Calais to Lake Garda 2024

Mark,  Some would go across Germany and  Austria to the Brenner Pass. But others would go across France and Switzerland to the Gotthard tunnel. So it’s best to untold a big paper map and choose your route before we can help you with suggested sites..

We have done this trip many times. There are a number of options for you to consider.  One is through France and Switzerland but the one I favour is Tunnel, then through Belgium, S Germany, Austria and Brenner Pass into Italy.  I tow a caravan so it takes me 3 stops  to do this trip,  two stopovers should make for quite an easy trip in a camper at 10 hours a day (we do 6 hrs max!!).. I stop near Calais for night one then early start gets you past  Luxembourg, then a third night in S Germany/Austria.  The Crit Air is only necessary for visits to certain French cities as is the Umwelt for Germany it is not necessary for the Autoroutes/Autobahns although you will need  a Vignette for the Austrian Autobahns.  End of June it will be getting busy in the Garda area so you may wish to research site availability - look at joining ACSI; I have not got my 2024 book yet but I'm sure someone who has this years book will advise.  Have a great trip, Italy is our favourite holiday destination.

I also favour the Belgium, Germany, Austria route, it is quick and easy. If you just want night stops the I recommend you consider using the French/Belgium Aires and the German Stellplatz. These motorhome/campervan stop over sites are much cheaper than using campsites. To search these out use one of the Apps, I favour Search4Sites but there are others e.g. Park4Night. I usually cross the channel in the early afternoon and head for a French Aire e.g. Bergues for the first night. Next would be roughly halfway to the Germany/Austrian border. I have used the Stellplatz at Saarlouis, a 270 miles day trip. A last night before Lake Garda would be on the Stellplatz at Fussen, a 282 miles day trip then down the Fern Pass and up the Brenner for the final leg to Lake Garda about 220 miles away.

peedee

When we have been to Lake Garda and usually then onto Venice we would go via Germany and Austria using the Fern and Brenner Passes into Italy and that motorway takes you down the eastern side of the Lake. Where I differ from others is that the initial part of the journey goes down through France to Metz and then onto the autobahn system when you cross into Germany. Obviously tolls to pay but a much more relaxed drive than going through Belgium in my view.

David

Our preferred route from the tunnel is into Belgium, Germany (via Stuttgart / Ulm) then the Fern Pass to Imst then Brenner Pass into Italy. If you have a late tunnel crossing the Aire at Calais (Rue d’Asfeld) is handy and open late.

We normally take an early morning tunnel and stop in Remich, Luxemburg for our first night. There’s an excellent Stellplatz (Aire) on the Mosel there. Camping Fink in Imst is excellent for an overnight (or longer) or there are a number of Stellplatz in Fussen. The route is toll free but you will need a motorway vignette for Austria (about 10 Euros) and the cost of the Brenner Pass is about another 10 Euros. I doubt you’ll have to book sites on Garda in June (Whitsun is early this year). Get the Campercontact App for details of all the sites en route.

Hi,

Thanks for the detailed information its much appreciated.

I too are still waiting for my new ACSI card and book that i ordered via CAMC..

Thanks David, i have never liked the Belgian Crater ridden motorways..

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the advice. It seems that into Germany and Austria is the way to go.

Hi eurotraveller,

Thanks for the IAG.

I think the route i will take is via Germany/Austria .  If its 10 euros for the Austrian Vignette thats 42 euros cheaper than the Swiss one so will save a bit there..

You don't  have to use the Brenner Pass autoroute, motorhomes/campervans are permitted to use the old Brenner Pass road the B182 so avoiding the toll. Its a good A class route and in my view far more interesting than zooming along the autoroute. It runs parallel to the A13 which you can rejoin at the border with Italy. Italy toll charges are not expensive at about 10 cents a mile.

peedee