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The Ultimate Road Tripper’s Kit for Navigating the Netherlands


Table of Contents > Road Tripper's Kit

Let’s kickstart this journey with a cheeky stereotype about my people — We Dutchies are notorious for being thrifty! 🤣 Now, imagine you’re road-tripping in the Netherlands, a delightful compact nutshell where any town, village, or city is always within reach. How can you experience this beautiful country while still keeping your inner penny-pincher content? The answer can be found in this road trip kit!

The Many Faces of a Road Trip

Road trips in the Netherlands can take many different forms, balancing budget and adventure.
  • Scenario one: you’re cruising along, admiring the scenic Dutch routes, and stopping at charming cafes and restaurants.
  • Scenario two: you’re traveling and stopping for refreshments at local supermarkets and bakeries.
  • Scenario three is my personal favorite, especially while enjoying scenic cycling routes, in which I act as my own bistro-on-wheels, bringing food and drinks with me from my starting point.

The Ultimate Frugal Road Trip Kit

To navigate, I use the map on my phone. If I am cycling the scenic routes, then I use the 'fietsknooppunten'. I always have a power bank in my bag, just to make sure I can recharge my phone if needed.

Now for my favorite part of the kit… the part that is related to food!

Let’s get into the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of my favorite road trip kit, a kit that I have with me in both my car and the bag I have on my bicycle:


  • One set of basic cutlery (knife, fork, spoon) per traveler
  • A package of napkins
  • A practical dishcloth
  • A reliable thermos cup
  • A small cutting board (approximately 16 x 24 x 1 cm)
  • A water bottle
These kit essentials may appear to be a small investment, but trust me, they’ll pay for themselves in a day or two. Even if you throw the entire kit away before boarding your return flight, it is still worth every penny. I usually equip my stash at Hema or Action, with Blokker and Marskramer as backups if the former stores aren’t in your area. I go to the supermarket and buy paper napkins and water bottles.

The Road Trip Kit — Your Travel Companion and Savior

A road trip, while full of experiences, should not feel like a monotonous routine. My gear ensures that freedom and choice are always on your agenda. You’re no longer restricted to stopping at restaurants or sandwich shops along the way. The kit includes everything you need to prepare and enjoy your road trip meal, whether you’re in a nearby park or on the side of the road.

Enjoy the rustic charm of the countryside while snacking on bread rolls, slices of cheese, or cured sausages purchased at local supermarkets. Enjoy salads right in their containers while sitting in the sun. To beat the summer heat, treat yourself to a small cup of ice cream or yogurt from a nearby supermarket. Do you see how this road trip kit becomes an indispensable companion?

Consider the small cutting board to be a portable kitchen counter. It provides a firm surface for slicing your food and eliminates any potential accidents from hasty improvisations.

The dishcloth, on the other hand, functions as your personal portable dining table. For a crumb-free meal, place it over a park bench, your car bonnet, or even your car seat. Wrap the corners of the cloth over any spills, step out, and shake the cloth to get rid of the crumbs and spills!

The paper napkins serve a simple purpose, but I also wrap them around any used cutlery until I have an opportunity to clean them. I will also wrap a paper napkin around the cutting board when it's covered with food residue that needs cleaning.

The thermos cup, on the other hand, is a true road trip hero. I fill it with coffee or tea before leaving the house or accommodation, and when I get a large coffee later in the day, I can pour part of it into the thermos cup for later consumption.

The essence of my road trip kit is charm and functionality rolled into one. So, are you ready for a low-cost yet breathtaking journey through Dutch plains and cobbled streets? With this road trip kit, you’ll be able to explore the Netherlands on your own schedule.
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