Parking in France Germany and Austria

[Joe_s4c]

Hi guys.

I am 100% sure this question has been asked before, i have searched through Ukgser but clearly me being so new to this and not knowing where to look has failed me.

Basically as expected Im going on a trip through France Germany Austria then back through Luxembourg, I feel happy with all the other aspects of the ride the only thing that keeps coming into my mind is parking. how where when prices laws and so on. So if there is any experienced European riders who have some tips on parking in the countries listed;

Is it free
do we have places we cant park/ can only park
any information would be greatly appreciated and fingers crossed i get the hang of UKgser soon enough not to post another thread that others have already posted

Thanks
Joe

 

[Cook1e]

When I was in France recently, bikes seem to park wherever they like. I was told off once by a woman in a car for parking the bike in a car space.

Parking is not a thing to be worrying about.

 

[Demonbaker]

Can't say about Germany and Austria but in France they seem to park anywhere. Just use common sense like not parking in front of gateways etc.

 

[Wapping]

I have never struggled parking in France, Germany, Luxembourg or Austria.

I have received just one parking ticket in Germany, which I threw into the bin.

Just be sensible. You and your companions will be fine, I promise.

 

[AlanI]

Like Wapping states - just be sensible and don't worry too much about it. Common sense and using your eyes will usually be enough to give an indication of whether it's safe or even allowed to park.
Quite often here in Germany there are sections marked for m/c parking (steet as well as car parks) defined by narrower parking lines obviously and a blue rectangular sign with a m/c in it.
If you want to be ultra cautious then purchase a parking card (a small blue card with a rotatable clock for setting the time) available in all garages etc. Look for a parking sign in the area that you intend parking which will state the hours between which parking is restricted - say 2 hours - with all times outside this being unrestricted. An example of this would be during shop opening times where free/or payment parking is restricted to 2 hours. Set the time on your card to when you arrive.
Sometimes on the street there will be a parking fee with machines nearby for payment. These generally are to be found in more built-up areas where the authorities want to turn around the traffic and are easily avoidable. More historical towns etc such as Heidelburg to name but one and where tourists come in their tens of thousands is another matter altogether. Parking here can be a nightmare with most road parking areas being restricted to residents for which a special pass is required. In these cases it's often best to head straight for a signed park house and avoid the often unfruitful search for a parking space.
Although not specifically asked, let me say that with the generally much higher standard of living in Germany and Austria (you won't see too many, if any at all, rusty old wrecks driving around LOL), car/bike crime is much lower than in other parts of Europe and it's generally speaking quite safe to park your bike in the open exercising the usual precautions.

When in towns (especially small ones) keep an eye out for the Priority road sign which is a yellow diamond shape on a white diamond shaped background and will be placed just before a junction/side road. If you see this sign you have priority and if you don't see it then expect traffic to emerge from the side road in front of you. Don't think that you are travelling on what appears to be the main road as sometimes it doesn't work that way. Give way to traffic from the right is often the rule in towns and villages. I emphasize towns and villages so don't concern yourself with the possibility of flying along a major trunk road and something is suddenly going to emerge from the right directly in front of you. If this happens it's the local idiot which of course can happen anywhere.

In general, Germany and Austria are biker friendly countries. There are a lot more bikes around on the roads over here and traffic i.e. cage drivers pay more attention to looking out for them.

Don't forget to pack your reflective vest which is compulsory to be worn in France (if they haven't changed their minds yet again) along with an alcohol testing kit (again if the French haven't changed their minds yet again). I'm often over the border into France (car and bike) and always carry both to be on the safe side..........less possible agro the better imo. First Aid kit - compulsory in Germany and Austria and bike specific kits can be obtained in most Chemist shops (Apoteke) if you don't already have one. Reflective vests are compulsory if you happen to break down on a motorway.

Enjoy the trip and spend more time concentrating on the scenery and the freedom of the open and much less congested roads than on parking.

 

[Davey B]

The continentals are far more switched on to bikes so just go and enjoy it. We were in Germany in the car a couple of years ago and parked where we shouldn't have done. We got a 5 euro fine ! I did the civic thing and went in person to the Rathaus and paid up. All very efficient and sensible...no arguing, no demanding an expensive hearing etc etc. 5 euros FFS

 

[seadog]

Never paid for parking in France/Belgium/Germany, it seems it's only the uk who likes ripping bikers off!!!

 

[david a hall]

Hi guys.

I am 100% sure this question has been asked before, i have searched through Ukgser but clearly me being so new to this and not knowing where to look has failed me.

Basically as expected Im going on a trip through France Germany Austria then back through Luxembourg, I feel happy with all the other aspects of the ride the only thing that keeps coming into my mind is parking. how where when prices laws and so on. So if there is any experienced European riders who have some tips on parking in the countries listed;

Is it free
do we have places we cant park/ can only park
any information would be greatly appreciated and fingers crossed i get the hang of UKgser soon enough not to post another thread that others have already posted

Thanks
Joe

Do you mean while in a hotel? stopping for coffee? or camping? I will let you into a secret some of the countries you have mentioned are quite up to date as far as transport policy's go. A few years ago we just you to abandon 20 bikes on the pavement outside a cafe, in typical Brit abroad fashion, but tend to park on the road these days. I think you are worrying unduly.

 

[Rasher]

On my first trip to France I spent ages looking for a parking spot in a small town as it was market day and the main car park was used for the market. On the return to the Hotel I was told I should have just pulled onto the pavement outside whatever cafe it was I wanted to eat in

Another thing is where are you going? I steer well clear of cities, and when I do stop in a town I always make sure the Hotel has secure parking and then get around by foot / bus / taxi.

Give way to traffic from the right is often the rule in towns and villages. I emphasize towns and villages so don't concern yourself with the possibility of flying along a major trunk road and something is suddenly going to emerge from the right directly in front of you. If this happens it's the local idiot which of course can happen anywhere

I am still cautious in rural France where some tractor drivers are about 100 years old and remember when even on main roads the priority was to the right (or more to the point have forgotten the rules have changed) although the lack of any traffic in rural France means you rarely have to worry, but I just make sure I am aware of cars approaching junctions and are prepared for the worst - overall I reckon you will get pulled out on much more in the UK than abroad anyway.

I think your far more likely to get in trouble by setting off on the wrong side of the road so make sure you remember which side to drive on - it is a doddle once moving, but if you stop for a quick piss / re-fuel it is very easy to set off on the wrong side of the road - or so I hear Try to make sure you have a quick chat to yourself after each stop (especially any very quick ones) before moving off again.

 

[Bugbear]

For first-time visitors to rural France knowing this sign could save your life

As to parking, anywhere sensible that doesn't cause an obstruction is OK apart from Paris where they have been having a real clamp-down on bike-parking.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

For first-time visitors to rural France knowing this sign could save your life

As to parking, anywhere sensible that doesn't cause an obstruction is OK apart from Paris where they have been having a real clamp-down on bike-parking.

Might have been good if you explained it

The sign indicates an intersection where priority to the right applies.......

 

[(RIP) Geriatric Germ]

Might have been good if you explained it

The sign indicates an intersection where priority to the right applies.......

Erm, even I understand the sign could save a whole lot of hassle!
Parking in Gay Paris could cause a whole lot of hassle

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Automated multiple-story parking is great, just ride around the barriers. I did this in Munich for the few days I stopped on my way back from Mongolia.

 

[slimpickings]

Might have been good if you explained it

The sign indicates an intersection where priority to the right applies.......

Thanks for that

Should know it ,but I didn't

 

[richie]

Might have been good if you explained it

The sign indicates an intersection where priority to the right applies.......

or, "he who dares wins" I know what I mean