Are there motorhome Aires in The Netherlands?

Camperplaats is the name most used for official motorhome areas in The Netherlands. Generally Dutch municipal Aires are allocated sections in unsupervised public car parks, usually at the sports centre. Motorhome stopovers in The Netherlands frequently only offer designated but convenient motorhome parking rather than a fully serviced holiday destination.  The duration of stay is normally indicated on signs and is typically 24-72 hours, hour is often written with a u, Max 24u. In contrast, commercial Aires are privately run, frequently in private gardens or at marinas and have a reception, toilets, showers, and electric hook-up. 

How to find motorhome Aires?

Motorhome stopovers are easy to find in the Netherlands as long as you know where they are! All the Aires The Netherlands is a guide available as a printed book or a digital PDF and lists the Dutch motorhome camperplaats, providing the address, GPS co-ordinates and directions.

How do I find GPS co-ordinates for Aires to use in Satellite navigation?: The GPS coordinates provided in the All the Aires guide books were taken at the camperplaats and it should be possible to drive to the spot where they were taken. However, always check the directions within the guide as these contain useful information. If you are struggling inputting GPS co-ordinates into your Sat Nav read our guide.  

Are there directions in All the Aires guide books?: The directions are written to assist you with map navigation. We have attempted to select the simplest route that is free of height and weight restrictions. Where possible you should follow road signs, abbreviated ‘sp’ in the directions, and look for Aires signs, abbreviated to ‘signed’. In Benelux the standard motorhome symbol is frequently used to indicate the parking spaces, but the area and direction signs are often written as camperplaats.

Can you park overnight at Aires in the Netherlands?

Time restrictions are provided within the listings of All the Aires The Netherlands. Many Aires restrict use to 48hrs, which is logical because it should be enough time to visit the local attractions. 

How do I pay to stay at a Dutch Camperplaats?

Cash is still king in the Netherlands, so ensure you have enough with you. Alternatively you may have to option to pay via an App. The most common payment App is AanUit, aanuit.net, it is advisable to download it onto your smart phone before you depart. Despite the growing App use there is usually a way to pay by cash. Be aware that tourist tax is common and rising in The Netherlands. The prices listed in All the Aires The Netherlands include tourist tax for 2 people.

Is there any designated motorhome parking in The Netherlands?

The majority of camperplaats are Municipal Aires which share space in pre-existing car parks. In The Netherlands these are often just designated parking, there is no Service Point. Each listing within All the Aires The Netherlands provides detailed information on the parking including: the number of marked bays; where bays are restricted in size we have given definitive bay lengths, amount of overhang and width if relevant. 

Service Points are few and far between at municipal Aires in Benelux. Many are simply signed parking areas, described as ‘designated parking’ in the guide book. Always check the Aire details to ensure that the facilities are adequate.

Can large motorhomes (RVs) +7.5m use Aires in Belgium?
The highlighted coach symbols  used within All the Aires guide books identify Aires where the inspectors believe it should be possible for motorhomes over 7.5m to access the parking and Service Point. There is normally more space at marina Aires. Many of the municipal Aires in The Netherlands have been designed to accommodate motorhomes up to 7m long and have sign posts preventing overhang. In general it is unacceptable to park across bays. 

Are Dutch Aires open all year?

Aires make suitable night stops all year round and, unlike campsites, few camperplaats close for the winter. Most Aires have a hard surface. Grass covered parking areas often have reinforcing. The open all year symbol is not highlighted for grass parking, but it can usually be accessed if weather conditions allow. Water may turned off during the winter to prevent frost damage.

What are Marina Aires?
The private Aires network is growing across The Netherlands, but it would be insufficient for demand if the marinas stopped accommodating motorhomes. These marinas fill the gap between Aires and campsites. They differ significantly, but many have excellent facilities and toilet blocks for boaters and campers. 

What are motorhome Service Points?
Service Points provide three main functions: to replenish fresh water, and to dispose of waste (grey) water and toilet (black) waste. Service Points may facilitate one, or all, of these functions and some provide electricity. Park on the Service Point for no longer than it takes to exchange fluids.
Most Service Points are branded, simple and durable. Electricity is frequently provided and is mostly euro coin-operated and metered by kWh used. Sometimes the layout of a Service Point is confusing or a facility is a little way from the parking, especially at marinas.

Can I drink tap water in The Netherlands? The Dutch tap water is very palatable and consistent throughout the region. Thoughtless users are known to contaminate taps at motorhome Service Points when rinsing toilet cassettes. Using disinfectant wipes or spray before drawing water will improve hygiene. Taps are normally threaded to assist the connection of hoses. Flot Bleu, Euro and Pacific Service Points have all the facilities located in one enclosed space increasing the risk of cross contamination. In addition, we have found the drinking water hose down the toilet emptying point on several occasions, so consider disinfection essential.

How to I empty motorhome waste (grey) water in The Netherlands? Drive over drains differ widely in construction. Typically in The Netherlands a shallow metal sink is set in concrete near the Service Point. Some drains are so badly designed or located that it is necessary to use a length of flexible pipe to direct waste water accurately. Some Service Points do not have a drain, but it is often possible to direct a pipe to the toilet emptying point. 

How to I empty my campervan toilet cassette in The Netherlands? Cassette emptying points differ so widely that you may have to think about it before you work out the correct place. It may be necessary to remove a grid. Some drains are too small, so do not rush this operation as spillage will occur. Many Dutch Aires have waste height toilet emptying points referred to in this guide as Seijsenser WC sinks. Make sure that your toilet is not too heavy to lift.

Can I connect my campervan to electric hook-up?: The electricity symbol E is highlighted for every Aire within the All the Aires guide that has an electricity supply, regardless of cost or duration. No further information is provided if the electricity supply is less than one hour. Electricity bollards are common in Holland that charge per kWh. Normally these bollards take euro coins or payment by App. Commercial and marina Aires often include electricity in their nightly charge. Be aware that in busy periods there may not be enough electricity points for the number of motorhomes staying. Should you be lucky enough to stay at an Aire with free electricity, you will be expected to share it with several motorhomes.

Do all campervan stopovers have toilets and showers? Public toilets are inconvenient in the Netherlands due to their almost total absence. If the designated parking is at the sports hall, toilets and showers may be available during the day. The facilities at commercial and marina Aires may include toilets and showers and are normally impeccably clean. Where necessary, prices and further information is detailed within the text of the entry.

What types of Service Points are there in The Netherlands?

HOLIDAY CLEANY: These are practical machines that have an accessible WC emptying point at the bottom. When two taps are fitted one is fresh water and one is for cassette rinsing. The cassette rinsing tap may work without payment. Ensure the switch, located on one side, is correctly positioned. They usually have CEE electric points requiring payment with euro coins.

HOLIDAY CLEAN: These are practical machines that have an accessible WC emptying point at the bottom and are fitted with both a WC rinse tap and a drinking water tap. They do not have electricity.

MARYCAMP XL: These are practical machines that have an accessible WC cassette emptying point at the bottom with a WC rinse tap above. The drinking water tap is on the other side. When payment for water is required it is normally euro coins. Electricity is not provided.

SEIJSENER BOLLARD: These simple Service Points do not have a WC point. Both water and CEE electric are usually metered and payment is by euro coins.

SEIJSENER WC SINK: The stainless steel sink is designed for WC cassette emptying and can be encased in a variety of surrounds. Often they are at waist height, so cassette lifting is required. There is usually a tap for rinsing.

SANI STATION: These Service Points should require payment by euro coins before WC cassette emptying possible, however the roller shutters are often broken and left open. A rinsing tap is located inside the shutter. On the payment side there is a threaded tap. Ensure you connect your hose before payment is made. A hose is essential because of the tap’s location.

ANNUIT BOLLARD: These simple Service Points do not have a WC point. Both water and CEE electric are usually metered and payment is by AnnUit App.

CUSTOM: These Service Points are built by local craftsmen to individual designs.