Motorhoming in Germany: Your Complete Touring Guide

This post may contain affiliate links, from which we earn an income. Click here to read our affiliate policy.

Germany is one of Europe’s easiest countries to explore by motorhome. Excellent roads, thousands of dedicated stellplätze and a huge motorhome culture make touring straightforward, while the landscapes range from the Baltic and North Sea coasts to the Black Forest and Bavarian Alps.

We know Germany particularly well. We lived in the country for five years and have returned many times since becoming full-time travellers in 2018, touring by motorhome and overland vehicle through Bavaria, the Black Forest, the Mosel Valley, northern Germany and many of the country’s historic towns and cities.

In this guide, we share everything you need to plan a motorhome trip to Germany, including how to get there from the UK, driving rules, autobahns and environmental zones, where to find stellplätze, motorhome services and the best places to visit.

If you’re looking for a route rather than general touring advice, our Germany motorhome itinerary takes you through some of our favourite parts of the country and can be followed as a complete road trip or adapted to suit the time you have available.

Motorhoming in Germany Key Facts

What it is: The Gap Decaders’ guide to motorhoming in Germany covers getting there, driving rules, environmental zones, motorhome stellplätze, campsites, services and the best places to visit by motorhome.
Motorhome touring: Germany has an extensive network of dedicated stellplätze and campsites, excellent roads and a strong motorhome culture, making it one of the easiest European countries to tour by motorhome.
Trip planning: This guide covers practical touring information and routes through Germany, with a separate Germany motorhome itinerary for travellers planning a dedicated road trip.
First-hand experience: The Gap Decaders have travelled extensively through Germany by motorhome and overland vehicle and lived in Germany for five years. This guide is based on that first-hand experience.

Getting to Germany in a Motorhome

There are no direct ferries from the UK to Germany, so most motorhome trips involve crossing to France or the Netherlands and continuing by road. The best option depends largely on where you live in the UK and which part of Germany you’re heading for.

Crossing the Channel

For most travellers from southern England, the quickest route is across the Channel to northern France. From there, you can drive through Belgium into Germany without needing to enter the Netherlands.

The main options are:

Dover to Calais: The classic short-sea ferry crossing, taking around 100 minutes. Calais works well for most routes into western, central and southern Germany.

Dover to Dunkirk: Around two hours and slightly further east than Calais, making it particularly convenient when Germany is your destination. Dunkirk is close to the Belgian border.

Folkestone to Calais with LeShuttle: The fastest Channel crossing and our usual choice when we want to cover ground quickly. You stay with your motorhome for the short journey through the Channel Tunnel.

Newhaven to Dieppe: A longer crossing and further west, but it can be convenient if you’re travelling from the south or south-east and want to avoid Dover. The onward drive to Germany is longer than from Calais or Dunkirk.

If you’re travelling from northern England or Scotland, the Newcastle to Amsterdam overnight ferry is also worth considering. You arrive at IJmuiden in the Netherlands and can be at the German border in under three hours, saving a substantial amount of driving through England, France and Belgium.

For most motorhomers heading directly to Germany from southern Britain, we’d choose Dover-Dunkirk or LeShuttle. Dunkirk gives you a useful head start east, while LeShuttle is hard to beat when speed and flexibility matter.

Compare motorhome ferry crossings to Europe with Direct Ferries and find the best route and price for your trip.

For routes, crossing options, costs and our tips for travelling across the Channel, see our complete guide to driving to Germany from the UK.

Driving to Germany Through Europe

From Calais or Dunkirk, the most direct route usually takes you through Belgium before entering Germany near Aachen. There are no motorway tolls for private motorhomes in Belgium or Germany, although different rules apply to some heavier vehicles depending on their registration and use.

From Amsterdam, routes into Germany are straightforward, with the border easily reached via the Dutch motorway network.

If Germany is part of a longer European trip, you can also enter from Denmark, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg or the Netherlands. Germany’s central position makes it particularly easy to combine with neighbouring countries.

Hiring a Motorhome in Germany

Flying to Germany and hiring a motorhome can make sense if you don’t want to spend several days travelling from the UK. Major cities including Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg and Berlin provide good starting points, depending on the part of Germany you want to explore.

Motorhome Republic compares motorhome and campervan hire from multiple rental companies, making it useful for checking vehicle types, collection points and prices in one place.

Alternatively, you can hire a motorhome in the UK and drive it to Germany. Many UK hire companies permit European travel, including our recommended hirer, Spaceship Rentals. With a London depot, European travel options and fully equipped campers, it’s a good choice if you want to start and finish your trip in the UK.

Best Motorhome Routes Through Germany

Germany has one of the most extensive motorway networks in Europe, and the best route depends on which part of the country you want to explore. Unlike France, there are no motorway tolls for private motorhomes, so the fastest Autobahn route is often the obvious choice when you need to cover distance.

If you’re arriving from Calais or Dunkirk, the usual route takes you through Belgium towards Aachen. Arriving on the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry puts you in a much better position for northern Germany, the coast and Berlin.

Roadworks are common on the German Autobahn network and can cause significant delays, so always check your route before setting off and don’t rely too heavily on your original arrival time.

Calais to the Black Forest and South-West Germany

For Baden-Baden, the Black Forest, Freiburg and south-west Germany, there are two useful routes.

From Calais, take the A16 towards Dunkirk, then continue through Belgium towards Brussels. From there, head south-east towards Luxembourg before continuing towards Strasbourg and crossing the Rhine into Germany.

Alternatively, enter Germany at Aachen on the A44, pick up the A4 towards Cologne and then head south on the A61. From the Rhine area, the A61 takes you towards Koblenz and continues south towards the A6 and A5 corridor.

The A5 is the main north-south Autobahn for the Black Forest. It runs past Karlsruhe, Baden-Baden and Freiburg towards Basel and is the road you’ll use for most destinations on the western side of the Black Forest.

Calais to Munich and Bavaria

For Munich, the Romantic Road, Füssen and the Bavarian Alps, enter Germany near Aachen and use the A4 towards Cologne.

From the Cologne area, take the A3 south-east towards Frankfurt and Würzburg. The A3 continues all the way to Nuremberg, where you can join the A9 south towards Munich.

For Füssen, Neuschwanstein Castle and the western Bavarian Alps, leave the A3 around Würzburg and use the A7 south. The A7 is particularly useful for motorhome touring because it runs almost the entire length of Germany from the Danish border to Füssen.

Calais to Hamburg and Northern Germany

For Bremen, Hamburg, Lübeck and the North Sea coast, it usually makes sense to cross Belgium and the Netherlands rather than heading into Germany at Aachen.

From Calais or Dunkirk, travel towards Antwerp and continue through the Netherlands towards Eindhoven. The Dutch A67 takes you east to the German border, where it becomes the A40.

From the Ruhr area, use the A2 and A1 towards Münster and Bremen. The A1 continues north-east from Bremen to Hamburg and then Lübeck, making it one of the most useful motorways for touring northern Germany.

If you’re travelling from northern England or Scotland, Newcastle to Amsterdam is particularly attractive for this part of Germany because it removes much of the drive across southern England, France and Belgium.

Calais to Berlin and Eastern Germany

For Berlin, the most straightforward route from the Channel is generally through Belgium to Aachen, then across Germany using the major east-west Autobahns.

Take the A4 from Aachen towards Cologne, then use the A1/A2 corridor to reach the A2 eastbound. The A2 runs across northern central Germany via Hanover and Magdeburg before reaching the Berlin area.

For Leipzig, Dresden and Saxony, a more southerly route can work better. The A4 itself crosses Germany from the Dutch/Belgian border region towards central and eastern Germany, eventually continuing through Thuringia and Saxony towards Dresden.

The A9 is another important north-south route in eastern Germany, connecting Berlin with Leipzig, Nuremberg and Munich.

Amsterdam to Northern and Eastern Germany

If you arrive at IJmuiden on the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry, take the Dutch motorway network east towards Germany.

For Bremen and Hamburg, the most useful German routes are the A30 and A1. The A30 runs east from the Dutch border towards Osnabrück, where you can connect with the A1 north towards Bremen and Hamburg.

For Berlin, continue east using the A30 and then the A2, which provides a direct motorway corridor via Hanover and Magdeburg to the Berlin region.

For the German North Sea coast, the A31 provides the main north-south route towards Emden and East Frisia.

Avoiding German Autobahns

There is no need to avoid the Autobahn simply to save tolls in a private motorhome. Germany’s road toll applies to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes that are intended or used for road haulage, rather than private motorhomes simply because they exceed 3.5 tonnes.

But Autobahns aren’t always the most enjoyable way to see Germany. Bundesstraßen, identified by a B followed by a number, are often excellent roads and can be a much better choice once you reach the area you want to explore.

We tend to use the Autobahn to cover the long distances, then switch to B roads and smaller roads once the journey itself becomes part of the trip. In areas such as the Black Forest, Bavaria, the Mosel and the Baltic coast, that’s often where the best motorhome touring begins.

Germany Motorhome Itinerary

If you want to turn all that practical information into an actual road trip, our Germany motorhome itinerary brings together some of our favourite places and roads from our travels around the country.

The route starts in Calais and travels through southern and central Germany, taking in the Black Forest, Bavarian Alps, the Romantic Road, medieval towns, historic cities and some of Germany’s most scenic landscapes before heading north.

Our Germany motorhome itinerary includes a mapped route, day-by-day stops, driving information, things to see and do, and suggested places to stay with your motorhome and you can download a copy to print or store on a device and take with you.

Germany Motorhome Travel Rules

Since the UK left the EU, there are additional entry requirements for British travellers visiting Germany. Most are straightforward, but you need to consider passport validity, the Schengen 90-day rule, border systems and restrictions on what you can bring into the EU.

Passport and Schengen Rules

British citizens travelling to Germany must have a passport that meets the Schengen entry requirements. Your passport must have been issued less than ten years before the date you enter the EU and must be valid for at least three months after the date you plan to leave.

Germany is part of the Schengen Area, so time spent there counts towards the rule allowing most British visitors to spend up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

If you’re planning a longer European motorhome tour, keep track of your days carefully, particularly if you’ll be travelling through several Schengen countries.

EES and ETIAS

The EU’s Entry/Exit System, or EES, records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen Area for short stays. British travellers are included in the system.

ETIAS is a separate travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors to participating European countries. Once operational, eligible British travellers will need to apply before travelling.

Because the implementation and transitional arrangements for both systems can change, check the latest official EU information before you travel.

GHIC and Travel Insurance

A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives eligible UK residents access to medically necessary state healthcare in Germany on the same basis as a German resident. Depending on the treatment, this may not always mean healthcare is free.

A GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. It does not cover things such as private medical treatment, repatriation to the UK, mountain rescue or many of the additional costs that can arise if you become ill or have an accident while travelling.

We use and recommend True Traveller for our own travel insurance. Their policies offer a wide range of activities as standard, cover travellers up to 75 years old, include long-term options of up to two years and can be started when you’re already travelling.

Take both your GHIC and appropriate travel insurance when touring Germany, and keep the details somewhere you can access easily in an emergency.

Taking a Pet to Germany

If you’re taking a dog, cat or ferret from Great Britain to Germany, you need to meet the EU pet travel rules.

For most pets travelling from Great Britain, you will need:

Since April 2026, people resident in Great Britain should no longer use an EU pet passport to enter the EU, even if the passport was originally issued in an EU country. EU pet passports are now intended for people whose main home is in the EU. GB residents should obtain an AHC for each trip from Great Britain to Germany.

Once you have entered the EU, your AHC can be used for onward travel within the EU and for re-entry to Great Britain for up to six months, provided your pet’s rabies vaccination remains valid.

You do not need tapeworm treatment before taking a dog into the EU from Great Britain. However, dogs returning to Great Britain must normally be treated for tapeworm by a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than five days before arrival, with the treatment recorded in the pet’s travel documentation.

When travelling by ferry or LeShuttle, check your operator’s pet arrangements before booking, as requirements and facilities vary between crossings.

Mobile Data and Roaming

EU roaming is no longer automatically included for UK mobile customers. Some UK networks still include European roaming in particular plans, while others charge a daily fee or impose data limits.

Check your allowance before travelling and be aware of fair-use limits if you’ll be touring Europe for an extended period.

For longer trips, an eSIM, local SIM or dedicated motorhome internet system can often be a better-value option.

Taking Food into the EU

There are restrictions on bringing certain food products from Great Britain into the EU. Meat and dairy products generally cannot be brought into Germany for personal consumption, with limited exceptions.

There are also limits and rules covering some plants, fruit, vegetables and other animal products, so check the current EU rules before stocking your motorhome for the journey.

Best Time to Visit Germany in a Motorhome

Germany is a year-round destination, but for motorhome touring we think the best months are generally May, June, September and early October. You’ll usually get comfortable travelling weather without the busiest summer crowds, and most campsites, stellplätze and visitor attractions are fully operational.

The weather varies considerably across the country. Northern Germany and the coasts tend to be cooler and more changeable, while southern Germany can be warmer in summer but much colder in winter, particularly around Bavaria and the Alps.

Spring

April and May can be a lovely time to tour Germany. The countryside is green, campsites and attractions begin opening for the main season and popular destinations are considerably quieter than during the summer holidays.

Temperatures can still be cool, especially at night, and snow is possible at higher elevations in the Alps. By May, conditions are usually much better for longer road trips and outdoor activities.

Spring is particularly good for the Rhine and Mosel valleys, Black Forest and Germany’s historic towns and cities.

Summer

June to August brings the warmest weather and longest days, making it a great time for the Baltic and North Sea coasts, Germany’s lakes and the Bavarian Alps.

July and August are also peak holiday season. Popular campsites and stellplätze can fill quickly, particularly around Lake Constance, the Bavarian lakes, the coast and major tourist destinations.

Germany’s school summer holidays are staggered by federal state rather than taking place nationwide at the same time. This spreads the pressure but also means holiday traffic continues across much of the summer.

If you’re travelling during July or August, we’d avoid long Autobahn journeys on peak changeover days where possible and arrive at popular stellplätze earlier in the day.

Autumn

September is one of our favourite months for motorhoming in Germany. The summer crowds begin to disappear, temperatures are often still pleasant and the changing colours make areas such as the Black Forest and Bavaria particularly attractive.

It’s also harvest season in Germany’s wine regions. The Mosel, Rhine and Palatinate are excellent at this time of year, with wine festivals taking place in towns and villages throughout the regions.

By October, nights become noticeably cooler and daylight hours shorten, but it’s still a good time for touring if you’re equipped for colder weather.

Winter

Germany can be fantastic by motorhome in winter, but it requires more planning.

From late November through December, Christmas markets transform cities and towns across the country. Nuremberg, Cologne, Dresden, Munich and Rothenburg ob der Tauber are among the best known, but you’ll find markets in towns and villages almost everywhere.

Many stellplätze remain open throughout winter, although some campsites and seasonal facilities close. You’ll need to make sure your motorhome is properly winterised, particularly if you’re heading into Bavaria or the mountains.

Snow and ice are common in some areas, and Germany has winter tyre requirements based on road conditions rather than fixed nationwide winter dates. We’ll cover those rules in the driving section.

For a Christmas market trip, we’d plan shorter driving days and choose stellplätze within walking distance or easy public transport of town centres. Germany is particularly well set up for this style of winter motorhome touring.

Driving a Motorhome in Germany

Germany is an easy country to drive through by motorhome, with an excellent road network and generally well-maintained Autobahns and main roads. The Autobahn network makes covering long distances straightforward, while the Bundesstraßen, identified by a B followed by a number, are often a better choice once you want to slow down and explore.

German driving rules are strictly enforced, and there are some important differences for motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes, particularly around speed limits.

Germany Motorhome Speed Limits

Speed limits depend on the weight and registration classification of your motorhome.

For motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes:

For motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes and up to 7.5 tonnes that are registered as motorhomes:

The 100km/h Autobahn allowance specifically applies to vehicles registered as motorhomes. Different limits can apply if your vehicle has another registration classification.

For motorhomes over 7.5 tonnes, lower heavy-vehicle limits apply, so if you tour in a larger expedition vehicle or converted truck, check the rules for your vehicle’s particular registration class and weight.

Speed limits shown on signs always override the general limits, and many sections of Autobahn have permanent or variable speed restrictions.

If visibility falls below 50 metres because of fog, snow or heavy rain, the maximum permitted speed is 50km/h.

Documents You Need to Drive in Germany

When driving a UK-registered motorhome in Germany, carry:

A UK photocard driving licence is accepted for visits to Germany, so most UK motorhome travellers do not need an International Driving Permit.

If the motorhome isn’t registered in your name, including a hired or borrowed vehicle, carry documentation showing that you have permission to take and drive it abroad.

Your UK registration plate should display the UK identifier. If it doesn’t, you’ll need a separate UK sticker.

Vehicle Safety Equipment

Germany requires vehicles to carry certain safety equipment. In your motorhome, you should have:

We carry a reflective vest for every person travelling in the motorhome, even where only one is required, so everyone can be visible if we need to leave the vehicle at the roadside.

Unlike France, Germany does not require Angles Morts blind-spot stickers on motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes.

Heavy Motorhomes and Vehicle Weight

Germany makes an important distinction between lighter motorhomes and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.

Once your motorhome exceeds 3.5 tonnes, different speed limits and some additional road restrictions may apply. You’ll see signs displaying weight limits on smaller roads, bridges and through some towns, so know the maximum authorised mass and dimensions of your vehicle.

If you drive a particularly large motorhome or expedition truck, it’s worth having the vehicle’s height, width, length and weight displayed somewhere visible from the driver’s seat.

Winter Tyres and Snow Chains

Germany has a situational rather than date-based winter tyre requirement.

If there is black ice, packed snow, slush, ice or frost on the road, you must have suitable winter tyres fitted. Tyres used to meet the winter requirement must carry the Alpine symbol, showing a mountain and snowflake. Tyres carrying only the older M+S marking no longer qualify.

Snow chains may be compulsory on particular mountain roads when indicated by a blue circular snow-chain sign.

This is particularly relevant if you’re touring Bavaria, the Black Forest or other higher areas during winter. Don’t assume that an Autobahn route will remain snow-free simply because it’s a major road.

Studded tyres are generally prohibited in Germany.

German Rules of the Road

Drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Germany takes lane discipline seriously. On the Autobahn, keep to the right unless you’re overtaking rather than sitting unnecessarily in a middle or outside lane.

Vehicles entering an Autobahn must give way to traffic already on it.

At junctions without signs, traffic lights or other priority controls, the priority-to-the-right rule, rechts vor links, generally applies. This catches plenty of visitors out, particularly on residential streets.

Trams usually have priority, and you should take particular care around tram stops where passengers may cross the road.

Seat belts are compulsory where fitted, and using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited.

Germany also has strict drink-driving rules. For some drivers, including novice and younger drivers, the permitted alcohol level is effectively zero.

Autobahn Driving and the Rettungsgasse

The Autobahn’s reputation for unlimited speeds can be misleading. Many sections have permanent or temporary limits, particularly around cities, junctions and roadworks.

Where there is no posted limit, 130km/h is the recommended speed for vehicles to which the unrestricted rule applies. That doesn’t override the lower limits applicable to heavier motorhomes.

One German rule every visitor should know is the Rettungsgasse, or emergency corridor.

When traffic becomes stationary or slows to walking pace on a road with at least two lanes travelling in the same direction, drivers must create a corridor for emergency vehicles.

The corridor is formed between the far-left lane and the lane immediately to its right. Vehicles in the left lane move left, while everyone else moves right.

Don’t wait until you hear a siren. Create the emergency corridor as soon as congestion forms.

Motorway Breakdowns

If you break down on an Autobahn, move onto the hard shoulder or as far to the right as safely possible.

Switch on your hazard lights, put on your reflective vest before leaving the motorhome and move yourself and your passengers to a safe position behind the barrier where possible.

Place your warning triangle far enough behind the vehicle to give approaching traffic adequate warning, taking extreme care when walking alongside the carriageway.

Germany still has emergency telephones along parts of the Autobahn network, and the European emergency number is 112.

If your motorhome is large or heavy, make sure your breakdown provider knows its exact weight and dimensions. Standard recovery vehicles may not be suitable for larger motorhomes and expedition trucks.

Toll Roads in Germany

Germany does not have a general motorway toll for private cars or motorhomes.

Since July 2024, Germany’s HGV toll has applied from more than 3.5 tonnes, but the crucial point for motorhome owners is that the toll requirement applies to vehicles intended or used for road haulage. A private motorhome does not become liable for the German HGV toll simply because it weighs more than 3.5 tonnes.

This is particularly useful for anyone touring Germany in a heavier motorhome.

Be more careful with converted trucks and other unusual vehicles. Registration classification and the purpose for which the vehicle is designed or used can matter, so owners of truck conversions should establish their individual position rather than assuming the motorhome exemption applies.

There are a small number of separately charged tunnels or private roads, but for normal motorhome touring you can use Germany’s extensive Autobahn network without paying motorway tolls.

Umweltplakette and Low Emission Zones

Germany’s low-emission zones are called Umweltzonen.

Although a growing number of German cities have abolished their zones, they still exist in a number of places. Germany’s Federal Environment Agency reported 35 remaining Umweltzonen in its latest update.

To enter an active Umweltzone, qualifying vehicles need the appropriate Umweltplakette, or emissions sticker, displayed on the windscreen. Existing zones now require the green sticker. The same German sticker can be used in Umweltzonen across the country rather than buying a different one for every city.

The requirement also applies to foreign-registered vehicles.

You can obtain an Umweltplakette using your vehicle registration document from authorised garages, inspection organisations and other approved outlets.

You can also order an Umweltplakette online before you travel. For UK-registered motorhomes, the official provider TÜV NORD allows foreign vehicle owners to apply online using their vehicle registration document, and the sticker is then posted to you. Once issued, the sticker is valid in all German Umweltzonen for as long as the vehicle registration number remains the same.

Don’t assume that because you’ve driven into a city before without one the zone still operates in exactly the same way. Germany’s Umweltzonen are changing as individual cities remove or alter their schemes, so check your destination before travelling.

Rear Loads and Bike Racks

Germany does not require an Italian-style red-and-white warning panel for an ordinary rear-mounted bicycle rack.

However, if a load projects more than one metre beyond the vehicle’s rear reflectors, it must be marked with an appropriate red warning flag or board, generally at least 30 × 30cm. Additional lighting may be required in darkness or poor visibility.

Make sure your bicycle rack is securely fitted and that the bicycles do not obscure the number plate or rear lights. Check the permitted rear overhang if carrying larger equipment.

Parking in German Towns and Cities

German parking signs are generally straightforward, but pay close attention to supplementary signs underneath the main parking sign because these can restrict parking by vehicle type, time, day or permit.

A blue P indicates parking, while Parkscheibe means you need to display a parking disc showing your arrival time. These are inexpensive and worth keeping permanently in your motorhome.

Parkschein means you need a ticket from the parking machine.

Parking a motorhome is different from camping in it. Germany is relatively motorhome-friendly, but ordinary parking spaces don’t automatically permit you to put out chairs, awnings or levelling equipment.

For overnight stops, Germany’s extensive stellplatz network is usually a much easier option, which we’ll cover next.

Motorhome Stopovers in Germany

Germany is one of the easiest countries in Europe for finding somewhere to stay in a motorhome. The country has an extensive network of dedicated motorhome stellplätze, alongside campsites, private stopovers and other overnight options.

Stellplätze vary enormously. Some are little more than designated motorhome parking areas, while others have electric hook-up, fresh water, waste disposal, toilets and showers. You’ll find them in city centres, beside rivers and lakes, at marinas and thermal spas, and in rural areas.

Motorhome Stellplätze

A German stellplatz is broadly equivalent to a French aire and is specifically intended for motorhomes.

Some stellplätze are free, while others charge for the pitch and additional services. Payment may be through a machine, app, reception or honesty box, depending on the location.

Facilities vary, so don’t assume that every stellplatz will provide water, waste disposal or electricity. Some are simply safe and legal places to park overnight.

One of the things we particularly like about German stellplätze is their location. Many towns provide motorhome parking within walking distance of the centre, making them ideal for sightseeing without having to take the motorhome into busy streets or find conventional parking.

Always check the signs when you arrive. Maximum stays, payment periods, permitted vehicle sizes and rules around awnings, chairs and other camping behaviour vary between stellplätze.

Commercial Motorhome Stellplätze

Alongside municipal stellplätze, you’ll find privately operated motorhome stopovers throughout Germany.

These are often more like small campsites, with marked pitches, electric hook-up, water and waste facilities, toilets and sometimes showers, WiFi and washing machines.

They can be a good compromise if you want more facilities than a basic stellplatz but don’t need everything offered by a full campsite.

Some can be booked in advance, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Motorway Service Areas

Raststätten

A raststätte is a motorway service area directly accessible from the Autobahn. Most have parking, toilets, food and fuel, although facilities vary considerably. You’ll also find simpler Autobahn rest areas known as rastplätze, which may have little more than parking and toilets.

It is possible to stop overnight at a raststätte if you need to rest and restore your fitness to drive, provided there are no signs prohibiting it. However, these are primarily motorway service areas rather than dedicated motorhome stopovers.

There are usually large numbers of HGVs parked overnight, with vehicles arriving and leaving throughout the night, so they can be noisy. Parking areas are also generally open rather than secure motorhome sites.

We don’t recommend planning to stay overnight at a raststätte. If you’re too tired to continue driving, stop and rest, but for a planned overnight stay we’d choose a stellplatz or Autohof instead.

Autohöfe

An Autohof is a privately operated service area located just off the Autobahn rather than directly on it. They are usually close to a motorway junction and signposted from the Autobahn with the Autohof symbol.

Autohöfe generally provide fuel, food, toilets and parking and are usually open 24 hours. They’re designed primarily for commercial drivers, but many also welcome motorhomes, and some provide dedicated motorhome parking, fresh water, waste disposal, showers and electric hook-up.

Parking arrangements vary. Some Autohöfe charge for overnight parking, and at some locations part or all of the parking charge can be redeemed against purchases in the restaurant, shop or filling station. Security also varies between sites, so I wouldn’t state that all Autohöfe are fenced, guarded or covered by CCTV.

Autohöfe can be a useful option when you’re covering a long distance through Germany and just need a convenient overnight stop close to the Autobahn.

Use the Autohof Guide or Park4Night to find Autohöfe along your route.

Wild Camping and Overnight Parking

Wild camping is generally not permitted in Germany. However, there is an important exception for motorhome travellers.

You may stop overnight where parking is otherwise legal if you need to rest in order to restore your fitness to drive, known in German as Wiederherstellung der Fahrtüchtigkeit. ADAC describes this as a single overnight stop without camping-style activity.

This is intended as a rest stop during a journey, not a way of spending several nights wild camping at your destination. A German court has previously upheld a fine where a motorhome owner used a public car park for an overnight leisure stay after already reaching her holiday destination.

You should remain within the footprint of the motorhome and avoid putting out chairs, tables, awnings or other camping equipment.

Normal parking restrictions still apply. A motorhome cannot use a space specifically signed for passenger cars, and your vehicle must fit within marked parking spaces where markings are provided.

In rural areas and outside the main summer season, it can be easier to find suitable overnight parking away from busy tourist destinations. We use Park4Night to help find potential stops, but always check local signs and restrictions when you arrive.

Private Motorhome Stopovers

Germany has a good network of private motorhome stopovers at vineyards, farms, breweries, restaurants and other rural businesses. These can be a great alternative to conventional stellplätze, particularly if you want to stay somewhere quieter and meet local producers.

One of the best-known schemes is Landvergnügen. Membership gives motorhome travellers access to hundreds of participating farms, vineyards, breweries, dairies and other producers across Germany, with overnight stays generally included as part of the membership. There’s no obligation to buy anything, although supporting your host by buying local produce is very much part of the spirit of the scheme.

Winzeratlas is particularly useful if you’re touring Germany’s wine regions. It focuses on motorhome stopovers at wineries and wine-growing estates, making it a good option for the Mosel, Rhine, Palatinate and other German wine regions. Many participating vineyards provide dedicated motorhome pitches, and some also offer electricity, water or other facilities.

We also use Bordatlas from Reisemobil International, which is one of the most comprehensive sources for finding motorhome stellplätze throughout Germany. It includes thousands of dedicated motorhome stops and is particularly useful when you’re touring away from the obvious tourist areas.

Facilities, booking arrangements and charges vary between individual stops, so always check the current listing before arriving. Some locations are simple overnight pitches, while others have electricity, fresh water and waste disposal.

Campsites in Germany

Germany has a huge choice of campsites, from small rural sites to large holiday parks around the Baltic coast, Bavaria and the country’s lakes.

Campsites are particularly useful if you want to stay somewhere for several nights, need laundry and full facilities, or want to put out your awning, table and chairs and properly settle in.

Sites in popular areas can become busy during the German school holidays, particularly around the coast, Lake Constance, the Bavarian lakes and other major holiday destinations.

ACSI CampingCard

If you’re travelling outside the main summer season, an ACSI CampingCard can make German campsites considerably better value.

Participating campsites offer CampingCard ACSI holders fixed discounted rates during specified low-season periods. The participating dates and rates vary between campsites, so check the individual listing rather than assuming the discount applies throughout your stay.

We’ve found ACSI particularly useful when we want campsite facilities for a few days without paying peak-season prices.

Finding Motorhome Stopovers in Germany

We use Park4Night and Campercontact extensively when touring Germany to find stellplätze, campsites, service points and other suitable motorhome stops.

It’s particularly useful for recent reviews and photographs, but always check the signs when you arrive. Parking rules can change and a location shown in an app isn’t automatically a legal overnight stop.

Motorhome Services in Germany

Germany’s strong motorhome culture means finding everyday services is generally straightforward. Dedicated service points are common at stellplätze and campsites, LPG is widely available and there are plenty of motorhome dealers and accessory shops if you need parts or repairs.

Fresh Water and Waste Disposal

Many German stellplätze have a Ver- und Entsorgungsstation, usually shortened to V+E, where you can fill with fresh water and empty grey and black waste.

Services may be included in the overnight fee or charged separately. It’s common to find coin-operated water and electricity, so keeping a few euro coins in the motorhome is useful.

Some service points can also be used by motorhomes that aren’t staying overnight, although this varies by location.

Never assume that water at a service point is drinking water unless it is clearly marked as Trinkwasser. Likewise, only empty toilet waste at a designated Chemietoilette or WC-Entsorgung point.

LPG in Germany

LPG is widely available in Germany and is usually called Autogas at filling stations.

Germany uses the ACME LPG adaptor, so if you have a refillable LPG system you’ll need the appropriate adaptor for your filling connection.

Don’t confuse Autogas with bottled gas. German exchange cylinders use different fittings and exchange systems from UK bottles, so you generally can’t exchange a UK Calor or other UK-specific cylinder in Germany.

If you’re touring for an extended period and rely on exchangeable bottles, plan your gas supply before travelling. A refillable LPG system makes longer European trips considerably easier.

Fuel

Petrol and diesel are readily available throughout Germany. Petrol is called benzin in Germany and diesel is diesel.

Fuel on the Autobahn is usually more expensive than at filling stations away from the motorway, so we tend to fill up before joining the Autobahn or leave briefly to find a cheaper station.

Germany displays fuel prices prominently and competition between filling stations can produce noticeable differences even within the same town.

Supermarket and independent filling stations are often cheaper than motorway service stations.

If you’re driving a large motorhome, check access before committing to smaller urban filling stations. We’ve learned to look carefully at entrances, turning space and canopy heights before driving in with a larger vehicle.

AdBlue

AdBlue is widely available in Germany and is usually sold as AdBlue at filling stations.

Larger motorway services and supermarket fuel stations often have AdBlue pumps, while containers are readily available from filling stations, supermarkets and motor factors.

If you’re filling from a pump, check that it is suitable for your vehicle, as some high-flow pumps intended for HGVs may not be suitable for smaller motorhome AdBlue tanks.

Laundry

Self-service laundrettes are called Waschsalons and are easy to find in larger towns and cities.

Some campsites and better-equipped stellplätze also provide washing machines and dryers, although these are usually charged separately.

Google Maps and Park4Night are useful for finding laundrettes while travelling. We often combine a laundry stop with shopping and other jobs rather than using campsite machines.

Shopping and Supermarkets

Germany is excellent for supermarket shopping, with Aldi, Lidl, Edeka, REWE, Kaufland, Netto and Penny found throughout the country.

Aldi and Lidl are useful for everyday basics, while larger Kaufland, Edeka and REWE stores generally have a wider choice and bigger car parks, which can make them easier with a motorhome.

One important thing to remember is that most shops and supermarkets in Germany are closed on Sundays. There are exceptions at some railway stations, airports and tourist locations, and filling stations usually sell basic food and essentials, but don’t rely on doing your weekly shop on a Sunday.

Germany also operates a Pfand deposit system on many drinks bottles and cans. You pay a small deposit when you buy the drink and return the empty container to a machine in a supermarket to receive a voucher, which you redeem at the till.

Motorhome Parts and Repairs

Germany is one of the best countries in Europe if you need motorhome parts, accessories or repairs.

Large motorhome and camping accessory retailers include Fritz Berger and Reimo, and you’ll find independent caravan and motorhome dealers throughout the country. Germany is also home to many major motorhome manufacturers, including Hymer, Dethleffs, Bürstner, Carthago and Knaus, so there is a substantial dealer and service network.

For problems with the base vehicle, Fiat Professional, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Volkswagen and Iveco all have extensive German dealer networks.

If you need a habitation repair, search for wohnmobil werkstatt or wohnmobil reparatur, followed by your location.

For larger motorhomes and expedition vehicles, commercial vehicle workshops can sometimes be a better option than conventional motorhome dealers, particularly for chassis, brakes, suspension and drivetrain problems.

Keep your VIN, registration document and exact vehicle model details handy when sourcing parts. With motorhomes, the chassis year and the habitation manufacturer’s model year aren’t always the same, and ordering against the registration alone can sometimes result in the wrong part.

Best Places to Visit in Germany by Motorhome

Germany is much more varied than you might expect, with Alpine landscapes and lakes in the south, wine-growing valleys in the west, historic towns throughout the centre and long stretches of North Sea and Baltic coastline in the north.

Having lived in Germany for five years and returned many times since, we’ve explored a lot of the country both before and after we started travelling by motorhome. These are the areas we’d recommend building into a Germany motorhome trip.

Bavaria and the German Alps

Bavaria is one of our favourite regions of Germany for motorhome touring, particularly if you enjoy mountains, lakes and traditional towns and villages.

The Bavarian Alps stretch along Germany’s southern border with Austria and include some of the country’s most dramatic scenery. Highlights include Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany’s highest mountain Zugspitze, Berchtesgaden and Königssee, as well as Füssen and nearby Neuschwanstein Castle.

The German Alpine Road, or Deutsche Alpenstraße, is one of Germany’s great touring routes. It runs for around 450km from Lindau on Lake Constance to Schönau am Königssee near Berchtesgaden, linking Alpine passes, lakes, castles and traditional Bavarian towns.

There are plenty of stellplätze throughout the region, although the most popular destinations can become very busy during summer.

The Romantic Road

The Romantic Road, or Romantische Straße, runs for around 460km between Würzburg and Füssen and is one of Germany’s best-known road-trip routes.

Rather than being a single scenic road, it’s a touring route linking historic towns and villages through Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Nördlingen and Augsburg are among the highlights before the route finishes near Füssen and the Bavarian Alps.

It’s particularly well suited to motorhome travel because many of the towns have dedicated stellplätze outside their historic centres.

The Black Forest

The Black Forest in south-west Germany combines forested mountains, lakes, spa towns and traditional villages, with excellent roads for exploring by motorhome.

The B500 is the region’s best-known driving road. Its northern section, the Schwarzwaldhochstraße or Black Forest High Road, runs through some of the highest parts of the northern Black Forest with viewpoints and access to walking trails.

Baden-Baden makes a good northern starting point, while further south you’ll find Triberg, Titisee, Schluchsee and Freiburg.

The Black Forest also works particularly well as part of a longer trip incorporating Alsace in France, Lake Constance or Switzerland.

The Mosel Valley

The Mosel is one of Germany’s best motorhome destinations, with vineyards climbing steeply above the river and small wine towns dotted along its banks.

The B49 and B53 follow much of the river, making it easy to explore slowly. Trier, Bernkastel-Kues, Traben-Trarbach and Cochem are among the best-known stops, but some of our favourite places are the smaller wine villages between them.

This is also one of the best parts of Germany for private vineyard stopovers, and September and early October are particularly good times to visit during the grape harvest.

The Rhine Valley

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley between Bingen and Koblenz is one of the most spectacular sections of the Rhine and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The B9 follows the western bank while the B42 follows much of the eastern side, with castles, vineyards and historic towns overlooking the river.

Bacharach, Boppard and St Goar are good stops on the western bank, while Rüdesheim and the Loreley are among the highlights on the eastern side.

You can easily combine the Rhine and Mosel into one motorhome trip, with the two rivers meeting at Koblenz.

Lake Constance

Lake Constance, or Bodensee, sits where Germany meets Austria and Switzerland and is a lovely area for a slower motorhome trip.

Lindau is one of our favourite stops and makes an excellent starting point for exploring southern Germany. Other highlights include Friedrichshafen, Meersburg and the flower island of Mainau near Konstanz.

The lake is extremely popular during summer, so stellplätze and campsites can fill quickly in July and August.

Saxony and Saxon Switzerland

Eastern Germany is often overlooked by visitors driving towards Bavaria, but Saxony is well worth making time for.

Dresden is one of Germany’s most impressive cities, while nearby Saxon Switzerland National Park has sandstone rock formations, forested valleys and excellent walking.

The Bastei Bridge is the best-known landmark, but there are numerous hiking areas along the Elbe Valley and around the national park.

This region also makes an easy addition to a longer trip through the Czech Republic.

Berlin and Potsdam

Berlin deserves several days if you haven’t visited before, but we wouldn’t recommend trying to explore central Berlin in the motorhome.

Use one of the stellplätze or campsites outside the centre and travel in by public transport instead. Berlin’s transport network makes this straightforward.

Nearby Potsdam is also worth visiting for Sanssouci Palace and its extensive parkland and can easily be combined with Berlin.

The Harz Mountains

The Harz is a compact mountain region in central Germany that’s particularly good for walking, historic towns and a slightly slower motorhome trip.

Highlights include Goslar, Wernigerode and Quedlinburg, along with the Brocken, the highest mountain in northern Germany.

The Harz narrow-gauge railway network is another highlight, with steam trains running through the mountains and up to the Brocken.

Northern Germany and the Baltic Coast

Northern Germany feels very different from Bavaria and the south, with flatter landscapes, historic Hanseatic cities and a long coastline.

Hamburg and Lübeck are obvious stops before continuing towards the Baltic. Further east, the coast around Wismar and Rostock leads towards the island of Rügen, with its beaches, chalk cliffs and seaside resorts.

Rügen is connected to the mainland by road, making it particularly easy to include on a motorhome tour.

The North Sea Coast and Islands

Germany’s North Sea coast is quieter and wilder than many of the country’s better-known touring regions.

East Frisia has small fishing towns, huge tidal landscapes and access to the East Frisian Islands. Many of the islands restrict vehicles, so you’ll usually leave the motorhome on the mainland and visit as a foot passenger.

Further north, Schleswig-Holstein provides access to the North Frisian coast and islands including Sylt.

The entire German North Sea coast forms part of the wider Wadden Sea region, one of Europe’s most important coastal landscapes.

Germany’s Wine Routes

Beyond the Mosel and Rhine, Germany has several excellent wine-growing regions that work particularly well for motorhome touring.

The German Wine Route, or Deutsche Weinstraße, runs for around 85km through the Palatinate between the French border and Bockenheim. It’s a lovely area of vineyards, small wine towns and private motorhome stops at wineries.

The region is particularly enjoyable during late summer and autumn when grape harvesting and local wine festivals bring the villages to life.

More Germany Travel Ideas

German Life

One of the pleasures of travelling slowly through Germany is getting used to the rhythms of everyday life. Having lived in Germany for five years, we found that a few things work differently from the UK, particularly shopping hours, Sundays and the importance Germans place on quiet time.

Shops and Opening Hours

Most supermarkets and shops in Germany are open from Monday to Saturday, often from early morning until 8pm or later.

The big difference for British visitors is Sunday. Most shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays, including many large supermarkets and shopping centres.

There are exceptions, particularly at major railway stations, airports and some tourist areas, while petrol stations usually sell a small range of groceries and essentials.

If you’re arriving somewhere late on Saturday, do your food shopping before you settle onto your stellplatz or you could have a very limited choice the following day.

Public holidays can also affect opening hours, and some German states have holidays that aren’t observed across the whole country.

German Supermarkets

Germany has an excellent choice of supermarkets. Aldi and Lidl are everywhere, alongside Netto and Penny, while REWE and Edeka generally have a wider range of products. Kaufland stores are particularly useful with a motorhome because they’re usually large and often have spacious car parks.

Bakeries are also a big part of everyday German life. You’ll find a Bäckerei in almost every town and village, often opening early in the morning and sometimes for limited hours on Sundays.

Don’t forget to bring a shopping bag and a coin or token for supermarket trolleys.

Pfand Bottle Deposits

Germany operates an extensive deposit-return system called Pfand.

You’ll pay a deposit when buying many bottles and cans. Take the empties back to a supermarket and put them into the Pfandautomat, the bottle-return machine, which prints a voucher showing the value of your returns.

Take the voucher to the checkout and its value will be deducted from your shopping or refunded.

Don’t throw bottles and cans away until you’ve checked them. Once you get into the habit, the system is very straightforward.

Paying in Germany

Card payments are much more widely accepted in Germany than they once were, but Germany is still more cash-oriented than the UK.

Small bakeries, cafés, restaurants, market stalls, parking machines and some stellplätze may only accept cash or a German debit card system, so we always carry some euros.

Coins are particularly useful when you’re travelling by motorhome because water, electricity, parking and service points are sometimes operated by coin meters.

Eating Out

German food varies considerably by region, so you’ll find much more than sausages and schnitzel.

Bavaria is known for dishes such as Schweinshaxe, Weißwurst and Knödel, while northern Germany has much stronger seafood traditions. You’ll find Flammkuchen in the south-west and excellent regional food throughout Germany’s wine-growing areas.

A Gasthaus or Gasthof is usually a good place to look for traditional regional cooking, while a Biergarten is one of the great pleasures of travelling through southern Germany in summer.

Restaurants don’t necessarily serve food throughout the day, particularly outside larger cities, so check kitchen opening times rather than assuming the restaurant’s opening hours mean food is available.

Bread, Bakeries and Breakfast

Germany takes bread seriously. Bakeries sell an enormous variety of breads and rolls, and stopping at a local Bäckerei for fresh Brötchen became part of everyday life when we lived there.

Many bakeries also sell coffee, sandwiches, cakes and pastries and can be a useful breakfast stop on a driving day.

You’ll often see Backshop as well as Bäckerei. These tend to be more modern bakery outlets or chains rather than traditional independent bakeries, but they’re still useful for fresh bread and breakfast.

Quiet Hours

Germany has a strong culture of ruhezeit, or quiet time.

Exact rules vary locally and between campsites and stellplätze, but nighttime quiet hours are common and Sundays are traditionally treated as quiet days.

On a campsite or stellplatz, follow the site’s stated quiet hours and avoid running generators, playing loud music or making unnecessary noise late at night.

This is particularly worth remembering on Sundays, when activities that create significant noise may be restricted locally.

Public Toilets

Public toilets aren’t always free in Germany.

It’s common to pay to use toilets at motorway service stations, railway stations and other public places. At some service areas, particularly those using the Sanifair system, you’ll receive a voucher that can be redeemed against purchases.

Keeping a few euro coins handy is useful for toilets as well as motorhome service points.

Useful German for Motorhomers

You don’t need to speak German to tour the country, and English is widely understood in many tourist areas, but a few words are particularly useful when you’re travelling by motorhome.

More Motorhome Touring Guides to Explore

Love it? Pin it!