Motorhoming in Germany: Your Ultimate Guide

Germany conjures images of Black Forest gateau, bratwurst, fairytale castles, and the Berlin Wall. Whether you’re craving the buzz of Oktoberfest, the serenity of Lake Königssee, or the charm of pretzels in a cosy café, this country has it all. And let’s not forget, it’s the birthplace of Albert Einstein!

When you motorhome or campervan through Germany, you can immerse yourself in its rich culture and diverse landscapes.

Picture scenic mountains, Alpine meadows, stunning waterfalls, and freshwater lakes. From the bustling capital of Berlin to the vibrant city of Munich, there’s a road trip route for every taste, whether you’re exploring urban culture or the scenic rural roads of Germany.

Ready to explore Germany’s rural roads and urban delights? This ultimate guide covers scenic routes, essential travel tips, and a detailed itinerary. Let’s hit the road and uncover the magic of Germany!

Motorhoming in Germany Interactive Map

How to Use This Motorhoming in Germany Map

To use this map, expand it using the square symbol at the top right. The key is on the left. By clicking each location, you will find extra information. 

For example, each campervan/ motorhome/RV overnight park on the map has the web link to Camper Contact where you can see the facilities available, price, opening times, and useful user reviews on each campsite.

The motorhome overnight stops we used are marked with an orange circle and a motorhome icon, and the places we visited are marked with purple icons.

VIDEO: Germany in 2 Minutes – A Road Trip Taster

Where Can You Camp When Motorhoming in Germany?

Motorhome Parking Apps

We used the Camper Contact app (about 17.99 euros/year) to find our overnight motorhome spots while travelling through Germany. They have over 8000 aires in Germany plus service areas listed throughout the country.

We have included all of our overnight motorhome sites in Germany, in the map above, with most having links to the camper contact site, where you can see reviews and available services.

Another app you might find useful is Park4 Night, which many motorhomers also use.

We used the Camper Contact app (about 17.99 euros/year) to find our German aires overnight motorhome spots while travelling through Germany. They have over 8000 motorhome parking and service areas listed throughout Germany.

Some motorhomers also use Park4night. We prefer camper contact, but sometimes it’s good to have a backup option.

Stellplatz

Throughout Germany, there are many stellplatz. They are like the aires you would use if motorhoming in France. Facilities and the length of permitted stay vary so it’s best to use an app to check the services available.

 Landvergnugen

In Germany, there are also boutique campsite options such as Landvergnugen. In 2024, they went digital, which makes using them much easier. The digital membership costs €69.90 and is valid for one year from activation.

This allows you to stay for one night for free at a local farm. There are about 1400 places in Germany and 500 in Austria, so it might be a useful way of budgeting and avoiding the crowds—especially if you plan to motorhome in Austria, too.

Autohofs

There are also Autohofs, similar to the motorway service stations but a little off the main route. Autohofs charge a parking fee but are considered safer and quieter than the main service stations (renowned for break-ins).

Can You Wild Camp in Germany?

Wild camping isn’t allowed in Germany, but overnight parking is.

Parking means staying no longer than 24 hours and not’ setting up camp’. Basically, you should be able to drive off at any moment. So that means no awning out or furniture such as chairs or tables.

Motorhome Hire in Germany

If you are hiring a campervan or motorhome, then German motorhome rental is one of the cheaper European countries to rent from.

For this reason, our year in a motorhome journey began in Germany.

💥 Looking to HIRE a motorhome or camper? We used, and highly recommend, Motorhome Republic — they have an EXCELLENT rating on Trustpilot, and their customer service was amazing.

We hired the first from McRent, and the second was from DRM. Being newbies, we organised our McRent motorhome ourselves, but when we knew we wanted to extend our trip, we went through Motorhome Republic. 

They negotiated a much better deal than we could get when we tried going to the motorhome rental companies ourselves – and they did all the hard work! We are now affiliated with them because we were so impressed with them.

Also, remember to check what campervan accessories come with the motorhome and whether the price includes them.

Driving Tips For Your Campervan Germany Trip

• In Germany, you drive on the right and overtake on the left
• Seatbelts are compulsory
• Always have the following documents to hand:
  • Driver’s licence (An international driver’s licence isn’t required if you hold a driver’s licence issued by an EU Member State) See more here
  • Vehicle insurance (including a green card)
  • Vehicle registration document
  • Passport
• The following equipment is compulsory:
  • Reflective Vest – to be used when getting out of the car in the event of an accident or breakdown on any road.
  • First Aid Kit
  • Headlamp beam deflectors (or adjust your beams manually if possible)
  • Warning triangle in case of an accident
  • Recommended – spare bulb kit
• Speed Limits are as follows unless otherwise signposted
  • No speed limit – unless otherwise signposted, but the recommended max is 130 km/h on motorways (Autobahns)
  • 130 km/h on dual carriageways (recommended max)
  • 100 km/h outside built-up areas
  • 50 km/h in built-up areas.

• Winter Tyres -You must have winter tyres if you are driving in winter conditions. If you cause an obstruction, you can be fined 60 euros or 80 euros.
• Dipped headlights must be used in tunnels, and it is recommended to use them during the day
• Do not overtake a school bus at a stop – you can be fined. 
• If you have a GPS or Satnav system that shows the location of speed cameras, then this function must be disabled, and the use of radar detectors is forbidden
• Campervans/ motorhomes, RVs, and cars with caravans are not allowed to exceed 18.75 metres in length, 4 metres in height and 2.55 metres in width.
• Germany does not have tolls (unless your vehicle weighs more than 2.5 tonnes)
• However, some cities have low emission zones – Unwelt Zones. (You can apply for a ‘Plackett’ online or at a testing station in Germany) Read more here.
• To find Germany’s LPG stations – check locations here. 
• Germany Road signs – find a comprehensive guide here
• Emergency Number: 112

Flexibility As You Motorhome Germany

Motorhoming through Germany means that you are totally flexible on your road trip. You can either have a fixed plan and route all mapped out or travel along and decide where to go as your fancy takes you.

When we travel, we kind of end up with a happy medium of both. We know where we are headed but try not to lock anything in to stay longer in certain places we like.

While Motorhoming through Germany, we tended to stay off the motorways as much as possible. This meant that we avoided the tolls and also, as in most countries, you see much more while driving the back roads than you would ever see stuck on the motorway.

However, if you are time-poor and need to get to your next destination pronto, the motorways would be the way to go because the back-road routes will likely be much slower.

Things to also consider when planning your campervanning trip to Germany:

• The high season in Germany is in July and August (as is most of Europe), so expect the main cities, Berlin and Munich and the southern regions of Bavaria and the Black Forest to be very busy in those months.

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Places to Visit on Your Motorhome Road Trip in Germany

Southwest Germany Motorhome Road Trip Route

The southwest area of Germany is the Baden-Würtemburg region, and one of its main attractions is the Black Forest.

The region is known for its kirsch brandy (schnapps), the world-renowned Black Forest gateau and hand-carved cuckoo clocks. The Black Forest is also a great natural beauty with rolling hills, rivers and many pine forests – a beautiful place to road trip.

Some rumours associate the Black Forest romanticism with the fairytales of the Brothers Grimm, such as Hansel and Gretal, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel. However, there is no evidence to substantiate these claims, and I think it is more of a marketing ploy to attract tourism.

The Brothers Grimm did indeed live in Germany, but they lived in the Frankfurt region, further north.

Regardless, the Black Forest has prolific dark forests, and the German style of half-timbered housing does bring to mind those types of stories.

Ladenburg

Ladenburg was the first of our campervan sites in Germany on our motorhome Germany road trip. We’d flown into Frankfurt from Australia and picked up our motorhome from McRent in Mannheim. We were excited but extremely jet-lagged.

One of the first things we needed to do was to stock up on groceries. McRent pointed us towards a supermarket just a few minutes’ drive away. New to motorhoming and driving on the opposite side of the road that we were used to, we set off.

An hour or so later, between tears (me) and raised voices, we found a supermarket. I’d accidentally navigated us onto the motorway, taking us around in confusing circles.

So, we arrived in Ladenburg a little frazzled, to say the least. Luckily, getting outdoors and experiencing a new place is great for reducing stress levels.

In the old town, the houses of Ladenburg were adorned with wooden shutters and wood detail on their coloured facades. Cobbled streets lead you to the central square and the town’s church.

Ladenburg was the home of Carl Benz, and here you’ll find the Dr Carl Benz Auto Museum, which is in the actual production factory used by Benz. There are over 300 vehicles on show, along with historical documents and information.

Opening hours: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and on holidays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Address: Ilvesheimer Straße 26, 68526 Ladenburg

Sasbachwalden

Visiting Sasbachwalden was one of our favourite things to do in the Black Forest. Here, we had our first taste of the original Black Forest gateaux and hiked along waterfalls and alpine meadows.

Sasbachwalden is known as the flower and wine town because of its beautiful flower displays in the summer and the local winemaking.

Around the village, you’ll also find plenty of Schnapps fountains where you can pour a glass of local Schnapps for a small sum. The fountains are run on a trust basis and are even found in the heart of the forest.

The campsite was located at the bottom of the town and within easy reach of the suggested walks around this pretty village.

Gengenbach

Gengenbach is another traditional German town with a medieval town centre. Explore its narrow cobblestone streets, lined with half-timbered houses, shuttered windows, and window boxes filled with flowers.

At Christmas time, Gengenbach’s old town hall becomes an Advent calendar. Its 24 windows are magically lit up, making it the World’s largest Advent calendar. 

Triberg

Triberg is famous for its woodcarving and cuckoo clocks. Step inside one of the clock shops on the main road, and you’ll be mesmerised by the tick-tocking, cuckooing and musical chimes of these intricate clock masterpieces.

While there, you could visit the Black Forest Museum, walk to the Triberg waterfalls, take a look at one of the most scenic railways in Germany and visit the largest cuckoo clock in the world.

🔎 Explore more about Triberg and all its attractions here.

Titisee

Titisee was much busier than we expected. The lake was beautiful, and there were lots of hiking opportunities, but unfortunately, it poured with rain while we were there so that we couldn’t make the most of it.

This camp was also more expensive than our normal stops, but we needed a washing machine and dryer (due to incessant rain), so we trundled on in.

This would be a beautiful spot in nice weather, albeit a little touristy.

Southeast Motorhome Germany Road Trip

Southeast Germany is the region of Bavaria (or Bayern in German), the largest state in Germany. It is here that you will find more of the stunning scenery that Southern Germany has to offer.

On our road trip through Bavaria, we saw fairytale castles, stunning crystal-clear lakes and picture-postcard scenery. But Bavaria also houses its capital city, Munich, and heartbreaking memories at Dachau Concentration Camp.

Many tourists follow the super well-known ‘Romantic Road’ route, otherwise known as the Romantische Straße. It runs 460 kilometres from the southern town of Füssen to the northern town of Würzburg (something to remember when you motorhome in Germany).

However, as we prefer to avoid large crowds, we decided against that route.

We did take a quick drive by Neuschwanstein Castle, but on a cloudy day, it didn’t look quite as impressive as the photos we’d seen.

Below are a few places we recommend adding to your Motorhome road trip in Bavaria.

Walchensee

Lake Walchenseee is surrounded by the Bavarian Alps and verdant pine forests, creating the perfect picture-postcard scene.  It’s an ideal spot for hiking, bike riding and swimming.

This large campsite in Germany was quiet and surrounded by pine trees. Facilities were sparse, but being beside the lake and the scenery by far made up for that. Great if you are motorhoming on a budget.

Dachau

Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp built in 1933. The site was made into a memorial and opened to the public in 1965.

A visit to Dachau evokes deep sadness. As we wandered around, the disbelief at what happened on the very grounds where we stood was palpable.

Visitors silently moved among the exhibits, struggling to take in the information. Old photographs on display testify to the awful truth.

The atrocities that happened and the tragic loss of so many lives are hard to comprehend.

Munich

Munich is famous for its Oktoberfest beer festival so we felt we couldn’t be in Germany and not visit Munich. As big cities go, Munich felt quite approachable.

Its 12th-century centre, Marienplatz Square, was busy but not too unbearable.  You’ll see its musical figurines jousting at 11 am, 12 pm and 5 pm at the Rathaus-Glockenspiel clock tower. 

Our motorhome parking choice was great: it was on the outskirts of Munich but with easy train transport into the city. We do our best never to take the motorhome into the heart of a major city because it can get way too stressful!

We chose the site in the carpark of Munich’s soccer arena, Allianz Arena.

⚽️ This is also the perfect site for football fans because you are right on the doorstep to do a City Tour & FC Bayern Munich Soccer Arena Tour | ⭐️ 4.2/5 | ⏰ 4 hours

Berchtesgaden

The Berchtesgaden old town is a beguiling town to stroll around in, with its classic southern German Lüftlmalerei (painted frescos on the building walls) and Alpine-style houses.

The area around the town is known as Berchtesgaden Land, and the views are spectacular. Drive along Rossfeld Road — a high alpine mountain road with panoramic views across this stunning area.

Berchtesgaden is only about a 30-minute drive to Salzburg in Austria. So, if you want to continue your motorhome trip – it’s an excellent gateway into Austria.

Konigssee Lake

Königssee Lake was one of our favourite spots in Germany, and if you are motorhoming in southern Germany we’d recommend stopping there for at least a whole day.

We advise getting there the night before so that you can beat the crowds the next morning and take an early boat ride out onto this majestic lake.

There is plenty to see, and if you love nature, walking and hiking, this is the place to be.

Handy Information: Campervanning & Motorhoming in Germany

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Handy German Words For Your Motorhome Germany Trip

Unlike many European countries, German signs, brochures, and information leaflets are often in German only.

Therefore, knowing some words relevant to your motorhoming in Germany trip will help.

• Motorhome → Wohnmobile
• Motorway → Autobahn
• Motorhome overnight stop → Stellplatz or Wohnmobilstellplatz or Reisemobilstellplatz
• Motorway Service Station (directly off the motorway) → Rastätte [parking free of charge]
• Service Station a little way off the motorway → Autohof [parking fee but likely safer with security]
• Pay and Display → Nur mit Parkschein
• Exit /Entrance→ Ausfarht/einfarht
• Petrol Station → Tankstelle
• Petrol → Benzine

Supermarkets in Germany

• Lidl (discount)
• Netto (discount)
• Aldi (discount)
• Real
• Rewe
• Edeka
• Kaufland

Note that shops are closed on Sundays. Shopping trollies are normally chained, so you need a coin to release them, which you get back when you return them.

You will also need your own shopping bags, which you can buy for a few cents at the checkout.  

Motorhoming in Germany … That’s a Wrap

We loved our time motorhoming in Germany, experiencing many of its beautiful towns and villages.

Enjoy your touring in Germany, and if it is your first time, good luck with everything and welcome to the world of motorhome or campervan travel, freedom and adventure.

Although we’ve now swapped out a motorhome for a 4×4 with a rooftop tent (more practical for Overlanding Africa) and another for when we are in Western Australia, for easily camping in the bush, a motorhome is a perfect way to explore Germany and the rest of Europe.

This article will be a useful guide to help you plan your motorhome trip to Germany. Please contact us if you have any questions about your plan.

👉Planning on venturing further afield in Europe? Check out our post on some of our favourite road trip routes in Europe here.

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Read more:

• Austria: Motorhoming in Austria
• Switzerland: Road Trip Through the Swiss Alps
• Croatia: 10-Day Road Trip in Croatia