Motorhome & Campervan Hire in the Netherlands

Hiring a campervan in The Netherlands is the perfect way to explore this fascinating country. The Netherlands seamlessly combines history and modernity, with its beautiful old buildings and tradition of sea trade existing alongside cutting-edge innovation in architecture, technology, and design which can all be found in the buzzing, exciting cities. Balance out the urban sightseeing with some time spent in nature: let yourself be blown away by the iconic tulip fields in Spring and discover the incredible countryside, from the forests of Veluwe to the stunning Zeeland coastline. Visit megalithic tombs in Hunebedden and the wetlands of Biesbosch, or find an unexpected hill country in the Limburg region. For a more authentic experience, bring bicycles or hire them for the duration of your trip and enjoy the 37,000km of mostly flat cycle paths throughout towns, cities, and the countryside.

A road trip in a campervan in the Netherlands can be a wonderful experience. The country is known for its beautiful scenery, charming villages, and vibrant cities, and there’s no better way to explore it than by hitting the road in a campervan rental. When planning a trip, we know it can be all too easy to focus on the fun parts, like the beautiful areas you want to visit, the leisurely days of cycling through tulip fields and quiet forests, and dreaming of the delicious food waiting for you! We’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up the most helpful info for driving and camping in The Netherlands, as well as the best events to plan your trip around.

• Drive on the right-had-side of the road in The Netherlands. This means that you should overtake on the left, except when passing a tram which can be overtaken on the right.
• Drive clockwise around roundabouts; vehicles already on the roundabout have right of way.
• Speed limits in The Netherlands are given in kilometers per hour, or km/h. National speed limits are 130 km/h on motorways (minimum speed 60 km/h), 100 km/h on major roads, 80km/h on regional roads, and 50 in built-up areas. Pay attention to speed limit signs as these national limits can vary.
• Speed limit signs have the speed limit on a white background with a red circular border, while a sign in greyscale with black lines across it means that the speed limit has returned to the national speed limit for that road. Square blue speed signs show the recommended speed for safety in area where there may be hazards.
• Speed limits may vary on motorways; the electronic speed limit signs show the mandatory seed limit and should be obeyed.
• Trams and bicycles have priority over other traffic, so watch out for them at junctions. There are cycle lanes on almost all roads which you must not drive in.
• In most cities in The Netherlands there are rules and restrictions on where you can drive, and the roads and parking often aren’t friendly to larger motorhomes. In this case it’s best to use park and ride facilities, the excellent public transport network, or to cycle into the city centre.

• Wild Camping – is prohibited in The Netherlands. While some people do it, it is at your own risk: if caught you may be fined and asked to move on, no matter what time of night it may be!
• Motorhome Campsites – have great facilities including bathrooms, laundry, wifi, drinking water taps, and electric hook-up. Some of these are grand affairs with playgrounds and swimming pools, others are small countryside campsites where the main attraction is the fresh air and green surroundings. Check out roadsurfer spots for recommendations of beautiful and quiet campsites.
• Aires Overnight Parking – as in other European countries, The Netherlands has overnight parking for campervans and motorhomes called Aires. They usually don’t have any facilities which is important to keep in mind if your camper does not have a toilet, but they tend to be cheaper than campsites (or even free!). Many are situated in marinas right next to the water. Aires are not bookable which may be a problem if you’re travelling during peak tourist season and need to guarantee a space in a particular area.

Amsterdam Light Festival, December and January, Amsterdam – artists from around the world come to Amsterdam with creations of light which are displayed through the city. There are numerous walking tours which provide a route around the art. This is one best seen at night!

Bloemencorso (Flower Parade), April, Noordwijk to Haarlem – in this four-day festival, parade floats are decorated with flowers in surprising forms. These floats travel for four days from Noordwijk to Haarlem to celebrate Spring, and the spectacle is worth seeing at least once in your life.

Koningsdag (King’s Day), April 27^th, whole country – live bands provide the soundscape to this lively Spring festival celebrating the King’s birthday, where you’ll find street parties, parades, and colourful boats traversing the Amsterdam canals. There are big celebrations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht, while smaller town and cities celebrate in a more peaceful manner.

Rotterdam Summer Carnival, July, Rotterdam – in one of the largest Carnivals of Europe celebrating Latin American, the streets of Rotterdam come alive to drumbeats, brass bands, and dancers. There are parades and outdoor stages showcasing incredible musical talent, as well as an epic food market!

National Restaurant Week, September, Amsterdam – this foodie festival sees Amsterdam’s best restaurants charge minimal prices for their exquisite food, allowing people who may not normally be able to afford a plate to experience top-tier dining.

Amsterdam Dance Event, October, Amsterdam – ADE is the biggest dance and electronic music event in the world, and the capital’s streets pound to the beat of electronica, turning the city into one giant club.

Amsterdam is a European favourite amongst many travellers, and while it’s certainly not to be missed, there are many other places in the Netherlands that deserve your attention too. Read on for the roadsurfer guide to some of the best spots in the Netherlands – and if you’re noticing a theme, you’re not wrong – the nature in all of the Netherlands is amazing, which makes the fact that many people only visit Amsterdam a real shame. Luckily, from the comfort of a roadsurfer campervan you can experience all of the hidden-gem countryside with ease!

Drenthe, in the northeast of the Netherlands, isn’t a place to go if you’re looking for city life. Instead, it’s renowned for beautiful villages and scenic countryside. It’s the perfect place to take a bike and explore for a few days on two wheels, relaxing in a slower pace of living.

Friesland is culturally quite different to the rest of the Netherlands. In the north of the country, it has a long coastline and numerous islands to explore, perfect for nature-lovers and anyone who wants to play on the water. Learn about its unique culture at the Fries Museum in Leeuwarden, the capital of the region, where there are canals and historic architecture without the tourist feel of Amsterdam.

The scenery in Gelderland is, you guessed it, breath-taking. This region is home to two of the oldest cities in the Netherlands: Arnhem and Nijmegen. You’ll also find the Hoge Veluwe and Veluwezoom national parks here, abundant with hiking and biking trails. Don’t miss the Kroller-Muller Museum in Hoge Veluwe which houses one of the best Van Gogh collections in the world.

If you’re looking for a change from the flat countryside found in most of the Netherlands, head to Limburg where you can eat hills for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hike and bike to castles like Valkenburg and Eijisden, and spend time in lovely Maastricht which is often said to the be most beautiful city in the country.