Netherlands by campervan: costs and prices

Practical costs in Netherlands: currency, cards, cash, fuel, groceries and budgeting for a campervan trip. What to know before you go.

Published 18 September 2026Last checked 19 September 2026

Currency
Euro
EUR. Cards almost everywhere, a little cash for markets
Language
Dutch
English is spoken almost everywhere. Frisian in Friesland
Driving
Right
Motorway 100 km/h from 06:00 to 19:00
Power
230V, type F
Same two-pin plug as most of Europe
Tap water
Safe to drink
Ask for kraanwater
Emergency
112
Non-urgent police 0900-8844

Money

The Netherlands is an expensive country to drive through and a cheap one to sleep in, which is the opposite of most of southern Europe. The single biggest line in the budget is fuel. Diesel cost 2.49 euros a litre on 14 September 2026 on the national pump price series, which is among the highest in the EU. Distances are short, and that is the only thing saving the total.

Rolled euro banknotes standing on a heap of loose euro coins and notes — Euro. Card first, a little cash for the market

Practical prices for camper travel

Diesel, 1 litre: €2.49
Campsite or camper area, 1 night: €39.15
Inexpensive restaurant meal: €20
White bread, 500 g: €2.04
Bottled water, 1.5 litres: €0.84

Paying for things

Card is the default, contactless included, down to a coffee. Dutch shops are built around it.
Cash still matters at street markets, beach kiosks and farm honesty boxes, which is exactly where a campervan trip tends to spend.

Tipping

Not expected. Service is in the price.
Rounding up is the norm. A bill of 37 euros becomes 40.

Getting parking wrong in a city is expensive. Amsterdam's own 2026 figures put the penalty for unpaid parking at 79.10 euros on top of the tax owed, a wheel clamp at 166 euros, and towing and storage at 484 euros for the first 24 hours plus 10 euros for each further day. These are parking charges, not camping fines.