Going through northern Italy, then north to Germany for a few days. Black Forest,Heilbronn, Castletown, and out to France passing through Rhine Gorge. Early May dates. Do I need hotel reservations for Germany?
Posted by
Olympia
62 posts
It depends on your travel style. If you want small owner hotels or b&b especially if they are small and inexpensive, I would say book your hotel after January. I am going in April and booked my hotels in October and was getting last room or next to last in some hotels(Salzburg- easter, Esslingen-beer fstival Stuttgart, Sirmione popular hotel). Your choices should be okay unless there is festival going on. If you like to wait until you arrive you will likely end up with larger hotel unless someone cancels out.
Posted by
Atlanta
1358 posts
We've rarely made hotel reservations when we've traveled in Germany, including the Black Forest and along the Rhine. In fact, the only time we have was when we went to Berlin. Smaller towns shouldn't be a problem. We've walked right into town and either looked up a place from the RS book or just looked for the "Zimmer frei" signs. But check to make sure that there's not a holiday or special event going on during the time that you'll be there. The benefit of making reservations is knowing for sure that you'll have a bed and how much you'll pay for it. The benefit of NOT making reservations is being able to change your plans or to see your room before you pay for it.
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1528 posts
If you are traveling by car and are staying in villages or small towns, you can play it by ear.
We have traveled by train the last few years and stayed in towns. We either made reservations before the trip started or researched hotels well enough to know who to call the day before we arrived. We liked hrs.com for research and reservations. We seemed to get better prices and more flexibility to change reservations if necessary.
Regards, Gary