The Travel Mum
  • Members Area
  • Holiday Deals
    • By Airport
    • Family Package Deals
    • Specialist Travel
    • Family Hotels
    • Top 15 DIY Deals
  • Destinations
  • Blog
  • DIY TRIP BUILDER
  • Log in
weekend-in-milan

Unlock the perfect
Cheap holiday

Build a custom DIY trip in 30 seconds!

Start your journey
  • Abu Dhabi
  • Agadir
  • Algarve
  • Amsterdam
  • Amalfi Coast
  • Antalya
  • Athens
  • Barcelona
  • Berlin
  • Billund
  • Brussels
  • Budapest
  • Cinque Terre
  • Cologne
  • Craiova
  • Copenhagen
  • Corfu
  • Crete (Heraklion)
  • Dalaman Coast
  • Dubai
  • Disneyland Paris
  • Dubrovnik
  • Gdansk, Poland
  • Krakow
  • Prague
  • Milan
  • New York
  • Paris
  • Riga
  • Tallinn
  • Vienna
  • Kos
  • Rhodes
  • Santorini
  • Marrakech
  • Lisbon
  • Madeira (Funchal)
  • Costa Brava
  • Costa Dorada
  • Costa del Sol
  • Fuerteventura
  • Gran Canaria
  • Ibiza (Beach)
  • Lanzarote
  • Malaga
  • Mallorca
  • Menorca
  • Tenerife

Home » Insights » Black Forest Road Trip – Roadsurfer Rental

  • Cheap Travel
  • Family Travel
  • Posted: 03/07/2025

Black Forest Road Trip – Roadsurfer Rental

Glastonbury-festival-2025

Jenna Carr

The Travel Mum
Our little family is passionate about helping you save money. We are real people who understand the need to make your budget go further.
The Travel Mum The Travel Mum The Travel Mum The Travel Mum
Holiday Deals Found By Mums Deals from your Airport!
Find a Deal

Ever dreamed of packing up and hitting the open road with your family? Van life is an absolute dream and one of our favourite ways to travel! We recently hired a Roadsurfer campervan and set off on our Black Forest Road Trip in Germany. With the magical Black Forest, the fairy-tale town of Colmar in France, and the epic thrills of Europa Park on our to-do list, it was guaranteed to be an epic trip.

From forest walks and cosy nights in the van to rollercoasters and croissants, this trip had everything. If you’ve ever thought about trying van life with kids, this is your sign – it’s easier (and more fun!) than you think. Let’s dive into the route, the highlights, and all the little moments that made this road trip one to remember.

Black-Forest-Road-Trip

Why We Chose Roadsurfer for our Black Forest Road Trip

We chose Roadsurfer because they’re reliable, great value, and perfectly family-friendly. We’ve used them before and knew exactly what to expect – flexible van options, easy online booking, helpful customer service, and a smooth pickup experience from start to finish. For this trip, we brought my parents along, so we hired two separate vans: the Family Finca for us, and the Road House for them.

Click here for more info about Roadsurfer.

Black-Forest-Road-Trip

Choosing your Van…

The Family Finca was honestly perfect for our little crew! It’s a spacious, sprinter-style camper that comfortably sleeps 2 adults and 2 children with two fixed beds, so there’s no faffing about with conversions at bedtime (a win after long days exploring). It’s got a proper kitchen, a bathroom with hot water, plus auxiliary heating – so it’s great whatever the weather. With its high fixed roof, there’s full standing space inside (no head bumps for Joao this time!), and it still felt easy to drive even on narrower roads. It gave us the freedom to go totally off-grid, with everything we needed right there.

My parents stayed in the Road House, which is a fab option if you’re after something a little more compact but still super well-equipped. It also sleeps four, with a pop-up roof, integrated kitchen, toilet and shower, and loads of clever storage. It’s slightly more compact than the Finca inside, but the roof bed is roomier. The Finca has a bit more indoor space overall, but the Road House is ideal if you want something nimbler without sacrificing comfort.

Prices start from £75 a night for the Road House, and around £75–£89 per night for the Family Finca in May 2026 – which we think is the perfect time for a spring road trip. 

Black-Forest-Road-Trip

Our Black Forest Road Trip Itinerary

We flew into Stuttgart – the cheapest and most convenient airport for our dates – and hit the road straight away! First stop: Baden-Baden for a peaceful start, followed by the charming town of Freudenstadt tucked in the Black Forest. We hopped over the border to explore the stunning streets of Strasbourg and the fairy-tale vibes of Colmar (croissants and cobbled streets = dreamy). Then it was full-on family fun at Europa Park and Rulantica water park, with thrills for everyone. We squeezed in a ride on the toboggan and scenic chairlift at Steinwasen Park, and ended our trip with one last breath of forest air on the incredible Treetop Walk Black Forest – the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable road trip.

Black-Forest-Road-Trip

Life on the Road 

The roads around the Black Forest are incredible. Long open roads surrounded by dramatic forests and endless places to stop and take in the phenomenal views. 

Travelling with a baby and a 6 year old will always bring a certain level of chaos. Make sure you consider your kids car seat set up and whether you plan to take your own or hire them. We took Lucas’ baby car seat and hired a booster seat for Leo. 

We looked for camp sites that had playgrounds to give Leo something to get excited about. It is wild how much a trampoline or a swing set will improve a young child’s mood!

Luca, our 1 year old, can’t walk yet. Containing his endless energy wasn’t easy in a small space! The vans have safety nets on the beds, so we were able to create a makeshift play pen where he could crawl around and not hurt himself. Feeding him wasn’t easy, with hindsight we would have taken the top part of a high chair, or some sort of baby seat, to make meal times less chaotic.

Tips for Planning a Germany Campervan Trip

Planning a campervan adventure through Germany? Here are some helpful tips to make your trip smooth, fun, and stress-free – especially if you’re travelling with little ones! Note that wild camping isn’t allowed in Germany, but you are ok to park up overnight in an appropriate spot, following certain regulations. We only did this once, the rest of the time we stayed on campsites.

Best Time of Year to Go

Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are ideal times for a Germany road trip – mild weather, fewer crowds, and stunning natural scenery (think blooming wildflowers or golden forests). Summer is beautiful too but can get busy, especially at popular spots like the Black Forest or Europa Park. It is also hot, not ideal when cooped up in a small space with kids!

Black-Forest-Road-Trip

Driving in Germany

  • No tolls on most roads for private vehicles, which makes exploring super budget-friendly.
  • Speed limits:
    • Urban areas: 50 km/h
    • Rural roads: 100 km/h
    • Autobahns: No general speed limit, but 130 km/h is recommended (some areas do have limits, so watch for signs).

Campsite Tips

  • Use apps like Park4Night, Stellplatz-Radar, or Campercontact to find campsites and free spots to park overnight.
  • In high season or near popular attractions (like Europa Park), it’s best to book in advance.

If you’re feeling spontaneous, Germany has a great network of “stellplätze” – simple motorhome stopovers, often free or low-cost.

Packing Essentials

  • Layers – the weather can change quickly, especially in mountain regions.
  • Compact storage bins or packing cubes – van life is all about staying organised.
  • Bin bags! Lots and lots of bin bags.
  • Power bank & travel adaptor – handy for charging devices on the go.
  • A picnic blanket, and reusable water bottles – for scenic stops and al fresco meals. The vans come with camping chairs and a table.
  • Entertainment for kids – small toys, audiobooks, and outdoor games are lifesavers on the road.
Black-Forest-Road-Trip

Budgeting Advice

  • Germany is generally good value, especially with no road tolls.
  • Campsite costs vary: free to €40+ per night depending on the location and facilities.
  • Groceries are affordable, and you can cook most meals in your van to save money.
  • Set aside a bit of extra for parking fees, local attractions, and fuel, especially if you’re covering long distances. We spent £110 on fuel doing the route we did. 

Final Thoughts on our Black Forest Road Trip

If you’ve ever dreamed of hitting the road with your family and exploring somewhere new, let this be your sign – it’s so doable and so much fun! Our Black Forest Road Trip (with a detour to the fairy-tale town of Colmar) was packed with magical forests, mountain views, rollercoasters, and croissants… and it was all made easy thanks to Roadsurfer. We’ve used them before and knew we could rely on their friendly service, flexible options, and comfy, well-equipped vans.

Whether you’re going off-grid, park-hopping, or just cruising through the countryside, Germany is a dream to drive through with no tolls, great campsites, and stunning stops at every turn. 

 

Check out our Instagram story highlight from the trip here

This post was written in collaboration with Roadsurfer. All opinions are our own. 

Post Tags

  • Cheap Travel
  • Family Travel
Glastonbury-festival-2025

Written by: Jenna Carr

The Travel Mum
The Travel Mum The Travel Mum The Travel Mum The Travel Mum

Our little family is passionate about helping you save money. We are real people who understand the need to make your budget go further. With The Travel Mum we have created a vibrant community of over 650k budget savvy travellers who want to travel more while spending less. No problem is too big or small, together we will do everything in our power to make sure you are making the absolute most of your well earned budget!

RELATED ARTICLES

  • 12/03/2026

Jet2 Eurocamp Holidays – A 2026 Guide

  • Glastonbury-festival-2025
    Jenna Carr
  • 12/03/2026
budapest-with-kids
  • 09/03/2026

Things To Do in Budapest With Kids – A 2026 Guide

  • Lucy Starrs
  • 09/03/2026
Jet2Villas
  • 09/03/2026

Jet2Villas: A 2026 Guide

  • Glastonbury-festival-2025
    Jenna Carr
  • 09/03/2026

Keep up to date...

The Travel Mum | Family Travel Community

thetravelmum

1,568 330,750

Jen, João, Leo and Luca | Cheap Travel Experts ✈️

thetravelmum

£266pp is a fab package holiday price for the Easter holidays. There’s a heated indoor pool for the kids to splash in, and the cooler weather makes it a great time to explore this gorgeous island.

Comment EASTER and I’ll send you the link for the hotel. Alternatively check out my linktree as it’s currently on there.

The links I share are affiliate links

#thetravelmum #familytravel #eastertravel #cheaptravel

View

Mar 13

0 0
Open
£266pp is a fab package holiday price for the Easter holidays. There’s a heated indoor pool for the kids to splash in, and the cooler weather makes it a great time to explore this gorgeous island. 

Comment EASTER and I’ll send you the link for the hotel. Alternatively check out my linktree as it’s currently on there.

The links I share are affiliate links 

#thetravelmum #familytravel #eastertravel #cheaptravel

£266pp is a fab package holiday price for the Easter holidays. There’s a heated indoor pool for the kids to splash in, and the cooler weather makes it a great time to explore this gorgeous island.

Comment EASTER and I’ll send you the link for the hotel. Alternatively check out my linktree as it’s currently on there.

The links I share are affiliate links

#thetravelmum #familytravel #eastertravel #cheaptravel
...

0 0

thetravelmum

Ksamil is a town on the Albanian Riviera and has had some very mixed reviews over the years, and I think a lot of that comes down to when you visit.

We absolutely loved our trip. It was incredibly affordable too - we paid £190 for six nights in an apartment that slept five! (This was in 2023) I’ve written a full blog post about the trip over on the website, where I’ve shared some great-value accommodation options and tips if you’re thinking about booking something similar.

Comment BLOG and I’ll send you the link along with some cheap flights and info on how to get there!

Expect things like:

🍻 £1.50 pints
🦐 Seafood dishes for under £10
☀️ Beautiful, crystal-clear beaches

We visited in May, when there were very few other people around. The town was just starting to open up for the season, the weather was lovely, and it felt relaxed and easy to enjoy.

June also seems like a great time to visit – a few more things open, but still without the peak summer crowds.

July and August appear to be a very different experience. The town is quite small, and it struggles to cope with the number of visitors in peak season. It can feel very crowded, and prices - particularly for things like sun loungers - can become very steep because of the demand.

So if Ksamil is on your list, timing really is everything!

#albanianriviera #familytravels #thetravelmum

View

Mar 10

235 243
Open
Ksamil is a town on the Albanian Riviera and has had some very mixed reviews over the years, and I think a lot of that comes down to when you visit.

We absolutely loved our trip. It was incredibly affordable too - we paid £190 for six nights in an apartment that slept five! (This was in 2023) I’ve written a full blog post about the trip over on the website, where I’ve shared some great-value accommodation options and tips if you’re thinking about booking something similar. 

Comment BLOG and I’ll send you the link along with some cheap flights and info on how to get there!

Expect things like:

🍻 £1.50 pints
🦐 Seafood dishes for under £10
☀️ Beautiful, crystal-clear beaches

We visited in May, when there were very few other people around. The town was just starting to open up for the season, the weather was lovely, and it felt relaxed and easy to enjoy.

June also seems like a great time to visit – a few more things open, but still without the peak summer crowds.

July and August appear to be a very different experience. The town is quite small, and it struggles to cope with the number of visitors in peak season. It can feel very crowded, and prices - particularly for things like sun loungers - can become very steep because of the demand.

So if Ksamil is on your list, timing really is everything!

#albanianriviera #familytravels #thetravelmum

Ksamil is a town on the Albanian Riviera and has had some very mixed reviews over the years, and I think a lot of that comes down to when you visit.

We absolutely loved our trip. It was incredibly affordable too - we paid £190 for six nights in an apartment that slept five! (This was in 2023) I’ve written a full blog post about the trip over on the website, where I’ve shared some great-value accommodation options and tips if you’re thinking about booking something similar.

Comment BLOG and I’ll send you the link along with some cheap flights and info on how to get there!

Expect things like:

🍻 £1.50 pints
🦐 Seafood dishes for under £10
☀️ Beautiful, crystal-clear beaches

We visited in May, when there were very few other people around. The town was just starting to open up for the season, the weather was lovely, and it felt relaxed and easy to enjoy.

June also seems like a great time to visit – a few more things open, but still without the peak summer crowds.

July and August appear to be a very different experience. The town is quite small, and it struggles to cope with the number of visitors in peak season. It can feel very crowded, and prices - particularly for things like sun loungers - can become very steep because of the demand.

So if Ksamil is on your list, timing really is everything!

#albanianriviera #familytravels #thetravelmum
...

235 243

thetravelmum

Looking for a great value family friendly holiday? Look no further 🫡 We are a group of mums who spend our time hunting out the best deals and sharing them with you!

If you want more information on these holidays, comment “DEALS” and I’ll send you the links with more info. We aren’t travel agents, just a group of mums hunting for great family deals and sending you the best ones. You will book as normal on the providers website.

The La Palma deal is flying from Manchester.
The Tenerife deal is from Leeds.
The Marrakech deal is from Glasgow.

We have pages for each airport over on our website ❤️
I’ll post the best deals we find each day like this all week - are you looking for anything specific?! Let us know!

The links we share are affiliate links.

#thetravelmum #familyholiday #traveldeals

View

Mar 9

17 5
Open
Looking for a great value family friendly holiday? Look no further 🫡 We are a group of mums who spend our time hunting out the best deals and sharing them with you! 

If you want more information on these holidays, comment “DEALS” and I’ll send you the links with more info. We aren’t travel agents, just a group of mums hunting for great family deals and sending you the best ones. You will book as normal on the providers website.

The La Palma deal is flying from Manchester.
The Tenerife deal is from Leeds.
The Marrakech deal is from Glasgow. 

We have pages for each airport over on our website ❤️
I’ll post the best deals we find each day like this all week - are you looking for anything specific?! Let us know!

The links we share are affiliate links. 

#thetravelmum #familyholiday #traveldeals

Looking for a great value family friendly holiday? Look no further 🫡 We are a group of mums who spend our time hunting out the best deals and sharing them with you!

If you want more information on these holidays, comment “DEALS” and I’ll send you the links with more info. We aren’t travel agents, just a group of mums hunting for great family deals and sending you the best ones. You will book as normal on the providers website.

The La Palma deal is flying from Manchester.
The Tenerife deal is from Leeds.
The Marrakech deal is from Glasgow.

We have pages for each airport over on our website ❤️
I’ll post the best deals we find each day like this all week - are you looking for anything specific?! Let us know!

The links we share are affiliate links.

#thetravelmum #familyholiday #traveldeals
...

17 5

thetravelmum

Flights alone can cost this, but you’re getting flights with luggage, transfers and ELEVEN nights at this lovely hotel! Menorca is amazing, so many great places to explore. I’d recommend hiring a car and exploring the island.

I’ve got the link in my linktree or comment MENORCA and I’ll send you the link plus a blog post I wrote from our latest trip to the island ❤️

The links we share are affiliate links. We source our own deals from lots of different holiday providers.

#thetravelmum #cheapholidays #menorca #familytravel

View

Mar 5

159 213
Open
Flights alone can cost this, but you’re getting flights with luggage, transfers and ELEVEN nights at this lovely hotel! Menorca is amazing, so many great places to explore. I’d recommend hiring a car and exploring the island. 

I’ve got the link in my linktree or comment MENORCA and I’ll send you the link plus a blog post I wrote from our latest trip to the island ❤️

The links we share are affiliate links. We source our own deals from lots of different holiday providers. 

#thetravelmum #cheapholidays #menorca #familytravel

Flights alone can cost this, but you’re getting flights with luggage, transfers and ELEVEN nights at this lovely hotel! Menorca is amazing, so many great places to explore. I’d recommend hiring a car and exploring the island.

I’ve got the link in my linktree or comment MENORCA and I’ll send you the link plus a blog post I wrote from our latest trip to the island ❤️

The links we share are affiliate links. We source our own deals from lots of different holiday providers.

#thetravelmum #cheapholidays #menorca #familytravel
...

159 213
Load More Follow on Instagram
weekend-in-milan

Unlock the perfect
Cheap holiday

Build a custom DIY trip in 30 seconds!

Start your journey
© 2026 The Travel Mum
  • About Us
  • FAQ
  • Privacy
  • T&Cs
  • Contact
The Travel Mum The Travel Mum The Travel Mum The Travel Mum
The Travel Mum

Sign up to The Travel Insider

Be the first to hear about great travel deals. Don't forget to order Jens new book, out now!
Newsletter Signup