Camping in Austria with an RV: Practical tips and tricks for a perfect, worry-free holiday

Dear traveller and adventurer, today we will introduce you to what it’s like camping in a motorhome in Austria. Our neighbours are a tempting destination, especially if you want to try caravan camping for the first time or if you’re short on time and want to have a great long weekend. No wonder. Austria has clear lakes that make you feel almost like you’re at the seaside and stunning mountains, so you won’t be bored. It’s an ideal destination for couples, families with children or even dogs, who will also find a great time here.

But to make sure it’s not all sunshine, camping in Austria can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you want to experience wild camping – that is, stopping with your 4-wheel drive house on top of a hill and enjoying views like a Hollywood movie in the morning. We’ll give you some tips on how to make your trip work so you don’t spend money on fines, but rather on delicious wienerschnitzel. Let’s do it!

What about regulations for wild camping and off-site parking in Austria?

Although regulations on camping and parking vary from region to region, the general rules are clear:

• Camping in the woods is prohibited without permission from the landowner.
• Specific rules apply for parking outside the campsites in specific regions. In Lower Austria, Vienna, Tyrol and Burgenland, it is expressly forbidden to camp outside camping pitches or designated parking areas.
• Even just sleeping in the car can cost you dearly. The amount of the fine varies depending on the specific violation. According to the regulations, the fine for camping in the forest without the landowner’s permission or for camping outside designated areas can be up to €14,500.
• The Austrian police and authorities are trying to ensure that the rules are regularly checked. In particular, expect checks in tourist areas, especially in high season or after complaints.
• However, from our own experience, we can reassure you that we have never been fined for standing or even sleeping outside campsites in Austria. But we have also never parked in a no-parking zone. The experience of other campers points more to a warning without a fine, but you know, better safe than sorry…

So what about wildcamping or wild camping in Austria?

Once again, wild camping is prohibited in Lower Austria, Vienna, Tyrol and Burgenland. But beware! There is no legislation prohibiting wild camping in Upper Austria and Styria. It is even possible to camp on the borders of forests and pastures. In Upper Austria, it is recommended to obtain a permit from the authorities for camping outside the designated areas, but it is not a necessity.

Either way, if you decide to go wild camping outside of the campsites, we recommend that you be as inconspicuous as possible. And how to do that?

• Arrive later and leave again early in the morning.
• Don’t take the camping furniture out and open the awning.
• Don’t hang wet laundry all over the place, even on the motorhome.
• Don’t play loud music and definitely don’t start any fires.
• Leave behind a clean place and do not pour out contaminated water.

But if you’re really out of civilization and you’re not disturbing anyone, feel free to make dinner outside and eat in comfort on tables with chairs.

What about campsites for motorhomes in Austria?

There are plenty of campsites in Austria, especially in touristy areas, lakes and national parks. Watch out for occupancy in high season, when most campsites can be full, especially at weekends. Some of them allow online booking. You can book your accommodation in advance and get an idea of prices and availability.

Prices for accommodation in campsites vary depending on location, facilities and especially the season. In general, campsites in popular tourist areas or near popular attractions can be more expensive than campsites in remote areas.

Campsites range in price levels. From luxury campsites with full facilities to simpler campsites with limited services at lower prices. The average price per night in campsites is around 25-40 euros.

Dedicated parking for caravans and stellplatz

If you’re looking for an alternative between expensive campsites and precarious wilderness parking, we recommend looking at dedicated RV and stellplatz sites. This will usually be parking behind a dedicated pay gate where you’ll have a large enough pitch, usually with plenty of privacy, electricity hook-up and the option to top up water, flush drains and chemical toilet. Most of the time, however, sanitary facilities will not be available, or if they are, they won’t be as comfortable as at the campsite. The cost of parking tends to be considerably more favourable and is around 10-20 euros per night.

Where to find places to stay in Austria

The most popular app for finding places to camp and sleep in Austria (not only) is definitely Park4night. The basic version of the app is free and quite reasonable to work with, although we recommend paying extra for the premium version where you can save your favourite places and create lists. This version also offers expanded filtering options, which is handy, especially if you’re looking for specific places, such as places to empty your drain or places with given ratings and specific services. The price per month are 3 euros, or 10 euro per year. We usually buy a monthly subscription, but if you’re travelling long-term, we recommend getting an annual subscription.

Although you can probably get by with Park4night, we also recommend downloading the ADAC Camping / Stellplatz 2024 app on Google Play or the App storefor travelling around Austria . This app contains an extensive database of campsites and stellplatz in Austria. Users can search by different criteria and view detailed information about each facility. The app is also available in English, but the translations are not always accurate, so we recommend the German or English version instead. In the app you will find many local stellplatz and home campsites. The app is free for the first 7 days. After that, you can subscribe for less than 10 euros per year.

The best campsites in Austria

The most beautiful campsites in Austria are mostly around lakes and national parks. For us, here are the 3 best campsites in these parts of Austria:

• Wolfgangsee Lindenstrand – This campsite is located right on the shores of Lake Wolfgangsee with stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Accommodation is available with your own tent, caravan, motorhome or in cabins. The lakeside campsite is great for various activities such as swimming, windsurfing and fishing. There is also a beach with access to the lake. The campsite has modern facilities with showers and toilets. There is also a restaurant on site with a terrace overlooking the lake, where you can enjoy traditional Austrian cuisine. The campsite is close to the town of St. Gilgen, where you can also find various activities. For example, take the cable car to top of Zwölferhorn or take a walk along the surrounding mountain trails.Price per night (2 adults + camper) from: 34 € low season, 39 € high season.

Camp Wolfgangsee-Lindenstrand. Source: camperguru.com

• Natterer See – This campsite is an idyllic retreat in a valley near Innsbruck, Austria, offering stunning views of Lake Natterer See and the surrounding mountains. There is a beach with a sandy shore and access to the lake where you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and sun loungers. You will have new comfortable sanitary facilities, laundry facilities and everything you need for your stay. The campsite has an excellent restaurant and a café that organizes various sports activities and animation programs for adults and children. There are playgrounds and clubhouses for children. There are also hiking trails in the immediate vicinity. C one accommodation (2 adults + camper) per night from: 35,5 € low season, 55 € high season

Camp Natter See. Source: camperguru.com

• Camping Ötztal Längenfeld – Another type of campsite that is not directly on the lake, but in the vicinity of the thermal baths, is Camping Ötztal near Längenfeld in the Ötztal valley. The campsite is surrounded by beautiful nature and offers a wide range of activities such as an outdoor swimming pool with mountain views, a playground, tennis courts and mini golf. The campsite is equipped with modern toilets with showers and toilets. There’s also a restaurant on site and a good café where they have super cupcakes. The site is ideal for mountain hiking, cycling, fishing and evening entertainment and barbecues. You can also visit the nearby excellent thermal baths Aqua Dome. Cprice per accommodation per night: price per accommodation (2 adults + camper) per night from: 33,9 € low season, 46,9 € high season

Camping Örztal Langenfeld. Source: camperguru.com

Best stellplatz

• Stellplatz Graz – The ideal place for camping in Austria, right in the city of Graz. You will find clean bathrooms with hot water. Access to the swimming pool next door is free. Prices start from 25 €/day for a caravan and two people, including electricity and showers. There is a dishwasher, grey water sink and drinking water. For us, great value for money.

Stellplatz Graz. Source: camperguru.com

• Zentralalpen-Stellplatz Trins – Nice place in Geschnitztal in Tyrol with prices from 20 €/day. It offers the possibility to dispose of black/gray water. The parking is located by a stream and a road, but it is not busy. There are 10 spaces for motorhomes, 2 electricity columns, 2 toilets and 1 shower. The surrounding mountain setting offers endless possibilities for hiking.

Stellplatz Trins im Gschnitztal. Source: camperguru.com

• Camper Park Thayatal National Park – The ideal place for your stay in the Thayatal NP in the Lower Rakouse near the border with the Czech Republic. The price for one day is around 10 €. You’ll find plenty of spacious parking spaces with power to sanitary facilities. There is just no shower available. The parking spaces are easily accessible and located near the road. The managers and caretakers of the property are friendly and helpful.

Stellplatz National Park Thayatal. Source: camperguru.com

So where and when to go to Austria in a motorhome?

In our experience, it is particularly worthwhile to go to Austria with a motorhome before, or after the main season. There are several reasons. Definitely save for accommodation in campsites. While stellplatz have pitch fees mostly the same throughout the year, prices at campsites really vary depending on whether you come in the off-season or in season. If you’re going to the famous tourist resorts, we probably don’t even need to talk about avoiding the crowds if you choose days during the work week . If you can work remotely, definitely take advantage of it. Austria has good signal coverage. You can work on wifi at campsites and enjoy the beauty of Austria before and after work.

For us, however, the most popular destination for a short trip for a long weekend is definitely the lake Achensee. That’s because of its incredibly clear water, holiday vibe, great food and endless opportunities for various mountain treks or mountain bike and road trips.

We have written a detailed description of our already proven journey in a well thought out itinerary. So if you want to experience the adventure but don’t want to spend hours planning it, you can do it with us. Get it at. We guarantee quality and fun!

If you would like to go to Austria but don’t know where or how, simply tell us email. We’ll be sure to work something out together so you can enjoy your trip 100%.

So viel Glück und gute Fahrt!