Austria by Camper Van: Our 2026 Family Road Trip with Roadsurfer

Camper van holidays have quietly become one of our absolute favourite ways to travel as a family, and after our latest adventure through Austria, I think I understand why even more. There is something brilliant about having your own little home on wheels. You get the freedom to travel at your own pace, without a strict itinerary dictating every day. If the weather changes, the kids wake up in a different mood, or you stumble across somewhere unexpected, you can simply change plans. One morning you might wake up beside a lake, the next surrounded by mountains. There is no endless packing and unpacking between hotels, because everything you need travels with you. It makes family travel feel simpler, more spontaneous and much more adventurous.

For children especially, there is a real novelty to sleeping in the van and waking up somewhere new. We have had some of our favourite family moments pulling over for a scenic viewpoint, finding a random playground, or stopping beside a lake just because it looked too beautiful to drive past. Camper van travel can also work out surprisingly well financially, especially during peak season when multiple hotels and car hire start adding up. But honestly, the biggest thing for us is the feeling of adventure it creates.

Austria had been on our bucket list for years and after our third camper van trip there, I can confidently say it has become one of the best countries we have explored this way.

Why Austria is Perfect for a Camper Van Holiday

Why We Chose Roadsurfer

This was our third trip with Roadsurfer and we genuinely trust them for family camper adventures. They are one of Europe’s leading camper van rental companies and we have previously explored both Spain and Germany with them too.

We chose the Road House this time because it worked brilliantly for our family. There is a large sleeping space in the roof box plus a fixed small double bed at the back. My husband is 6’3, so he slept upstairs with one of the kids where there is more room, while I slept downstairs with the other.

Collection locations across Europe, a good range of vehicles and an easy booking process make them a really straightforward option.

Use code THETRAVELMUM10 for 10% off bookings.

Planning the Trip (or Not)

One of the things we love most about road trips is not over-planning.

We knew roughly what we wanted to experience:

• The Austrian Alps
• Beautiful lakes
• Outdoor adventures
• Family-friendly attractions

Beyond that, we let the trip unfold naturally.

We used the Park4Night app throughout our Roadsurfer Austria trip to:

• Find campsites
• Check reviews
• Compare facilities
• Contact campsites before arriving to check availability

Sometimes recommendations led us somewhere unexpected and sometimes the kids simply needed a quieter day. One of the biggest joys of Roadsurfer travel is being able to adapt as you go.

Our Austria Camper Van Itinerary

We split our trip into two parts: Austria’s beautiful lakes and the Austrian Alps.

We actually had to cut our trip short due to my mum being unwell and needing me back home, but we still managed to fit a huge amount into five nights. Ideally, a week or longer would allow a slower pace.

Roadsurfer Trip Part One: Austria’s Stunning Lakes

Part Two: The Austrian Alps

After exploring the lakes, the scenery changed dramatically. The roads became more winding, the mountains grew bigger and every corner seemed to reveal another incredible view. The drive itself became part of the experience.

The playground is enormous and set amongst some of the most incredible scenery we have ever seen. The giant wooden castle, water play areas and mountain views kept the kids entertained for hours. There are also walking trails and stamp collecting stations designed to encourage children to explore further. We stopped for lunch at Simon’s, or at least I think that was the name, where prices felt reasonable and the cold beer was very welcome after the walk.

Attractions like this are one of the reasons Austria works so well for families.

There are plenty of family-friendly cafés, shops and open spaces, making it an easy stop to add to your itinerary. It also makes a nice change of pace if you’ve spent several days swimming in lakes or hiking in the mountains.

We only spent a few hours there, but it was one of those places that instantly makes you think, “I’d love to come back and spend longer here.”

A Useful Tip About Austrian Campsites

• Pack less than you think you’ll need. Storage disappears surprisingly quickly and keeping things simple makes life much easier.
• Bring a few outdoor toys. Scooters, footballs, small water toys and simple colouring supplies all got loads of use on this Roadsurfer trip.
• Expect to spend most of your time outside. The Roadsurfer van is mainly for sleeping, travelling and cooking. Most family life happens outdoors.
• Campsites are brilliant for children because they tend to make friends quickly, love the playgrounds and enjoy far more freedom than they would in a hotel environment.
• Plan longer drives around nap times where possible. Some of our most scenic drives happened while the tiny one was asleep.
• Keep meals simple. Pasta, wraps, salads, sandwiches, picky bits and BBQ food are all easy options that leave you with more time to enjoy your holiday.
• Bring layers, even in summer. Austria can be hot by the lakes and cool in the mountains, sometimes on the very same day.
• Most importantly, don’t over-schedule. Some of our favourite Roadsurfer memories happened completely by accident. Leave room for swimming stops, scenic viewpoints, playgrounds and lakeside picnics.

Final Thoughts on Our Austrian Family Road Trip with Roadsurfer

Austria exceeded every expectation we had! The scenery is spectacular, the driving is easy, the campsites are excellent and the combination of crystal-clear lakes and mountain adventures is hard to beat.

For families considering their first Roadsurfer holiday or camper van road trip, Austria is one of the best destinations in Europe. Between the stunning lakes, family-friendly attractions, incredible campsites and breathtaking mountain scenery, it offers everything you could want from a family road trip. And if you’re thinking about booking with Roadsurfer, don’t forget to use discount code THETRAVELMUM10.

For more inspiration, be sure to check out our other Roadsurfer adventures, including our Spanish Road Trip Itinerary and Black Forest Road Trip blogs.