![Renting camping equipment: Family enjoys a picnic in the tent.](https://contentapi-swissactivities.imgix.net/contentapi.swissactivities/Campingausruestung_mieten_Foto_Base_Camp_Europe_5_cf8b3e92d8.jpg?auto=format,compress&fit=crop&crop=edges&w=3840)
Rent
Camping equipment for rent inTicino
Camping is a great way to experience Switzerland on a budget and save money in one of the most expensive countries in the world. Whether you are traveling by camper, tent or without any camping equipment at all, it stands for uncomplicated travel with nature-based recreation. Many Swiss campsites have high standards of equipment for every budget and every need.
Camping is now more popular than ever and offers something for everyone. This article will help you to find the best places and to learn what you should consider. This way you will be optimally prepared when you plan your camping vacation in Switzerland.
There are currently over 600 campsites to choose from in Switzerland. Often these are located in picturesque places directly on the lake. From Geneva or Lugano over the Alps to Lake Constance or the Rhine, the choice is enormous. That's why you should use the appropriate search platforms.
Here you will find some useful links for choosing the right campsite for your vacation:
The Swiss camping world has something for everyone. With its multitude of sites, Switzerland is a camper's paradise. Some are small, with a few pitches, others have more than 1000 sites. We give you here some hotspots in different locations to choose from.
Many campsites in Switzerland are equipped with everything imaginable and have a high standard of development. Gone are the days of campgrounds with well-worn meadows and rudimentary public toilets. Today, they are often park-like facilities for high demands, with area-wide Internet access and wheelchair-friendly.
On your campsite search, you'll get simple structures or plenty of comfort and rich amenities. These may include the following, depending on the standard of the campsite:
You don't necessarily have to own or buy new equipment for your camping adventure. Online stores, sports stores, specialized rental companies or outdoor providers supply you with everything you need on site.
Here are some useful links for your camping equipment:
Although many sites are open from April to October, the answer is YES. You can camp in Switzerland even in winter. Camping in winter has its own special charm. Peaceful, snow-covered landscapes offer you quiet glimpses of a white-enchanted nature.
The Morteratsch campsite in Pontresina, for example, is Europe's highest campsite at 1800 meters above sea level. Here, even camping at -10 °C during the day and down to -20 °C at night is possible. Over Christmas and New Year it is fully booked here. You can find campsites open in winter on the TCS website.
Winter sports enthusiasts get their money's worth with this variant of camping. You stay close to your chosen ski slopes and don't lose any time getting to the ski area. Numerous Swiss campsites are increasingly adapting to winter operations and offer heated pods or bungalows.
Swiss campsites are considered the most expensive in Europe. A close comparison with overnight prices abroad puts this statement into perspective. In contrast to other countries, much is included in Switzerland: Water, hot shower, electricity and internet.
In Switzerland, campsites charge their pitches as follows:
The prices of the pitches vary between 12 and 35 CHF. On average they are below 30 CHF. Here is a concrete example:
Rental accommodations/glamping (bungalows, pods, noble tents, etc.) are charged as follows:
Accommodation prices vary between 95 and 190 CHF. On average they are around 95 CHF. Here is a concrete example:
Since Switzerland is a safe, clean natural paradise, wild camping is all the more enticing. It is not generally allowed in Switzerland, however, there are exceptions. Therefore, special rules and behavior tips must be observed.
Wild camping in Switzerland is regulated on a cantonal basis. The details are up to the respective municipalities, which set up their own rules and regulations. This is Helvetic federalism. Our recommendation: Check with the local authorities beforehand.
Here you can knock as a wild camper and get information:
What always works in Switzerland, however, is the so-called emergency bivouac. For the emergency overnight stay under the open sky, emergency law applies.
Overnight stays above the tree line are unproblematic, as long as small groups are involved. The condition is respect for the environment, so at dusk, when the wildlife retreats. Near mountain huts you should ask the permission of the hut warden.
Wild camping is, as mentioned, forbidden or not possible in certain protected areas. The most important areas are the Swiss National Park, the federal hunting bans, many nature reserves and the wildlife rest areas (during the protection period).
When pitching your tent, make sure that the area around you is safe. Pay particular attention to rivers and streams, as they can swell suddenly. Also be careful with herds of cows and keep a safe distance.
You're out and about, can't ask and are unsure? When in doubt, please do not engage in camping behavior in public places - do not unfold tables or chairs. This applies to rest areas with restaurants and gas stations as well as pure rest areas.
Apps like park4night and roadsurfer spots can help you find legal parking spaces. They show you where you can park or spend the night in between without any problems. In safe Switzerland, that's no problem.
Park4night documents suitable public parking spaces. In contrast, roadsurfer spots guide you to natural parking spaces on private property, some of which you have to pay for.
Wild camping can be a wonderful experience, as long as you follow these simple rules. It is an authentic way to experience Swiss nature up close.
Enjoy the freedom of nature without the hassle of traditional camping. Rent at the campsite fully furnished accommodation with all the comforts and amenities. Luxurious camping without your own equipment is in vogue and is called glamping - glamorous camping. More and more Swiss campsites offer it.
On platforms such as the TCS website or camping.ch, you can find out where glamping is possible in Switzerland. The choice is wide: stylishly furnished accommodations have their own sanitary facilities and high-quality cooking facilities. In some cases, meal and room services are included, just like in a hotel. You can choose from dignified lodges, bungalows and pods, elegant safari tents and avant-garde SwissTubes or nostalgic circus wagons and romantic lighthouses.
Worth mentioning is the reversible TCS pop-up glamping village. From June to September, around 20 stylishly furnished noble tents are pitched on an alp near Laax. Afterwards, the facility will be completely dismantled without a trace. The temporary installation is aimed at those seeking a sustainable nature experience with dignified living comfort and service. The overnight price is CHF 230 per tent for two people including half board.
Now you've got a good overview of what you need to know about camping in Switzerland. It is a unique experience: uncomplicated, inexpensive and close to nature. Get ready for an unforgettable experience and plunge into your Swiss camping adventure.