Cherbourg to Lake Garda via Germany and Austria

Hi we done this route last year. One stop I would strongly recommend is Innsbruck Austria. The campsite http://www.natterersee.com is a world apart, the toilet block would leave many a 4 star hotel standing. There is a bus stop just outside the side which runs into the city. And the man made lake provides for great activities for the children. Enjoy the journey.

What weight is your motorhome. Is the GVW below 3500kg or above 3500kg. If above 3500kg then different route options need considered.

If under 3500kg then you need a vignette to use the Austrian motorways. The only section that you would be likely to use is that running east west A12 through Innsbruck. In addition the Brenner motorway requires an additional toll between Innsbruck South (toll plaza) and the Italian border. This motorway is not included in the vignette. The vignette is available at service stations close to the border.

The 10day vignette is €8.90. The toll for the A13 Brenner motorway in €9.00 each way. This totals €27 which is not a lot less than the Swiss annual vignette at CHF40. It is very practical to avoid all of the motorways in Austria and thus save the €27; the penalty is likely to be not much more than an hour driving each way. If coming from Germany on the A7 most of the route to Innsbruck is non motorway anyway.

Thank you for the information on the vignette- I must look into our requirements.

We have an annual pass for Disney and spent almost a week there at Easter. We might spend our first night there as our route takes us very close by. Our next overnight stop is likely to be Karlsruhe- will probably spend a couple of nights there, before heading on to Innsbruck, again for a couple of nights before making our way to Garda. Might try different stopover on the way back up- possibly Munich and Salzburg.

Thanks everyone for all your help and suggestions. Lots of great ideas there!