Camping in the Alps

Posted by Libby (Eager to return!) on 03/10/10 07:45 AM

Hello everyone - I've been lurking for a while and have enjoyed your insight.

My husband and I are taking our kids (ages 13 and 14) to Europe this summer (10 days in June). Our kids are great travelers but are starting to be more opinionated! We're considering starting in Berner Oberland (a night or two), then moving into Munich (home base). We think we'll take day trips (or perhaps spend one night) to Neuschwanstein and Salzberg (separate days, obvs). On our way to the Frankfort airport, we plan to spend a night or two in Rothenburg and, if there's energy left, cruise a little bit of the Rhine (RS's favorite portion).

Here's my question. My son wants to tent camp at some point along this trip. Does anyone have experience with this? We'd need to rent everything (or bring stuff and then ship it home??). We've initially decided that camping in the Swiss Alps at the start of our trip makes the most sense but would LOVE to have your opinion - especially if we're wrong!

As a side note, if you think we should cut Switzerland (expensive, different currency, etc) and see the Alps elsewhere, please tell me!

Thanks in advance,
Libby

Posted by Tom

Danville, VT

03/10/10 08:53 AM

12040 posts

There are, without a doubt, other camping areas throughout the Alps, but the only one I am personally aware of is in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, near the gondola station. Whether or not to go here versus somewhere closer depends on how much time you have alloted for the trip. If your schedule is tight, I would look for an option closer to Munich in the Bavarian/Tyrolian Alps. The Swiss Alps are generally much more expensive, but camping is a cheap option here.

Posted by Ed

Pensacola

03/10/10 09:04 AM

9110 posts

I've hiked the alps from time to time, slept out, but never in a tent. Sounds like a lot of stuff to tote and suffle around in the car. Unless they're hikers, they probably can't carry the load very far. Maybe hike for two days (or half days?) and spend the night in a hut.

If you've gotta do it, think about the Tirol, sort of as you hop over from Fusen to Innsbruck heading toward Salzburg.

If you won't have a car, forget it.

If you do have a car, picking up in Switzerland and dropping in Germany will cost a bundle. My thought on Switzerland is to skip it as often as possible. One day there costs me two anywhere else -- shortening the time I can spend on a trip.

Posted by Lola

Seattle, WA

03/10/10 09:42 AM

17439 posts

You are taking on a lot here with the camping idea, especially if it is only for a night or two.

There is a nice campground in Lauterbrunnen, called Camping Jungfrau.

http://www.camping-jungfrau.ch/

They rent camping trailers but there is a three-night minimum, and you provide yourown bedding. if you want to tent camp, you would have to rent everything--tent, bags, etc. E-mail them and see if that is avaliable.

Closer to Munich, in the Bavarian Alps I found this campsite:

http://www.camping-isarhorn.de/english/mittenwald.html

Mittenwald is a charming town and a possible base for visiting Neuschwanstein. The campground is welcoming (website in English) and has activities for kids such as a ropes course. They rent "tipis" so you might inquire about that. There is an on-site cafe/beer garden.

As for Switzerland---as much as I love it there, I'd say you don't have time for it in your 10-day trip, considering all that you want to do. Say you fly into Zürich. Travel to Lauterbrunnen takes almost 3 hours. You spend 2 nights there, (and only 1 day), then spend most of a day getting to either Mittenwald or Munich. (Lauterbrunnen to Mittenwald is 7.5 to 8.5 hours by train; Lauterbrunnen to Münich can be done in 7 via Bern).

It is now day 3 or 4 of your trip, depending whether you count your flying day. You've only spent 1 day in Switzerland, and you don't have much time left for everything else you want to do.

Do you already have your air tickets? If so, it would help anyone trying to advise you to know this. If not, you have some flexibility, and could choose to either (1) fly into Zurich and out of either Munich or Frankfurt, and divide your time more equally between Switzerland and Germany, which means skipping much of what you plan for Germany; or (2) spend all your time in Germany and make the Bavarian alps your Alpine experience. Fly into and out of Munich or Frankfurt depending on price.

Posted by Janet

Zionsville, IN, USA

03/10/10 06:40 PM

3 posts

Check out eurocamp.co.uk they rent tents at campgrounds all over europe. The tents are very nice you you can even rent bedding and towels. This summer will be our third camping trip to europe. It is a little different than camping in US. No campfires, usually inexpensive resturant and bar in campground. People in campgrounds are very friendly. We are looking forward to 30 days of camping in Germany, Italy and France in June.

Posted by Libby OP

Eager to return!

03/10/10 09:01 PM

37 posts

Wow, guys, great information - thanks.

Would welcome any more opinions/suggestions....

Posted by Christy

Seattle, WA

03/11/10 02:57 PM

689 posts

Make sure your son understands that camping in Europe is pretty different in Europe than in the US. Janet described it a bit; it's definitely not a get away from it all activity in Europe. Staying in a KOA is the US is more like European camping. If you can't arrange to rent everything, can you talk him into staying in a mountain hut?

I'd skip the Rhine before skipping Switzerland; or, I'd skip both and camp/mountain hut near Salzburg. The Salzkammergut Lake District near Salzburg is stunning, and more convenient to your trip than the B-O.