McRent Rental company category:Standard
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McRent Rheinfelden GmbHAlemannenstrasse 33, 79689 MaulburgView map
Hiring a campervan in Rheinfelden means setting off from a small town in Baden on the banks of the Rhine, facing its Swiss twin of the same name. To the north, the Dinkelberg plateau and the Wiese valley lead in less than an hour to the peaks of the southern Black Forest; to the east, the High Rhine runs towards Lake Constance; to the west, Basel and the slopes of the Markgräflerland are close by. Our partner company, McRent, hands over its motorhomes, campervans and camper vans in Maulburg, about twenty minutes' drive away.
The town itself can be seen in half a day: it is the surroundings, between fir forests, mountain lakes and the fortified towns of the Rhine, that make the trip.
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Where to pick up your vehicle in Rheinfelden?
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Rheinfelden
1 Southern Black Forest: the Feldberg and lakes
- Rheinfelden
- Schopfheim
- Todtnau
- Feldberg
- Schluchsee
- Sankt Blasien
- Todtmoos
- Bad Säckingen
- Rheinfelden
Up the Wiese valley, you head for Schopfheim and then Todtnau, whose waterfall is among the highest in Germany, before reaching the Feldberg, the highest point of the Black Forest. Lake Schluchsee, the dome of the abbey of Sankt Blasien and the pilgrimage village of Todtmoos come before the descent to Bad Säckingen and the Rhine. The roads are narrow and steep in places: a campervan slips through easily.
- Distance
- about 170 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Campervan or camper van
2 The High Rhine to Lake Constance
- Rheinfelden
- Bad Säckingen
- Laufenburg
- Waldshut
- Rhine Falls
- Stein am Rhein
- Konstanz
Following the river east, Bad Säckingen and its long covered wooden bridge, Laufenburg, a small town split between both banks and both countries, then Waldshut lead to the Rhine Falls, on the Swiss side. You then reach Stein am Rhein and its painted façades, and finally Konstanz, another departure city of our partners: an ideal one-way route.
- Distance
- about 180 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
3 Markgräflerland and Kaiserstuhl
- Rheinfelden
- Lörrach
- Kandern
- Badenweiler
- Staufen
- Breisach
- Kaiserstuhl
- Rheinfelden
Heading north-west: Rötteln Castle towers over Lörrach, Kandern keeps its potters' workshops and Badenweiler the remains of its Roman baths. After the lanes of Staufen, linked to the legend of Faust, you reach Breisach, perched on its rock facing Alsace, then the volcanic terraces of the Kaiserstuhl, covered in vines. Return via the A5 motorway, along the Rhine.
- Distance
- about 230 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Low-profile motorhome or camper van
Weather and seasons
When to go in Rheinfelden?
Best time
June and September
June, September
highs 22 to 25 °C, lows 13 to 15 °C
The two most balanced months for the southern Black Forest: up to twelve hours of sunshine a day in June, clear trails on the Feldberg and lakes still quiet before the school holidays. In September, the grape harvest begins in the Kaiserstuhl and the Markgräflerland, and campsites have space again.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 26 °C, lows 16 °C
The height of summer, the hottest time of the year, with frequent afternoon storms over the hills. Lake Schluchsee and the banks of the Rhine draw families, and Black Forest campsites fill up quickly: book early, or aim for quieter valleys such as the Alb and the Wehra.
Spring and October
March to May, October
highs 12 to 19 °C, lows 3 to 10 °C
Cool, often damp months, May and October being the wettest of the period. In spring, cherry trees blossom on the slopes of the Markgräflerland and the waterfalls swell with the snowmelt; in October, the Dinkelberg forests take on autumn colours. On the heights, snow can linger until April.
Winter
November to February
November to February
highs 6 to 9 °C, lows 0 to 4 °C
A mild, grey winter along the Rhine, but snowy on the Feldberg, whose ski slopes draw crowds at weekends. January is the wettest month, with only four hours of sunshine a day. The thermal baths of Bad Säckingen and the region's Christmas markets fill the short days; choose a well-heated vehicle.
Climate in Rheinfelden, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6 °C | -0 °C | 134 mm | 4 h/day |
| Feb | 9 °C | 1 °C | 81 mm | 6 h/day |
| Mar | 12 °C | 3 °C | 92 mm | 8 h/day |
| Apr | 16 °C | 6 °C | 96 mm | 10 h/day |
| May | 19 °C | 10 °C | 118 mm | 10 h/day |
| Jun | 25 °C | 15 °C | 112 mm | 12 h/day |
| Jul | 26 °C | 16 °C | 110 mm | 12 h/day |
| Aug | 26 °C | 16 °C | 92 mm | 11 h/day |
| Sep | 22 °C | 13 °C | 91 mm | 9 h/day |
| Oct | 16 °C | 8 °C | 111 mm | 7 h/day |
| Nov | 9 °C | 4 °C | 124 mm | 5 h/day |
| Dec | 7 °C | 1 °C | 113 mm | 4 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
Getting to Maulburg by train
Maulburg has its own station on line S6 of the Basel regional network, which links Basel Badischer Bahnhof to Lörrach and Schopfheim. From Rheinfelden, the High Rhine train runs to Basel Badischer Bahnhof, where you change to the S6. Ask the rental company for the best way from Maulburg station to the depot.
The motorway bridge to Switzerland
Near Rheinfelden, the short A861 motorway crosses the Rhine and links straight to the Swiss A3 motorway towards Zurich: the Swiss vignette is required as soon as you pass customs. Without one, stay on the German B34, which follows the river to Waldshut, or on Swiss main roads, which are free.
The KONUS card to leave the vehicle parked
Many campsites and accommodations in the Black Forest give their guests the KONUS card, which offers free use of regional buses and trains during the stay. The motorhome stays on its pitch, and you take the bus to the Feldberg hiking trailheads without looking for a parking space at the top. Ask at your campsite's reception.
Both Rheinfeldens on foot
The old bridge over the Rhine links the German town to the medieval old town of Rheinfelden on the Swiss side, with its ramparts, its fountains and, a little further out, the Feldschlösschen brewery. Park the motorhome on the German side, away from the centre, and walk across, with your identity papers.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Rheinfelden
Where can I pick up a campervan in Rheinfelden?
Our partner company McRent, whose local company is called McRent Rheinfelden, hands over its vehicles at 33 Alemannenstrasse in Maulburg, a small municipality in the Wiese valley between Lörrach and Schopfheim, about twenty minutes north of Rheinfelden. The day and time of the appointment are given in your booking confirmation.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Rheinfelden?
The price depends on the season, the length of hire and the type of vehicle, campervan, camper van or family motorhome. Summer and the German school holidays are the most sought-after periods. Run a search with your dates to see the real offers, mandatory fees included, and budget separately for the Swiss vignette if you cross the Rhine.
Can I do a one-way trip from Rheinfelden?
Our partners have other departure cities in southern Baden-Württemberg: Konstanz and Bodman-Ludwigshafen on Lake Constance, Lauchringen near Waldshut, and Rottweil, at the foot of the Black Forest. A one-way trip to the lake saves retracing your steps. Enter the return city when searching: any fees appear in the displayed price.
Can I drive into Switzerland with a campervan hired in Rheinfelden?
Most rental companies allow it, but first check that the offer's insurance does cover Switzerland. The country is in the Schengen area without being part of the European Union: customs may inspect the vehicle, you pay in Swiss francs and European mobile plans do not always include Swiss roaming.
What is there to see near Rheinfelden?
North of the town, the Tschamberhöhle hides an underground river and a waterfall, and the Erdmannshöhle in Hasel, one of the oldest show caves in Germany, is only a few kilometres away. The Wehra gorge offers a fine hike, and the Rhine cycle path follows the river towards Basel as well as Bad Säckingen.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Rheinfelden with CoolDrive Nomad
4.3
818 reviews
This is the second time I have used Cooldrive and I have given the coordinates around me.
(anonymous)
Germany · Sep 2017
Avis Vérifiés
Quick and professional support from your operator - Marléne. We leave a message on the answering machine, and we get a call back at the scheduled time and date. The exchanges and responses are clear.
F.
Germany · Apr 2024
Trustpilot
This is our first rental of a modified vehicle, Marléne was very attentive to answer all our questions in preparing for our trip. The follow-up on the file went very well, we can't wait to start our journey. Thank you!
M.
Germany · Apr 2024
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Rheinfelden
What licence do I need for a motorhome in Germany and Switzerland?
In both countries, a category B licence allows you to drive a vehicle under 3.5 tonnes, which covers most rental campervans and motorhomes. A licence issued outside Europe may need to be accompanied by an international driving permit. The minimum age and years of driving required are shown in the conditions of each offer.
Where can I stay overnight with a motorhome in the southern Black Forest?
Motorhome areas, often set near thermal baths, lakes or villages, are plentiful between the Feldberg, Lake Schluchsee and the High Rhine, and many campsites are open all year. A short overnight rest in a car park is generally tolerated in Germany, but wild camping is not. On the Swiss side, always choose campsites.
Which airport should I choose for a departure from Rheinfelden?
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse is the closest: from its French sector, you reach Weil am Rhein, then the Wiese valley and Maulburg in about forty minutes. Zurich Airport, further away, offers more long-haul flights; allow more than an hour's journey, by train or by car, to the depot.
When should I book a campervan in Rheinfelden?
With a single rental company on site, the choice of vehicles is limited: book several months ahead for summer and the Baden-Württemberg school holidays. For June, September or ski weekends on the Feldberg, a few weeks are often enough. Compact campervans, much sought after for mountain roads, go first.
Do nearby towns have low-emission zones?
Several towns in Baden-Württemberg introduced an environmental zone, reserved for vehicles with the green sticker, and some have since lifted it. A motorhome hired in Germany normally carries this sticker: ask the rental company when you collect the keys, and check the rules in force in the towns you will drive through.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Rheinfelden
Rheinfelden is not as famous as Basel or Freiburg, but its location is rare: a bridge over the Rhine separates it from Switzerland, and the southern Black Forest begins just behind the Dinkelberg plateau. In a few short stages, you go from the Todtnau waterfalls and the summit of the Feldberg to Lake Schluchsee, then from the fortified towns of the High Rhine to the Rhine Falls and Lake Constance. To the west, the vineyards of the Markgräflerland and the Kaiserstuhl show another side of Baden, sunny and gourmet.
McRent, our partner company, hands over its vehicles in Maulburg, at the foot of the mountains, which puts the start right on the road to the Feldberg. Konstanz, Bodman-Ludwigshafen and Rottweil, other departure cities of our partners, open the way to one-way trips. And the only review left by our customers who started here gives it the top rating.