Vanlife Daily – What It’s Really Like

 

Starting vanlife isn’t like what you see on Instagram. Of course, we knew that from the beginning, but somehow you still have images of “the perfect parking spot” floating in your head. Sure, eventually there will be sunrises by the lake – but first comes the chaos.

The first nights? Full of questions: Where should we park? Is this even legal? What the heck is beeping?
To help you avoid the same mistakes, here are our learnings and tools that made our start much easier:

 

Finding a Spot – Our Top Apps & Tips

Park4Night: This app is seriously amazing. I’ll tell you, 99% of vanlifers use it, whether they admit it or not. The good thing? It helps you find the right spots with reviews and all the important info. The downside? Because it’s so popular, spots can be crowded or messy. Still, without it, we’d often have no clue where to safely stay. It shows paid and free parking, wild camping spots, and available services – all with reviews from other vanlifers.
→ Tip: Don’t just go by top ratings. We often aim for nature spots – they’re usually more remote and sometimes you have the place all to yourself!

Google Maps: Search bar + filters. You can search for places by keywords like “campground near me” or “RV parking.” You’ll usually see reviews and location info right away.
→ Tip: Create a new list to save your spots directly in Google Maps. Log in with your Google account, go to “Saved,” click “+ New List,” and name it. This helps categorize locations, and you can even share the lists with friends.

Roadsurfer: Besides Park4Night and Google Maps, we like Roadsurfer’s app/website. It’s a startup with camper rentals, plus travel blogs and private camping spots. Roadsurfer even lists private farms or small campsites – perfect if you want a unique stay.

Pro Tip: If you feel confident and don’t need rated spots, use Google Maps Satellite view to find hidden spots – parking lots, trailheads, coastal areas. Be aware: this takes more time scouting, but can reward you with amazing secluded locations.

Power, Water, Gas – Our First Learnings

Power: How will you charge your devices? Are you off-grid? Which devices need power and how much? Do you have solar panels or a shore power adapter? Solar alone often isn’t enough, especially in fall/winter when you need reliable electricity.

• Charging while driving: We charge via the alternator. This ensures enough power for essentials like the fridge, lights, and heater even in bad weather.
  → Must-haves: power banks and 12V adapters for phone/laptop.

Water: Fill up regularly – but how?
→ On the Park4Night App, there is a filter function, which allows you to search for drinkwater stations.
→ Tip: Always carry an extra 10–20 liters in a jerrycan – it can save your day, especially if you want to take a shower, you have some spare water to refill directly.

Gas: Bring adapters for different countries. You can simply buy them on amazon. We had to improvise in Portugal and Sweden since we didn’t have an adapter, but luckily you can find some „gas refill station“ or simply go and find yourself a „LPG gas station“. 
→ Propane tip: a small scale under the tank helps estimate remaining gas.

Routines That Work for Us

Mornings: Fill water, open windows, fold up the bed. Simple, but having routines keeps chaos at bay.
→ Tip: Keep daily essentials (coffee, toothbrush, phone charger) in a dedicated box – saves stress.

Evenings: Check if the van is level, doors locked, windows closed, water and power okay.

Cooking: Limited space, but doable.
→ Tip: One-pan meals + mini stove with windscreen.

Real Talk: What’s Annoying at First – and How We Solved It

Mess: After two days it often looks like a tornado hit.
→ Solution: hooks, Velcro, lidded storage boxes. Less clutter = more peace of mind.

Cold/fresh nights: Early November was rough.
→ Tip: Hot water bottle, insulated windows, thick socks, a good sleeping bag. No compromises.

No signal/no info: Save Google Maps offline. Always secure parking coordinates in advance.
→ Plus: SIM card with plenty of data (e.g., prepaid from Lidl Connect or ALDI Talk with EU roaming).

Conclusion: Vanlife is Everyday Life on a Small Scale – but Also Freedom

You get used to a lot faster than you think, and you learn what really matters.

Our goal with this page: to give you real insights, not just campfire pictures, but tools, tips, and honest impressions to prepare you.

Soon, we’ll also link to products we use ourselves, from collapsible water containers to solar power stations. Everything that makes vanlife a little easier.