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Camping v's Accommodation Camping v's Accommodation
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 31 Aug 2013
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Camping v's Accommodation
Hi
Below is my rough European route and I am lucky enough to have about 7 weeks to do it starting Sept.

I'm having last minute concerns as whether I should take camping equipment or not. It was the original idea, but it would sure lighten the load which is pretty extreme with tent, chair, sleeping bag, bed, etc etc. Then we have tent up / tent down each day.

Would it be possible/wise to rely on B&B's/ Cheap hotels?

Any views appreciated (The route is very variable, just Romania is the aim)..

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  #2  
Old 31 Aug 2013
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Plenty of lodging along the way, but as for "relying" on "cheap" hotels, all depends on your definition of "cheap." I've made similar trips in Europe and found that with shorter days and aggressive schedules it's wise to be prepared for hotels up to at least 60 euros or so--maybe more, depending. In some places there's no difficulty finding much cheaper, totally satisfactory lodging, but when you're cold and wet and it just got dark somewhere in Italy you'll be happy if you've budgeted more. Same when you fetch up in a minor city somewhere in Germany and learn that even a hostel bed costs 30 euros--and that's per person.

Starting in September and ending in the end of October does mean shorter days and wetter weather. Not the end of the world, but worth being prepared. Often not ideal camping weather anyway.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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  #3  
Old 31 Aug 2013
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Imho Europe is too pricey to not camp. But you can certainly get the gear down in weight, you don't need a chair for example...

Also I highly recommend the Croatian coast. It's gorgeous, hugs the water and there are cheap campsites everywhere. Moto paradise!

Have a good time!
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Old 31 Aug 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by niello8 View Post
Imho Europe is too pricey to not camp. But you can certainly get the gear down in weight, you don't need a chair for example...

Also I highly recommend the Croatian coast. It's gorgeous, hugs the water and there are cheap campsites everywhere. Moto paradise!

Have a good time!
There's also cheap(ish) accommodation the further East you go.

There are still variables in the OP such as booking ahead by a day or more can cut the cost of rooms; will you be using internet access to do any such bookings?
If you hook up with one more rider than you can share room costs = halved instantly.

ps Incidentally, later into September, many campsites can be closed, depending on where you are; do you want/are you prepared to camp wild??
Good question by the way; welcome to the HUBB with your first post!!!
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Last edited by Walkabout; 31 Aug 2013 at 09:43. Reason: ps added
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Old 31 Aug 2013
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Whenever I've done trips like that and depended on finding hotels each night on the fly rather than pre booking I've always suffered from a degree of anxiety at about 4.00pm onwards. Am I going to be able to find somewhere in my price bracket, or even anywhere at all? I've had nights where the only hotel I could find was some five star place at about ten times my normal price and (many) other nights where I couldn't find anywhere at all. The worst of all worlds is no hotel and no camping gear. That'll be the first night in weeks when it rains and even the local bus shelter is full up.

If your schedule has you arriving at your next stop by early afternoon so you've got plenty of time to look around, check out a few hotels and come up with plan B if none of them work out then then go with hotels and save the weight but if it's arrive knackered in the town that time forgot just as it gets dark then sooner or later it's going to go wrong.
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Old 31 Aug 2013
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hi i would deffinitly take my tent and camp along the way otherwise Europe can be very expensive. Along the ropute you are going to ride there are many very nice campingplaces:

Ｍｏｔｏｒｒａｄ Tour - Slowenien, Kroatien, Montenegro, Albanien & Griechenland

Enjoy it, Tobi
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  #7  
Old 31 Aug 2013
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I agree with much of the above; carrying a tent will allow for far more options. Europe can be expensive. If you did want to stay in hotels, then booking in advance could save you money. This does mean, however, that you'd have to stick to a rigid plan. The amount you carry doesn't need to be that great if you plan properly. I always meet far more people camping than I ever do in hotels!
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