Exploring Switzerland by Camper: Tips & Infos, Campsites

Switzerland - a country where turquoise lakes, jagged Alpine peaks, ancient villages, winding mountain passes and an almost impossibly clean environment create a landscape that feels like a postcard brought to life.

Everywhere you go, the scenery seems carefully arranged: wooden chalets covered in flowers, cows grazing on emerald meadows, waterfalls dropping from cliffs, trains climbing impossibly steep mountainsides.

It’s a place where you can wake up beside a lake, drive over a legendary mountain pass, park above the clouds for lunch, and end your day beside a glacier or vineyard.

This guide brings together every essential detail to help you plan the perfect Switzerland roadtrip.

2.1 Arriving with Your Own Motorhome

Most travellers reach Switzerland by road through neighbouring countries. You’ll usually pass through with nothing more than a brief glance at your passport.

The main entry routes include:

• Germany → Basel, Zurich, St. Gallen
  The northern access points. Roads here are wide, calm and straightforward — the easiest approach for most travellers.

• France → Geneva, Lausanne or Basel
  Ideal if you're coming from western Europe, with beautiful views of the Jura and Lake Geneva.

• Italy → Ticino (Lugano / Locarno) or via the Alps
  Gorgeous but mountainous routes. Crossing the Alps via the Gotthard, Simplon or San Bernardino region gives you spectacular scenery immediately.

• Austria → St. Gallen or Graubünden
  Perfect for entering the east of Switzerland or heading straight toward the Engadin, Davos or St. Moritz region.
  
  Switzerland’s geography means that even relatively short distances can involve tunnels, steep climbs and rapid weather changes. It’s all part of the adventure — just make sure your motorhome is ready for mountains.

2.2 Toll System (Motorway Vignette + Extra Fees)

Switzerland uses a simple but strict system: you must buy a motorway vignette if you drive on any national motorway (“A” road).

The vignette:

• costs 40 CHF

• is valid for a full calendar year

• is mandatory for all vehicles under 3.5 t

You can buy it:

• at the border

• at petrol stations in neighbouring countries

• online (digital vignette)

This makes travelling easy — once you have it, you don’t stop at toll booths.

Special Fees

However, some routes are not included in the vignette, such as:

• private mountain roads

• car trains (Autoverlad) like Lötschberg, Furka, Vereina

• certain tunnels (e.g., Munt la Schera Tunnel to Livigno)

Prices vary from around 15 CHF to 35 CHF depending on the route.

These transfers are extremely popular because they save hours of mountain driving and are very motorhome-friendly.

3.1 Documents

Switzerland is part of the Schengen area but not a member of the EU, so it has its own rules.

Motorhome travellers must carry:

• passport or EU ID

• vehicle registration

• proof of insurance

• pet passport + microchip + rabies vaccination if travelling with animals

Because Switzerland is outside the EU customs union, certain items like alcohol, tobacco, meat and dairy products are controlled.

3.2 Money & Payments

Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF).

The good news:

• Credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

• Many places accept euros but the exchange rate is poor.

4.1 Speed Limits

Speed cameras are automatic and everywhere - and fines are among the highest in Europe. Drive gently and enjoy the scenery. Switzerland is strict with speed limits and fines:

• 50 km/h in towns

• 80 km/h on rural roads

• 100 km/h on national roads

• 120 km/h on motorways

4.2 Mountain Roads

Driving the Alps is magical, adventurous and sometimes intimidating. If you’ve never driven mountain passes before, take your time and avoid weekends when traffic is heavier.

Expect:

• narrow roads carved into cliffs

• dramatic hairpins

• sudden fog or storms

• long steep descents

• breathtaking viewpoints every 2 minutes

4.3 Weather

Weather changes fast in Switzerland. A sunny valley can turn into a snowstorm at 2.000 m altitude in minutes. Always:

• check road conditions

• avoid passes in thunderstorms

• prepare for strong winds

• keep your fuel tank half full
  

4.4 Driving Mountain Passes With a Motorhome

Some of Switzerland’s biggest highlights are its high mountain passes — legendary, dramatic, and unforgettable.

Famous passes suitable for confident motorhome drivers:

• Furka Pass

• Grimsel Pass

• Gotthard (including the historic cobblestone Tremola)

• Susten

• Klausen

• San Bernardino

• Oberalp

• Bernina

Driving them requires:

• strong brakes

• good weather

• avoiding peak weekends

Switzerland offers some of the most beautiful and best-organised camping options in Europe. Whether you love lakes, forests, mountaintops or vineyards — there is a place for you.

5.1 Official Campsites (~650 nationwide)

Large Swiss campsites feel almost like mountain resorts. They are clean, professional and surrounded by sensational scenery.

You will find:

• immaculate bathrooms

• private wash cabins

• laundry rooms

• fresh bread service

• Wi-Fi

• playgrounds

• restaurants or cafés

• rental bikes, SUP boards or kayaks

• direct access to lakes, forests or hiking trails

Coastal-style resorts line the lakes of Thun, Lucerne and Geneva, while mountain campsites in Graubünden, Valais and Bern offer unforgettable alpine views.

Prices:

• 25–45 CHF (low season)

• 45–70 CHF (high season)

• 70–110 CHF (premium lakeside & spa campsites)

Despite the price, the level of comfort is extremely high.

5.2 Stellplätze (Motorhome Stopovers)

Switzerland has hundreds of motorhome stopovers - simple, quiet areas designated for motorhomes, usually run by towns, or farms.

They typically include:

• legal overnight parking

• waste disposal

• fresh water

• electricity (sometimes)

• views of lakes, rivers or mountains

• walking distance to towns or cable cars

Prices range from free to 15–30 CHF. They feel nearly like wild camping — peaceful, practical, and fully relaxed.

5.3 Wild Camping — Canton by Canton Rules

Switzerland’s wild camping laws are unique and complicated. They depend entirely on the canton (regional government) and even the municipality.

General guidelines:

• Wild camping with a motorhome is often prohibited at low altitude, especially near lakes, forests and towns.

• National parks, nature reserves and protected landscapes have strict bans.

• Fines can be high in heavily visited regions.

In practice:

• Most travellers use RV parkings instead of wild camping.

• They provide the same peaceful “close to nature” feeling but without risking trouble.

Water & Waste Disposal

Switzerland is one of the easiest countries in Europe for finding fresh water and dumping waste — even in remote regions.

You’ll find V+E (fresh water, greywater and toilet disposal) at:

• almost every campsite

• hundreds of Stellplätze / motorhome stopovers

• many marinas along lakes and rivers

• several fuel stations

• some public parking areas, especially in mountain regions

Swiss service stations are famously clean and well-maintained. Operating them is straightforward, signage is clear, and the water quality is excellent — Switzerland’s tap water is some of the purest in the world.

Gas

Switzerland uses its own gas bottle system, which means:

• Foreign bottles cannot usually be exchanged

• Refilling is sometimes possible, but not guaranteed

The most reliable options:

• Carry a European adapter kit

• For long trips, buy a Swiss gas bottle on arrival (campsites and hardware stores sell them)

If you're travelling through the Alps early or late in the season, gas is essential — nights can be cold even in June or September.

Shopping & Groceries

Switzerland has an excellent network of supermarkets, with long opening hours and a wide range of high-quality products.

Major chains:

• Coop – wide selection, good fresh foods

• Migros – excellent produce, slightly cheaper

• Denner – budget-friendly

• Lidl / Aldi – best for saving money

• Volg – small village shops, surprisingly well stocked

Weekly markets are a highlight. Fresh alpine cheese, homemade bread, smoked meats, mountain honey, local wine and seasonal fruit make cooking in your motorhome a pleasure.

Internet & Connectivity

Switzerland has outstanding 4G/5G coverage, with signal even in many mountain regions.

Options:

• EU travellers: many roaming plans now include Switzerland (check your provider)

• Local SIM cards: Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom offer reliable prepaid options

• Campsites: almost all provide Wi-Fi, often fast and stable

• Remote mountain regions: short dead zones can happen behind cliffs or in deep valleys

The Grand Tour of Switzerland

This is Switzerland’s official round-trip route — a curated 1,600 km loop through the country’s most iconic sights.

It connects:

• 22 lakes

• 12 UNESCO heritage sites

• 5 alpine passes

• charming old towns

• famous panoramic viewpoints

The route is signposted and ideal for motorhomes, offering a perfect balance between nature, culture, cities and quiet countryside.

Many travellers spend 10 to 21 days following it.

Switzerland is expensive, but quality is high.

Estimated costs:

• Campsites: 25–110 CHF

• Stellplätze: 0–30 CHF

• Diesel: above EU average

• Groceries: moderate to high

• Eating out: expensive

• Coffee: 4–6 CHF

• Motorway vignette: 40 CHF

Money-saving tips

• Travel in May, June or September

• Use motorhome stopovers

• Stay outside major tourist hotspots

• Drink tap water (excellent quality)

• Buy fuel before entering Switzerland

Switzerland is a very safe travel destination, but there are some points to note.

• Sudden weather changes can be dangerous in mountains

• High winds & storms are common at altitude

• Always chock your wheels on steep parking spots

• Hike only on marked trails

• Always have enough fuel

• Mountain passes can be closed in winter

Emergency number: 112