Use of camping gas in Italy

Anyone traveling to Tuscany with a motorhome or caravan needs gas for cooking, the refrigerator, and heating on cool evenings. The most important question beforehand: What do I do when the bottle is empty? Because gas supply in Italy works differently than in Germany.

German gas cylinders in Italy

The grey 11 kg gas cylinders and the red deposit cylinders from Germany are not exchanged in Italy . Refilling is also not an option: refilling standard, portable gas cylinders is prohibited at Italian LPG filling stations. While some individual retailers may refill them privately, you shouldn't rely on this.

For a summer holiday, two full 11 kg bottles are often enough if you mainly cook and run the fridge. In spring, autumn or winter, when the heating is on, consumption is noticeably higher. So set off with full bottles and, wherever possible, use the mains electricity at the campsite for the fridge and hot water.

Buy Italian gas cylinders

In Italy, the 10 kg LPG bottle (bombola GPL) is the standard for campers; larger household bottles are also available. Blue Campingaz cartridges and bottles for stoves are also widely available. Italian bottles can be purchased from retailers displaying the "Gas" or "Bombole" sign, in hardware stores ( ferramenta ), agricultural supply stores, some petrol stations, and often at the campsite itself.

Exchanging a 10 kg gas cylinder usually costs between €25 and €40, depending on the region and retailer. The price of the cylinder itself is added to the initial purchase. Important: Measure your gas locker beforehand – Italian cylinders have different dimensions and may not fit every vehicle.

The correct adapter

Italian gas cylinders have a different connection than German ones. You'll need an adapter from the Italian cylinder valve to the German G.12 connection , and if the pressure regulator isn't screwed directly onto the cylinder, a suitable high-pressure hose. It's best to buy the adapters before your trip – they can be difficult to find in Italy, especially in rural areas.

In our motorhome, the Drehmeister gas adapter set is always on board. This means you are also equipped for other European countries.

Gas adapter gas bottle connection set Europe for removal - connection of German KLF devices to foreign gas bottles - No. 1-4 complete*

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Last updated on July 13, 2026 at 13:40 PM. Please note that prices shown here may have changed since then. All information is provided without guarantee.

Fuel bottle or fixed tank: LPG at the petrol station

The most convenient way to travel is with a permanently installed LPG tank or a refillable cylinder (e.g., Alugas, Wigam, Gaslow) that you can fill at any LPG filling station. There are many LPG filling stations in Italy because many cars there run on LPG. Please note:

• Only permanently installed tanks and refillable bottles are permitted. 80 percent fill stop and external filling connection.
• You need the Dish adapter, which is standard in Italy.
• Let the attendant fill your tank; have your vehicle registration documents ready. If they refuse to fill it, try the next gas station – practices vary.
• Many petrol stations off the motorway have a lunch break (around 12:30 to 15:30), motorway petrol stations are open all day.

Safe driving with gas

• During the journey: Close gas cylinders – unless your vehicle has a crash sensor, in which case the heater may also run while driving.
• When refueling, in parking garages and on ferries: Turn off all gas appliances. Gas bottles must be turned off on the ferries to Elba.
• Gas inspection: Have your system checked regularly before your trip and inspect hoses and regulators for cracks.
• Gas detectors: A gas detector for propane/butane is a sensible and inexpensive safety measure.

What to do in an emergency

In an emergency, first of all keep calm.

• If there is an increasing smell of gas in the camping vehicle, the first thing to do is to put out all open flames.
• Open flames, including smoking a cigarette, should not be used.
• The next step is to switch off all devices and close the gas bottles.
• The window as well as the door can be opened.
• The camping vehicle must be ventilated.
• For safety reasons, no electrical switches should be operated during this time.
• The system can no longer be operated until it has been checked by a specialist.

You can read more about the technology in our article "Gas in the motorhome" , and find suitable pitches at the most beautiful campsites in Tuscany directly by the sea and at the motorhome pitches in Tuscany.

All camping-related topics – from campsites by the sea to pitches and rules – can be found in our guide Camping Holidays in Tuscany.

Frequently asked questions about gas cylinders in Italy