With more than 1.8 million registered recreational vehicles, Germany is Europe’s number one caravaning nation. The continued popularity of this form of travel can be attributed to many different factors. One of them is the high degree of flexibility that comes with traveling in a caravan or motorhome. Travelers can decide where they want to go, how long they want to stay in one place, and whether they want to spontaneously adjust their route along the way.
Especially at a time when many people have to plan their vacations more cautiously and on shorter notice, this freedom is becoming increasingly important. At the same time, caravaning offers a high degree of control over travel costs. The length of the trip, route, and destinations can be flexibly adapted to personal preferences and the available budget. This makes RV travel a combination of spontaneous decision-making, financial predictability, and a high degree of flexibility.
The particular strength of caravaning
“Many travelers want to have as much freedom as possible when planning their trips without having to sacrifice reliability and financial predictability. This is one of the particular strengths of caravaning: The flexibility to choose your destination, route, and length of stay makes it possible to manage and plan the main travel expenses in a targeted and reliable way. This combination of independence and cost control provides a sense of security while still leaving room for spontaneous decisions. For anyone who has not yet finalized their vacation plans for this year or is already thinking about their next trip, CARAVAN SALON is the ideal opportunity to discover caravaning for themselves,” explains Daniel Onggowinarso, Managing Director of the Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD).
The long-term positive development of this form of travel demonstrates that caravaning meets the needs of many people. Caravaning stands for a type of vacation that adapts to your lifestyle—not the other way around.
Destinations beyond the major tourist hotspots
The freedom offered by caravaning is also reflected in the choice of destinations. Germany remains one of the most popular destinations for travel by caravan or motorhome. The same applies to many traditional vacation regions across Europe. At the same time, interest is growing in lesser-known places away from heavily visited tourist centers.
Modern recreational vehicles provide ideal conditions for this. Private bathrooms, high-performance battery systems, and accessories such as solar panels make it possible to spend periods of time without access to fixed utility infrastructure. As a result, travelers can also choose more nature-oriented or remote campsites and RV sites and customize their routes even further.
The growing selection of all-wheel-drive motorhomes also addresses the desire for greater independence. These vehicles make it possible to reach remote campsites and RV sites safely, largely regardless of road conditions or weather. Self-sufficiency technology and all-wheel drive therefore represent a clear trend: More and more caravaning travelers want to discover regions beyond the well-known tourist hotspots. Rural destinations and smaller vacation regions in particular can benefit from this development.
More comfort through intelligent space concepts
As expectations for flexibility and independence continue to rise, vehicle concepts are also constantly evolving. One key trend is the increasingly efficient use of available interior space. Flexible floor plans, multifunctional furniture, and intelligently integrated onboard technology ensure that even compact models can offer a high level of living comfort.
For example, dinettes can be converted into sleeping areas with just a few simple steps, beds can be lowered or stowed away to save space, and smart storage solutions make efficient use of even the smallest areas. In bathrooms, features such as sliding walls create additional space and comfort. The result is vehicles that combine compact dimensions with excellent everyday usability and a high level of interior comfort.
Modern caravans and motorhomes are therefore suitable for a wide variety of travel plans. They provide the perfect setting for a longer summer vacation as well as a weekend getaway or a spontaneous escape. The combination of smart use of space, modern technology, and versatile applications makes them comfortable companions for a vacation on your own terms.
Tickets for CARAVAN SALON are available at: https://www.caravan-salon.com/eticket_mn_2.
Tickets and prices for CARAVAN SALON Düsseldorf 2026:
1-day tickets for adults are €20 on weekends, €18 on working days; discounted tickets (pupils, students, Club CARAVAN SALON & boot, ADAC) cost €18 on weekend, €16 on working days), for children (aged 6 to 12) the 1-day ticket costs €6 on weekends and on workdays. In addition, an afternoon ticket will be offered for €12 from Monday to Friday (from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm). Preview Day tickets for adults cost €39 (discounted €35), and for children aged 6 to 12 €6.
A wide selection of pictures can be found at http://medianet.messe-duesseldorf.de/press/caravan-salon/main
CARAVAN SALON DÜSSELDORF
With 270,000 visitors from more than 80 countries and 810 exhibitors from more than 40 countries in 2025, the CARAVAN SALON DÜSSELDORF is the world’s largest trade fair for mobile travel and the most important meeting place for the caravanning industry. The CARAVAN SALON 2026 will take place from 28 August (Preview Day) to 6 September.
