Inexpensive lodging and wild camping

[Debade]

HI,
In about 10 days we will arrive in Edinburgh and ride the N. Sea Route ending up in Copenhagen for our 2 month tour. This is our first tour in Europe. We live in the USA. Our plan is camping, warm showers and inexpensive lodging. We have questions about inexpensive lodging selection and wild camping. Here are the questions:

- What are the clues for inexpensive lodging options in Europe (perhaps it is different by country - UK, Holland, Germany and Denmark). What should we look for in brands of hotels, independents, hostels other local lodging accommodations? When we elect to use these types of accommodations, we are mainly looking for a clean, indoor location with a bed and shower. In other words, the basics.
- What are the tips for wild camping if/when it might be necessary just based upon distance between pay-for-camping businesses. For example, if you are touring in the States and you find yourself in a town, I would suggest stopping at fire house stations, churches, or ask people about camping while at a supermarket/something similar and ask about places you might be able to camp in town. Some may offer their backyard, for example. If we find ourselves in a rural area in the countries listed above, what would you suggest we do? Any thoughts?

Obviously, let me know if you need some clarity. Thanks!

 

[vernon]

Have a look at the Independent Hostels web site www.independenthostels.co.uk
For camp sites: http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/ and http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/ukcampsites/beach-campsites/

You can discard any notion of using fire stations and churches in the UK their set up here is very different.

There's nothing stopping you from asking at shops and pubs, I've had an impromptu offer of camping in a paddock and behind a pub in the past elsewhere in the UK.

I can't help with camping on the route in mainland Europe though I suspect that there's many camp sites in Holland Germany and Denmark - some Googling will yield results.

Wild camping - I've done it in mainland Europe picking a spot at dusk out of sight of roads and buildings but even then what appears to be a secluded spot might well be within dog walking territory of a nearby hamlet/farmhouse as I discovered on more than one occasion.

 

[steveindenmark]

Hi there,

I am an Englishman exiled in Denmark for the past 13 years. For cheap lodnings all over Europe I use Airbnb.com and Couchsurfers.

As for Denmark. You will find it the most expensive country on your travels, just so you know.

PM your e-mail to me and I will get in touch.

 

[fimm]

In Scotland, you have quite a lot of freedom to wild camp, but I suspect this is of little use to you as I assume you are heading south from Edinburgh and you'll be in England within a couple of days.

In the UK you also get Youth Hostels http://www.yha.org.uk/ , which tend to be a touch more expensive but you know what you are getting: they are part of Hostelling International https://www.hihostels.com/ which I think would be worth your while investigating.

 

[sidevalve]

I'm afraid that you may need to change your expectations from USA camping to Europe camping. In many parts of Europe [and certainly Britain there is a premium on land [we are MUCH smaller than the US]. It is rare that you will be so far from a camp site that you will be forced to 'wild camp' for example and there is very little acceptance of it. Towns and cities are MUCH closer together - imagine wild camping in a city such as New York and you sort of get the idea. Check the net for campsites more or less on your route - it's part of the fun anyway.

 

[jay clock]

I'm afraid that you may need to change your expectations from USA camping to Europe camping. In many parts of Europe [and certainly Britain there is a premium on land [we are MUCH smaller than the US]. It is rare that you will be so far from a camp site that you will be forced to 'wild camp' for example and there is very little acceptance of it. Towns and cities are MUCH closer together - imagine wild camping in a city such as New York and you sort of get the idea. Check the net for campsites more or less on your route - it's part of the fun anyway.

On the plus side most people don't have guns...

 

[Debade]

I'm afraid that you may need to change your expectations from USA camping to Europe camping. In many parts of Europe [and certainly Britain there is a premium on land [we are MUCH smaller than the US]. It is rare that you will be so far from a camp site that you will be forced to 'wild camp' for example and there is very little acceptance of it. Towns and cities are MUCH closer together - imagine wild camping in a city such as New York and you sort of get the idea. Check the net for campsites more or less on your route - it's part of the fun anyway.

Oh, you mean I should not bring my gun?

 

[Bodhbh]

On the plus side most people don't have guns...

Little bit harsh. I'd be a bit pissed off if I'd logged onto some US cycling forums for advice, only to get an earful about the royal family and bad teeth.

 

[Bodhbh]

[QUOTE 3753045, member: 45"]You think that was an earful??[/QUOTE]

Yes I was overstating a bit.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Guns are nice,but bicycles are better.

 

[Debade]

I took the gun thing as a joke. I appreciate the advice so far and am open to more serious suggestions.

 

[MichaelW2]

Denmark has lots of really good, cheap camping which is usually under 3 Euros.
Get the booklet overnatning i det fri from tourist info.
YHA Youth Hostels are not so cheap anymore but you can often camp in the grounds.

Netherlands has plenty of campsites at average prices, no real bargains. Most of the sites are listed in N Sea route maps.

 

[jay clock]

[Assuming you are unarmed!] stealth camping is possible in the UK. Just need to use your common sense. I think there is a good chance of getting an offer of somewhere to pitch a tent on someone's lawn/field if you start with a more general chat and ask obliquely about where might be a good and safe place to camp wild. If you are two women or a mixed couple it will be easier, if two blokes a bit more of a challenge. If you are older also less of a threat. Emphasise the "aw shucks we're just simple yanks on a cycling trip" will work with a lot of people.

One very practical thing I highly recommend is a phone with the app Maps.Me. Does not require data usage just GPS and is 100% free. Allows you to zoom in to more than street level anywhere in the world. Will help you look around for less busy looking areas

 

[coffeejo]

A friend of mine is a host with warmshowers, a scheme that you might find useful.

 

[Ticktockmy]

The north sea route in the UK is NCN 1, most sustrans routes follow the easy route where possible and in places use tracks qand bridlewayswhich means that there is often a shorter route between places but it might be hillier. It is worth checking the Sustrans route map. http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map. When you are here i would recommend purchasing a A5 size road map as that will be sufficient for normal needs. If you find problems finding a campsite out in the countryside, ask at a farm or local pub, I assuming you have a nice American accent, which mean you are less likely to be told to bugger off compared with us Brits..LOL. Warmshowers and Couchsurfing are sites worth checking out.