How to go camping without a car
Running costs and environmental concerns are encouraging more people to avoid driving these days, but that doesn’t mean that camping has to be off limits. It’s perfectly possible to go camping without a car as long as you plan ahead with your choice of campsite, your packing and your travel options.
This guide looks at how to plan camping breaks without a car – including choosing your site and planning the journey – and gives tips on how to get the most out of your no-car camping trip, whether you’re travelling alone or bringing the whole family along.
How to get to your campsite without a car
How to pack for a no-car camping trip
How to choose a campsite when camping without a car
13 UK campsites near train stations
Camping in Europe without a car
Where can you go camping without a car?
Why go camping without a car?
For many people, the decision to go camping without a car is simply one of necessity – this includes those that can’t drive and those without access to a car. However, even if you do have a car there are also several great reasons to leave it at home when you go camping.
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Your trip will be better for the environment
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You’ll be spared the stress of things like traffic jams and finding parking
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If you’re travelling a long way (such as heading to Scotland from London), the journey will be much quicker by train than by car
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You’ll be able to take on linear long-distance walks (such as the Great Glen Way or South Downs Way), stopping at campsites along the way without having to return to your car each day
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You're likely to engage more with your surroundings and local people when travelling by bike, hiking or using public transport
How to camp without a car
Going camping without a car has several benefits – but it does also mean that you’ll need to plan ahead a little more, as you won’t be able to pack by simply stuffing your car full of whatever you might need, as many people end up doing. And as campsites often tend to be in remote and/or rural locations you’ll also need to organise a way to get there and get around to make sure you’re not stranded at any point during your trip.
How to get to your campsite without a car
There are plenty of ways to get to your campsite without driving. Here are a few ideas:
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Choose a location that’s close to a train station – for example, head towards Horton-in-Ribblesdale for a Yorkshire Dales break, Dawlish for the Devon seaside or Rhosneigr for Anglesey camping.
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Get to know the bus network in your chosen area and find a service that runs from a major town to a stop near a campsite.
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Some campsites offer to pick guests up from stations or bus stops – check the ‘pick-up from public transport’ tickbox on your Pitchup search to find these, and drop them a message once you’ve booked to organise your travel.
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Get a taxi to your site from a nearby town if it’s not too far – although this can be an expensive option, and you may well have to book ahead.
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Consider ridesharing apps or social media groups to see if you can find other people heading in the same direction that you might be able to share a lift with.
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Cycle to your destination, splitting your kit between your backpack and panniers.
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Plan a multi-day hike along a long-distance path and walk from campsite to campsite.
How to pack for a no-car camping trip
A detailed packing list for your car-free camping trip will depend on who’s going and for how long – if you’re camping solo for a couple of nights you’ll be able to get away with less kit than you’d need for a longer family camping holiday. However, a general rule is to keep it all as light as possible, choosing a lightweight tent and compact travel towels, for example.
Our camping checklist is a good place to start for any camping trip, but without a car you may need to cross several items off the list – especially the larger ones. Prioritise items that pack down small and are versatile – for example, favouring a couple of layers and a packable waterproof jacket rather than a bulky padded coat. Quick-drying clothes are great for camping in general, but particularly key for those times when you’ll be using laundry facilities instead of packing lots of clothes.
If you’re travelling with a partner or friend, you’ll be able to spread the load – so have a good chat to make sure you’ve got all the necessary kit and not doubled up on anything. And don't discount the idea of taking the family when you're camping without a car – most kids can manage to carry a few of their own clothes and perhaps a well-chosen toy or two, either in a small backpack or bike panniers if you’re cycling.
How to choose a campsite when camping without a car
Choosing your campsite wisely is vital when you're camping without a car, and it comes down to two main criteria: location and facilities. Pitchup’s detailed listings and handy tickbox filters can help you find campsites that fit the bill on both fronts.
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As you’ll be travelling light, use the tickbox filters to search for campsites that have useful facilities such as a laundry room, a barbecue provided or a café on site – these can help to cut down on the amount of clothes and cooking utensils you’ll need to bring.
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Some sites also have various items to hire or borrow, including firepits, bikes and books or games, so look out for these instead of bringing your own.
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Use the ‘leave the car at home’ tickbox (under Themes) and the ‘public transport nearby’ filter (under Nearby amenities) to help you create a shortlist of suitable campsites in your chosen location.
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On a campsite listing page, use the location tab to see a list of nearby transport hubs, from where you may be able to get a taxi, walk or cycle the last leg.
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Also on the location tab is a handy tool where you can enter your postcode to get detailed directions to the site, including public transport options.
13 UK campsites near train stations
If you’re planning a camping trip without a car, an obvious way to make travel easy is to find a campsite near a train station. The UK’s rail network stretches into all sorts of scenic areas, coastal towns and national parks so there are plenty of options – simply use the Pitchup map function to find sites near your chosen station, or check individual campsite listings for details of the nearest station.
Need a bit of inspiration? We’ve picked out 13 UK campsites that are within a mile of a train station and particularly well set up for camping breaks without a car.
Thames View Camping, Essex
Looking for an easy escape to the east of London? Take the hour-long train ride to East Tilbury and pitch up at Thames View Camping, where spacious pitches are mown into a meadow overlooking the riverside. It’s a 15-minute walk from the train station to the site, and you’ll be rewarded with easy access to waterside footpaths and birdwatching or fishing spots. A pub is 10 minutes’ walk away, although you may prefer to use the honesty shop for the bits you need for an evening by the campfire.
The Barn Caravan Park, West Sussex
About 10 minutes’ walk from Lancing train station, The Barn Caravan Park is a friendly and well-equipped campsite that’s been in business for more than 20 years. Once you’re settled in, you can walk to Lancing beach in about 10 minutes, wander along the seafront path to Worthing or get back on the train for a day out in Brighton. Facilities have been well thought out here, with plenty of things for the kids to do and a café/bar selling drinks and ice creams.
Whitemead Caravan Park, Dorset
It will take you a mere five minutes to walk to Whitemead Caravan Park from Wool station – and this village location is a very handy one for shops, pub trips and fish and chip suppers as well. Bus services run from the village to places like Weymouth, Dorchester and Lulworth Cove, or you may choose to walk or bike up to Monkey World or The Tank Museum in nearby Bovington. There are books to borrow and the site has a playground for the kids, so you shouldn’t have to bring too much entertainment fodder with you.
Five Trees Camping, Devon
Running along the banks of the River Exe and along the coastline, the train line around Dawlish is known as one of the most scenic in the country. Stop off at Dawlish Warren and it’s a 10-minute walk to Five Trees Camping, a great choice for a car-free camping holiday with easy access to the beach, the coast path and bike paths taking you out into the Devon countryside. This site is run by keen campers who have set the place up with spacious pitches and plentiful amenities, and there’s plenty of choice in the village for shops, pubs and takeaways.
Black Barn Farm, Norfolk
Exploring the Norfolk Broads on a car-free camping trip? It’s easily doable at Black Barn Farm, an adults-only site on the edge of Salhouse. The village’s train station is about 10 minutes’ walk from the campsite, and once you’re safely installed you can hire canoes to get out onto Salhouse Broad or hail a bus for a day out in Norwich. A café and farm shop on site mean you should find it easy enough to stay well fed – and there’s a shop about 20 minutes’ walk away in the village if you want it.
Shepreth Mill, Cambridgeshire
Even those who do bring a car to Shepreth Mill often find they don’t need to use it much during their stay – that’s how well connected this site is. Shepreth station is about 15 minutes’ walk away, and there’s a modern well-lit cycle path passing just next to the site – either of these is an excellent way to get into Cambridge for the day (much better than trying to find parking…) When not heading into the city, you can explore the surrounding countryside on a riverside path or look for wildlife in a nearby nature reserve.
Tip Top Campsite, West Yorkshire
Five minutes is all it will take you to walk from Steeton & Silsden station to Tip Top Campsite, on the banks of the River Aire. As the station’s name suggests, this location is between two villages so it’s got handy access to shops, pubs, takeaways and other amenities. Head back to the station for outings to Ilkley and Saltaire or stay local for walks along the riverbank or the nearby canal. With pigs, geese and hens on site, plus some woodland to stroll around, this place makes a great choice for a car-free countryside camping trip.
Acorn Camping and Caravanning, South Wales
On the south side of Llantwit Major and about 15 minutes’ walk from its train station, Acorn Camping and Caravanning is a lovely base for some time exploring the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. From here you’ll be able to get down to the coast path easily for walks or pick up local bus services to get to some other seaside spots nearby. The town is well supplied with pubs, cafés, shops and takeaways, and facilities on site have been well thought out, including a games room, a play area and a modern bathroom block with handy things like hairdryers.
Book Acorn Camping and Caravanning
Ferryside Farm Caravan Park and Campsite, West Wales
There’s an added bit of fun involved in the train trip to Ferryside Farm Caravan Park and Campsite – the local station (Ferryside, 10 minutes’ walk away) is a request stop, so you’ll have the slightly unusual experience of having to ask to be let off the train. Flag down another train and you’ll be able to get out to various local towns including Tenby and Carmarthen, or you can head down to the little foot ferry to cross the Towy to lovely Llansteffan. This is a quiet spot with simple facilities and sea views so it’s a great little place for a peaceful break.
Book Ferryside Farm Caravan Park and Campsite
Irfon Valley Pods and Camping, Mid Wales
If you’re after a walking holiday that’s accessible by train, the Heart of Wales line is surely one of the best picks anywhere in the UK. Since 2019, the Heart of Wales Line Trail has woven its way between the stations of the Heart of Wales railway line all the way from Craven Arms to Llanelli. Irfon Valley Pods and Camping is pretty much in the middle of the trail (and railway line), 10 minutes’ walk from Llangammarch station. It’s part of a family smallholding with a good cluster of facilities including a communal room where guests can use the microwave or flop on the sofa.
Book Irfon Valley Pods and Camping
Hendre Hall Holiday Park, North Wales
A seaside Snowdonia spot might seem out of reach without a car – but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Hendre Hall Holiday Park, five minutes’ walk from Llwyngwril’s station (and its pub, shop and beach). Coast path walks (and possible dolphin spottings) are popular activities here, or you can get back on the train for trips to Harlech Castle or beach towns like Aberdovey and Pwlheli. Kids are very welcome at Hendre Hall, where they can run about at the playground or meet and feed the chickens and pygmy goats.
Drummohr Camping and Glamping Site, East Lothian
Countryside stroll, coastal walk or city day? You can choose as you go along when you’re staying at Drummohr Camping and Glamping Site, on the edge of Prestonpans. The seafront and nature reserves are a few minutes’ walk away, and Wallyford station is about 20 minutes’ walk for speedy trips into Edinburgh. Facilities at this well-equipped site are equally excellent, covering everything from a licensed shop and campers’ kitchen to a playground for the kids; you can hire firepits on site for warm evenings by the fire too.
Book Drummohr Camping and Glamping Site
Bunroy Caravan and Camping Park, Highlands
To the Highlands for a camping holiday without a car? Yes indeed – Bunroy Caravan and Camping Park is only five minutes’ walk from Roy Bridge station, so you can get to this outdoor-activity-filled part of the world without any need to drive. This is a gorgeous spot on the banks of the River Spean, with lots of hikes, bike trails and climbing areas nearby – plus more activities to book in nearby Fort William (20 minutes away by train). Hot showers, a launderette and fast wifi are among the facilities on site, and there are a couple of pubs within walking distance.
Book Bunroy Caravan and Camping Park
Camping in Europe without a car
Car-free camping isn’t limited to the UK, of course – it’s also a great way to spend a holiday in Europe. Once you’ve got used to packing thoughtfully, travelling without a car can be very liberating, giving you the option to make the most of high-speed trains or cheap coach services to get around and freeing you from the stress of driving in unfamiliar territory.
These sorts of trips will take a little more planning than driving holidays, though – even if you’ve already tried camping without a car in the UK, you’ll probably find you need some extra preparation for camping in France without a car, for example (such as knowing that you’ll often expected to bring your own toilet roll to a campsite in France, and may need a swimming hat and/or tight-fitting trunks if you want to swim).
Making sure you can get to your campsite is the most important thing, of course. The travel options for camping without a car in Europe are similar to those for the UK, but finding the most up-to-date information can be more of a challenge. For a broad overview of how to get around by public transport, it’s best to use websites such as Rome2Rio or apps such as Omio, which will show options for train, ferry and bus travel. If you’ve already got a transport mode in mind, The Man in Seat 61 has some great guides to train travel on the continent, and blablacar is a useful source of carpool rides.
Picking a campsite is a key part of the process, and there are many campsites in Europe that are well designed for camping without a car. Family campsites in France, Italy and Spain, for example, often have lots of facilities including a restaurant, a shop, a pool and a kids’ club, so you’ll be able to keep the packing light (cutting down on cooking kit, for example) and spend more time on site rather than needing to find lots of outings. Meanwhile, if you want to keep the packing list even shorter, you can search Pitchup for rental tents, so you won’t have to bring your own.
In terms of location, there are plenty of options that are suitable for car-free camping breaks, whether you favour city, countryside or coast. Have a look at the five campsites below to give you some inspiration for places to stay when camping without a car in Europe.
Five campsites for car-free camping in Europe
Camping Paris Est, France
With a bus stop just outside for services taking you to the city centre in about 20 minutes, this riverside spot makes a great base for budget-friendly Paris travels. There’s a restaurant on site so you won’t have to bring your own food, although you can pick up supplies in the on-site shop if you’d like to do some self catering.
Vakantiepark Delftse Hout, Netherlands
From this site on the edge of Delft you’ll have easy access to the city centre by public transport, on foot or via cycle paths. Bike paths can also take you out into the countryside or along the canal to The Hague. Guided walks and bike tours are arranged on site in summer, and there are handy facilities including a restaurant, a pool and a launderette.
Book Vakantiepark Delftse Hout
Camping Santa Elena Ciutat, Spain
Beach holidays lend themselves well to camping without a car – once you’re in the resort, you’ll usually find most of the things you need within walking/cycling distance (including shops and restaurants as well as the beach). That’s certainly true of this site in Lloret de Mar, which has various amusement parks and facilities within walking distance.
Book Camping Santa Elena Ciutat
Camping Rialto, Italy
This is a fantastic location for a car-free camping break – Campaign Rialto is only 15 minutes’ bus ride away from Venice, with a bus stop just outside the site, so you can dip in and out of the city and its islands easily whenever you like. Dinners, drinks and breakfasts can all be bought on site and there’s a pool for some relaxed downtime.
Família Camping Balaton, Hungary
On the shores of Lake Balaton, this friendly site has lots of the essentials for car-free campers – kitchen facilities, a small café/bar and a bus stop just outside. Lakeside restaurants and cycle paths are close by too, and nearby towns have boat services to more remote locations on the lake.
Where can you go camping without a car?
The short answer is that, with enough planning and a little flexibility, you can go camping without a car almost anywhere you choose. However, inevitably there are some locations and areas that are more easily accessible by public transport or bike travels than others. Pitchup’s ‘public transport nearby’ tickbox is a handy feature to help you find suitable sites, and your own online research can also help pinpoint accessible locations (national park websites, for example, will often have some information about bus services and cycle trails).
If you’re travelling in Europe, some countries will be easier to navigate than others – the Netherlands, for example, is well known for being a bike-friendly country, and has lots of well-set-up campsites for camping and cycling holidays. Germany, Spain and Hungary are often tipped as having some of the best public transport systems in Europe, but it’s Luxembourg that comes out as top pick, simply because all public transport is free here.
At the other end of the spectrum, you may find camping without a car more challenging in places like Bulgaria, Greece and Croatia, which came bottom of the list on a recent Greenpeace ranking of European countries’ public transport systems.
Camping without a car FAQs
What is camping without a car?
Camping without a car basically means finding your way to your chosen campsite without bringing your car – by using public transport, cycling, walking or finding other options like ride sharing.
Is it possible to go camping without a car?
It’s definitely possible to go camping without a car, as long as you plan your travel and packing well. You can also use the filters on the Pitchup booking page to narrow your search for suitable sites, such as those near public transport.
Is it possible to go camping using public transport?
It’s surprisingly easy to use buses and trains instead of cars to get to your campsite; you can check out all the public transport options for each Pitchup campsite on the booking page.