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Do you dream of touring the Alps but are scared of the prices? You’ve come to the right place. Here you will find our real experience touring the Swiss country. We show you our route step by step, where we spend the night without breaking the bank and the tricks to avoid fines and save hundreds of euros.
Our complete travel diary. From the entrance through Geneva to the turquoise lakes and waterfalls of Lauterbrunnen. It includes an interactive map, car park coordinates and our real budget to the penny.
Yes, it is mandatory to buy the “Swiss vignette” (Vignette) to drive on motorways. It has a one-time cost of CHF 40 (about €43) and lasts for 14 months. There are no tolls by sections as in France or Spain, except in specific tunnels. Beware of unofficial websites that sell it more expensive.
As a general rule, wild camping is prohibited and highly persecuted in Switzerland, especially in tourist areas and nature reserves. The police usually fine them. We recommend always sleeping in campsites, motorhome areas or car parks (P+R) where overnight stays are allowed, as we explain in our guides.
The official currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Although many tourist areas accept Euros, the exchange rate they will apply will be very unfavorable. The cheapest option is to always pay by bank card (Revolut type) selecting payment in local currency (CHF) to avoid fees.
Swiss roads are excellent, but mountain passes require caution. It is vital to use the engine brake on long descents so as not to overheat the brakes. To avoid some tricky climbs, there is the “Autoverlad” system, where you put the motorhome on a train to cross the mountain through a tunnel.
Although Switzerland is an expensive country, traveling by motorhome greatly reduces costs by saving on hotels and restaurants. A trip of 8-9 days for 4 people can cost about €1,700 (travel expenses) + rental, cooking in the vehicle and combining cheap car parks with campsites, as detailed in our budget guide.