you been in the past and what are your favorite destinations for solo travelling?

Lena: When I travel solo, my favorite places to go is France, to be more specific Hossegor and Biarritz would be spots that are great to explore solo. But also Northern Spain is a good place for solo travelling, especially if you want to have an adventurous surf vacation.

Besides the surfboard, I usually have my bike with me, which is the best way to explore the surroundings. But also the one or other hike is often part of my To Do list. So you can see a country of course super very close and it is possible to plan routes that are not passable with the camper.

Ready to explore the world on your own?

Here are ten super practical tips to make the most of your solo adventure with the camper.

Tip 1: Plan a cool route: Take your time to check out your travel route in advance. Don’t just think about your main destinations, but also consider alternative routes and interesting stops along the way.

Tip 2: Be flexible with your time: Don’t plan everything down to the last detail and allow yourself to make spontaneous changes. This way, you can experience unexpected adventures and fully immerse yourself in them.

Tip 3: Emergency stuff and safety: Make sure you always have enough emergency supplies and safety gear in the camper. Water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a toolkit are essential.

Tip 4: Stay in touch and stay safe: Always let someone know where you are and what your plans are. Have an emergency contact and check in regularly with your people.

Tip 5: Be self-sufficient: Learn to take care of yourself and be independent in your camper. Get savvy about repairs and basic camping skills.

Tip 6: Drive carefully and chill: Always drive with caution and take regular breaks to breathe and relax. Make sure you get enough sleep and don’t overdo it.

Tip 7: Respect nature and the environment: Be a responsible traveler and keep nature clean. Leave no trace behind and adhere to environmental protection rules.

Tip 8: Respect for other cultures: Be sensitive to cultural differences and respect local customs. Be open to new experiences and learn from the locals.

Tip 9: Connect with other travelers: Take the opportunity to chat with other travelers and exchange stories. Be open to meeting new people and learn from their experiences.

Tip 10: Enjoy the freedom and the adventure: Make the most of your time alone in the camper to discover yourself and find your preferences. Enjoy the freedom to travel at your own pace.