Overland Germany Travel
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WikiOverland is growing. We only have Gas and Diesel prices for Germany right now. If you know more about Germany, please update the sections below by clicking edit. |
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Germany
- 2 Entering Germany with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Germany
- 4 Gas and Diesel price in Germany
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Germany
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Germany
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
Visiting Germany
Give a brief overview of what it's like to visit. How easy is the border, how safe is the country, are there great things to see and do, etc.
Entering Germany with a Car or Motorbike
Correct as of: (date last confirmed correct)
Required Paperwork
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Germany, application instructions and fees see: Germany Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
List the paperwork required to enter with a vehicle, including number of copies
Process at border
Briefly describe the process at the border to enter with a vehicle
Cost of entry
State the cost for a vehicle to enter
Permitted length of stay
A foreign registered vehicle can stay up to 6 months in any country within EU.
EU includes: Austria, Italy, Belgium, Latvia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Croatia, Luxembourg, Cyprus Malta, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Estonia, Portugal, Finland, Romania, France, Slovakia, Germany, Slovenia, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Sweden & Ireland
However, you must pay extra attention and study carefully your stay in the Schengen Zone which allows only 3 months every 6 months per year.
The Schengen Member States include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland & Liechtenstein. More info about Schengen Zone Visa at: [[1]]
For example Switzerland, Norway or Liechtenstein belong to the Schengen Zone (which literally means free movement) but in the EU. Also countries like Serbia, Albania, FYROM, Bosnia or Belarus do not belong to any group (EU or Schengen Zone)
Extension of stay
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.
Driving in Germany
Recommended books for Overlanding in Germany
Travel insurance for Germany
World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.
Vehicle insurance requirements
Vehicle insurance is mandatory for all vehicles. Any 3rd party insurance is acceptable according to the law. You can buy online through the web or from an agent.
The famous Green Card goes automatically (and free of charge) with the national/regional insurance but the vehicle must be registered in EU and the driver needs to have an EU driving license. Just ask it from your agent.
EU insurance companies will only handle clients that are residents/ citizens of EU and have an EU license to drive/ ride within the EU territory.
For foreign registered vehicles you will need what in Europe is called Temporary Frontier Insurance. More info & costs: [2] [3] [4]
Cost of vehicle insurance
State the price of insurance and a time period.
Where to purchase vehicle insurance
Describe where insurance can be purchased.
Driving license
State the kind of driving licenses required. i.e. International Driving Permit.
Driving side of road
Right.
RHD vehicles can be driven in Germany without a problem.
Mandatory items in vehicle
State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.) - safety triangle - first aid kit - 1 warning vest - car registration
Roads
General Road quality
Road quality in Germany is excellent for the vast majority of roads. Although racing sure won't be the main topic for overlanders, a few clear words about the Autobahn seem to be important. Over the years, most of the Autobahn stretches got various speed limits and there a rather few parts left without one. Traffic on the Autobahn often is quite dense, so you simply cannot speed, anyway. One-way roads are common in cities, but the majority is normal two-way traffic. There are very few unpaved roads and most of these are forbidden for general traffic. In most parts, unauthorized use of unpaved forest roads is prohibited.
Road signs
Roads generally are well-marked and the signs maintained frequently.
Toll roads
List the frequency and approximate price of toll roads.
Bribery in Germany
Briefly describe how common bribery is and whether it should be expected, and the best way to deal with it. No bribery in Germany. Don´t try it, you will get in big trouble. Police here is very correct, also all government offices.
Checkpoints
During high season, there can be weight/load checks for rigs over 3.5 tons on the Autobahn. Sometimes, police does general traffic checks, but there is nothing you have to fear about these.
Traveling with pets
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gas and Diesel price in Germany
Last updated: July 2017
Currency and unit to display:
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Unleaded 95 | €1.30 EUR per Liter |
| Unleaded 98 | €1.49 EUR per Liter |
| LPG | €0.53 EUR per Liter |
| Diesel | €1.08 EUR per Liter |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
Briefly describe if gas shortages are known to occur.
No shortages. You will be able to get all sorts around the clock.
Also state the approximate average distance between gas stations. This is a very rough estimate.
In cities you will find plenty of gas stations. On the Autobahn they may be 40 km apart, but on the Autobahn stops you will pay around 30 cents per liter more than usual. Avoid it if possible. There are so called "Autohof" which are just at an exit, they sell for normal prices.
Gas and Diesel Quality
Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
Generally high quality at all gas stations.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.
Very low, all gas stations sell diesel which suits for EUR6 norm.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.
Vehicle parking
Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.
Special driving considerations
A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Germany - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Germany
Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.
Camping guide books
List and link to books specifically for camping.
https://www.adac.de/produkte/apps/campingfuehrer/
Drinking water
In Germany, tap water is usually safe to drink.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Germany
GPS Maps of Germany
Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Germany
- iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.
Special Overland Travel interests
There are a number of very recommendable overlanding events in Germany each year:
- ABENTEUER & ALLRAD, Europe's largest 4x4 & Overlanding trade show & meet.
- AMR Globetrotter Meet in northern Germany's Lüuneburg Heath area
- Buschtaxi Meeting, a big Toyota meeting, open for other brands
- Därr Globetrottertreffen, held annualy in southern Germany
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Germany
Buy
Please find info and advice here: http://www.zoll.de/EN/Private-individuals/Travel/Entering-Germany/Duties-and-taxes/Purchase-of-motor-vehicles/purchase-of-motor-vehicles_node.html;jsessionid=33F1DF435A998AF7DF400EF8893248A1.live4671
The ultimate internet resource to look for used vehicles of all types is http://www.mobile.de
Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.
Helpful External links
Add any helpful external links here.
- Germany: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Germany - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Germany travel guides at wikivoyage
- Germany - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
