Switzerland Basel

Campervan and motorhome hire in Basel

Camper vans and motorhomes where Switzerland, France and Germany meet

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

per day, from (observed prices)
€249
rental partners
2
branches
2
  • 2 partner companies and 2 depots
  • Blurent depot in Sierentz, on the Alsace side
  • Bern 69 km and Zurich 74 km as the crow flies
  • Most pleasant months: August and September
  • Switzerland, France and Germany around the city

Hiring a campervan in Basel means setting off from a city where three countries meet: within an hour's drive you are on the small roads of the Black Forest, among the wine villages of Alsace or on the wooded plateaus of the Swiss Jura, while Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland are only a fine day's drive away. 2 partner companies and 2 depots offer motorhomes, campervans and converted vans: Anywhere Campers in Basel and Blurent in Sierentz, just across the French border.

Swiss vignette, customs, a binational airport and overnight rules that differ in each country: here is everything you need for a smooth start from Basel.

2 rental partners

Where to pick up your vehicle in Basel?

Blurent Rental company category:Economy

  • Lack - Location Alsacienne De Camping-Cars
    62, Rue Poincare, 68510 Sierentz
    View map
Observed prices

Rental prices observed in Basel

Vehicle Winter January Spring April Summer July Autumn October
Campervan from €249/day median €251/day from €270/day median €273/day from €317/day median €319/day from €256/day median €259/day
Low-profile motorhome from €260/day median €277/day from €276/day median €292/day from €328/day median €339/day from €267/day median €279/day
Large motorhome from €265/day median €269/day from €282/day median €284/day from €328/day median €331/day from €273/day median €276/day

Daily prices observed on October 19, 2026 for a 15-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,500.

Road trip ideas

Road trips from Basel

1 The Black Forest, from Freiburg to Baden-Baden 4 to 5 days about 450 km
  1. Basel
  2. Freiburg im Breisgau
  3. Schauinsland
  4. Titisee
  5. Triberg
  6. Gengenbach
  7. Baden-Baden
  8. Basel

On the toll-free German A5 motorway, Freiburg im Breisgau and its red sandstone cathedral are an hour away. You then climb the Schauinsland, follow the shore of Lake Titisee and cross the valleys of Triberg and its waterfalls to the half-timbered houses of Gengenbach and the spas of Baden-Baden. The roads are winding but wide, and motorhome areas are plentiful.

Distance
about 450 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or low-profile motorhome
2 The Alsace Wine Route and Colmar 3 to 4 days about 270 km
  1. Basel
  2. Eguisheim
  3. Colmar
  4. Kaysersberg
  5. Riquewihr
  6. Ribeauvillé
  7. Haut-Koenigsbourg
  8. Obernai
  9. Basel

North of Basel, the Wine Route winds along the foot of the Vosges, from flower-decked village to fortified village: Eguisheim and its circular lanes, Colmar and Little Venice, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, then Haut-Koenigsbourg castle and Obernai. Village streets are narrow, but most villages have a motorhome area at their entrance, often surrounded by vineyards.

Distance
about 270 km
Recommended vehicle
Campervan or camper van
3 Swiss Jura, Bernese Oberland and Lucerne 5 to 6 days about 430 km
  1. Basel
  2. Saint-Ursanne
  3. Saignelégier
  4. Biel/Bienne
  5. Bern
  6. Thun
  7. Lauterbrunnen
  8. Brienz
  9. Lucerne
  10. Basel

Head south through the Doubs valley and the medieval town of Saint-Ursanne, then the pastures of the Franches-Montagnes and Lake Biel. After Bern, the road follows Lake Thun to the Lauterbrunnen valley and its waterfalls, before crossing the Brünig Pass to Brienz and Lucerne. As Bern is also a departure city of our partners, a one-way trip is an option.

Distance
about 430 km
Recommended vehicle
Low-profile motorhome or camper van
Weather and seasons

When to go in Basel?

Best time

May, June and September

May to June, September
highs 19 to 25 °C, lows 9 to 14 °C

The best time to explore from Basel: long days, Jura meadows in bloom in spring and the Alsace grape harvest from September. May is the wettest month of the year; in June, the Art Basel fair fills the city and its surroundings, so book your vehicle and campsites early.

High season

July and August

July to August
highs 26 °C, lows 16 °C

The two hottest and most sought-after months. Locals let themselves drift down the Rhine with a waterproof bag under their arm, and Lake Titisee and Lake Thun draw the crowds. For more peace, choose the plateaus of the Franches-Montagnes or the Vosges valleys.

March, April and October

March to April, October
highs 12 to 17 °C, lows 2 to 8 °C

Cool shoulder seasons, with nights still cold in spring. The Basel carnival, the Fasnacht, sometimes falls in March, and autumn colours the forests of the Jura and the Black Forest. Some passes and the Route des Crêtes in the Vosges may stay closed until spring.

Winter

November to February

November to February
highs 6 to 10 °C, lows -1 to 3 °C

A grey, damp winter, with frost at night in January. December still has its charm: the Christmas markets of Basel, Colmar and the Alsace villages are easy to link up by motorhome. Choose a well-heated vehicle and campsites open all year.

Climate in Basel, month by month

Most pleasant months: August to September.

Month High Low Rain Sun
Jan 6 °C -1 °C 98 mm 4 h/day
Feb 9 °C 1 °C 68 mm 6 h/day
Mar 12 °C 2 °C 74 mm 8 h/day
Apr 16 °C 5 °C 85 mm 10 h/day
May 19 °C 9 °C 112 mm 10 h/day
Jun 25 °C 14 °C 96 mm 12 h/day
Jul 26 °C 16 °C 96 mm 12 h/day
Aug 26 °C 16 °C 86 mm 11 h/day
Sep 22 °C 12 °C 81 mm 9 h/day
Oct 17 °C 8 °C 93 mm 7 h/day
Nov 10 °C 3 °C 103 mm 5 h/day
Dec 7 °C 1 °C 87 mm 4 h/day

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

Practical tips

Everything to know before hitting the road

Two depots, two countries

Anywhere Campers hands over its vehicles in Basel, while Blurent, trading as Location Alsacienne de Camping-Cars, is based on Rue Poincaré in Sierentz, France, about fifteen kilometres north-west of central Basel, near the A35 motorway. Check the exact meeting point in your confirmation.

EuroAirport: in France, but serving Basel

Basel-Mulhouse airport is built on French soil, in Saint-Louis, but has a Swiss sector linked to Basel by a customs road. For the Sierentz depot, about ten minutes away, exit on the French side; for a vehicle handover in Basel, exit on the Swiss side and take the bus to the railway station.

Swiss vignette, free motorways elsewhere

Swiss motorways, including the A2 towards Lucerne and the A3 towards Zurich, require an annual vignette, often electronic. A French-registered vehicle, like those hired in Sierentz, does not always have one: check before crossing the border. The German A5 and the Alsace A35, on the other hand, are toll-free.

Crossing customs with a motorhome

Basel has many border crossings, including the motorways towards Saint-Louis and Weil am Rhein. Switzerland is in the Schengen area but outside the EU customs union: a vehicle check is still possible, and shopping done in Germany or France, meat and alcohol first, is limited when entering Switzerland.

Visiting Basel by tram

The centre of Basel, with its red cathedral, its Rhine embankments and its museums, is best explored on foot. Tram lines run to Saint-Louis on the French side and to Weil am Rhein on the German side: parking on the outskirts and finishing by tram avoids narrow streets and low underground car parks.

What travellers ask

Your questions about a road trip in Basel

Where can I pick up a campervan in Basel?

Two partner companies welcome you: Anywhere Campers in Basel itself, and Blurent, or Location Alsacienne de Camping-Cars, at 62 Rue Poincaré in Sierentz, in the Haut-Rhin department, about fifteen kilometres away on the French side. The place and time of the vehicle handover are given in your booking confirmation.

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

The price varies with the season, the length of hire, the vehicle and the country of the depot, Swiss or French. June, with Art Basel, and summer are the most sought-after periods. Run a search with your dates to see real offers, mandatory fees included, and add the Swiss vignette and campsite nights to your budget.

Can I do a one-way trip from Basel?

Our partners have other departure cities in German-speaking Switzerland: Bern, Zurich, Aarau, Baar near Zug and Wolhusen, near Lucerne. A one-way trip to Bern or Zurich lets you cross the Jura or the Oberland without retracing your steps. Enter the return city in your search: one-way fees then appear in the displayed price.

Can I drive in Germany and France with a campervan hired in Basel?

Yes, that is precisely the appeal of starting from Basel. First check that the company's insurance covers the countries you plan to visit. Several German cities have an environmental zone reserved for vehicles with a green sticker, and some French cities require a Crit'Air sticker: check the rules in force before you leave.

What to do in two or three days around Basel?

About ten kilometres away, the Roman site of Augusta Raurica is worth a stop. Further on, the Route des Crêtes leads to the summit of the Grand Ballon, in the Vosges, with views over the Alsace plain and, on clear days, the Alps. To the east, the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen are just over an hour's drive.

Verified customer reviews

They rented in Basel with CoolDrive Nomad

4.3
818 reviews

Very good value for money. Spacious and well-equipped.

(anonymous)
Switzerland · Oct 2021
Avis Vérifiés

First rental of this type of vehicle in a professional context where the rental must take place from France to Canada. Many questions and Cooldrive (Marlène) has been a valuable support in guiding my choices. Efficiency and responsiveness beforehand, and on-site a vehicle and service that met our expectations. No complaints. Great!

Alain L.
Canada · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés

Too rigid computer system

Eric L.
Portugal · Oct 2025
Avis Vérifiés
Frequently asked questions

FAQ — Campervan and motorhome hire in Basel

What licence do I need to drive a motorhome around Basel?

A category B licence covers vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, which includes most rental campervans, converted vans and motorhomes, in Switzerland, France and Germany alike. A licence issued outside Europe may require an international driving permit. Minimum age and years of driving required are shown in the conditions of each offer.

Where can I spend the night with a motorhome in the Basel region?

Each country has its own customs. In Switzerland, rules are set by cantons and municipalities: campsites are the safest choice. In Alsace, almost every wine village has its motorhome area. In Germany, motorhome pitches called Wohnmobilstellplatz abound in the Black Forest, and a single night in a car park to rest is generally tolerated.

Do I need winter tyres for the Black Forest, the Vosges or the Jura?

In Germany, winter tyres are compulsory as soon as the road is snowy or icy. In the Haut-Rhin and the Vosges, many mountain municipalities require winter tyres or snow chains from November to March. In Switzerland there is no legal obligation, but drivers remain liable if they obstruct traffic. Ask the company about equipment.

When should I book a campervan in Basel?

For July and August, several months ahead. June also calls for planning: Art Basel, one of the world's largest contemporary art fairs, fills accommodation and campsites. Before the December Christmas markets, a few weeks are often enough. As the choice of vehicles in Basel remains limited, it is best not to wait.

Which motorhome models are available from Basel?

Models found in our searches include the Adria Matrix M670SL and the Sunlight T 68 low-profile motorhome, both with 5 seats, the Sunlight A70 over-cab motorhome with 6 berths, and a van for two people. Manual or automatic gearbox depending on the version: details appear on each offer.

About us

Why start a motorhome trip from Basel

Basel is one of the rare departure points where you can change country without leaving the urban area: at the Rhine port, a monument even marks the point where Switzerland, France and Germany meet. This position lets you put together a very varied trip in few kilometres, from the fir trees and lakes of the Black Forest to the flower-decked villages of the Alsace Wine Route, then from the isolated farms of the Jura to the Alpine lakes of the Bernese Oberland and Lucerne.

With two partner companies, one in the city and the other in Sierentz on the French side, you choose your starting point according to the first country you visit. Bern and Zurich, other departure cities of our partners, open the way to one-way trips across Switzerland. And between two stages, the city itself deserves a day, for its museums and a swim in the Rhine in summer.

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