For over two months now I have been living out of a car and travelling round Europe. I bought my Nissan X-trail the day before I drove down to the south of England and boarded a ferry to France. The reason why I bought it? Well, I could lie down fully when the back seats are down meaning I could sleep in my car comfortably.
Fast forward just a few days and I had a lovely camping car with curtains and a blow up bed. This post is all about how I did this and how I am now living in my car.
It was a little bit rushed to be honest as I only had 3 weeks at home after 8 months of travels before I was heading off on my next adventure onto mainland Europe. I had previously thought about buying a campervan but wrote it off due to the expense of fuel and ferries for a campervan. Living in my car would be so much cheaper but my plan was to CouchSurf my way round Europe.
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Then just a few day before I was about to leave, my friend suggested that he might be looking at selling his Nissan X-trail and that the back was big enough to lie fully down. I jumped into action as it needed MOTing soon and I wasn’t going to be bringing it back to the UK for that. The day before I was leaving, the 14 year old car passed it’s MOT and I was good to go.
I managed to find an insurance company who would let me drive for an extended time abroad and I booked my ferry from Dover to Calais. Since I was only allowed back home for 21 days on my travel insurance terms, I had to leave the country on July 15th so there was no time for modifications or even thoughts as to what to pack.
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After spending a night in an Airbnb near Calais I headed over to Orleans to stay with my friend Céline for a few days. Céline is amazing on the sewing machine and kindly helped me make some blinds and curtains for the car for privacy. It makes living in my car so much nicer knowing that it is private.
It is surprising what some Velcro, blackout material and an extendable shower pole can do. It really keeps the daylight and prying eyes out whilst allowing me to transform it back to a normal car by day.
Changing it from a car I was sleeping in to one that I could take passengers meant I could rent out my spare seats when travelling longer journeys. Websites like Blablacars makes this so easy. This would help me pay for fuel and any toll roads.
Next I checked if my blow up bed fitted when the back seats were down. Not only did it fit a single bed but it also fitted a double air bed. I had brought a duvet and pillows from home. It was becoming a proper home. With the addition of an electric cooler box, a stove and plastic plates, I had a fully functioning kitchen.
My plan? Well I didn’t really have a plan. I was just going to drive and see where I ended up. I had a slight plan to head towards Spain but as I didn’t have a time limit, I was happy to take any route.
So what’s in store for me. Well you will have to continue to follow my blog. All I can say is that I have seen some amazing places, met some amazing people and rescued a few animals on the way.
So for now, let me leave you with this video which shows you why my Nissan X-Trail has been the perfect car to live out of and to sleep in.
Would this type of travelling appeal to you? What’s the best road trip that you have taken? What are your car living essentials? And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog (It’s free) to follow my adventures and get travel tips to your inbox fortnightly.
To travel Europe in a car and living in car is so wonderful. Websites like Bablacars which help in fueling the car and tools is so helpful during such kind of road journeys. Cooking out in open space, must be so fun thing to do during travel. Sleeping in car is so cozy and private.
wow, you are really tough and brave to take on an adventure like this. your bed looked perfectly comfortable though and it obviously saved you a lot. i think i’d def give it a try for a week max, then i’d want my comforts. really cool.
Woah! This is such an innovative way of travelling! Kathy hats off to you! I wont be comfortable staying like thing for a month or so but definitely do this on a week long road trip! 😀
I travel at least 15 days in a month. I already find it difficult to live off a suitcase at times. Hats off to you for pulling this off. I must be very challenging yet rewarding experience. But then who minds when the destination is as gorgeous as Europe.
What a fun adventure! I wish I had had the guts to do something like this! I can’t believe how cozy you’ve made it!
I can’t believe how well you adapted a Nissan X-Trail to be on the road. The bedding looks really comfy and I like the privacy screens. What made you decide to go on this road trip?
Thanks for your comment Suzanne. I had been travelling in Asia over winter and decided that I wanted to see more of mainland Europe over the summer and move away from where the budget airlines fly to and explore outside major cities. So transportation was going to be a problem. Also the cost of accomodation is so much more in Europe compared to Asia. This idea killed two birds with one stone (gosh I hate that saying). Then at the last minute my friend suggested I bought his car and so my dream was born 🙂
I think this is my new dream! I love the idea of sleeping in a car and traveling around the world, but I’m not sold on a camper van. Like you said, they’re pricy and have more fees than an SUV. I’ve slept in my car quite a few times and have no issues with it. Your video was cute and it was fun to see your different setups!
Thanks Rachelle . I’m with you on how expensive SUVs are to buy and to run.
This is such an innovative way to travel around Europe! I have to say Kathy, I admire you for doing this, I don’t know how many nights I could sleep in the back of my car. Though I must say, your photos look cosy! Lol are you eating tinned spaghetti?! Your friend did an excellent job with the blinds 🙂
Ha no it is a tomato based sauce with normal pasta but I can see why it would look like that 🙂
Thank you for your kind words too