Booking European campsites in high season: pitches, deposits and cancellations

In high season, the best campsite is the one that still has a pitch for your dates. Booking rules differ by country and by site, so this text describes categories of rules and gives figures only where a source we retrieved does. Everything else is marked check before you go. It is not legal advice.

When to reserve, and for how long

No source we read gives a reliable number of weeks for the lead time, so none is stated here. What is documented: the ADAC recommends reserving early for campsites and pitches in popular regions, and a promobil article says that in the holiday period many good campsites are often fully booked. According to web.de, early bookers often secure better prices, and last-minute bookings can pay off if the site still has free capacity. Whether fixed arrival days, minimum stays or a Saturday-to-Saturday changeover apply is something we could not confirm in general: check before you go.

Pitch types and size

Labels such as standard, comfort or premium pitch are not uniform. We found no common definition, so read what each site’s category includes: size, power, water and drain on the pitch, surface. According to web.de, booking often lets you choose only a pitch category, not a numbered pitch; for special requests the article advises contacting the campsite directly by email or phone. We could not verify maximum vehicle length per site and pitch: check before you go, in the booking details or with the site. Measure the whole outfit, not the brochure length: bumper to bumper plus bike rack or rear carrier for a motorhome, and for a caravan the full length including the drawbar, plus the awning and the car if it stands on the pitch. That is practical advice, not a figure from a source.

Deposit, cancellation, portals and cards

A deposit is usual. According to web.de, a deposit is usually due when you book a campsite; its amount and the balance payment differ by site and are set out in the terms and conditions. A French information site on camping holidays says deposits for bookings made months ahead can be a significant share of the price and are rarely refunded. According to web.de, cancellation fees rise as arrival approaches, and the French site says they can reach up to 100 percent of the amount paid. Cancellation insurance usually has to be taken out at booking or within a short window; the deadline and the price vary by provider: check before you go. According to the French site, someone who simply changes their mind about the destination has little chance of a payout.

Portals and direct booking are two categories, and we rank no provider. Portals often show only categories; the campsite’s own channel lets you ask about a specific pitch. According to web.de, prices can change with occupancy rate, competitors’ prices or the weather forecast. Camping cards are a third category. The ADAC FAQ describes the Camping Key Europe as an ID replacement at reception, so you keep your passport or ID card, with liability and accident cover for a group of up to six and discounts at over 2,000 sites; each site releases only a limited quota of pitches for card discounts, and some offer them in high season. Booking systems usually do not apply card discounts, web.de notes. Whether a deposit is asked for a barrier key or access card: check before you go.

On site: arrival, quiet hours, power, extras

On power, the TCS describes the blue CEE plug as three-pole, rated 16 A and designed for 200 to 250 V. Campsite fuses are rated between 4 and 16 A, so the amperage matters; it is usually on the campsite’s website, otherwise ask. Some campsites have Schuko, Swiss or other national sockets, so take adapters; some rent them at reception. The TCS says maximum cable length is 25 m in some countries, recommends a 2.5 mm² cross-section and a fully unrolled drum to avoid overheating. Tourist tax, dog fees and children’s fees: not verified, check before you go.

If everything is full

Alternatives come in categories. Motorhome Stellplätze and aires are a category of their own; whether they take bookings, how long you may stay and what they offer: check before you go. Private land is another: a newspaper report on microcamping describes motorhomes on farms, wineries, orchards and private gardens, with hosts listing pitches on online portals with a short description and a price per night. It gives no rules, so read each host’s terms. For short notice, ask the campsite directly rather than relying on portals alone (practical advice, not sourced).

Sources

• 5 Tipps für einen stressfreien Campingurlaub im Sommer (promobil)
• Gut geplant in die Saison: Camper und Campingplatz richtig mieten (ADAC Hessen-Thüringen)
• Campingurlaub richtig planen: worauf beim Buchen achten (web.de)
• Reiserücktrittsversicherung: denken Sie schon bei der Buchung daran (französische Informationsseite zum Campingurlaub)
• Stromversorgung auf dem Campingplatz (TCS)
• Fragen und Antworten zur Camping Key Europe (ADAC)
• Camping in Deutschland boomt: günstiges Microcamping auf Privatgrundstücken (Stuttgarter Zeitung)