Make the Most of Your Camping Trip to Switzerland On a Budget
Land locked in the middle of Europe, Switzerland borders France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein allowing convenient, hassle-free travel between these countries and beyond. Boasting breathtaking landscapes with many epic mountain ranges and over 1,500 vibrant, blue lakes, it is not difficult to see why you would want to holiday in Switzerland. However, you may have also heard that Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to visit. This blog post explores the different ways you can enjoy your camping holiday in Switzerland in a budget-friendly way. But first, don't forget to check out our comprehensive travel guide, the "Switzerland Ultimate Road Trip Travel Guide." For the price of a coffee, this guide provides you with a suggested 5-day itinerary tailored specifically for families exploring Switzerland, details everything you need to know before visiting and it's packed with tips, recommendations to make the most of your journey.
Is Switzerland Expensive for Camping?
Camping in Switzerland is the most affordable way to visit Switzerland if you are conscious of your budget. Campsites in tourist hotspots, such as Grindelwald, or Interlaken are amongst the most expensive. However, often campsites in Switzerland will offer discounts the longer you stay. Most campsites are booked during peak season with a minimum night stay of 4-5 nights and discounts over 7 nights. Expect to pay more if you want lakeside views or turn up for a single night stay without prebooking. Typically, campsites in Switzerland for a family of four can vary between £40-£70 per night.
Three of the best family-friendly campsites in Switzerland are:
A beautiful camp site on the edge of stunning Lake Thun. An ideal base for any camping holiday in Switzerland.
There is so much to discover in the Jungfrau region and Lauterbrunnen is one of the best camping sites in Switzerland for families. An ideal base, with all the facilities you could want.
A mixture of lakeside and shady pitches in an ideal location situated next to a beautiful, calm and quiet lake with turquoise water.
Is Wild Camping Legal in Switzerland?
Wild camping in a tent, motorhome, or campervan is generally tolerated in Switzerland above the treeline, up high in the mountains. These locations are usually very remote and are often difficult to access especially in a vehicle, however not impossible. It is important to note that wild camping is strictly forbidden in the Swiss National Parks, along with hunting grounds. If you are caught wild camping, prepare to pay a large fine. Some reports suggest that fines can start 1,000 euros!
So avoid the stress and instead search for low budget places to stay in Switzerland using the park4night app. Park4night is probably the most talked about and used app by vanlifers across the UK, Europe and the world, but if you haven’t yet figured out how best to use it, then check out this Park4night Made Easy Guide. Using this guide, you will learn about all the key features, so you can get the best out of the app and find more budget friendly locations for your camping holiday in Switzerland. During our time road tripping Switzerland, we found some great low budget options using the app. Most ranging from £15-£25 per night.
Is Switzerland Expensive to Eat Out?
Switzerland can be extremely costly to eat out, especially as a family. To keep your budget in check, head for Aldi Susse (Switzerland’s version of Aldi) and cook your own meals. It is more affordable and has a wide range of fresh and dried foods available. Watch out for the price of chicken, beef, bread and alcohol which can be as much as 25% more than the UK. Instead opt for pork as a more affordable meat option.
What can I do for free in Switzerland?
To keep your budget low while you are on holiday in Switzerland, make the most of all the free things to do. For example,
Explore small towns - stroll the streets, taking in the atmosphere, visit churches and some museums for free.
Get involved in one of the many free walking tours in Switzerland - they take place in lots of different cities.
Park up and go for a swim in one of Switzerland’s stunning lakes.
Hike until your heart is content. Switzerland is famous for its mountain trails, so get out and enjoy them. Listen out for the cows with bells round their necks.
Visit one of the many waterfalls in Switzerland. One of the most beautiful waterfalls is Staubbach Falls. It is one of the 72 waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen.
Absorb the atmosphere in a Swiss city. Lucerne, Bern, Interlaken, Thun and Fribourg are some of the best cities in Switzerland to visit while on holiday.
If you are eager to holiday in Switzerland, but you aren’t sure about all the rules and regulations to safely travel from the UK, then check out Vanlife in Europe - Your Complete Guide.
