roadway motels in Germany?
Replies: 10 - Last Post: Apr 1, 2010 12:32 PM Last Post By: ninetail
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roadway motels in Germany?
I will be driving around Germany soon and am wondering if they have some cheap (under 50 eur - double occupancy) motel chains on the highways/main roads. I know about the French formula1 motels and like them a lot. I know there are a few of them in Germany but is there any other similarly priced chain? I am from the USA and never drove in Germany; do they have lots of huge MOTEL signs (or something in German) on the highways so it is obvious?Edited by: bratsantom
3
The Autobahn hotels are at different rates, but typically not very cheap. Take any exit and drive to nearest town - 5-10 km away and there will be hotels (kept alive due to the autobahn close by). if these arn't what you like - drive 5-10 km to next town.You may even end up in some private gem of a town
Your problem is that there arn't a large percentage of places that are as low as 50€ -more hostellike IMHO.
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Here's a site which lists all the chains (including Formule 1) which includes some in Germany:http://eurapart.com/budget.html
Haven't driven in Germany but the autobahn guide looks great.
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Thanks for the information. I was asking just in general. I am not yet sure where I am going just generally southern Germany - Munich - Frankfurt axis. I guess I am just looking for general tips on how to find accommodation under 50 euro. I am not interested in hostels as in my opinion hotels can easily be the same price for two people or guesthouse or whatever you call it. So randomly driving off the highway and looking around is the way to do it then? and maybe I find a B&B or pension or something. ok thanks.6
Hey super, thanks for correction, Rastanlage/Autohof/Raststätte, I'll put all these terms in mind. The small square plates with a bed on it (and mostly knife & spoon for the restaurant) is not at a Raststätte?I agree to above posters, go off the Autobahn.
E.g. Bruchsal on the E35 (A5/A8 near Pforzheim) in my above link is a nice small town with a real gem: the baroque castle. And you don't like the hostels? Pforzheim's hostel (castle) is situated in a unique area, it's worthwhile to interrupt the boring Autobahn here to e.g. Rottweil.
OK, that's not what you asked OP (but IMO not-to-miss!)
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The small plate with a bed on is called "Autobahnhotel"The small with knife & spoon is for "Autobahngasthaus" (restaurant)
both most of the time in relation with a gas station.
A "Raststâtte" (rasten - rest, halt) can be a parking place with a self service - also called "Autobahnkiosk" the sign with a coffee pot on.
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@ arizona, quote - "the small square plates with a bed on it (and mostly knife & spoon for the restaurant) is not at a raststätte?"you are asking for different things here. there is tank und rastanlage (petrol station + snack bar + restaurant on the autobahn), autohof (petrol station + snack bar + restaurant + MOTEL + public shower off the autobahn), rastplatz (only a car park without any amenities except public toilets on the autobahn).
there is no such as just a petrol station or just a MOTEL on the autobahn (as it is in poland, france or hungary).
the plates show what type of (special) public amenity you can expect - a shower, a toilet for disabled persons, a restaurant or just a snack bar, a hotel or just a MOTEL (et cetera).
'super from budapest in hungary
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Yes, there's plenty of them. Just get off the Autobahn near the city you want to check out and look for Gasthofs. You'll find one, just look around. Parking usually sucks, and you may have to pay. Traveling by train is better. There is always a hotel near (within 200 meters) of the hauptbahnhof (train station) that is E50 or less. Private with your own bathroom and breakfast.10
We´ve been travelling in Germany for years and would recommend Etap Hotels. They are a step up from Formule 1 (part of the same chain, actually) with shower/toilet/TV in all rooms. The parking is usually free and they are often located near motorway exits or in the outskirts of the citites (=easy to reach by car).The prices range from very cheap in the Eastern parts of Germany (29 euro in Zwickau) to a little bit more expensive in other parts of Germany. If you want breakfast you pay around 5 euro /person.
Some of the more expensive hotels like Hotel Ibis sometimes has special offers during summer. They´re also worth checking out. They´re mostly located in the citycenters though, and tend to charge extra for parking.
Hope you have a nice trip!
