Switzerland by campervan – mountain lakes, Alpine passes & the…
The Switzerland by campervan Traveling through Switzerland is one of the most beautiful things van life in Europe has to offer – and also one of the most expensive. In April 2021, Switzerland was the first stop on our big trip. European road trips, And it has set the bar unrealistically high: turquoise mountain lakes, snow-covered Alpine passes, picture-perfect villages and an infrastructure that is unparalleled in Europe.
The most beautiful mountain lakes in Switzerland for campers
Switzerland has an estimated 7,000 lakes – and it feels like every single one is more photogenic than the last. Our favorites for campervan trips:
- Blausee (Bernese Oberland) – Crystal-clear, truly blue water, surrounded by a fir forest. Admission: 9 CHF.
- Lake Oeschinen (near Kandersteg) – Accessible by gondola lift + 20-minute hike. One of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Alps.
- Lake Cauma (Graubünden) – Hidden lake in the forest, accessible via a funicular railway. Perfect for swimming in summer.
- Lake Poschiavo (Engadine) – Italian flair in Switzerland, the Bernina Express passes right by.
Drone tip: In der Schweiz gelten strenge Drohnenregeln. Unter 250g (kompakte Reisedrohnen-Serie) darfst du in den meisten Gebieten fliegen, aber NICHT in Naturschutzgebieten und nicht über Menschenansammlungen. Immer vorher in der BAZL-App (Bundesamt für Zivilluftfahrt) prüfen.
Alpine passes by campervan – The most spectacular routes
The Alpine passes They are the highlight of any tour of Switzerland. Our top 3:
- Furka Pass (2,429m) – Pure James Bond feeling (this is where „Goldfinger“ was filmed). The switchbacks are narrow but manageable with a van.
- Grimsel Pass (2,164m) – Connects Bernese Oberland and Valais, spectacular reservoirs along the way.
- Julier Pass (2,284m) – One of the few Alpine passes open all year round, gentler curves than Furka/Grimsel.
Important: Many Alpine passes don't open until late May/early June (weather permitting). Always check current opening times at tcs.ch. Carry snow chains in spring!
Campervan costs in Switzerland – Honest calculation
Switzerland is expensive – but predictable:
- Campsites: 30-50 CHF/night (significantly more expensive than the rest of Europe)
- Free standing: Tolerated in many cantons, but increasingly restricted. Use the TCS app and Park4Night.
- Eat: Restaurant menu from 25 CHF, supermarket significantly cheaper (Aldi/Lidl also exist in Switzerland)
- Diesel: ~1.80 CHF/liter (cheaper than in Germany!)
- motorway vignette: 40 CHF/year (mandatory on motorways)
Budget tip: Cooking for yourself, staying at TCS campsites (the cheapest chain), and shopping near the German or Italian borders. This way, 70-100 CHF/day for 2 people is realistic.
FAQ – Traveling through Switzerland by campervan
Is it possible to camp freely with a van in Switzerland?
Regulations vary regionally. In some cantons it's tolerated, in others (Valais, Graubünden) it's enforced. The Park4Night app is essential. Parking on private property requires permission.
Which Alpine passes can you drive with a campervan?
Most are doable, except for very narrow passes like the Klausen Pass. Furka, Grimsel, Julier, Susten, and San Bernardino are all suitable for vans. Do not drive in snow or ice.
When is the best time for van life in Switzerland?
June to September. Before then, many mountain passes are still closed; afterwards, it quickly becomes cold and wet.
Switzerland was the perfect start to our European road trip. Next stop: Italy and Southern France. More travel reports: Request Collaboration
No matter how many times I've been to Switzerland, it never loses its charm. The huge snow-covered mountains, the brown cows with bells around their necks, the yellow flowers on the green fields, the cheese on every corner, and of course, the Swiss accent make Switzerland a breathtaking experience every time!
Our first destination was St. Gallen and the quaint town of Appenzell. Here we parked by a beautiful river with a view of the surrounding mountains.
Our next destination was the beautiful Lake Walen - one of the deepest lakes in Switzerland, with crystal-clear turquoise water. The perfect spot to mix up a delicious milkshake in the camper and relax :).
Of course, we also did some hiking - an absolute must in the Swiss mountains. We visited two beautiful mountain lakes, both of which were highlights! At the first lake, we were surprised by many snow avalanches crashing into the clear water on the other side of the lake. A few young Swiss people were calmly fishing nearby :D. At the second lake, we parked the camper for the night and had a nice barbecue over the fire under the starry sky on the frozen lake.
We didn't want to miss out on city life, so we also visited the beautiful city of Zurich. We were fascinated by how many people were gathering here during Covid times to have a beer by Lake Zurich or dance to guitar music on the promenade - it felt good to be among people again. Afterwards, we visited the largest waterfall in Europe - the Rhine Falls. We ended the day with a movie on our screen - of course, we made sure to have every luxury in the camper. 😁😜
Then we headed south in Switzerland, where we got the first summer feeling because people here all spoke Italian 😀. We went on another hike and tried a via ferrata - but we had to give up after the first 200 meters because people coming down told us that the via ferrata was closed further up... 🙄🤨
Just before the Italian border, we took a short detour to the Roman bridge, which is located in a wonderful landscape and is definitely a MUST-SEE! Afterwards, we crossed the border into the next adventure. ☺️👍
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