We NEED to set a date. Otherwise, life will keep getting in the way, and this dream will stay on hold… So here we are:
June 2026
is when we will attempt to leave everything behind and ship our van to Europe for long-term travel. Below is our planning dashboard to help make this dream come true!
Table Of Content
1. Some Context…
Hello! We’re Isabelle and Antoine 🙂
In 2017 we sold our house (and everything in it), quit our engineering careers, and moved into our self-built campervan. Between 2017 and 2022, we traveled full-time to chase the best mountain bike and skiing in Canada, Mexica, and USA. We’ve since settled in British Columbia (dream #2!) to build FarOutVan2. After completing the new van conversion (2026), our dream is to ship it to Europe and travel full-time over there. Below is an attempt at getting organized and making it happen! So keep scrolling or read more about Our Story.
2. Entry, Duration, Visas
We can’t guarantee the information in this page is accurate and up-to-date. Always check the travel advisory of your respective country:
- Canadians: Travel.gc.ca
- Americans: Travel.state.gov
- Other non-gov source: schengen.news
2.1. The Schengen Area
As of 2025, the following countries are part of the Schengen Area:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Stay Duration
Canadians and Americans can stay in the Schengen area without a Visa for 90 days in any 180-day period. That means you can stay for 90 days, travel outside the Schengen Area for 90 days, then come back for 90 days, and so on. If you leave and return within the same 180 days, your previous stay counts toward the 90-day limit.
Entry
Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay, and for at least 3 months after your departure date.
Visas
Certain countries have a VISA for longer stays (tourism, digital nomads, etc.): getgoldenvisa.com/digital-nomad-countries
2.2. Non-Schengen Countries
As of 2025, the following countries are NOT part of the Schengen Area:
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russia, Serbia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the UK.
Non-European countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, etc.
The political landscape constantly changes, but here are potential countries to visit outside the Schengen Area:
- Morocco: Visa not required for stays of less than 90 days (Canadians and Americans).
- Georgia: Visa not required for stays up to 365 days (Canadians and Americans).
- Turkey: Visa not required for stays up to 90 days in a 180-day period (Canadians and Americans).
- To be continued…
3. How To Ship A Vehicle To Europe
3.1. RoRo vs Container
You can ship a vehicle from North-America to Europe via RoRo (Roll on – Roll Off) or container:
RoRo
- Cheaper and more departure/arrival dates.
- Vehicle is driven directly onto the ship.
- More exposed to the elements.
- Vehicle is accessible on the ship, stories of theft are not unusual…
Container
- Costs more.
- Size limitations.
- Vehicle is packaged into a container before.
- Container can’t be accessed until unpackaged by you (safe).
Most people we know have used RoRo instead of a container, and we plan to do the same.
3.2. Cost
The cost of a RoRo varies with the route and the size of the vehicle. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay around $4,000-$5,000 USD one-way (including insurance) to ship your van on a RoRo from Canada to Europe. You can get an actual quote with the service of your choice (next section).
3.3. RoRo Shipping Companies
A non-exhaustive list of the potential companies we can use to ship our van:
- Coming soon (meanwhile, Google is your friend!).
4. Paperwork
4.1. Personal
- Valid passport.
- Travel insurance (for long-term travel).
- More TBD.
4.2. Vehicle
- Original vehicle title/registration.
- Proof of ownership.
- Vehicle insurance certificate.
- ID or passport of the owner.
- Shipping documents.
- Customs clearance.
- More TBD.
5. Wish List
We’re still very much in the “dream” phase, and our wish list will be populated and detailed as we get closer…
6. Follow the Weather
7. More Resources
Technical
- Tuck’s Truck:
- Expedition Portal
Inspiration
- Tuck’s Truck. Overlanding since 2014.
- Char Is Far. Netherlands to Singapore.
Any tips or advice about traveling to Europe from North America?
Please let us know in the comments below, we need all the info!
Does anyone know when it will be effective the law permitting a normal European drivers license class B to drive motorhomes up to 4.25t?
Currently this European license class B, which is what might be the equivalent license class for a standard North American drivers license, allows driving vehicles with a maximum gross vehicle weight limit of 3500kg (3.5t) in Europe.
I know conversely that a European class b license allows European tourists in North America to drive much heavier vehicles, because in North America the normal drivers license allows for much heavier vehicles, and not surprising, many RVs or motorhomes are heavier than 3.5t metric…
Of course there are people currently in Europe with RVs or vehicles heavier than 3.5t, but they must have an extra license category for this, in addition to the vehicle being built for that weight.
I’m not sure when the increase to 4.25t for a standard license class B will happen. I heard it is already decided on, but might be end of 2025 before it is official? To be seen when exactly, and if countries in Europe outside of EU adopt this.
Nevertheless countries have different rules for vehicles more than 3.5t (road tax, speed limitations, blind spot sticker for France, etc.) that may not change even if the standard license allows to drive a heavier vehicle, but those are just smaller details that are country specific.
Thanks for posting so much great and detailed info on your van builds and experience!
If you are traveling through the Czech Republic, let me know. I live in the Bohemian Forest and can show you lots of small bike parks or natural enduro trails if you are interested.
One tip for Austria:
Be careful of the weight of your vans there. The police like to weigh your vans and give you fines if you exceed the weight limit (in your case probably 3.5 tons).
Thank you! 🙂
Perhaps shipping in a container would be safer?
Bonjour Isabelle and Antoine,
I shipped a VW Westphalia Camper from New York to France, and back to Los Angeles after 5 months. In 1998 (so, some time ago, things I want to tell have not probably changed much though). We used RoRo both ways. Going from New York to France, things inside the van were stolen. In particular, a nice tool box. Also the license plate (California) at the back was taken. We had one made in France using the local format… In Lille (France) an attempt was also made to steal the front plate.
You probably already know that: do not store any valuable in the van. For the license plate, perhaps take an extra pair with you.
I wish you a very good trip in Europe.
Bon voyage.
Bruno
Thanks for sharing,
We’ve heard both positive and negative stories!