Chasing Spring Across France, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria by Camping Car
Europe is awakening with spring, gearing up for backpacking season! If you love the freedom of the open road, consider a camping car adventure! 🚐
The beauty of this type of road trip is the sheer flexibility – go where you want, stop where you want. Find a scenic spot, pop open the vehicle's doors, unfold your chairs and table, brew a cup of coffee ☕, chill out, and then hit the road again 😆.
I'm sharing some insights from my adventures; hopefully, they will be helpful if you are planning your trip. I wish you a journey full of amazing experiences! 🚐✨
🗓️ Ideal Time to Travel
- 🍃 Spring (April - June): Pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists, and reasonable prices. However, if you are sleeping overnight in the mountains, bring extra blankets or a sleeping bag, as it can still get chilly.
- 🍁 Autumn (September - November): Post-peak season, lower prices, and breathtaking autumn scenery! But it's a bit of a gamble; you might encounter rain from morning to night, especially in the Alps.
- ❌ Avoid: Summer (July-August) is hot, crowded, and expensive.
🚐 Choosing Your Camping Car
I usually rent a campervan (the type with a rooftop tent that sleeps four). Some platforms I often check are Wevans, Roadsurfer, and Indie Campers. They typically offer the following types of vehicles:
- Campervan: Similar to a minivan that is converted into a camping vehicle. Small, easy to drive, fuel-efficient, and comfortable in the city. It includes heating, a stove, and a refrigerator but usually lacks a bathroom, featuring only an outdoor shower. (You can rent a portable toilet if needed.) Suitable for 2-4 people.
- Sprinter-type Campervans: Larger and more spacious than a campervan, usually equipped with a bathroom and toilet. Since it's taller, road tolls might be higher. Ideal for 2-4 people, some even have rooftop tents.
- Motorhome: Exceptionally spacious, with all the comforts of a mobile home. Suitable for larger groups, but the rental price is significantly higher. Also, it's more difficult to drive on mountain roads.
💰 Rental Costs and Expenses
Average rental prices in France (excluding insurance, which is €20-40/day):
- Campervan: €70 - €120/day
- Sprinter-type Campervans: €80 - €150/day
- Motorhome: €100 - €300/day
🔹 Renting in France or Italy is often cheaper than in Switzerland. Sometimes there are "one-way" deals available (e.g., Paris to Munich) for around €99/week or €15/day during off-season (usually a minimum of 7 days). The downside is you must return the vehicle to the designated location, and the driving distance can be quite long.
Other expenses:
- Fuel: 8-15L/100km (depending on the vehicle type); mountain driving consumes more fuel.
- Parking & camping fees: €10 - €50/night (many campsites charge extra for electricity) or free in designated areas. France and Italy have many free overnight parking spots, while Switzerland and Austria have fewer, and you usually have to pay.
- Highway tolls: Switzerland (40CHF for one year, starting from the date of purchase) and Austria require a Vignette, which can be purchased online. France and Italy have separate toll charges. Once, when I rented a vehicle near the Swiss border, the rental company had already affixed the Vignette!
📌 Important Notes
- Vehicle Inspection and Pickup: Some rental companies impose mileage restrictions for the entire trip. Depending on your itinerary, consider whether to purchase additional mileage (purchasing in advance is much cheaper than paying for excess mileage later). Arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour early to inspect the vehicle, receive instructions, and learn how to use everything. Thoroughly check the vehicle's condition before accepting it. Take photos and videos for evidence upon return. Inspect all the equipment inside, including the rooftop tent (if applicable), stove, and water tap. I prefer to purchase full insurance, which makes things easier, so any issues with the vehicle are covered. Remember to request wheel chocks to level the vehicle when parked, as many camping areas are uneven, especially if staying overnight in a mountain pass. Otherwise, you might have trouble sleeping 😀.
- What to Pack: You should bring a first-aid kit, mosquito repellent, a flashlight or camping lamp, and a portable charger. Bring an extra warm sleeping bag if you plan to sleep overnight in the mountains, especially in the rooftop tent.
- Overnight Camping Areas: I usually use park4night to find camping areas. Check the weather forecast carefully before staying overnight in the mountains. I once slept in a rooftop tent during a rainstorm, and the wind shook the vehicle so much I thought it would blow away 😅. At a campsite, you can refill the fresh water tank, discharge grey water, and dispose of waste in designated areas. Some gas stations along the road also offer these services. The vehicle has a battery (which automatically charges while driving) for powering devices such as phone chargers, laptops, and hair dryers. When at a campsite, plug into their charging station to conserve the battery for driving or for days when you're not at a campsite. The vehicle also has sensors to monitor the levels of the fresh and waste water tanks.
