Your guide to motorhome holidays in Germany

If you’re planning a motorhome tour of Germany then prepare to be blown away by the natural landscapes and historic cities of this very motorhome friendly country.

From the stunning Alps, the mysterious Black Forest with its scenic lakes and pine forest walks, fairy tale castles and magical Christmas markets, this surprising and interesting country really is a must-visit.

Read our guide to motorhome holidays in Germany and you won’t look back!

On any motorhome trip, accidents and mishaps can happen along the way so it always pays to have insurance for your motorhome in place.

 

Travelling to Germany from the UK

Unfortunately, there are no direct ferries from the UK to Germany but you still have plenty of travel options.

If you’re based in the south of England then use the Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk or Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry routes. The Folkestone to Calais route with EuroTunnel Le Shuttle is also worth investigating.

From the north of England, use the Hull to Rotterdam or Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry routes.

Once you arrive, you’ll find your onward journey to Germany a breeze using the tremendous European network of toll-free motorways.

With so many interesting places to stop along the way for a break or a spot of sightseeing, you should arrive in Germany well-rested and excited for your trip.

Where to stay with your motorhome

Germany is no different from many areas of mainland Europe and provides a great welcome for UK motorhome tourers.

Known for the high priority they place on organisation, privacy and punctuality there are plenty of clean and well-maintained sites in most towns and cities.

You’re sure to find some great places to park up and stay for a few days.

Stellplatz – There are over 3,600 Stellplatz in Germany providing a safe place for travellers to park up and sleep. So, you should always have a place to stay wherever your expedition takes you. Many of these are free of charge and you only pay for any services you use. Most will only allow you to stay for a minimum period but with the amount of sightseeing available you probably won’t want to stay in one place too long anyway!

Autohof – As an alternative, Autohof are a series of privately-run service stations which allow overnight stays and even offer sanitary stations and electric hook-up. While they charge a fee, these are sometimes refunded if you buy something from the service station.

Wild camping – Wild camping is not generally permitted in Germany but overnight parking is. Therefore, it’s probably fine to park up for the night, just don’t place anything outside your vehicle or you will be ‘camping’ and might receive a visit from local police!

Campsites – If you are looking to stay on campsites in Germany there are some great options. For example, ACSI has over 1,100 member sites in Germany which tend to be of a very high standard, well managed and with modern and clean facilities. From the North German lowlands and the East Friesian Wadden Sea islands to the Alps in the south there’ll be a campsite from which you can explore.

Some motorhome or camping clubs in the UK also have available sites in Germany so be sure to check before you leave.

 

Touring options for your German expedition

If you really want to get to know Germany then exploring in a motorhome really is the best way to go about it.

There are a huge number of scenic routes taking you across the country so you can explore as and when it takes your fancy, at your own pace and with your own interests in mind. Here are just some of our favourites.

 

Cruise along the Rhine

The Rheinische Sagenweg is one of Germany's most spectacular tourist routes.

It follows the Rhine river, extending over 580km between Düsseldorf and Mainz taking in over 100 popular sights. The spectacular natural scenery, such as the Lorelei and the Laacher See lake, is truly inspirational.

The backdrop for many tales and legends of Germany, these places have lost none of their mystical charms.

 

Drive the Romantic Road

Dawdling along Germany's most famous tourist road, the Romantische Straße, will take you past Baroque churches, pastoral landscapes and lost-in-time walled towns.

It’s a scenic 350km route through the forests and mountains of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg that won’t leave you disappointed.

Starting in Würzburg, a wine-region city known for its stunning 18th-century baroque palace, it ends in the south at Füssen near King Ludwig II’s iconic Neuschwanstein Castle.

Explore the Bavarian Alps

Take a magical 450km tour through the peaks of southern Bavaria from Lindau by Lake Constance, to Berchtesgaden on Lake Königssee.

From crystal-clear mountain lakes to royal palaces and Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, to say it is scenic simply doesn’t do it justice.

Clear your camera’s memory card before you start, as you’ll be unlikely to find a more picture-perfect backdrop anywhere else in the world!

 

A wine tour through Baden

The sun-soaked Baden wine region is the most southern in Germany and is primarily a long, slim strip of vineyards nestled between the hills of the Black Forest and the Rhine River.

Extending some 400km from north to south there is plenty of opportunity here to explore charming wine-growing villages, grand castles, monasteries and stunning natural scenery.

Wine connoisseurs have long agreed the wines here are "blessed by the sun" and so will you be.

 

Grab a bit of coast and culture

A drive between the must-visit cultural centres of Berlin and Hamburg will let you experience a huge variety of sights.

Head north from Berlin to explore the coastal charms and fine white beaches of Rugen on the Baltic coast then along to the wonderful fairy tale charms of Schwerin Castle and the romantic town of Lubeck.

The trip will bring you to the hip media metropolis that is Hamburg with its great galleries, gourmet eating and brilliant nightlife.

Take the Castle Road route

If you have ever seen any pictures of Germany’s spectacular castles then you’ll know you simply must take this route. It stretches from east to west for over 1,000km, from the German city of Mannheim to the scenic Czech city of Prague.

Connecting as many as 70 castles, castle ruins, palaces and royal residences spanning many eras it will give you a unique view into the country’s glorious past.

Highlights include Mannheim Palace, Heidelberg Castle, Nuremberg Castle and Rothenburg Town Hall. And if you want to keep exploring then the route will bring you to Prague — a fascinating city in the Czech Republic that makes an excellent end to any European holiday.

The great thing about motorhome insurance with Motorhome Protect is that it can provide cover across all the EU countries. So if you want to hop across the border then there’s no problem – we’ve got you covered.

 

Year round highlights for any visitor

Why not plan your itinerary to take in one or more of these events taking place in Germany every year?

January – Alpine sports are very popular in Germany and the New Year ski jumping at Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a real highlight. Even if you’re not taking to the slopes yourself, you’ll find lots to enjoy from classic Bavarian traditions to the pristine alpine scenery.

February – With around 400 films being shown the Berlin International Film Festival is one of the most famous film festivals in the world – a must for film buffs.

March to April - The Hamburger Dom festival in Hamburg is the biggest festival in northern Germany. The festival is held three times a year in spring (Frühlingsdom), summer (Sommerdom) and winter (Winterdom).

Easter – The Oberammergau Passion Play (Oberammergauer Passionsspiele) is a passion play that has been performed every 10 years since 1634 by the inhabitants of this village in Bavaria.

June – Kiel Sea Festival is a huge sailing event taking place over nine days on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The Parade of Ships (Windjammerparade) is the main draw and sees hundreds of beautiful sailing ships travelling down the Kiel Fjord.

August – The Frankfurt Cider Festival (Apfelweinfestival) will let you explore what German cider-makers have to offer.

September – With a history stretching back over 600 years, the Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim is the largest wine festival in the world. Did you know that around 400,000 litres of wine is consumed here every year? Rides, fireworks, delicious food, and other activities ensure this is an event for the whole family.

And if you’re thinking of an upgrade to your motorhome then September’s Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf is the biggest motorhome and caravan exhibition in Europe.

September to October - Munich’s world-famous Oktoberfest celebrations take place over 16 days in this Bavarian city. There is a huge amount of beer on offer from six breweries: Späten, Augustiner, Paulaner, Hacker-Poschorr, Hofbräu and Löwenbräu.

December - You’ll find Christmas markets (Christkindelmarkts) in virtually every town and many villages, with particularly impressive offerings in Nuremberg, Stuttgart and Koblenz.

Tips for motorhome drivers

Germany’s network of roads are well maintained but there are still a few things to be aware of when you’re driving in this beautiful country:

• Just like the rest of mainland Europe, Germans drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• It’s compulsory to have a GB sticker or European number plate.
• Make sure you’ve checked what safety kit you need. In Germany although it’s not compulsory for visiting motorists to carry a warning triangle, its use is compulsory in an accident or breakdown situation. It’s also recommended to carry reflective jackets for you and your passengers and a first aid kit.
• Adjust your headlights - Right-hand drive vehicles will need to have their headlights modified so they don’t dazzle oncoming drivers.
• Don’t be put off from driving on the autobahns. Drive as fast as you are comfortable with and keep right unless overtaking.
• If a driver wishes to overtake you, they will flash their lights and indicators to show their intent.
• There are 58 low emission zones (umweltzonen) in cities and built up areas. You need an environmental badge (umweltplakette) on the windscreen to drive into these.
• If you are driving during the winter months, all vehicles must be adapted to winter road conditions using either winter tyres or all-season tyres.
• Fines for traffic offences such as speeding are often expected to be paid to the police officer on the spot. If you don’t have enough cash, then you can usually use a debit or credit card.
• Check your sat nav. If it detects speed cameras then it’s illegal in Germany.
• If you’re travelling to Europe be sure to make sure you’re covered by your motorhome insurance policy.

 

Protecting your vehicle with motorhome insurance cover

Once you a taste for German travel you’ll know why motorhome owners rave about their investment. But they can be expensive vehicles that require significant protection wherever your wanderlust takes you.

While we always recommend motorhome owners take sensible precautions to combat the risk of accidents and other eventualities while on the road, it’s impossible to rule everything out.

Whether motoring down one of those marvellous German autobahns or winding through the Schwarzwald Hochstrasse in the Black Forest region, a motorhome’s large size can make it vulnerable to road traffic accidents and damage.

Using our select panel of insurers, the specialist team at Motorhome Protect can arrange the best bespoke motorhome insurance, tailored to your needs.

Subject to eligibility and underwriting criteria, cover arranged through Motorhome Protect can include the following benefits:

• Cover for motorhomes valued up to £150,000
• Up to 6 months to complete a self-restoration
• Enhanced cover for personal effects up to £3,000
• Unlimited mileage cover
• Unlimited EU cover
• Consideration of all claims and convictions

Call Motorhome Protect and get a quick quote for motorhome insurance today.

Policy benefits and features offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.