Camping in Europe

[paddlebum]

I am planning on travelling all over western europe for 9 weeks and heard that camping is a good cheap option. Are there campgrounds close or in the cities...are they safe?

here is a list of cities we plan on hitting:
Rome; Florence; Cinque Terrel; Geneva; Interlaken/Gimmelwald; Munich; Prague; Berlin; Amsterdam; Barcelona; Granada; Sevilla; Madrid; and Dublin

[madamtrashheap]

paddlebum, I had a quick look at your intinerary in your other post and would suggest that you could do a combination of campsites and hostels, but you need to consider a few things:

* Are you planning on taking tents, sleeping bags, air/foam mattresses, cooking equipment, etc with you? And also check that the campsite you've chosen is for campers/tents as well as vans, etc.
* How are you travelling around - train, flights, your own van/car?
* If you plan to stay in campsites with onsite accommodation rather than your own tent, do some research on the costs of campsite accom vs hostels. You may find that hostels work out to be the better option.

Generally speaking, campsites are not located close to each city, but there are usually public transport services nearby or sometimes campsites have their own shuttle service a few times a day. As for security, you won't be able to leave things in your tent unattendend, but some campsites have lockers to rent.

Of the cities you've listed:
Rome - there are a few campsites located around or just outside the GRA (ring road) which surrounds Rome such as Seven Hills, Happy Village, Plus Camping Roma.

Florence - there are a few campsites outside the city centre - Camping Michelangelo (just above the city and a 30min walk to the centre or 15min bus ride), Camping Internationale (30-40mins by bus to centre) and a campsite in Fiesole called Camping Panoramico which will take around 60mins by bus to Florence.

CT - there are campsites in the hills above some of the villages, but I would recommend staying in a hostel or Pensione to allow easier access to the villages and facilities.

Geneva - again there are no campsites directly in Geneva, but try a few either near the lake (Hermance Camping et Plage, but is a train ride away from Geneva) or in the hills (Location Camping-Cars, not sure if it has tent facilities or just campervan). IMO you'd be better off either stopping in Geneva for a quick look and staying somewhere further around the lake, or skipping it altogether.

Interlaken/Gimmelwald - there are campsites galore around the Berner Oberland, including two in Lauterbrunnen (which is kind of in the middle of Interlaken and Gimmelwald).

Munich - again, no campsites in the city, plenty on the outskirts, but there is one fairly close to public transport (20mins by Metro) called Camping Thalkirchen.

Prague - there are many scattered on the outskirts of Prague, like Sunny Camp or Camp Herzog, but I would look for a hostel as you'll want to be in the city.

Berlin - again, no campsites in the city, but I would recommend finding a hostel which suits your budget as there are plenty to choose from in Berlin and public transport is usually close by.

Amsterdam - campsites in Amsterdam are off in the surrounding countryside and whilst they have public transport/bus access, you can easily find a hostel closer to the centre. Plus the ground temperature even in Summer can be evil when camping.

Barcelona - campsites are a fair way out of the city, so look for a hostel here.

Rest of Spain - herrbert or one of the other Members may be able to help you with these, but of the cities you've listed, I would also be inclined to find hostels, esp in Madrid.

Dublin - ditto for a hostel, you'll want to be in the centre of things.

[paddlebum]

thanks a lot that helped out a lot... it sounds like camping most likely wont work out for the most part we dont really plan on bringing tents we would prob just sleep under the stars. As for travel we will be traveling mostly via train and and a few flights here and there, but i am still contemplating whether or not to buy a rail pass or just point to point tickets was wondering what you feel would be the best option i posted my itinerary on the itinerary section if you need to see it. Thanks again

[herrbert]

Just for the camping bit: When coming to Europe and hitting big cities it usualy not the best way to get around. In general you will always be on the edge of the cities, which means you'll loose time traveling there. For one day or a few that might not seems so bad, but after a while that becomes a bore.

Sleeping under the stars, will not be appreciated in most countries, and in cities it might be pretty dangerous as well. For Madrid, I know that you can make a camp in the mountains, above 2000 metres, and sleep under the stars, but that requires some gear, while it is not allowed to make a campfire. You also need to report, where you are heading, and where you will stay.