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Was wondering if anyone has any suggestions for camping with a young family (2,5,8) in either Switzerland or Austria - we'd like to find somewhere picturesque for a couple of weeks with access to lakes/mountains with things for kids to do (not organised), supermarket/snackbar and laundry would be great - maybe a pool/play area??  Would prefer to minimise driving eg nearer side of Austria.

Any thoughts or recommended websites would be appreciated - or other tips...we can't find out much in Switzerland - all searches seem to lead to Lauter brunnen and its handful of  sites - Have spent time in Grindelwald are in the past (nr Interlaken) - has anyone any experience around there?

Any thoughts??

c-mac

PS what's a vignette??

C-Mac

Only travelled through Switzerland but not camping at the time. There is a lovely campsite at Natters just aboue Innsbruck in Austria called Camping Natterersee, have a look here http://www.natterersee.com/urlaub-am-campingplatz-in-tirol.php

We intend going back to Germany and Austria with our caravan this year and are aiming for Vienna.

David

We have 3 children aged 7,6,5. We stayed in interlaken last year for 2 weeks and would recommend it in summer. It can be expensive however. We stayed at camping Jungfraulick in a tent in august ( £ 20 - £25 a night ), The site was very good, it had a childrens play area, and small pool. we would recommend the lido in town, the ferry on either lake. walking in the mountains, and cable car rides. The cable cars can be very expensive for a family, so we tended to go by mountain railway.

The swiss tourist board in london sent us a comprehensive guide of all certified sites in the country, which was helpful.

One tip - we entered switzerland via the main motorway at Basle on a Saturday - never again !! Waited about 3 hrs in the traffic. Use a more minor crossing point is my advice.

Its also a long way with children from Calais if you drive. You will struggle to do it in a day without major strife from the kids. we took 2 days stopping for a night at the LAON municipal site which was fine. Also went to the beach near Calais for a couple of days to wait for the ferry. This made for a less stressful return journey without a rush. At Wissant - its very sandy and great for kids.

Thankyou very much for all your information and websites - hadn't thought about Swiss tourism place for info...

Still curious as what a "vignette" is that other people have talked about - is it for the car??

Cheers

c-mac

Quote: Originally posted by c-mac on 06/01/2005

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Still curious as what a "vignette" is that other people have talked about - is it for the car??

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Hi Madeleine, you are not quite right about the vignette. All vehicles in Austria that use the motorways must display a vignette in the windscreen. Motorhomes over 3500kg must have a Go Box and they have to pay tolls for distance travelled on the motorways. Vignettes and Go boxes are obtainable at border crossings and in Tabacs etc. to be found in most towns.

Phil.

Hi Phil,

Sorry about that.

Thanks again - Standards that would be great if you spied anywhere - enjoy the footy

c-mac

Only been abroad twice so far, but can highly recommend Soll in Tirol. Beautiful scenery and plenty to do, though we were in a hotel so cannot comment on campsites, except for there being quite a few of them.

Good luck with whichever destination you choose.

Phil

Hi, I'm English but live in North Switzerland!  Can I help?

Firstly, vignettes - you need a vignette in Switzerland if you use the motorway.  They cost 40 francs and you can buy them at the border.  If you have a trailer, you will need 2, one for the car and one for the trailer.  (About 2.2SFr to the pound).  The vignette is valid for 14 months (eg Nov 04 - Jan 06 - they like to give you leeway)

Austria is different. You can buy a 10 day motorway vignette for about 10 Euros (I think - can't quite remember now but it was low)  They do longer time vignettes and I am afraid I have no idea about vans/trailers in this case.

I use this web link for here http://www.swisscamps.ch/ 

We went to Manor farm at interlaken last summer and had a lovely time with our kids (5,4). Lots to see, lots to do.  On a cost front though, Switzerland is more expensive than Austria BUT there is one thing in its favour.  Swiss kids start school late at 5/6 so children under 6 go free on everything!  Trains, buses, cable cars etc etc .  This must be good for you!  For me my son has now turned 6 - shame!!

PS Tent is "Zelte" in German!

Mit Zelte!