Camping Switzerland, Liechtenstein - or should we just stay in hotels?

[MisSalLaneous]

We're considering a round trip driving holiday (roughly 10 days) to Liechtenstein.

It'll be me, dh and 2-year old ds, who is fine with driving. Or rather, being driven.

Has anyone camped in Switzerland, Austria or Liechtenstein?

Whilst the responsible part of me thinks we should perhaps decide where to sleep in advance, book a hotel, and just make sure we get there on time, in my heart I prefer a much looser approach. No stress to be anywhere, and if we love one place, to stay for the day etc.

This is where camping comes in - bang the tent in the boot, and just stop at the nearest campsite along the way when it's about to get dark.

Much as I love my bell, we'd probably take the Orchy as smaller and drying not such an issue.

Hit me with it - what do you think?

Hotels will cost you £££. This site may be useful. If you are going from July to mid August would suggest you book in Switzerland as it is school holidays, especially around August 1st (National Day). btw not much to see in Liechtenstein!

Thanks Lizs, that's really helpful. I'll look into more detail on that site now.

Even though it's to be expected during summer I guess, I'm disappointed to hear we need to book in advance. I always get stressed if we're late for something, so was hoping I'd be able to avoid that by not having to prebook. Hey ho.

I'm with you on hotel costs - it would cost a fortune. Especially as I'm a pain about hotels, I cannot sleep somewhere dodgy / shared like a hostel. Which is ridiculous, as I love camping and can easily go 2 days on just baby wipes if needs be...

Dh much more keen on hotels, whereas I think I'd prefer the adventure of camping.

I guess you could check with those sites you are hoping to visit how flexible they can be. Maybe book a few days with a gap between so you could extend or move on. You may find some local families literally decamp to these sites while school is out if weather is good .

Hmm, ok, thanks for the warning. I'll try that.

We have camped in Austria. Beautiful. did it once without a camping mat though. I could feel the mountain sucking the heat out of me. not prebooked both times we went but it was a few years ago.

Oh no, I can't do without a proper camping mat, I'm too much of a wuss, even if it wasn't cold!

May I ask where you went, OYBBK?

We've camped in Switzerland in the Jungfrau region, and it was lovely

Seemed fairly busy, but I'm sure they had a few spaces

The site was camping jungfrau(original!) nr Lauterbrunnen

Thanks wohmum, I'll do a search (also because I'm nosy!)

I've got a Cool Camping Europe book now, and all of the sites in there for Switzerland and Austria look lovely. It's so beautiful with the mountains and lakes at some places.

I love camping! For two or three days.

Offer me a choice between camping and a 4 star hotel with gym and pool and I know which one I would choose.

Hmm yes, I've never actually camped for longer than a weekend at a time, so perhaps I'll get a shock!

We are camping for a week at the beginning of July, so will see if we survive.

Part of me thinks (hopes!) that it would be easier - it often feels like a lot of schlepp to set everything up for only one night.

We stayed at camping jungfrau in Lauterbrunnen many many ears ago when i was 11 and it brings back fabulous memories. That is my aim for next summer, to go exactly there. Its a stunning place, and we did husky dog sledging on the Jungfraujoch. Fab. Do it!