A campervan wellness escape: an autumn road trip to Hungary’s thermal spas

When people think of a campervan holiday, they usually imagine summer, the seaside, open doors and long evenings spent outdoors. But autumn can actually be one of the most enjoyable times of year to travel by campervan.

The roads are quieter, popular destinations are less crowded and daytime temperatures are much more comfortable for walking and sightseeing. And when the afternoon turns cooler, you do not have to return to a cold tent. A warm campervan, a hot dinner and perhaps a thermal pool the next morning are waiting for you instead. In our opinion, western Hungary is one of the best destinations for an autumn road trip. It is still easy to reach from the Czech Republic, many thermal spa complexes have campsites directly beside them, and the driving distances between individual stops are short enough to keep the journey relaxed. We have therefore prepared a specific five-day itinerary combining the thermal spas of Bükfürdő, Sárvár and Hévíz, autumn walks, good food and the freedom to travel at your own pace.

Why travel to thermal spas by campervan?

A traditional wellness break usually means one hotel, one destination and fixed arrival and departure dates. With a campervan, you can organise the journey differently. You can spend one day at a thermal spa, walk through a historic town the next day, stop beside a lake or change direction depending on the weather. Another major advantage is having your own comfortable space with you. After swimming, you do not need to change beside the car or search for a restaurant. You can return to the warm campervan, make a cup of tea, let the children rest and prepare dinner together in the evening. Many Hungarian thermal spa resorts also have campsites directly beside the pools. This means you do not need to drive anywhere after a long day of swimming and relaxing. At some campsites, admission to the thermal baths is even included in the price of your stay.

Five-day itinerary: Bükfürdő, Sárvár and Hévíz

We recommend allowing five days for this route. It can also be completed during a long weekend, but in that case we would choose only two of the main stops. All driving times are approximate. They depend on your starting point, current traffic conditions and the speed at which you feel comfortable driving a campervan.

Day 1: Travel to Bükfürdő

Your first stop can be Bükfürdő in western Hungary. From Prague, allow approximately six hours of driving without longer breaks. From Brno, the journey takes around three hours. Bükfürdő lies close to the Austrian border, approximately 20 kilometres from the historic town of Kőszeg. Its location in the western part of the country makes it a convenient first stop when travelling from the Czech Republic.

Where to stay

The easiest option is Thermal Camping Bükfürdő, which is open throughout the year and directly connected to the thermal spa complex. According to the operator, campsite guests have unlimited access to Bükfürdő Thermal & Spa included in their stay and may enter the spa repeatedly throughout the day. The campsite offers electricity connections, sanitary facilities, waste-water disposal, a small kitchen, washing machines and tumble dryers. This is especially convenient in autumn. You can spend the morning in the thermal pools, return to the campervan for lunch or a rest and then visit the spa again in the afternoon.

What to do on the first evening

After arrival, we would not plan a demanding programme. Park the campervan, connect to electricity and take a short walk around the spa area. In the evening, you can prepare a simple dinner in the campervan, open a bottle of Hungarian wine and enjoy one of the best feelings that comes with campervan travel. There is no need to hurry anywhere, and the next morning you will wake up only a few steps from the thermal pools.

Day 2: A full day in Bükfürdő

Bükfürdő is one of the largest thermal spa resorts in Hungary. The complex includes therapeutic, relaxation and family entertainment areas and is open throughout the year. According to Hungary’s official tourism information, the resort offers dozens of thermal and leisure pools with more than 5,000 square metres of water surface. You can easily spend the whole day at the spa. If you have had enough swimming, take a trip to Kőszeg, approximately 20 kilometres away. Kőszeg is ideal for a shorter autumn walk through its historic centre. Walking routes into the Kőszeg Mountains also begin close to the town, making it a popular excursion from Bükfürdő.

However, we recommend not trying to visit too many places during an autumn wellness trip. You can happily spend the entire day at the thermal baths. The purpose of this journey is not to see as many attractions as possible. It is to slow down and genuinely relax.

Day 3: Bükfürdő to Sárvár

The drive between Bükfürdő and Sárvár takes approximately thirty minutes. Because the distance is so short, you can visit the thermal baths once more in the morning and arrive in Sárvár around lunchtime.

Where to stay

Sárvár also has a year-round Thermal Camping site directly beside the spa complex. According to the operator, campsite guests receive free and unlimited entry to the Sárvár Spa and Wellness Centre throughout their stay. The campsite offers pitches with utility connections and modern sanitary facilities. Another advantage is its location close to the lakes, park and town centre.

An afternoon in Sárvár

Sárvár offers more than just thermal baths. You can plan an easy walking route for the afternoon:

  • Nádasdy Castle

  • the historic centre of Sárvár

  • the arboretum

  • the lake area near the thermal baths

  • return to the thermal campsite

The Sárvár Arboretum covers approximately nine hectares and is a protected natural area. In autumn, walking among the colourful trees may become one of the most beautiful parts of the entire trip. You can also visit Nádasdy Castle, the castle park, the lakes or the town centre with its musical clock and illuminated fountain. We recommend finishing the evening at the thermal spa again. The opportunity to return to a warm pool after an autumn walk makes this journey feel like much more than an ordinary wellness weekend.

Day 4: Sárvár to Hévíz

From Sárvár, continue towards Lake Balaton and the thermal lake at Hévíz. The drive takes approximately one hour. Hévíz offers a very different experience from a traditional thermal spa. Instead of swimming only in a constructed pool, you can bathe in a natural thermal lake surrounded by greenery. According to the local tourism organisation, the water temperature in autumn is usually around 30°C. The combination of cooler outdoor air and warm thermal water creates a special atmosphere and is one of the main reasons to visit outside the summer season.

Where to stay

One option is Castrum Camping Hévíz, located approximately 200 metres from the thermal lake. The campsite offers electricity connections, drinking-water points, grey- and black-water disposal and facilities for emptying chemical toilets. According to current information, it is open from the beginning of March until the end of November. We therefore recommend checking the exact opening dates before planning a late-autumn stay. Before visiting Lake Hévíz, check the current entry conditions. In 2026, outdoor bathing is available, while part of the main building remains closed. Opening hours may change during the year.

Day 5: Keszthely, Lake Balaton and the journey home

On the final day, you do not need to drive home immediately. Keszthely lies on the shore of Lake Balaton, approximately fifteen minutes from Hévíz. The main attraction is Festetics Palace. The palace belonged to an important aristocratic family for approximately 200 years and is surrounded by a large park that is especially beautiful in autumn. The palace complex also includes several exhibitions, such as a historic carriage collection, a hunting exhibition and a model railway display. Depending on your available time, you can continue with a short walk along the shore of Lake Balaton. Outside the summer season, the atmosphere is completely different from July and August. There are fewer people, the promenades are quiet and there is enough space simply to stop and enjoy the surroundings. Afterwards, you can begin your journey back to the Czech Republic.

A family-friendly version of the trip

When travelling with younger children, we recommend staying for two nights in one place instead of moving every day. Sárvár may be one of the most suitable options because you can combine the thermal spa, park, lakes, a walk around the castle and plenty of time to relax in the campervan. Before your trip, check which pools allow children and whether any age restrictions apply. Therapeutic thermal pools may not be suitable for small children, but larger spa complexes usually offer separate family and leisure areas.

What to pack in the campervan

We recommend bringing:

  • bathrobes or large towels

  • slippers

  • spare swimwear

  • a waterproof bag for wet clothes

  • a thermos

  • comfortable clothes for the evening

  • a board game or playing cards

  • wellington boots and a waterproof jacket for autumn walks

What to check before you travel

Spa opening hours and ticket prices may change during the year, so always check the official website of each resort before travelling. We also recommend reserving your thermal campsite in advance. Even outside the main summer season, campsites directly connected to thermal spas may be fully booked during weekends and public holidays. When travelling through Austria and Hungary, check the motorway toll requirements according to the category and technical specifications of your particular vehicle. Hungary uses an electronic motorway vignette system, and the rules may vary depending on the vehicle’s weight and classification.

Before departure, also check:

  • the weather forecast

  • campsite opening times

  • late-arrival conditions

  • entry rules for the thermal baths

  • which indoor and outdoor pools are open

  • access to the wellness and sauna areas

  • whether a specific pitch must be reserved

Autumn campervan travel has its own special charm

You do not need to plan a two-week holiday in autumn. Sometimes three or four days are enough to slow down, swim in warm water, walk through a colourful park and return to your own comfortable space in the evening. A campervan gives you the freedom to adjust the programme according to the weather and your mood. If the sun is shining, you can visit Lake Balaton or go for a walk. If it rains, you can stay longer at the thermal spa, prepare something good to eat and enjoy a slow evening in the warmth of the campervan. And now is the perfect time to start planning an autumn journey. Our summer dates are already fully booked, but reservations for September and October are open.

Every autumn booking also includes a picnic basket full of treats waiting for you in the campervan. You can take it to Lake Balaton, enjoy it beside one of Sárvár’s lakes or stop for your first picnic along the way. An autumn holiday does not have to mean the end of the travel season.

It may actually be the very best time to set off.

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