Motorway rip-off pricing

hula-hoops

rog2 wrote:

If you look at our European Neighbours, you will find that their Motorway Service Stations are not particularly cheap, although generally a lot cheaper than the UK, and the majority are smaller than those here. But, at the same time, their Motorway networks include Parking/Picnic areas, usually every 10/15 miles, equipped with free toilet facilities and, with unfortunate exceptions, usually kept spotlessly clean.

Please let me know where these continental motorway service stations are with free toilets!

Every year we drive back to my old hometown and all along the way (regardless of country) we have to pay to use the toilets. In the 'old' days this was even more of an issue as they all had different currencies and so stopping for the loo in Belgium was a nightmare because we had no Belgian francs (as we were just driving through). With the Euro it's a little easier.

Last year we drove to Tuscany and had to pay all the way too.

One place we stopped would only let us use the toilet if we bought something.

debtfreelondon

On our many trips up north to see the folks we've been to most of the services on the m1 and m6 and paid over the odds for many things.

The last straw was ending up in a services on the m1 at 9.30pm when the only thing on the menu in the "restaurant" was breakfast! Bear in mind that mass produced breakfast food is invariably cheap and not cooked very well and it's been sitting there for hours.

We noticed a sign on the table informing us that they offered no quibble refunds if you weren't happy. We ate the meal (which really was the most disgusting food I've ever eaten - but we were hungry) and got our money back on the food - no quibbles!

You'd think that if they are charging over the odds for food they'd at least make some effort to make the food palatable. Especially at 9.30 at night when lots of people travel.

rog2

hula-hoops wrote:

Please let me know where these continental motorway service stations are with free toilets!

Last year we drove to Tuscany and had to pay all the way too.

One place we stopped would only let us use the toilet if we bought something.

The 'Free' toilets are in the Parking/Picnic areas and not at the motorway service stations.

I also drive frequently to Italy (Alto Adige and Campania - almost the two extremes), and have to admit that the 'free' toilets in Italy are usually in a pretty disgusting state. Worth noting though, that you are under no legal obligation to put any money in the plate at Italian Motorway Stations - Where, incidentally, a REAL CAPPUCINO costs around 1 euro as compared with £2.25 in a UK Service Station.
On German Motorways there are signs showing distance to nearest Parking Areas (presence of toilet/disabled services is also marked on the sign as not all parking areas have them - yes there is a charge at the Main Service Stations, usually in the form of a voucher which is then refundable against purchases, but you must admit, the facilities are usually good. Belgium, I agree, is pretty poor, but Austria and even France (much as I hate to admit it) are generally okay.
Sorry, almost forgot - in France you can pick up a motorway guide (I don't know if it is free) at the information point at the pay stations, which lists all parking areas, including facilities) for their motorways.
I would advise, however, that you carry a roll of Tesco Value Toilet Paper with you:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Gorgeous_George

If you don't like them, don't use them.

If you don't use them, they'll close.

If they close, we'll all spend money on petrol trying to find a supermarket with toilets that are not limited to customers only.

I agree the prices are too high and so I rarely use them. When I do, I look for KFC and usually find this to be better value. I never use MacDonalds.

The best moneysaving is gained by choosing not to travel in the first place.



GG

rog2

Gorgeous_George wrote:

If you don't like them, don't use them.


The best moneysaving is gained by choosing not to travel in the first place.



GG

I started this thread for those of us who have no alternative but to travel, and that by a bit of forward planning, assisted by the info on the website https://www.5minutesaway.co.uk we could find money saving alternatives to these places without wasting petrol unduly.

Thefunkygibbons

It is the cash points that I object to

The banks say that they put free ones where there is enough footfall

Surely there is enough footfall at a service station

Liney_2

My hubby stops each morning at a Service Station on the M1 - he avoids buying petrol there but likes their coffee - I have tried to get him to take his own but he likes their coffee best. He does take a reusable mug to put it in so I can't grumble too much. Anyway - he knows the staff in the petrol station and was shocked to find their coffee had incresed from £1.70 to £2.20 a cup overnight. That was a massive price hike - the guys in the petrol station said that they had been receiving complaints all morning but that it was out of their hands and the price was dictated by the vending machine owners. They even gave my hubby a free cup as they felt so bad! Anyway he has decided not to go there anymore - so think of the money we'll save!

yung

I only stop at motorway service for rest during my travel, If a long journey I take my own sarnie and hot drink with me

GreyPilgrim

Gorgeous_George wrote:

The best moneysaving is gained by choosing not to travel in the first place.

Does anyone travel just for the sake of it?

Is that not the same as saying "only have root canal surgery if you actually need it"?

rog2

Gorgeous_George wrote:

I agree the prices are too high and so I rarely use them. When I do, I look for KFC and usually find this to be better value. I never use MacDonalds.

Pity really, because McDonalds appear to have been the only restaurant/food franchise company to have stood up to the Service Station conditions and refused to pass on the high charges to the customer - there are still a few about - Fleet(M3) Sheffield (M1) are two that I know of, but the rest have gone. M&S Food is charging High Street prices, but I would think that the Service Station Companies ought to pay them, because they are attracting more people to these places.