Zurich → Los Angeles

Citizens of Switzerland should verify visa requirements with the U.S. Embassy in your country. Most Switzerland travelers will need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa unless your nationality qualifies for the Visa Waiver Program.

Always check the latest CDC travel health notices and U.S. Department of State country information page before booking. Requirements can change with little notice. Carry printed copies of your ESTA confirmation, return flight, and accommodation details — some Customs officers ask to see them.

Expect roughly 11.5 hours of flight time from Zurich (ZRH) to Los Angeles. ZRH typically offers direct flights to most major US gateway airports. Plan to land at one of these airports: LAX, BUR, LGB.

Time-zone adjustment matters more than EU travelers expect. Los Angeles is 8 to 9 hours behind Zurich for most of the year. We recommend arriving 24 hours before you collect your RV (recreational vehicle) so you can sleep through the worst of the jet lag before getting behind the wheel. Driving fatigued in an unfamiliar vehicle on the right-hand side of the road (if you are coming from UK or Ireland) creates avoidable risk.

When you book, pay close attention to which airport you land at — ground-transportation cost from the airport to your RV depot can vary widely. Some depots offer airport shuttles; others require a taxi or rideshare.

March-May, October-November (avoid August fire season risk) is the recommended travel window for Los Angeles. This avoids the harshest weather patterns and aligns with the most reliable availability of campgrounds and park facilities.

Travelers from Switzerland should also factor school holidays and major events. Pacific Coast Highway northbound from Santa Monica, Hollywood landmarks, beaches, day-trip to Joshua Tree NP, gateway to Las Vegas + Grand Canyon road trips. European school holidays (July-August) coincide with US summer peak — expect higher prices, more crowds, and tighter campground availability.

If you have flexibility, the shoulder seasons (May, September, early October) generally offer the best combination of pleasant weather, reasonable pricing, and lighter crowds at the most popular US destinations.

"RV" is what Americans call a recreational vehicle — the same thing a German would call a Wohnmobil, a Frenchman a camping-car, and a Briton a motorhome. In the US the word covers everything from a compact camper van to a 12-metre Class A coach. Strong RV rental supply in LA metro. Class B/C campervans most popular for first-time travelers. Easy onward routes to Joshua Tree, Sequoia, Yosemite, San Francisco.

When you book, confirm three things in writing: (1) the depot address and pickup hours (some close early on Sundays and major holidays), (2) the included mileage cap and per-mile overage rate (overage rates of 35 to 75 cents per mile are common, and they add up fast on long American distances), and (3) the generator usage policy if your rig has one — some companies meter generator hours separately from mileage.

Bring your passport, your home-country driving licence (in roman characters), and the credit card used for booking. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not legally required in most US states for short-term visitors with a valid home-country licence in English (or accompanied by a translation), but a few states recommend it. Carry your IDP if you have one — it is cheap insurance against confusion at a roadside stop.

Like Switzerland, the US drives on the RIGHT side of the road, so lane discipline transfers naturally. The main adjustments are vehicle size (US RVs are typically much larger than European motorhomes), wider lanes, and different signage conventions.

US road signs use a mix of words (English) and graphics. Speed limits are in MILES per hour (typically 65-80 mph on Interstates, 25-45 mph in towns). One mile is roughly 1.6 kilometers. Driver right-turn-on-red is legal in most states after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it. Roundabouts are increasingly common but still rare compared with Europe.

Long distances surprise European visitors. Driving 500 miles (800 km) in a single day is normal in the US but exhausting in a heavy RV. Plan for 4-6 hour driving days maximum on a vacation RV trip. The U.S. Department of State publishes guidance on driving and road safety for visitors at travel.state.gov.

Zurich travelers are affluent precision planners — expect transparency on pricing, detailed itineraries, and high-quality campground reviews. Strong Alpine RV (Wohnmobil) culture transfers naturally to Glacier, Rocky Mountain NP, and Mighty 5 Utah loop.

Tipping in the US is expected at restaurants (typically 18-22% of the pre-tax bill), in taxis (10-15%), and for personal services like haircuts and tours. Tipping is not customary at fast-food counters or grocery stores. Many EU travelers find this surprising — service worker wages in the US depend more heavily on tips than in Switzerland.

In Los Angeles, expect everyday transactions in English. Some destinations (Miami, Los Angeles, parts of Texas) have substantial Spanish-speaking populations and bilingual signage. Tap-to-pay credit cards and Apple/Google Pay are widely accepted. Some smaller campgrounds in remote areas still prefer cash for site fees — carry a small amount of US currency for these.

Day 1: Fly from ZRH to your gateway airport. Hotel near the airport — do NOT pick up your RV tonight.

Day 2: Sleep, eat, hydrate. Light sightseeing only. Adjust to the time zone.

Day 3: Pick up your RV. Stock up on groceries and water at a Walmart, Target, or local grocery (you will find these everywhere). First night at a nearby campground 1-2 hours from the depot.

Days 4-8: LA is the West Coast's largest gateway. Plan minimum 7-10 days to combine city + national park + Vegas/Grand Canyon loop.

Day 9: Return drive to the depot area. Final night at a campground near your dropoff city.

Day 10: Return the RV (allow 2-3 hours for the return inspection, fueling, and cleaning). Fly home from LAX.

For travel to Los Angeles, book your RV at least 6 months in advance for shoulder-season trips, and 12 months in advance for summer peak or any nationally significant event (international soccer tournament 2026, Olympics 2028, eclipse paths, festival weekends).

National park campgrounds inside Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Glacier, and the Mighty 5 Utah parks are reservable via Recreation.gov 5 to 6 months ahead — the moment the booking window opens, the most popular sites fill within minutes. Set a calendar reminder.

If you are EU-based and booking from Zurich, the time-zone difference can work in your favor — campground booking windows open at midnight US Mountain or Pacific time, which is morning in Switzerland. You can be at your desk and ready while US-based travelers are still asleep.