Camping around Europe

[Adams]

I’m thinking of doing a 2 -3 month trip round Europe in a couple of months time taking in France, Austria, Croatia, Bulgaria, (possible Turkey), Romania, Hungary Poland and Germany...

I’ve camped in France before and found hundreds of campsite, but does anyone know how easy/safe it is to camp in all the other countries. Are there campsite? Is there an easy way of finding out where they are? Or is it ok, If I find a quiet spot, to just pitch a tent?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Pete

[Tourider]

There are plenty of campsites in all the countries you mention. How to find them? Try internet searches. As you go further east the appeal of camping reduces as B&B accomodation becomes cheaper, is it worth lugging all the gear all that way to same a couple of quid a night? A lot of eastern european campsites also have small hut/chalets you can rent cheaply.

[TRIX]

great campsite in budapest the bikers campsite cheap with internet washing up and shower facilities , in romania camp sites are basic but hotels are very cheap germany and france much the same as each other , Poland is the best kept secret as far as campsites go plenty of them high standards and cheap thats my experience of them any way

[skipper]

If you are camping in europe you need Archies camping poi on your satnav it will make finding sites easy.http://www.archiescampings.eu/

[moto al]

Hi ya, bud have a look at the cool camping site. Well worth a butchers. Cheers .al (thumbs)

[BigBashBonanza]

If you are camping in europe you need Archies camping poi on your satnav it will make finding sites easy.http://www.archiescampings.eu/

That's a decent find Skipper and one I'll be keeping in mind as I'm looking at a trip to Bosnia (a bit of a nostalgic tour) late summer time.

[92kk k100lt 193214]

I have done lots of camping in France and as mentioned the sites there are excellent. I took a drive across Europe last year as my son was in Budapest for 6 years. I also have a camp site directory bought in 2001 which listed camp sites all over Europe. Having met many campers it seems by and large all are excellent but the recommendation is always go for the highest ratings wherever you go, mainly because the criteria vary significantly between countries. Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Croatia all seem well recommended.

I would admit 2/3 months camping would be fantastic but doing hotels would do my head in due to the restrictions on time etc etc. Modern camping gear is excellent and can be very light. I have found that 2 panniers and a top box is more than adequate for everything for camping, including clothes, cook gear etc etc. A tent like the Coleman Tasman 3 is easily carried, lightweight cookers come in plastic boxes only 100 x 50 x 50. Tent, airbed, cookers, pump, plates, cutlery, will all fit in one pannier, sleeping bag, clothes, wash gear etc will fit in second one, some food items and stainless steel lightweight cook ware in top box with room to spare for raingear, thermal linings, etc. No tank bag even.....so that gives even more space.

The camp sites have excellent facilities and an occasional lay day is always welcome for sorting out personal items. You meet people at camp sites more than at hotels and its all much more friendly. You can eat in your own time, come and go as you please. Significantly too you get to park your bike much closer and security tends to be better.

Everywhere has its risks but cities seem to be higher risk than more isolated camp sites.

[Whippet]

(thumbs) Your absolutely right 92kk, I've been camping in Europe for 30 odd years safely, apart from getting robbed at night in my tent In Verdun France. I have never camped in a town since. generally camping sites in Europe are great , friendly and welcoming. I much prefer to camp if the weather is up to it.

[92kk k100lt 193214]

A tip for solo camping too can be to use a small bag such as a bum bag for essential items like papers, bike keys wallet etc, shove it down the end of your sleeping bag at night so even if someone does do a little robbing the essential stuff is safe.

There are stories about every city [be it Verdun Dublin London Paris you name it] about not taking a bike full of gear and parking it somewhere vulnerable. It spells tourist, please rob me. You should never do that. I find older Ks are not exactly on a thief's hit list but the contents might be....so any bike is vulnerable.

I have only once had stuff taken from a tent and that was quite a few years ago. Some of the guys in one tent were too lazy to go food shopping so they robbed it out of other tents. Could have been worse. We all found out who did it and they were dealt with appropriately. A word of caution, never rob food from guys when you are camped near a farm. They might literally throw cow***t in your tent at night.

[Tourider]

[......... I'm looking at a trip to Bosnia (a bit of a nostalgic tour) late summer time.

I'd be a bit wary of knocking in tent pegs in Bosnia. :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: