Packing list for a campervan holiday in Norway – what to bring
It is easy to overpack before a campervan trip, especially your first. You need less than you think. The main things are clothes that work in changing weather, a few practical essentials and enough food so you do not spend the trip constantly looking for shops. If the campervan is already well equipped, much of the work is already done for you. Then packing becomes more about making the trip simple and comfortable.
Clothes and personal items
The weather in Norway changes quickly, even in the middle of summer. Think in layers rather than packing for one specific temperature.
Bring:
- Underwear and socks for several days
- T-shirts and light layers
- A wool jumper or fleece
- A rain jacket
- Warm clothes for the evening
- Swimwear
- A towel
- Waterproof shoes or good hiking shoes
- A cap or sun hat
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
Personal items
Personal items:
- Toiletries
- Medication
- A toothbrush and toothpaste
- A hairbrush
- Wet wipes
- Hand sanitiser
- Earplugs
- A sleep mask
Food and kitchen
A campervan with a 65-litre fridge and plenty of storage space gives you much more freedom than many people expect. You do not need to assume that you will be grocery shopping all the time. In fact, it can be much nicer to do a proper shop when you are already near a store and then spend the next few days enjoying the trip instead.
Some simple breakfast basics, a few dinner ingredients and a handful of staples will carry you a long way. That is enough to cook without planning first.
Stock up on:
- Coffee and tea
- Milk or plant-based milk
- Sandwich toppings
- Bread or crispbread
- Butter
- Eggs
- Fruit and vegetables
- Yoghurt
- Cheese
- Dinner ingredients for a few days
- Snacks
- Water
- A little extra to drink on warm days
Staples that keep well
Plus a few ingredients that keep well:
- Pasta or rice
- Canned food
- Oats
- Crispbread
- Oil
- Salt and pepper
- Spices you use often
What is often included in a well-equipped campervan
Check what is included before you pack kitchen gear and other bulky items. In a well-equipped campervan, a lot is already taken care of.
That often includes:
- A gas stove
- A fridge
- A frying pan and pots
- Cutlery, cups, plates and bowls
- A spatula and a cooking spoon
- Washing-up liquid and dishwashing equipment
- A sink and water setup
- Duvets and pillows
- An outdoor table and chairs
Small practical things that are easy to forget
The most useful items are usually the smallest:
- Charging cables
- A power bank
- A headlamp or torch
- First aid supplies
- Your driving licence
- Water bottles
- A small daypack
- A card game or a book
- Offline maps or downloaded GPS
- Bags for rubbish and laundry
Photo: Simo Räsänen / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
What you usually do not need to bring
Rent a campervan where a lot is already included and several things can stay home:
- Kitchen equipment
- Plates, cups and cutlery
- Pots and a frying pan
- An outdoor table and camping chairs
- Duvets and pillows
Before you lock the door
A good packing list does one job: it takes the doubt out of leaving. Once you know you have what you need, you stop thinking about it.
Run through the list the night before. That way you avoid both double packing and unnecessary clutter.
Kitchen gear, duvets and the outdoor table are already in our campervan. See what is included before you pack.
See what is included →