One Month, 3,000 Kilometres: A Road Trip from Germany to Portugal in an Old VW Van
It was just me and “Frankie”—my dad’s vintage T3 VW van—on the road for a full month, covering over 3,000 kilometres. My friend Nelly joined me for the first half of the journey. Neither of us had much experience with road trips. Yet there we were, 20 and 21 years old, armed only with the savings from our summer jobs and a dream.
Frankie, a classic van officially classified as a historic vehicle, would carry us all the way from Germany’s northern coast to Portugal’s Silver Coast.
We had no idea what to expect, but our route would lead us to stunning beaches, generous strangers, heavy rains, glowing sunshine, and an overwhelming number of lessons learned.
The Dream Becomes Reality: Why I Decided to Travel in a Van
The idea of road-tripping in a van had lived in my head for years. I’d watched countless van life videos and met tons of travelers while volunteering at a hostel in Ericeira during the winter of 2020/2021. That season convinced me: I didn’t want to spend another grey, cold German winter indoors.
One day, while I was still in Portugal, my dad called to tell me he’d bought a T3 van for himself—and named it Frankie. I was thrilled. But what came next floored me: instead of putting Frankie into storage for the winter, my dad said I could take it wherever I wanted. I knew instantly—I’d drive it back to Portugal, to the place that already felt like home.
I’d never done anything like this before. I was used to driving automatic cars, never more than three hours at a time. I relearned how to handle a vintage manual and tested whether I could actually sleep in it during a three-day festival. Since the van is my dad’s and he uses it in summer, I wasn’t allowed to build anything permanent inside—no insulation, no shelves, no cabinetry. So I got creative: Euro boxes to keep things tidy, a cooler, a power box, a small cooker, and an old linoleum floor to protect the carpet. That would have to do.
Packing for the Journey
My plan was to follow the Atlantic coast through France, Spain, and Portugal—over 3,000 kilometres in four weeks. Luckily, Nelly joined me for the first two. We’d travel together until Bilbao. I spent two months prepping the van and plotting our course, but packing was the real challenge. I had to fit not just road trip essentials but also everything I’d need for an entire winter in Portugal.
The van filled quickly with clothes, surfboards, skateboards, wetsuits, and a foldable camping chair.
Testing the Dream: A Tough But Beautiful Adventure
Looking back, Nelly was the best “thing” I brought on the trip. Though we were already friends, road-tripping truly tests a relationship. There were long hours in a van that didn’t like going over 90 km/h. Our daily priorities? Where to sleep, where to eat, and where to find a toilet—plus the occasional “we really need a shower.”
We stayed cool-headed, divided tasks fairly, and communicated well. It could’ve been a disaster, but instead it made our bond stronger. When Nelly flew home after two weeks, I was secretly relieved to have the bed to myself. That lasted about two nights—then I felt deeply lonely.
Fortunately, I soon met a group of van travelers who welcomed me in. Having company again made me feel so much safer. If you’re planning a trip, think carefully about whether you want to travel solo or with someone—and choose your companion wisely.
Safety Scares: What We Learned the Hard Way
There were two times we felt truly unsafe.
The first was our very first night in the van, near the German-Luxembourg border. We parked in a forest near a small town. At 11 p.m., we heard a car pull up nearby, then drive back and forth. Car doors slammed, men shouted. We were terrified. The car finally left, but we didn’t move or speak. I grabbed a kitchen knife and dry shampoo—our makeshift defense tools. At 1 a.m., we decided to leave and drive to a safer spot.
The second incident happened at a beach parking lot. A group of men returning from the beach tried to chat us up. We declined their invite to join them for beers. An hour later, two of them returned, still persistent. I walked over to a nearby couple’s van and chatted with them—just to make it clear we weren’t alone. We ended up moving that night too.
Those experiences made us more cautious. The more nights I spent on the road, the better I got at choosing safe spots.
The Magic in the Madness
Despite the challenges, the trip was magical. We surfed empty beaches, watched unforgettable sunsets, and soaked up all the sun we could find. You can read more about my favorite stops from Germany to Portugal in another post.
On our second road trip together, my goal was to teach Nelly how to surfskate. We visited some amazing skate bowls and made unforgettable memories. Traveling in a van has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. It taught me confidence, resilience, and creativity. Just answering simple questions like “Where do we sleep tonight?” gave us a sense of purpose.
Living in such a tiny space may not sound relaxing—but it forces you to slow down and realize how little you need to be truly happy.
Advice for Your First (or Next) Road Trip
Plan ahead—but stay flexible.
With just a month to cover so much ground, I roughly mapped our route two weeks before departure. We decided to speed through Germany and focus on France’s southwest, Spain’s north, and Portugal. We prioritized surf spots and warm weather, which meant longer drives up front and slower days later.
Download the Park4Night app.
It’s an absolute lifesaver. It shows where to park overnight, read reviews, and find amenities. I use the free version, but the paid one is only €9.99/year. Before each night, we’d “favorite” a few nearby spots just in case one felt unsafe or full.
Trust your instincts.
Safety was a big concern. We took precautions: a strap tied around the front doors to delay break-ins, a steering wheel lock, and fully covered windows to hide valuables. Arrive before dark. Don’t leave anything visible. And always let someone know where you are.
Be open.
After Nelly left, I felt isolated—until a woman invited me to join her group for dinner. I ended up traveling with them for two weeks. Keep some beers (or non-alcoholic treats) in your van. It’s a great icebreaker.
Leave no trace.
Bring trash bags, pick up other people’s garbage, and don’t dump waste in nature. If you don’t have a toilet, get a folding shovel or consider a portable toilet. Use biodegradable toilet paper and bury waste at least 15–20 cm deep—or pack it out using dog poop bags.
Final Thoughts
There’s so much more I could share, but these are the most important lessons. Road tripping is all about learning, adapting, and embracing the unexpected. Everyone’s journey will look different. The key is simply to start.
Whether you’re drawn to the freedom, the surf, or just the open road—go for it. The experiences are worth every detour.