Our Final Schengen Stop at Calais Camping Car Park: Motorhome Adventures

As we wrapped up our epic journey through the Schengen Zone, we parked our motorhome at the Calais Camping Car Park, a fantastic aire just 10–15 minutes from the Channel Tunnel. After months of exploring Europe from Sweden to Spain, this pet-friendly stop was the perfect place to recharge before heading back to England. Join us as we share our experience, from essential motorhome services to managing pet care and unexpected health issues, plus tips for your own Channel Tunnel crossing.

Why Calais Camping Car Park is a Motorhome Must

• Prime Location: Just a short 10–15 minute drive from the Channel Tunnel, it’s ideal for early crossings or late arrivals.
• Spacious and Exclusive: With room for over 100 motorhomes (up to 9 meters), this aire is strictly for motorhomes—no cars, caravans, or tents.
• Pet-Friendly Vibes: A grassy area was a lifesaver for walking our dog, Pippin, making it a hit for pet owners.
• Budget-Friendly Amenities: Electric hookups are included, helping us save our dwindling LPG gas supply.

Entry is a breeze with a camping car park card or code, and a nearby campsite offers extra facilities if needed. Whether you’re a seasoned motorhomer or new to the lifestyle, this aire checks all the boxes.

Motorhome Services That Saved the Day

After weeks on the road, our motorhome was running low on resources. Thankfully, Calais Camping Car Park delivered with top-notch services, all conveniently located outside:

• Fresh Water: Four service points for easy water fill-ups.
• Waste Disposal: Dedicated stations for grey water and toilet cassette emptying.
• Rubbish Bins: Plenty of bins to keep things tidy.
• Simple Layout: A loop design makes accessing services quick and efficient.

These amenities made our overnight stay stress-free, letting us focus on preparing for the Channel Tunnel.

Cooking Smart with Electric Hookups

With our LPG gas down to half a tank, the aire’s electric hookup was a game-changer. We cooked using:

• Ramoska Slow Cooker (400W): Perfect for energy-efficient meals like stews or casseroles.
• Induction Hob: Only one pan worked, but a special plate adapter saved the day for others.
• Air Fryer: Wendy’s crispy baked potatoes were a quick win!

This electric setup preserved our battery and gas, a must after struggling with LPG refills in Europe. Speaking of which…

The LPG Struggle: A Cautionary Tale

Filling our LPG gas was a challenge on this trip. At three stations—two in France and one in Germany—the adaptor connected but vented gas after delivering just €1–2 worth. We’re still unsure if the issue was the stations, our adaptor, or our bottles. For now, we’ll stick to refilling in the UK, where we’ve had better luck.

Pro Tip : Before traveling in Europe, double-check your LPG adaptor compatibility and research reliable filling stations. Have you faced LPG issues abroad? Share your tips below!

Pippin’s Pet Care Journey

Traveling with our dog, Pippin, is a joy, but it comes with challenges. Pippin’s dry eyes require daily moisturizing drops, and recently, her right eye got mucky. In Bernkastell-Kues, Germany, along the beautiful Moselle River, we visited a vet who prescribed Soligental eye drops (8 times daily) to help regenerate blood vessels. Pippin may be blind in that eye—she’s been bumping into things—but she’s adapting like a champ.

The vet visit had a silver lining: it led us to a charming wine festival in Bernkastell-Kues! Back in the UK, we’ll follow up with a vet for Pippin’s ongoing care.

Wendy’s Health Scare in Sedan

Our journey wasn’t without hiccups. Wendy developed an abscess under her arm, leading us to a hospital in Sedan, France. Armed with our GHIC card, passport, and medical insurance, we were relieved when the hospital only needed the GHIC and passport. They provided antibiotics, antiseptic spray, and pads to treat the abscess. Unfortunately, micropore tape caused a rash, so we switched to alternative dressings. The abscess is healing, and we’ll check in with a UK pharmacy or doctor soon.

Tip: Always carry your GHIC card and insurance details when traveling in Europe—it can make medical visits much smoother.

Gearing Up for the Channel Tunnel

With an early 7:20 AM train from Calais to Folkestone, we planned to leave the aire by 5:00 AM to cover:

• Pet Check-In: Ensuring Pippin’s paperwork is ready.
• Standard Check-In: Smooth processing at the terminal.
• Duty-Free Stop: A quick shop for last-minute goodies.

Arriving by 6:20 AM gave us plenty of time before the one-hour check-in deadline. Early starts mean shorter queues, making the crossing a breeze.

What’s Next? UK Adventures Await!

Back in England, we’re excited to explore new motorhome adventures, possibly heading to the Midlands to reconnect with friends or discovering new spots beyond Sussex. Stay tuned for more tips on UK motorhome travel, pet-friendly campsites, and stories from our full-time motorhome life.

Final Thoughts

The Calais Camping Car Park was the perfect finale to our Schengen Zone adventure. Its proximity to the Channel Tunnel, excellent services, and pet-friendly setup made it a standout stop, despite challenges like windy weather, LPG issues, and health scares. We hope our experience inspires your next motorhome trip to France or beyond!

Join Us: Subscribe to our YouTube channel at The Happy Travellers for more motorhome tips, travel vlogs, and pet-friendly adventures. Have you stayed at Calais Camping Car Park? Share your favorite tips in the comments below!

Keywords: Calais Camping Car Park, motorhome camping France, Channel Tunnel stop, pet-friendly motorhome travel, LPG gas Europe, Bernkastell-Kues vet visit, Sedan hospital France, GHIC card travel, UK motorhome adventures.