PeterC Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Hi Hope someone can help My wife and i (who got a motorhome in july 07) now wish to tour austria & Switzerland in Late august this year so the questions r. 1. has anybody recorded their itenary 2. How do you work out the best roads to take. 3. Is best to book campsites before going or just take pot luck. 4. Which is the best/cheapest ferry port to go from/to I dont wish to seem unsure but never having done this before any help or advice would be welcome. Peter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Hi Peter, 1. Sorry don't record our trips. 2. Go wherever the mood takes you. 3. We just take pot luck and go where we fancy. 4. Dover Calais is the cheapest route and is best for us living in the SE. The first trip we ever did abroad was to Austria and Yugoslavia (before it was as easy as it is now). No problem and nothing to worry about, it's no different from going to Cornwall just a bit further away and more motorhome friendly en route. Bas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 PeterC - 2008-01-01 8:48 PM Hi Hope someone can help My wife and i (who got a motorhome in july 07) now wish to tour austria & Switzerland in Late august this year so the questions r. 1. has anybody recorded their itenary 2. How do you work out the best roads to take. 3. Is best to book campsites before going or just take pot luck. 4. Which is the best/cheapest ferry port to go from/to I dont wish to seem unsure but never having done this before any help or advice would be welcome. Peter. Passed through Austria a couple of years ago and a "vignette" (sticker) was required on motorways - can be bought at petrol stations - I think they start at about 10 euros for a car or smaller motorhome - and cover various periods ( 10 days - 2 months etc.) I think there is now a similar system in Switzerland but haven't been there lately. If you type " Austrian Motorways" or Swiss Motorways" into Google you can get up to date advice. Good luck - I'm sure you will enjoy your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted January 1, 2008 Share Posted January 1, 2008 Peter, just a brief reply to set things going (others will be along). 1. I've done a good few years touring in Austria, and a session in Switzerland. Both come highly recommended, subject to the points in 2. 2. Main, and most secondary roads generally are not a problem, BUT, be aware that if you are over 3.5T there are specific (and different) problems for Switzerland and Austria. Under 3.5T you need a vignette (annual) for Swiss Motorways and (periodic) for Motorways and other major roads in Austria. Neither are prohibitively expensive, and easily obtained at or near the border. Over 3.5T you need a permit for all roads in Switzerland (curiously, effectively cheaper than the annual motorway permit as it can be bought for a short term), and a go-box (electronic, pre-paid tag) for Austrian Motorways and other major roads. The latter is both a bind , and potentially expensive, as it is mileage based, and equates to HGV pricing. This is a pity, since I am over 3.5T and it has put me off Austria. 3. We've never booked sites in either Switzerland or Austria. They can be busy in August, but they do become much better from mid-August on. I would recommend taking a chance, since it gives you ultimate flexibility to stay where you like, when you like. 4. For Austria/Switzerland, short sea crossing every time (Dover to wherever happens to be cheapest). Then, to avoid tolls, Belgium and Germany on the motorways (several routes available to ring the changes). If you want to flag what your interests are, I can easily recommend a number of campsites, both for views and p&q, or for city visits (Salzburg and Vienna well worthwhile). HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I wouldn't mind knowing whether it's feasible to take motorhomes into Saltzburg and Vienna city centres (it would probably be a panel van conversion of around 6 metres), or whether public transport would be necessary. Details of any campsites near to these two particular cities, where public transport is readily available, would also be most welcome. Cheers, Shaun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handyman Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 been 3 times to salzburg, and stay here http://www.panorama-camping.at/engl/indexeng.htm 5 min walk to bus stop, buses every 20 mins, and take you into center of salzburg in 15 mins. Good food and pub at the campsite, and a great place to meet with friends as the campsite owners sister owns the BandB next door, which is also nice. Also has nice views over salzburg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Shaun - 2008-01-02 8:49 AM I wouldn't mind knowing whether it's feasible to take motorhomes into Saltzburg and Vienna city centres (it would probably be a panel van conversion of around 6 metres), or whether public transport would be necessary. Details of any campsites near to these two particular cities, where public transport is readily available, would also be most welcome. Cheers, Shaun We've always used http://www.camping-nord-sam.com/ in Salzburg. Much like the similar post, on the edge of the city, next to a bus stop, and quiet and friendly. In Vienna, the best option we found was Donaupark Camping at Klosterneuburg. Its around 7 miles out of the city, but right next to Klosterneuburg Station with commuter trains into the city at all hours. As quick to access as any of the larger sites nearer the centre. I've driven through both cities, but they are very busy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonB Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Peter We include Switzerland in our travels most years (the only problem with it being that it will spoil you for anywhere else) and have been to Austria a couple of times. I can give you plenty of info but really need to know how long you have available, size of van, etc. If you would like to contact me via the forums Private Mail facility we could chat. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Thanks for the campsite links for Saltzburg. I've bookmarked them both for the summer. Shaun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B. Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Hi Peter You have all the info re go boxes/vignette so won't do that again. However I would suggest you go via Zeebrugge ferry as you can travel across Belgium, France, Luxembourg (Fill up-cheap fuel)and Germany without road tolls on very good roads. If you are visiting Tirol there is a lovely site called Kranebitten(www.campinginnsbruck.com) near Innsbruck with park and ride outside the gate (And VERY punctual they are too) or if you feel energetic there is a designated cycle path all the way alongside the river Inn to the city which is a beautifull ride/walk. You can also buy an 'Innsbruck Card' from reception for about £15ish which gives you free bus/tram travel, entrance fees to palace & museums etc and also a cable car ride up the mountains for about 3 days-it may be a bit more expensive now as we've not been for 2 years but well worth buying as it saves a fortune and you can see all the attractions etc-even includes the Andreas Hoffer Berg Isl memorial painting/exhibition and right outside that is a very good open air cafe/garden which is surprisingly cheap for a meal. Don't have a detailed itinery of our last visit but if you send me a PM I'll give you some tips on route, stopping off places etc. Otherwise, just go for it-Austria is a beautiful country with something new round every corner-enjoy Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totallyidle Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 The best and cheapest route is down through Belgium, so for me Dover Dunkirk is the best and usuially cheapest crossing. Make a stop in Luxembourgh for cheap fuel and then on to Alsace, rest over at Eguisheim, nice little Municipal site and a lovely town for a walk round. Cross at Basle, be on map alert there it is a nightmare to get through they seem to have had roadworks on forever. I would head up to the Jungfrau region, Interlaken is very touristy but very convenient, train services all over the place, including various superb mountain railways with spectacular views and walking. Try Camping Lazy Rancho, first class facilities and you wake up every morning to views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, snow covered and all "Pinkie" In August you may need to book. I have not bothered with Austria since that GO box caper was introduced I carry on to Italy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handyman Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 for insbruck we always stay in seefeld (up the hill) at http://www.camp-alpin.at/. Seefeld is a large village, very nice, and a 15 min walk from campsite. Then you can take the mountain railway down the hill to visit Innsbruck..........we find it a much more pleasant way to visit Innsbruck, and the campsite is superb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benowl5 Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I strongly recomend you have a look at Interlaken. I had a site booked there this summer for the Euro 2008 finals which is sadly no more for us. Theres loads to do around the town and the views are simply breathtaking. http://www.campinghobby.ch/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handyman Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 yes, theres loads to do from interlaken. We always stay here http://www.jungfraucamp.ch/sites/indexeng.htm I think its signed as 'campsite 5' on entry to the town. Its a 10 min walk to town centre. Nice and clean. We found this site the cleanest and best of the ones within walking distance from town centre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonB Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Totallyidle - We used to have problems with Basle. Try crossing over the Rhine to the German side on the A36 near Mulhouse (signed 'Lorrach') and cross the border at Basle on the A5. You stay on the main ring road right through without problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterC Posted January 6, 2008 Author Share Posted January 6, 2008 thanks to everyone for your help & suggestions, it has given us something to build on. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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