Campervan and motorhome hire in Varese

Camper vans and motorhomes between Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and Swiss Ticino

Compare the 2 campervan and motorhome rental companies in Varese to find the best price, and book at the price shown, mandatory fees included.

per day, from (observed prices)
€134
rental partners
2
branches
2
  • 2 partner companies and 2 depots
  • From €134 per day (prices observed in October 2026)
  • Lake Maggiore and Verbania 23 km as the crow flies
  • Swiss border of Ticino a few kilometres away
  • Pleasant climate from April to September

Hiring a campervan in Varese means setting off from Lombardy's “garden city”, at the foot of the Campo dei Fiori massif, between Lake Maggiore to the west, Lake Lugano to the north and the nearby Swiss border of Ticino. Within an hour's drive you reach the Borromean Islands, Lake Orta or the Alpine valleys of the Ossola without ever crossing the Milan conurbation. 2 partner companies, Anywhere Campers and Rent Easy, offer motorhomes, campervans and converted vans here.

As the end of the A8 motorway from Milan, Varese lets you pick up your vehicle far from the city's traffic jams; the small Lake Varese, lined with a cycle path, makes a first stop just minutes away.

2 rental partners

Where to pick up your vehicle in Varese?

Rent Easy Rental company category:Premium

  • Rent Easy Varese c/o Sanrocco SRL
    Viale Luigi Borri, 392, 21100 Varese
    View map
Observed prices

Rental prices observed in Varese

Vehicle Winter January Spring April Summer July Autumn October
Campervan from €135/day median €229/day from €162/day median €250/day from €171/day median €297/day from €134/day median €236/day
Low-profile motorhome from €143/day median €240/day from €180/day median €256/day from €196/day median €308/day from €150/day median €248/day
Large motorhome from €159/day median €209/day from €203/day median €239/day from €222/day median €270/day from €168/day median €213/day

Daily prices observed on October 21, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 2 rental companies compared. 56% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,500.

Road trip ideas

Road trips from Varese

1 Borromean Islands, Verbania and Lake Orta 3 to 4 days about 160 km
  1. Varese
  2. Laveno-Mombello
  3. Verbania
  4. Stresa
  5. Orta San Giulio
  6. Arona
  7. Angera
  8. Varese

From Varese, head down to Laveno-Mombello to board the car ferry across Lake Maggiore to Intra, in Verbania. The gardens of Villa Taranto in Pallanza come before Stresa, where boats leave for Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori. Via Omegna you reach Orta San Giulio, its island and its Sacro Monte, then return via Arona, with the statue of St Charles Borromeo, and the fortress of Angera.

Distance
about 160 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or low-profile motorhome
2 Swiss Ticino, Locarno and the Verzasca Valley 4 to 5 days about 200 km
  1. Varese
  2. Mendrisio
  3. Lugano
  4. Bellinzona
  5. Verzasca Valley
  6. Locarno
  7. Ascona
  8. Gambarogno
  9. Maccagno
  10. Luino
  11. Varese

The Gaggiolo border crossing opens the road to Mendrisio and Lugano, on its lake framed by Monte Brè and San Salvatore. Head north to Bellinzona and its three castles, then on to Locarno and Ascona before driving up the Verzasca Valley, with its green waters and the double-arched bridge of Lavertezzo. The way back follows the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore via Gambarogno, Maccagno and Luino, known for its big Wednesday market.

Distance
about 200 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or camper van
3 Ossola, Vigezzo Valley and Monte Rosa 4 to 5 days about 370 km
  1. Varese
  2. Verbania
  3. Domodossola
  4. Santa Maria Maggiore
  5. Formazza Valley
  6. Macugnaga
  7. Varese

Beyond Lake Maggiore, the Toce valley leads to Domodossola, capital of the Ossola and its stone villages. The Vigezzo Valley, the “valley of painters”, opens at Santa Maria Maggiore; further north, the Formazza Valley holds the Toce waterfall, which only flows on certain dates in summer. Finish at the foot of the east face of Monte Rosa, in Macugnaga, at the head of the Anzasca Valley.

Distance
about 370 km
Recommended vehicle
Low-profile motorhome or camper van
Weather and seasons

When to go in Varese?

Best time

April to June and September

April to June, September
highs 16 to 25 °C, lows 7 to 16 °C

The best time to leave from Varese: camellias and azaleas in the Lake Maggiore gardens in spring, lakes still quiet and Ossola passes clear from June. The Lombard Prealps are among the wettest regions of Italy, with over 200 mm of rain in May: plan fallback days and waterproof clothing.

High season

July and August

July to August
highs 27 °C, lows 18 °C

Peak season on the shores of Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano: crowded lake beaches, very busy boats to the Borromean Islands and late-afternoon thunderstorms. The cooler Ossola valleys are the best refuge then; book your vehicle and lakeside campsites several months ahead.

March, October and November

March, October to November
highs 11 to 17 °C, lows 3 to 10 °C

Autumn colours on the Campo dei Fiori and chestnuts in Ticino, but also heavy rain: October exceeds 200 mm. The lakeshores empty and the palaces of the Borromean Islands generally close from early November to late March: March and October remain fine windows between showers.

Winter

December to February

December to February
highs 7 to 10 °C, lows -1 to 1 °C

Winter is dry and often sunny around Varese, but nights are close to freezing. The Ossola resorts, such as Macugnaga or the slopes of the Vigezzo Valley, attract skiers, while the lakes offer quiet walks. A well-heated motorhome keeps the nights comfortable.

Climate in Varese, month by month

Month High Low Rain Sun
Jan 7 °C -1 °C 65 mm 7 h/day
Feb 10 °C 1 °C 85 mm 7 h/day
Mar 13 °C 3 °C 125 mm 8 h/day
Apr 16 °C 7 °C 140 mm 10 h/day
May 20 °C 11 °C 224 mm 10 h/day
Jun 25 °C 16 °C 183 mm 13 h/day
Jul 27 °C 18 °C 167 mm 13 h/day
Aug 27 °C 18 °C 192 mm 12 h/day
Sep 22 °C 14 °C 159 mm 10 h/day
Oct 17 °C 10 °C 203 mm 7 h/day
Nov 11 °C 4 °C 159 mm 6 h/day
Dec 8 °C 0 °C 83 mm 6 h/day

Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).

Practical tips

Everything to know before hitting the road

Pick-up in Varese

The Rent Easy depot is at 392 Viale Luigi Borri, on the road linking the centre to the south of the city, away from the narrow streets of old Varese. Anywhere Campers gives its meeting point in the booking confirmation: check it before arranging your transfer from the station or the airport.

Vignette and customs for Ticino

Swiss motorways require an annual vignette, sticker or electronic, for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes; above that, a flat-rate charge applies instead. Switzerland is outside the European Union: customs checks are possible at Gaggiolo or Ponte Tresa. Also check that the offer's insurance covers Switzerland.

Going up to the Sacro Monte

The road to the Sacro Monte of Varese, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is steep and narrow, ending in a small hilltop village where a motorhome is hard to park. Leave the vehicle lower down and walk up the chapel path, or take the funicular when it runs, to reach the sanctuary and the view over the lakes.

Sleeping on board in Italy

In Italy, a motorhome parked in an authorised space may stay overnight as long as it does not spread out: no levelling blocks, chairs or awning out. Many towns on the shores of Lake Maggiore, however, ban motorhome parking by local order. Choose the aree di sosta, signposted at the entrance to villages.

What travellers ask

Your questions about a road trip in Varese

Where can I pick up a campervan in Varese?

Two partner companies operate in Varese, with one depot each: Rent Easy on Viale Luigi Borri and Anywhere Campers, which gives its meeting point when you book. Other companies depart from Como, Verbania or Monza, less than an hour's drive away, if you are looking for more choice.

How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Varese?

For 15-day rentals, our searches in October 2026 found prices from €134 per day, mandatory fees included, across 64 offers from two companies. A campervan starts from €134 in October and from €171 in July; a low-profile motorhome from €143 in January. Run a search with your dates to see real prices.

How do I get there from Malpensa airport?

Malpensa, the main intercontinental airport of northern Italy, is about forty minutes from Varese by road. Regional trains and buses also link the airport to the city, sometimes with a change. With luggage, a taxi to the depot is the simplest option: let the company know your arrival time.

Which vehicles are available from Varese?

The offers observed range from two-berth campervans, such as the Active Classic or the City Extra, to the five-berth family models Family Extra and Family First. For motorhomes, there is the Adria Matrix M670SL with manual or automatic gearbox, the Carado T-447 and the Sunlight A70, which sleeps six.

Can I return the vehicle in Como or Verbania?

Como, Verbania and Monza are also departure cities of our partners, which makes a one-way trip between the lakes possible. Options depend on the company: enter the return city when searching, and any one-way fee will be included in the displayed price.

Verified customer reviews

They rented in Varese with CoolDrive Nomad

4.3
818 reviews

Good and quick communication, easy to book and easy to follow all the instructions.

C.
Italy · Sep 2025
Trustpilot

Cooldrive was very attentive and very responsive in all situations. We received valuable assistance in the steps to be taken. I highly recommend it.

P.
Italy · Jul 2025
Trustpilot

The person answered my questions before I confirmed the booking. The van matched my order well with extras. During my trip, I had a little issue that had nothing to do with Cooldrive. I appreciated that the person took the time to call me back. No bad surprises, only good ones. Highly recommended.

Q.
Italy · Sep 2024
Trustpilot
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Varese

What licence do I need to drive a motorhome in Italy and Switzerland?

A European category B licence is enough in both countries for a motorhome, campervan or converted van under 3.5 tonnes. With a licence issued outside Europe, an international driving permit may be required. Each company also sets a minimum age and a minimum number of years of driving, shown in the offer conditions.

Is mileage unlimited?

In our October 2026 searches, 56% of the offers observed in Varese included unlimited mileage. The others limit the distance driven, a constraint quickly felt if you combine Ticino and the Ossola valleys. Compare this condition on each offer before booking.

How much is the excess?

The median excess of the offers observed in October 2026 is €1,500. On the narrow roads along Lake Maggiore and in the Alpine valleys, an excess reduction option can bring peace of mind: its price and exclusions are set out in the conditions of each offer.

Are lakeside campsites open all year?

Rarely: most campsites on Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and Lake Lugano open only from spring to autumn, from late March or Easter until September or October. In winter, rely on the aree di sosta and a few mountain campsites in the Ossola. Check the opening dates of each stop.

Can I drive a motorhome into the centre of Varese?

The historic centre, around Corso Matteotti, is pedestrianised or a limited traffic zone, where unauthorised entry is fined. Park the motorhome in an outlying car park, then walk to the Estense gardens and palace, the Basilica of San Vittore and the arcades of the old town.

Do I need winter equipment for the Ossola?

Yes: on many roads in Piedmont and Lombardy, local orders require winter tyres or snow chains on board during the cold season, generally from 15 November to 15 April. Ask the company whether the vehicle is equipped before heading for Macugnaga or the Formazza Valley.

When should I book a campervan in Varese?

With only two companies, choice goes quickly: book several months ahead for July, August and the Easter and Ascension weekends, which are very popular on the lakes. In spring and autumn a few weeks are often enough, but five-berth family campervans are always the first to go.

About us

Why start a motorhome trip from Varese

Varese is the ideal starting point for the western Italian lakes: unlike Milan, you avoid the conurbation and its restricted traffic zones and head straight for Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta or Lake Lugano. Italian-speaking Switzerland begins a few kilometres away, and the Ossola valleys lead in half a day to the foot of Monte Rosa. You can combine lakes, gardens, Alpine villages and Ticino towns in a single trip.

Two partner companies offer campervans, converted vans and motorhomes here, with 64 offers compared and prices observed from €134 per day in October 2026. Como, Verbania and Monza, other departure cities of our partners, also open the way to one-way trips between the lakes. Spring and September remain the best seasons to enjoy it.

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