RV Dump Stations In Switzerland -- Find Sani-Dumps Online
46.8182° N, 8.2275° E
Quick Overview
Switzerland is one of the most scenic and well-organised motorhome destinations in Europe, but it's also one of the strictest on wild camping and one of the most expensive overall. We track several dump stations across Switzerland, with some of them free to use. As elsewhere in Europe, the sanitary dump station network is almost entirely inside campsites and dedicated motorhome stopovers rather than at standalone public facilities, so plan to dump as part of an overnight stay at each stop.
The sani-dump landscape here runs across three main areas. The Swiss Plateau between Geneva, Bern, Zurich, and St. Gallen has the highest density of established campsites and motorhome stopovers because it's where most of the population lives. The Valais region in the south (Lausanne-Sion-Brig corridor) handles the big alpine destinations including Zermatt, Saas-Fee, and the Rhone Valley. The Graubunden canton in the east (around Chur, Davos, and St. Moritz) covers the Engadine and the San Bernardino alpine route. Camping Trun in the Graubunden canton is a newer addition.
Switzerland's motorway network is the spine of any motorhome trip. The A1 runs Geneva-Lausanne-Bern-Zurich-St. Gallen as the main east-west artery. A2 handles the critical Basel-Lucerne-Gotthard Tunnel-Lugano-Chiasso north-south corridor and carries most of the alpine transit traffic. A3 runs Basel-Zurich-Chur, A4 handles Zurich-Schaffhausen, A9 serves the Valais (Lausanne-Sion-Brig), and A13 covers Chur-San Bernardino-Bellinzona as the main alpine alternative to the A2. A motorway vignette is mandatory for all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes; it costs CHF 40 per year (valid from 1 December through 31 January of the following year), available as a sticker or e-vignette. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes pay the lump-sum heavy vehicle charge (PSVA) instead. Driving without a vignette results in a CHF 200 fine plus the mandatory CHF 40 purchase.
Overnight parking rules are regulated at the cantonal and municipal level, not nationally, which makes them confusing. Wild camping with a motorhome is tolerated in some cantons (Aargau, Obwalden, Uri, Schwyz) for single overnight stays but explicitly prohibited in most others (Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Vaud, Ticino, Thurgau, Neuchatel, and many more) with fines up to CHF 2,000. The safe default is to use campsites and dedicated motorhome stopovers. Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes are limited to 100 km/h on motorways (vs 120 km/h for lighter vehicles). The listings below cover the dump stations across Switzerland.
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RV Travel in Switzerland
The A1 motorway is the spine of Swiss motorhome travel, running east-west from Geneva through Lausanne, Bern, Zurich, and on to St. Gallen. The A2 handles the critical north-south alpine transit from Basel through Lucerne, the Gotthard Tunnel, and down into Ticino at Lugano and Chiasso. A3 runs Basel-Zurich-Chur along the northern Alpine foothills. A9 serves the Valais region (Lausanne-Sion-Brig), and A13 is the main alpine alternative to the A2 via the San Bernardino pass. A4 connects Zurich to Schaffhausen.
A motorway vignette (sticker or e-vignette) is mandatory for all vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, costing CHF 40 per year and valid from 1 December through 31 January of the following year. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes pay the PSVA lump-sum heavy vehicle charge instead. Driving without a vignette results in a CHF 200 fine plus mandatory CHF 40 vignette purchase. Buy before crossing the border or at the first petrol station after entry.
Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes are speed-limited to 100 km/h on motorways (vs 120 km/h for lighter vehicles) and 80 km/h on motor roads. Car/caravan combinations are prohibited from using the left lane on three-lane motorways. Alpine passes typically close November through May.
RV Dump Stations Costs in Switzerland
Of the several dump stations we track in Switzerland, some (a portion%) are free while a portion% charge a fee. As with the rest of Europe, the sani-dump network is built into campsites and motorhome stopovers rather than existing as standalone free facilities. Swiss campsite rates are among the highest in Europe, typically 40 to 70 CHF per night at established campsites with dumping and utilities included. Dedicated motorhome stopovers run 20 to 35 CHF. The motorway vignette (CHF 40 per year) is a one-time annual cost for vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes pay the PSVA heavy vehicle charge instead. Fines for wild camping can reach CHF 2,000, so don't risk it; use the legal campsites and stopovers.
Contact station for pricing details.
Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
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Best Time to Visit Switzerland by RV
Winter
Dec - Feb
20-40°F
Crowds: Medium
Ski season brings traffic to alpine resorts. Most high alpine passes closed. Valley routes stay open. Only year-round campsites accept winter visitors.
Spring
Mar - May
38-62°F
Crowds: Medium
Alpine passes start reopening in late April. Seasonal campsites reopen through May. Good window before peak summer crowds and prices.
Summer
Jun - Aug
55-80°F
Crowds: High
Peak season for alpine touring. All passes open. Book campsites well in advance. Gotthard Tunnel backs up severely on holiday weekends.
Fall
Sep - Nov
40-60°F
Crowds: Medium
Crystal clear autumn weather in September. Colours peak in October. Alpine passes start closing by late October as snow returns.
Explore Switzerland
Buy the motorway vignette before crossing the border or at the first fuel station after entry because driving without one is a CHF 200 fine plus mandatory purchase. If your motorhome is over 3.5 tonnes, you do not need a vignette and instead pay the PSVA (lump-sum heavy vehicle charge) at the border. Swiss fuel is surprisingly cheaper than in France, Germany, or Italy, so fill up in Switzerland rather than at border stations even though everything else in the country is expensive. Sunday and public holiday closures affect supermarkets across Switzerland; stock up on Saturday to avoid empty fridges on Sunday driving days. The Gotthard Tunnel creates massive traffic jams on holiday weekends and during peak tourist seasons, so consider the San Bernardino route (A13) as an alternative when the Gotthard is backed up. Zermatt is car-free, so park at Tasch and take the shuttle train into the town; don't try to drive in. LPG availability is less widespread than in neighbouring countries; use mylpg.eu to locate stations and carry dish and ACME adapters because Switzerland uses both. TCS (Touring Club Schweiz) provides roadside assistance across the country and is the Swiss equivalent of the ADAC or AA.
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Read more →Frequently Asked Questions About RV Dump Stations in Switzerland
Where can I dump my motorhome tanks in Switzerland?
Switzerland has nearly fifty dump stations in our directory, concentrated in the Swiss Plateau between Geneva, Bern, Zurich, and St. Gallen, plus the Valais region in the south and the Graubunden canton in the east. Most are inside campsites and dedicated motorhome stopovers rather than standalone public facilities. Camping Trun in Graubunden is one of the newer Alpine additions.
Do I need a motorway vignette for my motorhome in Switzerland?
Yes, if your motorhome is under 3.5 tonnes. The vignette costs CHF 40 per year and is valid from 1 December through 31 January of the following year. Buy it before crossing the border or at the first petrol station after entry. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes pay the PSVA heavy vehicle charge instead. Driving without a vignette results in a CHF 200 fine plus mandatory purchase.
Can I wild camp in my motorhome in Switzerland?
It depends on the canton. Wild camping is tolerated in Aargau, Obwalden, Uri, and Schwyz for single overnight stays, but explicitly prohibited in most cantons including Bern, Geneva, Lucerne, Vaud, Ticino, and many more. Fines can reach CHF 2,000 in the strict cantons. The safe default is to use campsites and dedicated motorhome stopovers rather than trying to parse cantonal rules on the fly.
How much does a Swiss campsite cost?
Swiss campsite rates are among the highest in Europe, typically 40 to 70 CHF per night at established campsites with dumping, water, and basic utilities included. Dedicated motorhome stopovers run cheaper at 20 to 35 CHF per night. Compared to France, Germany, or Italy, expect to pay 30 to 50 percent more for equivalent facilities in Switzerland.
Should I take the Gotthard Tunnel or the San Bernardino pass?
The Gotthard Tunnel (A2) is the default north-south alpine route and is faster in normal conditions, but it backs up severely on holiday weekends and during peak tourist seasons. The San Bernardino route (A13 via Chur) is a longer alternative but often much faster during Gotthard jams. Check traffic conditions before committing if you're travelling on a summer weekend or during a public holiday.
Can I drive my motorhome to Zermatt?
No. Zermatt is car-free and motorhomes cannot enter the town. Park at Tasch (the last road-accessible town) and take the shuttle train into Zermatt. The Tasch parking garage has dedicated motorhome spaces and the shuttle train runs frequently. Budget about 15 CHF per person each way for the shuttle.