Trier Travel Forum

Thanks for all the help with my first batch of questions. here are some odd questions, but in assuming that nothing is like the USA, i am bound to ask the following... (BTW, the actual village i will be residing in during my stay is Speicher, 20-30 minutes from Trier i am told) What about public parking--- Seeing i am looking into renting a car for my stay- i am wondering if a small SUV is recommended or not (i am only looking into it due to the comfort issue of possible long road trips)- if parking is tight and small spaces- then i would assume NOT, however i am not sure as to places like Trier, do you pay for parking, are there parking meters? or do you suggest not even driving to the cities? also, i have heard that fuel is quite expensive- about how much does it cost? anything special i might need to know about that? are there 24 hour fuel stations? especially if we are out in the countryside... and here yet another question... if i decide to drive into another country are there checkpoints or as what we call here "customs" where you stop your car and a guard checks your vehicle and baggage, etc... and again one more question... would you suggest driving from Trier to Paris? is that a possible day trip? as i am really wanting to steer clear of touristy things- any suggestions on other places that might be more beautiful and off the beaten path?
thanks, Trees

Here are few answers: I was in Trier last summer. Yes, in the center parking cost and has meters. The bigger the city will be, the more problematic parking will be, but if you are ready to pay, you will usually be able to find pay parking.
24 hours gas station are on the freeway (called Autobahn). Many stations has automatic system and it works also 24h. You can pay with credit cards, Recommended are Visa or MasterCard, which are the most accepted. Fuel cost in Europe about x3 to x4 times the price of the US, but the European cars consume less fuel. Current price, about 4$ a gallon. In Germany, France and other 10 countries we are using the Euro currency, which is currently value almost equal to the US$. To drive to Paris will take you about 5 hours, but in France highway are charged, in Germany it’s free. Forget about good parking in Paris. I drove there last summer but I parked the car for the whole week and used public transportation in the city. (Subway)
There are no borders check in Western Europe, you will hardly notice when you are crossing the borders, only when you notice language or color signs change. Check my Europe pages, there is list of countries members of the Euro and free borders (Schengen countries).

WOW, great info!!!!!!! i will be checking out your pages shortly... i know i will feel much more confident in knowing all these small things before i get there- so i can really focus on enjoying my stay - as i am sure my 10 days will go by all too quickly... thanks, Trees

Concerning fueling in the region of Trier, I would highly recommend you to go to Luxemburg - it's only a 25 km ride away from the city of Trier (about 40 - 45 km from Speicher). Fuel is much cheaper in Luxemburg (about € 0,15 per liter) and you automatically go via Luxemburg on your way to Paris.

True, cheaper in Luxembourg, but I think you must confused, can’t be 15¢ for litre, to my memory it was about 70¢ - 75¢ per litre there compare to the 1€ or more in Germany.

Sure, you are right, it's now about € 0,84 approx. compared to € 1,00 in Germany - what I wanted to express is that fuel is € 0,15 cheaper than in Germany.

I don't think an SUV is necessary. My wife and I rented an Opel station wagon last June on our trip to Germany, and it was plenty comfortable. I'm 6 feet tall and over 200 lbs.

I lived in Speicher for over a year-nice place. The Eifel region in general is truly beautiful. A regular auto is fine-I had a dodge neon and got around wonderfully. prepare for fuel to be about $5 a gallon or more and you can find curbside public parking. BP is over there. Go to the bathroom when you can when you're traveling and bring toilet paper!!! VERY few rest areas...If you like wine-the Mosel is a river nearby and it is a gorgeous place with regular wine-tasting. Also, if you like shopping-Eider Oberstien is amazing. From Speicher you'll be about 3 hours from Paris by the way...& 45 minutes from Luxumbourg.

Speicher was very nice.
I had a wonderful time visiting there. I am back in the US and wish i could go back to Germany. but all my family have moved from that area. it was a pleasure to have visited.. Thanks for your wonderful advice.
Thanks,
Theresa