Campervan hire at Roissy: Start your European road trip directly from the airport
Landing at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle with a road trip in mind raises one practical question: how do you move from the terminal to the driver’s seat of a campervan without wasting a day in Paris transit? The answer is more straightforward than it looks. A rental agency located close to the airport, a quick transfer, a vehicle matched to your travel party, and you can be driving north, west or south within a few hours of landing.
This guide walks through the collection process at CDG, helps you pick the right van for your group and gearbox preference, lists first-day destinations within easy reach of the airport, and explains how to book — including a saving on your reservation.
Start your road trip from CDG — key points
- Collecting a campervan near Roissy-CDG lets you skip Paris and drive out the same day.
- Match the van to your party: 2 to 4 travellers, berths needed, automatic or manual gearbox.
- First-day options range from Chantilly forest to the Atlantic coast or the Alps.
- Book online, pick the Roissy-CDG agency and apply the MOUSSE26 code to save €30.
Why hire a campervan at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle?
Starting a road trip from CDG removes two time-consuming steps: crossing Paris and finding a city-centre rental agency. The airport sits at the north-eastern edge of the Île-de-France region, directly connected to the main motorway network heading north, west and south. For a traveller landing with luggage and a schedule, that proximity is the deciding factor.
From Roissy, the A1 motorway links the airport to the national network in minutes. According to Sanef, the A1 motorway operator’s traffic page confirms that the route runs 211 km between Paris and Lille, with the airport sitting on its path — a useful detail if you plan to head towards the north or the Belgian border. For destinations west, south-west or east, feeder roads around CDG connect quickly to the A4, A6 and A13 without entering the Paris ring road.
The surrounding countryside also opens up options for a gentle first leg. The Vexin regional park, the Compiègne forest and the Chantilly estate all sit within a short drive, which matters after a long-haul flight. Rather than tackling six hours of motorway on day one, many travellers choose a nature stop nearby, sleep in the van, and start the real route the next morning. This is where a well-planned campervan hire at Roissy saves both time and energy.
Collecting your campervan at CDG: how it works
The collection process is designed around arriving passengers. You book online, pick the Roissy-CDG agency, select your dates and travel to the rental depot located close to the airport. On arrival at the agency, a staff member walks you through the vehicle inside and out: controls, water tank, fridge, gas system, bed configuration, and the paperwork needed to drive off.
For travellers who prefer not to find the depot on their own, the agency generally offers a pick-up and drop-off service between the terminals and the rental office. Exact timings, costs and the shuttle procedure should be confirmed directly with the agency before travelling, since these details are set by the rental provider.
Opening hours matter for anyone landing late or early. The published hours of the Roissy-CDG agency, along with contact numbers for last-minute questions, are listed on the agency’s own page. If your flight is delayed or shifts to the next day, contact the agency as soon as possible so your pick-up slot can be adjusted.
- Leave the terminal
Collect your luggage and head to the agreed meeting point for the agency’s shuttle, or make your own way to the rental depot.
- Check in at the agency
Present your driving licence, ID and booking confirmation. The agent prepares the vehicle paperwork.
- Walk-around and interior briefing
The agent demonstrates the van’s living systems: bed, kitchen, fridge, water, electricity, roof if applicable.
- Load the van and drive off
Store your luggage, adjust mirrors and seats, and head towards your first destination.
A note on licences: a standard EU category B licence is sufficient for most campervans weighing up to 3.5 tonnes. According to a parliamentary written answer from the Ministry of the Interior, the regulation on motorhome driving licences specifies that the required category depends on the vehicle’s maximum authorised weight (PTAC), with the C1 licence applying to vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. Check the PTAC of the model you book to confirm the right licence applies.
Which campervan should you choose for your road trip?
The right model depends on three questions: how many travellers, how many berths you actually need to sleep, and whether you want an automatic or manual gearbox. Answering these in advance makes the choice straightforward.
Compact van conversions such as the Volkswagen California suit couples and small families who value easy handling and the ability to park almost anywhere. Larger models like the Volkswagen Grand California or the Mercedes Marco Polo add interior space, standing height in some configurations, and more berths. The Renault Hanroad Trek 5 is designed around larger groups needing up to five berths without stepping into a full motorhome format.
Gearbox choice is more than a comfort preference after a long flight. An automatic model reduces fatigue in traffic and on hilly roads, and simplifies driving for travellers used to automatic cars at home. Manual gearboxes often come with a wider choice of models and sometimes a lower rental cost. If you have never driven a manual van loaded with luggage, the automatic option is usually the safer bet for a first day on French motorways.
Here is a simple decision grid matching party size and sleeping needs to a typical model category. Exact specifications per model, including berths and transmission, should be checked on the agency’s fleet page before booking.
| Profile | Typical model | Berths | Gearbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couple, flexible routes | Volkswagen California | Up to 4 | Manual or automatic depending on model |
| Family of 3-4, more interior space | Mercedes Marco Polo | Up to 4 | Automatic frequently available |
| Family of 4, standing height | Volkswagen Grand California | Up to 4 | Automatic |
| Group of 4-5, larger party | Renault Hanroad Trek 5 | Up to 5 | Manual |
- Two adults, short European loop:
A compact van conversion is enough and easier to park in villages.
- Family of four with children:
Choose a model offering four real berths and consider the Grand California for standing height.
- Group of five or shared trip:
Look for a five-berth model such as the Hanroad Trek 5.
- Jet-lagged or unfamiliar with manual cars:
Prioritise an automatic gearbox regardless of category.
First road trip destinations from Roissy
The first day on the road rarely needs to be ambitious. Several nature areas sit within a short drive of CDG and work well as a reset after the flight. The Chantilly estate and forest lie roughly 30 to 40 minutes north, offering woodland walks and quiet pitches. The Compiègne forest, further north-east, provides a larger wooded area with historic sites. The Vexin regional park, to the west, is a mosaic of farmland, villages and viewpoints suitable for a slower first evening.
For travellers ready to push further, the Atlantic coast is reachable via the A13 and A11 towards Normandy and the Loire, with La Rochelle or the Vendée coast sitting a long day’s drive away. The eastern mountains — Vosges and the Alps — connect through the A4 and A5. Heading south, the Massif Central is a scenic alternative to the busier Mediterranean motorways and rewards slower driving.
Nationally, mountain and coastal campsites remain popular destinations for itinerant trips. The FFCC reports in its camping season report for 2025 that the French coast recorded 68.5 million camping nights and mountain destinations 33.7 million, confirming the enduring appeal of both regions for road trippers.
Plan your first night early: whether you aim for a campsite or an authorised overnight parking area, book or confirm availability before leaving the airport. Rules on wild overnight stays vary by municipality in France.
How to book your campervan and save €30
Booking follows a simple online path. Select the Roissy-CDG agency, enter your pick-up and drop-off dates, choose the model that matches your travel party, add any options (bedding kits, child seats, extra driver), and confirm. The booking page shows the total and lets you enter a discount code before payment.
The MOUSSE26 code provides a €30 saving on your booking. The exact conditions — minimum rental duration, eligible models, booking window and compatibility with other offers — are set by the rental provider and shown at checkout. Verify them on the booking page before applying the code, so no surprise appears on the final total.
- Choose the agency and dates
Select Roissy-CDG, your pick-up date and your return date.
- Pick a van model
Match the vehicle to your party size, berths and gearbox preference.
- Add options
Bedding, child seats, extra driver, mileage package depending on your trip.
- Enter MOUSSE26 and confirm
Apply the code at checkout to see the €30 saving before paying.
Verify the booking conditions: code validity, cancellation terms, deposit, insurance level and mileage limits are set by the rental agency. Read these details carefully before paying.
If you want to secure your vehicle and lock in the saving before your preferred model is taken, head directly to the Roissy-CDG booking page to check availability for your dates.
Can I collect a campervan at CDG the same day I land?
Yes, provided your flight lands within the agency’s opening hours and your booking has been confirmed. Allow enough time between landing and the pick-up slot to clear immigration, collect luggage and reach the agency.
Is an automatic campervan available near Roissy?
Automatic gearboxes are available on several models in the fleet. Availability per model and dates should be checked on the booking page before confirming.
Which licence is needed to drive a campervan from CDG?
A standard category B licence allows driving vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised weight. For heavier campervans a C1 licence is required, as set out in the French regulation.
How do I apply the MOUSSE26 code?
Enter MOUSSE26 in the discount code field at checkout. The €30 saving is applied before payment, subject to the conditions published on the booking page.
Where can I go on my first day out of Roissy?
Short options include the Chantilly estate, the Compiègne forest and the Vexin regional park. Longer routes head towards the Atlantic coast, the Alps, the Vosges or the Massif Central.
Starting a road trip from Roissy-CDG works when three decisions are made in advance: the right van for your party, the right gearbox for your driving comfort, and a realistic first destination that respects post-flight fatigue. Handle these three points before you land, and the gap between stepping off the plane and sleeping in your campervan can be measured in hours rather than days.