Comparing Off-Grid Touring in Germany, France, and Spain (1 Viewer)

[Brian Thompson]

Hi How does Germany compare to France and Spain for of grid touring?. How are UK motorhome tourers received

 

[WESTY66]

Hi How does Germany compare to France and Spain for of grid touring?. How are UK motorhome tourers received

I can’t compare Germany to france because I don’t do france, BUT Germany is excellent for off grid touring via the vast amount of Stellplatz, and I’ve found the Germans nothing but welcoming

At least they don’t block off the ports now and again and stop us visiting their country

 

[suavecarve]

Dependant upon your definition of off grid.

If you mean aires, which are called Stellplatzes, as off grid then there would be an argument that Germany is easier than France or Spain. You will probably pay for more Stellplatzes in Germany than other countries but nothing more than 12 euros unless you go very North and then expect to pay premium on the Baltic. Other expensive areas are available such as Fussen and Berchtesgarden.

If you mean totally wild, it would depend on how well you hide.

 

[Geistguy]

I can't compare to France but in two 6 week holidays touring all over Germany we were never been made to feel more welcome, the facilities on almost all Stellplatzes are well cared for and either free or just a nominal charge. Sometimes other vans do park a little closer than us Brits are used to but we never had any noise problem.

 

[meanders]

Yes... always welcome. Always helpful. Always want to practice their English on you. I get by with a term of German lessons at school just a few years back!

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[Flairy]

We been travelling through Germany since the 70s we love it made loads of friends there ,the stellplatz system is so easy 6900 stellplatz you don’t have to book ,just turn up park either someone will come for the money or if it’s a wellness centre eg any place starting with Bad you pay at reception we’re going again images weeks enjoy yourself

 

[Stealaway]

Hi How does Germany compare to France and Spain for of grid touring?. How are UK motorhome tourers received

Never any problems wilding in Germany but you do tend to be charged more often even if it's only a token amount.
If you want to stayover in the popular places like the banks of the Mosel expect to pay 10-15 Euros.
You always have to pay for water but usually only 1 or 2 Euros per 100 ltr.
Germany seems to be busier - but in a nice way with loads to see with loads of cheapish restaurants. The beer, wine and food is first class---------Enjoy

 

[BillandHelen]

It’s just fabulous, great stellplatz, welcoming people, we are off for another 5 weeks at the end of the month.

 

[funflair]

It’s just grim I tell you, €10 a night and we still, sorry I still have to do the washing up, other than that can’t fault it.

 

[Flairy]

It’s just grim I tell you, €10 a night and we still, sorry I still have to do the washing up, other than that can’t fault it.

View attachment 893251

If you take Jen out for a meal you wouldn’t have to wash up

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[funflair]

If you take Jen out for a meal you wouldn’t have to wash up

I wouldn’t bank on it

 

[Next Stop]

We found this book handy last year when visiting the Mosel, it's written in German but translates easy enough once you learn a few words.

https://www.vicarious-shop.com/products/reise-mobil-bord-atlas-2024-stellplatze-germany

 

[Flairy]

There’s over 160 Top Platz voted by the German motorhomes in promobil magazine you can pick up Neue Topplatze book at many of the stellplatz top sites (eg minheim on the Mosel)

 

[Jewellbags]

Try some of the weingut (winery) Stellplatz . Ours was free but then we did buy a box . Other than than not felt any animosity from the Germans , nice bunch really

 

[grasscutter]

Currently touring around Germany and not having any problems finding park ups.

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[Lenny HB]

Yes Germany is good you can also overnight in car parks providing they don't have a cars only sign.
A lot of the villages and towns involves a fair bit of driving between them compared to France where you can just amble a few kilometers to the next village.

The only bad thing about Germany is if you like eating out the food is diabolical.

 

[Kirsten]

Love France its the place we have been to most and first - went in Lockdown to Germany as desperate to get away and there was a window so we hot wheeled[for us ] over to Germany- loved it.
Was odd for us as we dont speak more than 3 words of German but were made very welcome. Only thing we found a slight issue was that all the Stellaplatz places we parked needed COINS to pay and we were constantly scraping round for change. It was a nudge from Suarvecarve that prompted us to go , his threads were very informative xxx

 

[suavecarve]

Love France its the place we have been to most and first - went in Lockdown to Germany as desperate to get away and there was a window so we hot wheeled[for us ] over to Germany- loved it.
Was odd for us as we dont speak more than 3 words of German but were made very welcome. Only thing we found a slight issue was that all the Stellaplatz places we parked needed COINS to pay and we were constantly scraping round for change. It was a nudge from Suarvecarve that prompted us to go , his threads were very informative xxx

And here is said thread.

It is in Covid times so there is an amount of chat about infection rates etc as you could go to Germany and travel back without having to quarantine if you went via tunnel and didnt get out of the van in Belgium or France, but there were a fair few of us went so go to page 10 as a starting point and ignore the covid chat

Germany/Austria August/September information sharing.

This thread is designed for people who have, or are, or will be going to Germany/Austria as an alternative to France/Spain in the months of August/September. (or longer) People interested in the thread should ensure their own travel insurance is in order, motorhome insurance, pet insurance and...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[WESTY66]

Love France its the place we have been to most and first - went in Lockdown to Germany as desperate to get away and there was a window so we hot wheeled[for us ] over to Germany- loved it.
Was odd for us as we dont speak more than 3 words of German but were made very welcome. Only thing we found a slight issue was that all the Stellaplatz places we parked needed COINS to pay and we were constantly scraping round for change. It was a nudge from Suarvecarve that prompted us to go , his threads were very informative xxx

Most of the Stellplatz we use you can pay via the Parkster app, it’s very good and easy to use

 

[Dutch 68]

It’s just grim I tell you, €10 a night and we still, sorry I still have to do the washing up, other than that can’t fault it.

View attachment 893251

Jeeez you don’t have a dishwasher on board? I would quickly rectify that lol

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[paddymcc]

Jeeez you don’t have a dishwasher on board? I would quickly rectify that lol

I'm sure Jen would agree it's worth getting a new van with a dishwasher if only to stop you complaining on here .
Didn't you see any you liked at Morelo HQ?

 

[G-RMPS]

Yes, “he” is.

 

[Lenny HB]

I'm sure Jen would agree it's worth getting a new van with a dishwasher if only to stop you complaining on here .
Didn't you see any you liked at Morelo HQ?

Even if they did it would take them 5 years to make up their minds.

 

[MichaelT]

We find in Germany you generally have to pay for everything, stellplatz, services etc whereas I France there are a lot more free ones. Yes you do need lots of coins but everything is generally higher quality (but you're paying). Most places have hook up and generally have to pay a euro or two per kw or for a certain time.

Germans very friendly and many speak English and their outlook and lifestyleis very similar to ours. as Lenny HB said food is not highest quality or choice (lots of snitzels) but great beer and some good wine.

 

[Flairy]

You’ll find they still like cash and many normal shops not supermarkets won’t take cards but you soon get used to it.

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[Barti Ddu]

We found Germany really friendly and welcoming last Autumn. Easy in a motorhome/ campervan too. No harder than France. Lots of cheap stellplatz, and easy to find park-ups too.

Top picture is right in the centre of Konstance against the river. Second is in Oberjoch in the Alps; and third is in the Black Forest. Just a selection - we stayed off grid all across Germany, both urban and rural.

 

[Lenny HB]

We find in Germany you generally have to pay for everything, stellplatz, services etc whereas I France there are a lot more free ones. Yes you do need lots of coins but everything is generally higher quality (but you're paying). Most places have hook up and generally have to pay a euro or two per kw or for a certain time.

Germans very friendly and many speak English and their outlook and lifestyleis very similar to ours. as Lenny HB said food is not highest quality or choice (lots of snitzels) but great beer and some good wine.

We spent 6 weeks in Germany last October used quite a few free Stellaplatz and the paying ones most took cards only a few needed cash.
Even when paying for water most of the time you can pay for what you need by the coins you put in so can top up with 10, 20, 30 50 or 100Lt so easy to keep a full tank.

 

[funflair]

Even if they did it would take them 5 years to make up their minds.

Yes OK but when did we start looking we got this one over 4 years ago

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes OK but when did we start looking we got this one over 4 years ago

Blimey where did those 4 years go.

 

[Flairy]

You might decide to keep this one for ever?

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