Thanks for the info.

We are travelling to Germany next week stopping at Sudsee Camp near Wietzendorf and then travelling down to Herbolzheim so will be making use of the 'facilities'. Is it 50c coins needed or is change available? Will save them if the former.

The coin box at the entrance to the toilets SHOULD give change, but twice in my journey I saw machines that could not give change because they were full or broken ............. (it was a Bank Holiday) so I would certainly save a few 50c coins! Incidentally I only saw ONE location with a 'cut out' for children to pass through for free ............

Note that it's often confusing because the flush isn't obvious. You need to pass your hand over a lighted panel in the back rim of the seat, and then it cleans itself automatically between users.

Chers for that. No kids with us anymore though so that's one less thing to worry about.

Just home- it seems common practice!!

Pam

As I live on the German border, I posted because it was the first time I had come across this system ...... not the ubiquitous 'put a coin in the saucer' method, but an actual cost (I'm afraid most people put in 10 or 20 c in the saucer!!) higher than most people would have thought of contributing PER PERSON ... but particularly because the ticket is then redeemable against a food or drink purchase. These tickets seem to have no final redemption date and can be submitted more than one at a time. That's why I thought to mention the system.

Keepupwith, I'm not sure what your comment really meant - are you telling me that is common practice also in the UK? (I don't tend to stop at UK service stations when I'm driving, preferring to stop off the motorway ....... so perhaps you could bring me up to date about what happens in the UK and which coin I should make sure I have a supply of before I go to spend my 'penny'!)

Sorry, what I meant was we are just home from a trip across France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany and I think we paid wherever we stopped. Never come across this in the UK as yet. Have to say though, the 'pay' system was only at services, not at the rest stops- they are brilliant, something that should be introduced in the UK. Free to use toilets, plenty of parking and picnic tables- great place to just stretch your legs.

Pam

Thanks Pam for clarifying this! I tend to visit a lot of loos when on the move!!

While on the subject of spending money - a cent or two - on my recent trip noticed and dug deep for the price of fuel in Germany. Prices ranged from 1 euro 35 cents to 1 euro 38 cents for a litre.

With the current exchange rate against the UK Pound that is around 1 pound 20 pence a litre.

Nivsy

I paid €1.39 for petrol yesterday. Prices have risen daily over the last couple of weeks. Anyone travelling through Germany should take in mind that Luxembourg prices are normally cheaper. Austria normally charges up to ten cents less per litre and Switzerland has even cheaper prices.

Judith

Yeah I also filled up in Luxembourg Judith......and noticed the Q behind us getting significantly longer with German registered cars!

Nivsy

We hadn't bargained on the price of fuel- quite a few miles between Calais and Berlin. I think the most we paid was 1.44-not looking forward to the credit card bill!!

Pam

First off - getting used to this 50c lark, even striking lucky yesterday. Went to the loo, came out and there was a ticket still in the machine that someone obviously hadn't taken and no-one around. Got €1 off my brew!

Just paid €1.30 for petrol today having paid €1.35 on Friday, both at chain garages. Don't know if that was being in the right place at the right time on the way back from Belsen or prices are dropping.

Fuel in Luxembourg is always cheaper than the country's it borders. However take care when approaching the services on the motorways. They are so popular that there are often lines of lorry's and cars even onto the slow lane of the motorway. Slow down and be very careful.

yep, I remember paying something like that at a Belguim one many moons back too.