Gas is the fuel behind many campers: cooking, heating, hot water and, sometimes, the fridge. While travelling within one country it's usually not a problem, but as soon as you cross borders, a familiar headache appears: every country has its own bottles and connections, and refilling gas isn't always easy. Let's look at how to avoid getting stuck without gas halfway through a European trip.
The problem: different bottles in every country
Butane/propane bottles and their valves vary between countries, and you can't refill your home bottle just anywhere abroad, nor swap it freely. On a long trip across Europe, this can leave you without gas for cooking or heating.
The most common solutions
- Refillable LPG-style bottles (Gaslow, Alugas and similar): fixed bottles you refill directly at LPG/autogas filling stations, found in many countries. With the right adapters for each country, this is the most convenient solution for touring Europe. It requires a dedicated installation.
- Adapter kit: a set of adapters to connect bottles or filling points from different countries to your system. Essential if you travel abroad often.
- Buying local bottles with the right adapter, where the system allows it.
[Note: check the legality and availability of each system and adapter by country.]
Tips to avoid running out of gas
- Carry two bottles (one as a spare) and watch the level; a gauge helps.
- Find out in advance what system and filling stations exist in the countries on your route.
- Refill when you can, without waiting until you run out, especially in remote areas.
- Safety: your gas installation must be safe and inspected; handle it with care and, better still, have a professional fit it.
The alternative: doing without gas
Some travellers choose to reduce or eliminate gas by using electric or induction cooking (which uses a lot of power; only realistic with a large installation or a hook-up), diesel heating and a compressor fridge. We cover this in cooking in the camper and heating.
In short
Refilling gas across Europe gets complicated because every country has its own bottles; the solutions are refillable LPG bottles at filling stations with a good adapter kit, or doing without gas altogether. The step to take today: if you're planning a trip around Europe, consider a refillable LPG system with the right adapters, or at least carry a spare bottle and find out about the gas systems in the countries on your route.
