RV Rental Switzerland

There's no doubt that Switzerland is an expensive country, especially when compared to its Central European neighbors. But you don't have to worry about going over your budget if you travel smart and take advantage of all your resources. With that in mind, here are the top 4 ways to save money on a campervan vacation in Switzerland:

1. Use Low-Cost Legal Overnight Stops: Instead of relying on free overnighting (which is often restricted), look for designated motorhome stopovers (stellplätze/aires) or approved private-host options. Rules vary by canton and municipality, so always check local signs and regulations.
2. Cook Your Own Meals: Eating out every night is tempting, especially with Switzerland's renowned cuisine, but you can stretch your budget by cooking a few meals in your campervan or in a campsite kitchenette.

1. Visit Free Attractions: There are many free things to do in Switzerland, from exploring nature areas and strolling around historic town centers to visiting viewpoints and lakes. You can also visit CERN—many visits are free, but you generally need to book ahead.

1. Get Discounts For Booking Early: The simplest way to save money is by booking your motorhome rental, and your campsite pitches well in advance to benefit from any Early Bird Discounts.

Switzerland is a country made for cold weather, with world-famous ski slopes, delicious cheese fondues, and soul-warming hot chocolates, making it a perfect place to visit in the Winter. The frosty temperatures ranging from 28°F to 45°F in the winter mean there will always be a fresh layer of snow on the mountains.

If you prefer warm-weather sightseeing to winter sports, then visit in the Summer, when daytime temperatures bounce between 64°F and 82°F. More campsites are open in the hotter months as the snow recedes and the clear blue skies allow you to see further across the Alpine landscapes.

Spring and Autumn are the cheapest seasons as fewer tourists visit during these months, and the weather is mild, with average temperatures between 46°F and 59°F. An explosion of color characterizes the Swiss springtime as wildflowers cover the mountainsides, whereas autumn brings fiery hues when the valley forests prepare to lose their leaves for the winter.

If you were to stay in one area of Switzerland, you could explore a few nature parks, small villages, and big cities in 5 to 7 days. You would need at least two weeks to travel around the country and see all the natural attractions and famous cities.

You don't have to pay to drive on specific toll roads in Switzerland. Instead, you must pay a flat rate of CHF 40 for a motorway vignette (sticker or e-vignette) which allows you to drive on the main motorways. This may already be included in the cost of your rented vehicle, so please check with your rental company before purchasing a vignette for your trip.

Note: Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes may be subject to Switzerland’s heavy vehicle charge, depending on the vehicle type and registration.

The center of Bern is a UNESCO-listed medieval old town filled with sandstone buildings hiding indoor markets and shady cafes. The best sights are the Zytglogge, an 800-year-old mechanical clock in the historic western gate, the majestic architecture of the Bundeshaus (Parliament), and the gothic towers of the Berner Münster Cathedral. Once you leave the old town, you can head to higher grounds for a stroll around the romantic Rose Garden or visit the Hammam & Spa Oktogon to soak your stress away.

Dozens of grand medieval castles scattered throughout Switzerland open their baroque doors and vibrant gardens for interested tourists. If you enjoy a hilltop castle, the forts of Castelgrande and Castello di Montebello in Bellinzona or Sion's towering Tourbillon Castle are your best bet. The oldest castles with the richest histories are the 10th-century Schloss Spiez and the 13th-century Schloss Oberhofen in the Bern canton.

The quaint hilltop town of Gruyères is the birthplace of Gruyère cheese, the main ingredient in an authentic Swiss fondue. To get the best fondue, head to Le Chalet de Gruyères and eat your meal inside a cozy log cabin in the heart of the historic center. While you're there, sample Switzerland's other popular delicacy: chocolate. Visit the Chocolaterie de Gruyères to taste traditional chocolate treats made from regional Swiss products.

If you're only staying in one spot this summer, make it the leisure town of Interlaken. A popular tourist resort that's literally wedged between two lakes, Thunersee and Brienzersee, Interlaken has a range of exciting summer activities, including hiking, canyon climbing, and parasailing. Of course, being near the lakes means there's a wide variety of water sports, such as kayaking, white water rafting, water skiing, and windsurfing.

Scattered across Switzerland's Alpine landscape are vast, crystal-clear lakes that are fed by melted glaciers and snow banks from the tallest mountains. These calm, fresh waters offer a perfect setting for a peaceful nature hike or canoe ride. The biggest and best ones to visit are Lake Geneva, Lake Constance, and Lake Neuchâtel. Beautiful lakes can also be found near the towns of Lugano, Zurich, and Lucerne.

Lucerne's historic center runs along the bank of the river Reuss and is formed of narrow buildings and cobblestone streets. The colorful yet austere houses provide a romantic setting for a day of historical exploration. Interesting attractions include the wooden 14th-century Chapel Bridge, the old city defenses known as the Musegg Wall, and the fossil-filled Glacier Garden. If you're up for the challenge, try to summit the nearby Mount Pilatus to get a 360° view of the region's peaks and lakes.

Switzerland's Alpine landscape has led to the creation of some incredible roads that wind back and forth along the side of a mountain before cresting the peak and arriving at a pristine view. These scenic switchback routes are called mountain passes, and the most iconic one is the Furka Pass near the country's center. The best routes in the east of Switzerland are the Bernina Pass and the Maloja Pass. The Great St Bernard Pass is the most popular drive in the West. Please note that some of these roads are only accessible when the snow has melted, so check that the route is open in advance.

Stretching across the Rhine River, which acts as the border between Switzerland and Germany, is the Rhine Falls, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Standing at an impressive 492 feet wide, the average summer water flow is 21,189 ft³/s, enough to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool every four seconds. Opposite the falls is Laufen Castle, a medieval stone structure now serving as a restaurant and youth hostel.

Switzerland's vast Alpine ranges have made it a world-famous haven for winter sports fans. The best ski resort is Saint Moritz which has hosted two Winter Olympics, followed closely by Klosters, which is favored by both celebrities and members of the British Royal Family. A more affordable and family-friendly option is the resort town of Arosa, which offers ski passes for as little as $27 per day if you book in advance.

Switzerland's central city is brimming with cultural excursions, like the Swiss National Museum, the FIFA Museums, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Architecture fans will enjoy the historic City Hall (Rathaus), the Grossmünster Cathedral, and the delicate stained-glass windows of the Fraumünster Church. Travelers arriving near the end of the year will be able to shop at Zurich's Christmas Markets, including the massive indoor market at the main station.

You can park your campervan in public or private parking lots during the day, provided you pay for the spot, and you aren't blocked by any height restrictions. Watch out for signs prohibiting motorhomes from parking in a certain zone. If you are driving late into the night, most regions allow you to park your camper in a public parking lot or rest stop and sleep until the morning. The laws vary between Switzerland's different cantons, so double-check the regulations before sleeping outside a designated campsite.

Overnight parking in a campervan in Switzerland is regulated locally (by canton/municipality), and overnighting outside official sites is not generally permitted in most cantons.

For the most reliable and legal options, use campsites or designated motorhome parking areas (stellplätze/aires), or stay with approved private hosts. If you do stop briefly for rest, keep the vehicle in normal parking mode (no tables, chairs or awnings) and always follow local signage.

Tighter camping restrictions and prohibitions will apply in certain towns and cantons, so it's best to check the rules on a regional website or at a local tourist office before you depart. Overnight stays are forbidden in the Swiss National Park, including in parked vehicles.

Switzerland only has one national park, aptly named the Swiss National Park. However, the country also has a wider network of parks of national importance—19 parks are operative and 1 is in the establishment phase. Here are the best nature parks in Switzerland and their closest campsites:

The Jura Vaudois Nature Park, near the French border, is a picturesque Swiss mountain and gorge region, complete with woodland pastures and old stone walls that run along the rural property boundaries. Camping des Cheseaux is neatly located 25 minutes away from the main entrance to the park, 20 minutes from Lake Geneva, and 40 minutes from the city of Geneva. An electric hookup pitch is priced in CHF 12.50 to 15.00 per night, with electricity CHF 4.00 per night, plus per-person and visitor taxes).

With rolling green pastures blending into jagged rocky peaks, the Gantrisch Nature Park provides an easy way to view the famous Alpine landscape. To the south of Gantrisch is the Diemtigtal Nature Park, which has higher, colder mountains that enclose crystal-clear lakes formed from melted glacier waters. Camping Stuhlegg is less than a 30-minute drive from both nature parks, near the border of Thun Lake. The campsite features a bistro with a sun terrace, a natural swimming pond, a small camp shop, and laundry facilities. Electric hookup pricing is listed around CHF 20 to 26 per night plus electricity CHF 4.00, plus per-person fees and tourist tax, depending on the season).

The Swiss National Park is the country’s largest protected natural space. Sprawling over the Western Rhaetian Alps, Switzerland’s only official national park is a hiking wonderland with gentle and challenging trails running through gorges and over snow-capped peaks. You must stick to the paths inside a protected area; from these paths, you can spot ibex and chamois goats, red deer, and Eurasian lynx.

If you make it to the eastern edge of the Swiss National Park, you can venture into the Val Müstair Biosphere, a UNESCO reserve with classic valley villages and quaint organic farms. In the town of Zernez, near the outer boundaries of the Swiss National Park, lies Camping Cul, a campsite with prices around CHF 13.00 per night plus electricity CHF 4.00, plus per-person fees such as adults CHF 14.00 and tourist tax CHF 4.00 per adult per night)

Zurich Sihlwald Wilderness Park is a large forested area to the south of Zurich that is split into two sections: the Langenberg Zoo and the Zurich Sihlwald. Langenberg is the oldest zoo in Switzerland and accommodates animals, including bears, moose, lynx, otters, wolves, and bison, in spacious, natural enclosures. The adjacent Sihlwald is formed of ancient beech trees once part of a greater forest that spread across 80% of Central Europe. Camping Sihlwald is a peaceful campsite in the middle of the woodlands that offer pitches priced for CHF 15.00 per night, plus per-person fees and electricity where used.

The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch, near the town of Lucerne, is comprised of moors and bogs at the base of frosty mountains, which are critical to local biodiversity. These immense wetlands help keep the Biosphere sustainable, even under layers of snow. Hasle Stellplatz is a basic campsite, not much more than a car park with a bathroom and shower, but it makes up for the lack of amenities by being in the very heart of the Biosphere. The perfect base for a day of exploration, a stay at Hasle costs CHF 25 per night (incl. tourist taxes) plus CHF 0.50 per kWh of electricity.

Entry to Switzerland’s parks is generally free. However, some visitor centers and park exhibitions or museums may charge an admission fee.

Campervan parking fees are set locally (by the municipality or facility), so costs vary by location and season. Always check signage at the car park or visitor center for current rates.

in Arosa: Another great base for skiers is at the foot of the Alpine slopes in the Schanfigg Valley, a beautiful and popular spot in the winter. Water and electric hookup pitches go for £40 during the ski season, and a kitchenette with laundry facilities and a snack machine is available for guests to use.

near Leuk: This friendly hilltop campsite is in the stunning Rhône Valley and features a large swimming pool with views across the forested mountains. The camp also has a restaurant with a sun terrace, outdoor leisure activities, an indoor games room, and laundry services. Electric and water hookup pitches with access to hot showers cost $40 per night.

in Bern: For £41 per day for an electric hookup pitch, stay in the capital at this riverside camp, complete with hot showers, an onsite restaurant, and free travel throughout all of Bern's public transport network.

in Gruyeres: This campground is located on the slopes of the Gruyères Mountains in a large meadow enclosed by shady pines. Sites with an electric hookup cost a flat total of £40 daily, and the camp has a snack shack, laundry facilities, and an outdoor games area for guests to use.

in Interlaken: Perched on a river bank on the outskirts of Interlaken, this campsite is a great base when visiting the summer city. The facilities include a dishwasher and washing machine, a TV lounge, a kitchenette, ping pong tables, and a natural beach. Prices start at £39 a day for a pitch with an electric hookup.

near Lausanne: This lakeside camp is a naturist site, although children are allowed. The camp features a swimming pool, lake beach, bike paths, snack bar, and community kitchen. Electric pitches start from £35 a day.

in Lucerne: This camp is situated less than 2 miles along the lakeside from the center of Lucerne. The campsite comes equipped with washing machines and dishwashing stations, a library lounge, BBQ areas, and a bistro and kiosk. Electric hookup pitches go for £48 per night.

near Zurich: This campground is based in the heart of a nature reserve on the border of Greifen Lake, about 15 miles away from Zurich. Electric sites are available for as low as £30 a night, and you can take advantage of the on-site camp store, kiosk, snack bar, washing machines, and outdoor leisure activities.

in Saint Moritz: The ideal stop for any Saint Moritz skier, this hillside camp has amazing views and helpful facilities, including a restaurant, a mini market, kitchenettes, and washing machines. For £40 for a hookup pitch, you can benefit from a soccer field, tennis courts, and exotic excursions like skeet shooting and mushroom hunts.

near Lugano: The peaceful Paradise Camp is nestled against the edge of Lake Lugano beneath the Val Mara mountains. Leisure activities include ping pong tables and e-bike and paddleboard rentals. The sanitary facilities contain showers, washing machines, and dishwashing sinks. Electric pitches start at $38.50 per night.