Traveling to Switzerland by motorhome: what to know before hitting the road

A caravan on a campsite in Möhlin, Aargau, was completely destroyed by fire. The blaze was reported shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Firefighters from Möhlin and Rheinfelden brought the fire under control quickly, but the caravan was a total loss. A neighbouring caravan sustained minor damage. All occupants evacuated safely and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

On the night of July 28, a caravan was completely destroyed by fire at a campsite in Möhlin, canton Aargau. A neighboring caravan sustained minor damage. No injuries were reported; the cause is under investigation.

Swiss publication 20 Minuten collected reader stories about emergencies during camping trips. Incidents include a gas explosion in a tent, theft of an entire motorhome, a caravan emptied by a fake insurance agent, a bear encounter in the Carpathians, and a chassis failure of a camper in Mexico. Camping expert Olivier Lucy provided safety tips, including advice on theft prevention and gas equipment handling.

Tolls, low-emission zones and wild camping bans in Southern Europe carry high fine risks. France, Italy and Spain require a Crit'Air sticker in France, a compatible toll box, and a mandatory Swiss sticker. Unauthorized overnight parking outside campsites can result in fines of several hundred euros. Overloaded vehicles and faulty brakes also lead to severe penalties.

The Winterthur city police are auctioning an abandoned Fiat Ducato 290/14 motorhome on Ricardo, which stood on a parking lot for about a year. The starting price was 1 franc; by early Thursday afternoon the highest bid exceeded 700 francs. The 1990 vehicle has 213,657 km on the odometer and is sold without keys, documents, or any warranty on its technical condition. The buyer must pick it up within two weeks or face a penalty of 1000 francs. The auction runs until July 31, 12:00.

The Swiss Touring Club (TCS) has equipped barrier-free bungalows at six of its campsites, including Bönigen and Flaach. The bungalows feature ramps, wide doors, adapted kitchen and bathroom, and hospital beds. At Flaach, a lift provides pool access. The project is a collaboration with the Cerebral foundation.