Camping in Germany
Discussion
Hi.
I'm planning a road trip from here in western Sweden down into Germany next summer as we have good road access and it seems covid19 will still be with us then, so this seems like a good possible getaway to somewhere new without too much risk of losing money or having to fly. I can get to Germany in about 4.5 - 5.5 hours depending on ferries from Denmark.
I was wondering whether anyone here has done any camping in Germany, it would be my wife and a 3-year-old on this trip so we are looking at family-friendly places that are not too crowded or over commercial, it's a dream to get close or even into the alps also, but that might be a bit too much driving.
Any thoughts, feedback or ideas greatly welcomed.
Cheers
I'm planning a road trip from here in western Sweden down into Germany next summer as we have good road access and it seems covid19 will still be with us then, so this seems like a good possible getaway to somewhere new without too much risk of losing money or having to fly. I can get to Germany in about 4.5 - 5.5 hours depending on ferries from Denmark.
I was wondering whether anyone here has done any camping in Germany, it would be my wife and a 3-year-old on this trip so we are looking at family-friendly places that are not too crowded or over commercial, it's a dream to get close or even into the alps also, but that might be a bit too much driving.
Any thoughts, feedback or ideas greatly welcomed.
Cheers
With the exception of this year, I've been going to Germany every year now for quite a while. The trip you are thinking about was even part of one I made in my Motorhome in 2018. That went from friends that live about 40 minutes from the bridge into Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, then back to Sweden.
From my experience of that and other trips...
As you use the word "camping" I assume you mean with a tent. Personally, I would forget that idea, and use a (hired?) motorhome. Germany is very friendly to those, and if you have a 3 year old with you, far more convenient in lots of ways. Places to stay are far easier to find as well. Not only Camping sites, but "stellplatz" also. When I di the trip I mentioned, only one of the places I stopped in Germany would even accept tents! I cant say if thats the norm though.
Hope this helps.
From my experience of that and other trips...
As you use the word "camping" I assume you mean with a tent. Personally, I would forget that idea, and use a (hired?) motorhome. Germany is very friendly to those, and if you have a 3 year old with you, far more convenient in lots of ways. Places to stay are far easier to find as well. Not only Camping sites, but "stellplatz" also. When I di the trip I mentioned, only one of the places I stopped in Germany would even accept tents! I cant say if thats the norm though.
Hope this helps.
Ubendum said:
With the exception of this year, I've been going to Germany every year now for quite a while. The trip you are thinking about was even part of one I made in my Motorhome in 2018. That went from friends that live about 40 minutes from the bridge into Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, then back to Sweden.
From my experience of that and other trips...
As you use the word "camping" I assume you mean with a tent. Personally, I would forget that idea, and use a (hired?) motorhome. Germany is very friendly to those, and if you have a 3 year old with you, far more convenient in lots of ways. Places to stay are far easier to find as well. Not only Camping sites, but "stellplatz" also. When I di the trip I mentioned, only one of the places I stopped in Germany would even accept tents! I cant say if thats the norm though.
Hope this helps.
I agree the motorhome would be best, but a bit out of our budget so that's why camping looked best. Also, we can probably get through Germany quite a bit quicker in our car than a motorhome. I looked at costs and it was a around £1000 per week for a hire vehicle and we are thinking 3 weeks away next summer so that would be just £3k before fuel and other costs. From my experience of that and other trips...
As you use the word "camping" I assume you mean with a tent. Personally, I would forget that idea, and use a (hired?) motorhome. Germany is very friendly to those, and if you have a 3 year old with you, far more convenient in lots of ways. Places to stay are far easier to find as well. Not only Camping sites, but "stellplatz" also. When I di the trip I mentioned, only one of the places I stopped in Germany would even accept tents! I cant say if thats the norm though.
Hope this helps.
With the camping bit, I'm looking at one of the more modern tent systems that have inflatable sections and a bit bigger so we have room to stretch if the weather is a bit crap.
Another couple of things that you may or may not be aware of.
In case of a breakdown or worse, a high visibility jacket has to be carried in the car. It has to be put on before getting out of the vehicle. Also, it is a legal requirement to carry an approved First Aid kit.
Some Campsites have strictly enforced "quiet times." One is usually around midday, the other during the night.
A thought. Returning to the original post. Judging from the time you said that it would take you get to Germany, my guess would be that you live somewhere south of Gothenburg, maybe Halmstad or perhaps Varberg, somewhere like that. I'm also guessing that the thought is to drive through Denmark, and use the Rödby to Puttgarden ferry. That one would put you right in the "stau" around Hamburg. Why not give a thought to using one of the ferries from either Ystad or Trelleborg? That takes you out of the traffic to a certain extent (if the correct ferry is chosen!).
One other thing. Try to avoid travelling in Germany after the middle of July. Their school holidays start then, and traffic gets even worse.
In case of a breakdown or worse, a high visibility jacket has to be carried in the car. It has to be put on before getting out of the vehicle. Also, it is a legal requirement to carry an approved First Aid kit.
Some Campsites have strictly enforced "quiet times." One is usually around midday, the other during the night.
A thought. Returning to the original post. Judging from the time you said that it would take you get to Germany, my guess would be that you live somewhere south of Gothenburg, maybe Halmstad or perhaps Varberg, somewhere like that. I'm also guessing that the thought is to drive through Denmark, and use the Rödby to Puttgarden ferry. That one would put you right in the "stau" around Hamburg. Why not give a thought to using one of the ferries from either Ystad or Trelleborg? That takes you out of the traffic to a certain extent (if the correct ferry is chosen!).
One other thing. Try to avoid travelling in Germany after the middle of July. Their school holidays start then, and traffic gets even worse.
Canute said:
I agree the motorhome would be best, but a bit out of our budget so that's why camping looked best. Also, we can probably get through Germany quite a bit quicker in our car than a motorhome. I looked at costs and it was a around £1000 per week for a hire vehicle and we are thinking 3 weeks away next summer so that would be just £3k before fuel and other costs.
With the camping bit, I'm looking at one of the more modern tent systems that have inflatable sections and a bit bigger so we have room to stretch if the weather is a bit crap.
Added to which, I'd say a 3 year old would LOVE camping - ours did!!With the camping bit, I'm looking at one of the more modern tent systems that have inflatable sections and a bit bigger so we have room to stretch if the weather is a bit crap.
Sorry, nothing to offer on German camp sites....we've used some in France over the years, all pretty good.
Clearly it will be great if you can get a recommendation, but frankly, these days, I would pick the area you can get to comfortably on google maps and search for camping - for example, https://goo.gl/maps/ziMGGeCBPQoXRqv67
Then look down the left for decent reviews, more than just a handful, then take it from there to research more!
Just a thought - sounds great, enjoy!!
Try pitchup.com to find sites.
We camped in Germany about twenty years ago, but now regularly go to France. German campsites were just as good as the French so just go off the reviews to find the most suitable.
We have two kids now and they love camping from essentially when they were born. A three year old will think it is a right adventure. Our kids do enjoy having a pool but these sites are more expensive and perhaps too commercial for you?
I would plan about four nights at each site - you can get further afield by splitting the driving up, but you also won't be setting up every other night ( which can be a pain dependent on your set up). After four nights we find you have usually explored a lot of the locality (the interesting bits) and you get to experience more places (obviously!!). Plus if you do get poor neighbours, it doesn't ruin the whole holiday.
We use an old VW camper now and the journey (if planned well) is actually a great part of the holiday. Getting places shouldn't be a chore and should be enjoyed....
Just get out and do it...
Mike
We camped in Germany about twenty years ago, but now regularly go to France. German campsites were just as good as the French so just go off the reviews to find the most suitable.
We have two kids now and they love camping from essentially when they were born. A three year old will think it is a right adventure. Our kids do enjoy having a pool but these sites are more expensive and perhaps too commercial for you?
I would plan about four nights at each site - you can get further afield by splitting the driving up, but you also won't be setting up every other night ( which can be a pain dependent on your set up). After four nights we find you have usually explored a lot of the locality (the interesting bits) and you get to experience more places (obviously!!). Plus if you do get poor neighbours, it doesn't ruin the whole holiday.
We use an old VW camper now and the journey (if planned well) is actually a great part of the holiday. Getting places shouldn't be a chore and should be enjoyed....
Just get out and do it...
Mike
smifffymoto said:
Why not drive and rent a motorhome in Germany? Or even better,why not fly?
If I was prepared to fly, we would be having holidays down the med. But with C19 we have abandoned the idea of normal holidays and want to do something where we are little bit more in control of things and are able to distance ourselves more easily. Been camping and motorhoming in Germany for years. Never had a bad camp site yet and it's always cheaper than France. Don't discount going to Poland or Czech too both lovely places and so cheap. If you like castles (Schloss) then the road from Koblenz by the Rhine towards Rüdesheim am Rhein is excellent and the former and latter have wonderful riverside campsites. In fact there are campsites all the way down the Rhine.
We stayed in Landal parks and they were great. It was cheaper to drive to Landal in Germany, then to stay in similar park in UK. Lots of places to explore and great food and vine (look for a small local places). Stick to the speed limit, as tolerance is very low and lots of hidden speed cameras around. If not far from Luxembourg, buy your fuel there as it is a lot cheaper. Kids were fine, we would just stop somewhere for a few hours and go for a walk. If near Nuremberg, Playmobil park is great for kids. There is also a toy museum in Nuremberg, which is over 4 or 5 floors and has a lot of things and model trains (take a flashlight with you to look as small figures in darker rooms)
Edited by stressfree on Wednesday 14th October 15:14
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