McRent Rental company category:Standard
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McRent Brig c/o Garage Partel GmbHBielstrasse 4, 3902 Brig - GlisView map
Hiring a campervan in Brig (Brigue in French) means starting from the crossroads of the Upper Valais, where the Simplon road leaves the Rhône valley for Italy. From this small German-speaking town, overlooked by the three onion-domed towers of the Stockalper Palace, you reach the Aletsch Glacier, the Zermatt and Saas-Fee valleys or the dark-timbered villages of the Goms valley in under an hour. Our partner company McRent hands over its vehicles here, in the Glis district.
At the head of the Goms valley begin the great Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen passes, open only in summer, towards central Switzerland, the Bernese Oberland and Ticino.
1 rental partner
Where to pick up your vehicle in Brig?
Observed prices
Rental prices observed in Brig
| Vehicle | Winter January | Spring April | Summer July | Autumn October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campervan | from €123/day median €138/day | from €124/day median €149/day | from €188/day median €222/day | from €130/day median €152/day |
| Low-profile motorhome | from €158/day median €193/day | from €164/day median €186/day | from €229/day median €244/day | from €168/day median €189/day |
| Large motorhome | from €180/day median €202/day | from €189/day median €198/day | from €253/day median €263/day | from €185/day median €203/day |
Daily prices observed on October 29, 2026 for a 14-day rental: CoolDrive selling price, mandatory fees included, 1 rental companies compared. 100% of offers with unlimited mileage. Median excess: €1,623.
Road trip ideas
Road trips from Brig
1 The Goms valley and the Nufenen, Gotthard and Furka loop
- Brig
- Ernen
- Binn
- Münster
- Ulrichen
- Nufenen Pass
- Airolo
- Gotthard Pass
- Andermatt
- Furka Pass
- Oberwald
- Brig
Heading up the Rhône, you stop at Ernen, one of the best-preserved villages in the Valais, then in the Binn valley, famous for its minerals, before the darkened larch chalets of Münster and Ulrichen. The Nufenen, the highest road pass entirely in Switzerland, then drops through the Val Bedretto to Airolo, in Ticino. You climb back up to the Gotthard and down to Andermatt, then the Furka, facing the tongue of the Rhône Glacier, leads back to Oberwald.
The three passes are only open in the warm season: keep this loop for summer and early autumn.
- Distance
- about 230 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or low-profile motorhome
2 The Saas and Zermatt valleys
- Brig
- Visp
- Visperterminen
- Stalden
- Saas-Fee
- Mattmark
- St. Niklaus
- Täsch
- Brig
At Visp, a winding road climbs to Visperterminen, whose terraced vineyards are among the highest in Europe. Back in the valley, you head up through Stalden into the Saas valley as far as Saas-Fee, a car-free village surrounded by glaciers, then on to the Mattmark reservoir. The other branch of the valley leads via St. Niklaus to Täsch, the last village reachable by car before Zermatt and the Matterhorn.
The Visperterminen road is narrow and steep: a camper van or small low-profile motorhome is more at ease there.
- Distance
- about 170 km
- Recommended vehicle
- Camper van or low-profile motorhome
3 Raron, Leukerbad and the Pfyn-Finges forest
- Brig
- Raron
- Leuk
- Leukerbad
- Pfyn-Finges forest
- Salgesch
- Crans-Montana
- Brig
Downstream, the fortified church of Raron, where the poet Rainer Maria Rilke is buried, overlooks the Rhône plain. Further on, Leuk Castle, renovated by the architect Mario Botta, precedes the climb to Leukerbad, its open-air thermal pools and the rock face of the Gemmi. The Pfyn-Finges forest, a vast pine wood protected by a nature park, then marks the language border, before the vineyards of Salgesch and the Crans-Montana plateau.
The roads to Leukerbad and Crans-Montana, wide and well laid out, also suit large motorhomes.
- Distance
- about 170 km
- Recommended vehicle
- All types of motorhomes
Weather and seasons
When to go in Brig?
Best time
June and September
June, September
highs 21 to 23 °C, lows 10 to 13 °C
The most balanced months to leave from Brig: the passes are generally open, the high-altitude trails clear and the campsites quieter than in July. September, one of the least rainy months of the year, brings mild days and crisp light on the glaciers, before the first snow.
High season
July and August
July to August
highs 25 °C, lows 13 to 14 °C
Peak season in the Upper Valais: heat in the Rhône valley, long days and crowds in Zermatt, Saas-Fee and around the Aletsch. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains: set off early for hikes and book campsites in the side valleys.
April, May and October
April to May, October
highs 12 to 16 °C, lows 4 to 8 °C
Contrasting shoulder seasons: the orchards and vineyards of the plain blossom from April, while snow still lingers above the villages and the high-altitude resorts close some of their lifts. These are also very wet months: Brig's old town and the wine cellars of the valley fill the rainy days.
Winter
November to March
November to March
highs 4 to 9 °C, lows -3 to 1 °C
Winter turns the Upper Valais into a vast ski area: the Aletsch Arena, Saas-Fee and the Zermatt valley remain accessible by cleared valley roads. Nights drop below freezing: make sure the heating works well, carry spare gas and choose a campsite equipped for the cold season.
Climate in Brig, month by month
Most pleasant months: July, September.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4 °C | -3 °C | 125 mm | 7 h/day |
| Feb | 7 °C | -1 °C | 81 mm | 8 h/day |
| Mar | 9 °C | 1 °C | 135 mm | 9 h/day |
| Apr | 12 °C | 4 °C | 137 mm | 10 h/day |
| May | 16 °C | 8 °C | 145 mm | 11 h/day |
| Jun | 23 °C | 13 °C | 132 mm | 12 h/day |
| Jul | 25 °C | 14 °C | 89 mm | 13 h/day |
| Aug | 25 °C | 13 °C | 95 mm | 12 h/day |
| Sep | 21 °C | 10 °C | 86 mm | 10 h/day |
| Oct | 16 °C | 7 °C | 151 mm | 8 h/day |
| Nov | 9 °C | 1 °C | 147 mm | 6 h/day |
| Dec | 5 °C | -2 °C | 133 mm | 6 h/day |
Averages 2016–2025 computed from Open-Meteo data (ERA5 reanalysis).
Practical tips
Everything to know before hitting the road
From the station to the Glis depot
Glis, home to the McRent depot, is the south-western part of the Brig-Glis municipality, a few minutes from the centre. From the station, a local bus or a taxi gets you there quickly, luggage included. The appointment time is in your confirmation: let the company know if your train may arrive late.
Furka and Lötschberg car trains
Two rail tunnels carry vehicles near Brig: the Furka tunnel, between Oberwald, at the head of the Goms valley, and Realp, in the canton of Uri, useful when the pass is closed; and the Lötschberg tunnel, between Goppenstein and Kandersteg, a shortcut to Bern and the Oberland. Motorhomes are accepted within height and weight limits: check them before you turn up.
Arriving in Brig by train
Brig has no airport, but its station is one of the best connected in the Alps: direct trains from Geneva Airport through the Rhône valley, from Bern through the Lötschberg base tunnel and from Milan over the Simplon. From Geneva and Zurich airports, allow less than three hours of travel, with no parking worries on arrival.
The old town on foot
The historic centre, around the Sebastiansplatz and the Stockalper Palace, a 17th-century merchant's palace with an arcaded courtyard, can be explored on foot in half a day. Its narrow streets are ill-suited to a motorhome: park in a car park on the outskirts, checking the permitted height, then walk into the centre.
What travellers ask
Your questions about a road trip in Brig
Where can I pick up a campervan in Brig?
McRent, our partner company in the town, hands over its vehicles from its depot at the Partel garage, Bielstrasse 4, in Glis. The handover time and the documents to bring are given in your booking confirmation. Allow a good margin for the vehicle inspection before heading off into the valleys.
How much does it cost to hire a campervan in Brig?
The amount varies with the season, the length of hire and the size of vehicle: demand peaks in July and August, when Zermatt, Saas-Fee and the passes draw the most visitors. A search with your own dates shows bookable rates, mandatory fees included; add campsites, car trains and cable cars to your budget.
How can I see the Aletsch Glacier from Brig?
The longest glacier in the Alps is best admired from the Aletsch Arena, a car-free plateau above the Rhône valley. Cable cars leave from Mörel for Riederalp, from Betten for Bettmeralp and from Fiesch for the Eggishorn, less than half an hour from Brig: you leave the motorhome at the valley stations. From Riederalp, a trail crosses the Aletsch forest and its very old Swiss stone pines.
Can I do a one-way trip from Brig?
Yes, to other departure cities of our partners: Bern, via the Bernese Oberland, Lucerne, with depots in the city and in Ebikon, and Wolhusen, in the Entlebuch, over the Grimsel and the Brünig, or Lausanne, through the Rhône valley and along Lake Geneva. Choose the return city when you search: the price shown then includes any one-way fees the company would charge.
Can I drive to Italy over the Simplon?
Yes: the pass road, wide and usually open all year round, reaches Domodossola in just over an hour, then Lake Maggiore. First check that the company's insurance covers Italy. At the Gondo border post, Swiss customs may inspect the vehicle, as the country remains outside the EU customs union: meat and alcohol bought in Italy are subject to duty-free allowances.
Verified customer reviews
They rented in Brig 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 Brig
What licence do I need for a motorhome hired in Brig?
Category B covers camper vans and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight, which means almost all rental vehicles. Switzerland recognises European licences; a licence issued elsewhere may need to be accompanied by an international driving permit or a translation. The minimum age and years of driving experience are set by each company and stated in the offer conditions.
When are the Furka, Grimsel and Nufenen passes open?
These three passes, which start from the upper Goms valley, are closed all winter. They usually reopen between late May and late June, once the snow has been cleared, and close again in October or early November, depending on snowfall. Dates change every year: check road conditions before setting off. The Simplon, by contrast, normally stays open all year.
Can I drive to Zermatt and Saas-Fee in a motorhome?
Not into the centre: Zermatt is closed to cars, and Saas-Fee is explored on foot from the car parks at the village entrance. For Zermatt, you park in Täsch, from where a shuttle train covers the last stretch. These car parks have their own rules for tall vehicles and overnight stays: find out before you go, or sleep at a campsite in either valley.
Where can I sleep in a motorhome in the Upper Valais?
Campsites are plentiful in the Goms valley, in the Saas and Zermatt valleys and around Visp and Raron; many close in winter. In the Valais, municipalities set the rules for overnight parking, and sleeping outside a campsite is often forbidden near resorts and protected sites. Elsewhere, aim for spaces expressly reserved for motorhomes and check the local signs on site.
Do I need winter tyres in the Upper Valais?
No Swiss law makes winter tyres compulsory, but liability for an accident or a blocked road falls on a driver whose vehicle was not suitably equipped. On the roads to Saas-Fee, Täsch or the Simplon, snow can fall from October to May, and chains may be required by road signs. Ask the company whether the vehicle has winter tyres and chains on board.
When should I book a campervan in Brig?
Brig has only one partner depot and its fleet goes quickly: for July and August, it is best to book during the winter. June and September, the best months for combining glaciers and passes, also call for planning ahead. For April, May or October, a few weeks are often enough, but check which passes and campsites will be open on your dates.
About us
Why start a motorhome trip from Brig
Brig holds a rare position in the Alps: three major routes meet here, the Rhône valley towards Lake Geneva, the Simplon road towards Italy and the Goms valley towards the passes of central Switzerland and Ticino. Less than an hour's drive away lie the Aletsch Glacier, a World Heritage site, the Matterhorn admired from Zermatt, the glaciers of Saas-Fee and the baths of Leukerbad.
McRent hands over its vehicles in Glis, and Bern, Lucerne or Lausanne, other departure cities of our partners, make it possible to end the trip on the other side of the passes. July and September are the most pleasant months, when the passes are open and the high trails clear; and Brig station, served by the main north-south lines, makes arriving and leaving without a car easy.
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