Rise in costs for certain campgrounds - Rise in fees at specific camping sites
Campers in Thuringia face price increases at some campsites this season, with operational costs driving the hikes. Increased personnel expenses and electricity costs are the primary factors, according to campsite operators. However, vacationing on a campsite is still cheaper compared to other forms of lodging in Thuringia, as well as abroad.
The "camping.info" portal has shown an approximately 4.2% increase in costs for two people, including pitch, caravan, electricity, and local tax in Thuringia compared to 2024. On average, 24.21 euros are due for these amenities, making Thuringia one of the more budget-friendly destinations for campers, with Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania charging 33.20 euros and the national average at 28.86 euros.
Personnel shortages and the need to maintain staff compensation levels are contributing to the increased overnight prices at several campsites, such as the Lütschesee campsite near Oberhof and the Campingplatz Hohenfelden (in the Weimar region). Manager Nadin Frey at Campingplatz Hohenfelden attributed the price increases to elevated personnel costs.
At Campingplatz Meyersgrund near Ilmenau, prices for short-term campers have remained the same, but increases are being observed for long-term campers. Site-to-site pricing differs, with some locations offering bundled packages for showering, electricity, and waste disposal, while others charge additional fees for these services.
Ascension and Pentecost weekends remain popular among campers, with sites like Meyersgrund reporting full bookings. The favorable spring weather and the calendar's alignment with a late Easter and May Day have contributed to a busy season for campsites. Schniz, chairman of the Association of Thuringian Camping, affirmed that the booking situation for holidays was also positive.
Over the last few years, the popularity of camping has been on the rise, with Thuringia witnessing a 6.1% increase in overnight stays in 2024 compared to the previous year. Nearly 314,000 holidaymakers stayed on the almost 100 campsites in Thuringia, with an average stay of 2.7 days.
- Adhering to the community policy, Campingplatz Hohenfelden has implemented a policy adjustment due to higher personnel costs, resulting in an increased lifestyle expense for campers staying at their home-and-garden-like campsite.
- To balance rising operational costs, such as vocational training for staff or travel expenses for necessary equipment, campsites like Luetschesee near Oberhof have introduced price hikes in their vocational training programs, making it essential for participants to thoroughly consider these costs when planning their home-and-garden vacations.
