Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Wandering / accomodation without booking Wandering / accomodation without booking
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Jul 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 32
Wandering / accomodation without booking
I'm planning some touring whereby I'll have no real idea where I'll end up each night. I'll find a hotel or room if I can, a campsite, or at worst be forced to wild camp, which perhaps would not be ideal since I'll be travelling alone, having said that I won't be in any particularly dangerous countries. Do I worry unnessesarily or is there any advice anyone can offer that will make finding accomodation each night easier and safer (for the lone traveller)
I'd like to be able to ride for as long as I want, and then know that at any point I can find somewhere to stop within 60 minutes.
I previously pre booked my accomodation, but found that each day it was either a mad struggle to make it to the hotel or more often I got to the hotel to early and was frustrated because I wanted to ride on further !
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 179
Smile
We have only ever pre-booked accommodation in St. Petersburg & Moscow when we wanted an affordable room with secure parking and in the Netherlands when catching up with friends before our ferry the following morning. And we've never really had a problem, even in July & August in Europe... a couple of times there weren't many pitches and in big cities it has taken us an hour to find accommodation that we could afford... but we have never been anywhere near stuck. We always try to find a campsite by tea time at the latest so that we can get set up and chill out for the evening, have a wander around the town etc...

I wouldn't worry about it, but if your going somewhere really famous or at the time of an event or a big city you may want to plan ahead a few days before for these situations to give yourself peace of mind. Have fun!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
I usually pre book in the UK, partly because other options are more difficult than anywhere else in Europe. Also it helps to search for special offers, have often had travelodges for £15 a night including tax.

Never booked for the rest of Europe. but always start looking for a place late afternoon say from 4 pm onwards. Try not to be looking after or close to nightfall. have used wild camping. (this include some odd places like a bus shelter, barn etc. Official campsites, BnB's and hotels. When in a small town or village it often helps to ask a passer by.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
If you're camping there are so many on-line listings, books, POI databases etc to help you find somewhere each day. Buy one of the books - Alan Rogers for example, or download a list to your sat nav. Have a look at this site - [url=http://www.go-camping.org/directory-europe.html]Campsites in Europe
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 304
We used to do quite extensive tours around Europe but never prebooked anything. We like to stay in town centres and we try to arrive quite early (4-5pm) so we can have a look around and then find somewhere to eat and have a or two. We generally go straight to the tourist information and 9 times out of 10 they have a list of rooms available. We also carry a tent so that we can camp when we feel like it (usually to save a few bob).

The downside to travelling solo is that most hotels and B&Bs charge for the room and you can't always get a single room. Prebooking would mean you can get what you want and probably at a cheaper price.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
accomodation with safe parking in Colombia Fredontour Sleep and Eat, South America 2 4 Weeks Ago 17:40
Accomodation in Darwin? Heike Australia / New Zealand 1 26 Jun 2013 09:49
London to Cape Town, November 2012 Tfoy97603 Travellers Seeking Travellers 56 4 Sep 2012 17:51
Booking air freight UK to US/CA - how far in advance? dash Trip Transport 2 30 Jun 2012 00:57
Affordable accomodation in Italy in October mj Europe 6 25 Oct 2011 23:16

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:26.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top