Gotthard Tunnel: Traffic Jams in Early August and Night Closures in Autumn 2026
Anyone driving through Switzerland to Italy can hardly avoid the Gotthard Tunnel. It is precisely there that massive traffic jams once again threaten in early August. In both directions of travel, waiting times of more than three hours are possible. At the same time, several night closures are planned in September and October due to maintenance work. For holidaymakers from southwestern Germany, this means a double planning duty: time buffers for the peak summer season and alternative routes for the autumn nights.
The Gotthard road tunnel is located on the A2 between Göschenen and Airolo. The tunnel is 16.9 kilometres long and is one of the most important north-south connections for motorists heading towards Ticino, northern Italy, or further south.
Early August: the Gotthard becomes a bottleneck
Things are expected to be particularly tight between 1 and 8 August 2026. Heading south, vehicles may queue for up to eleven kilometres in front of the tunnel. Waiting times will then be at least two hours and 45 minutes.
On the return journey, it can take even longer. Heading north, 8 August is considered the most difficult day: queues of up to 13 kilometres and waiting times of more than three hours are possible. After the first weekend of August, the pressure eases. Heading south, the situation eases from 9 August, and heading north from 18 August. You can find further information on the general traffic situation on the first weekend of August in our news article on the traffic forecast for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
For September and October, normal or moderately busy traffic is expected during the day, without longer waiting times, apart from the planned night closures. Towards the end of the year, things may get busy again. For 20, 22 and 26 December, very heavy traffic and queues of up to eight kilometres are expected heading south.
Additional night closures from 10 to 28 August 2026
In addition to the expected traffic jams in early August, there are further restrictions: the Gotthard road tunnel will be closed for maintenance work on a total of twelve nights from 11 pm to 5 am between 10 and 28 August 2026. The reason is preventive work on the tunnel's intermediate ceiling. This is intended to prevent tension from building up there, which could later lead to unplanned restrictions or closures. No work will take place on the nights from Friday to Saturday, Saturday to Sunday, or Sunday to Monday, so that the tunnel remains fully available during the busiest weekend travel periods. Anyone travelling on the affected nights can use the Gotthard Pass road as an alternative route.
Night closures in September and October 2026
From September, the Gotthard Tunnel will remain closed at night in several phases. The work will take place outside the main travel season and will not affect weekends. In the first phase, the tunnel will be closed for up to seven hours at a time, later for up to nine hours at a stretch.
The following dates are planned:
7 to 11 September 2026: four nights from Monday evening to Friday morning, each from 10 pm to 5 am
14 to 18 September 2026: four nights, each from 8 pm to 5 am
21 to 25 September 2026: four nights, each from 8 pm to 5 am
28 September to 2 October 2026: four nights, each from 8 pm to 5 am
5 to 7 October 2026: two nights, each from 8 pm to 5 am
That's a total of 18 night closures in early autumn. In addition, regardless of the maintenance work, the tunnel is regularly closed every Wednesday between 11 pm and 1 am for a time window for special transports.
Important: Anyone wanting to cross the Gotthard at night in September or early October should check the dates before departure and, if necessary, take an alternative route or travel during the daytime.
What alternatives are there?
In the event of heavy traffic or night closures, the A13 via the San Bernardino route through Chur and Bellinzona is particularly recommended. The Gotthard Pass can also be an alternative, although not for vehicles with a camping trailer. Other alternative routes go via Simplon, Grimsel and Nufenen. However, these usually take considerably more time and can themselves become overloaded in the event of heavy diversion traffic.
In practical terms, this means: plan alternatives in advance, not only once you're stuck in traffic in front of the portal. It's worth checking current waiting times and webcam information shortly before departure.
Toll in Switzerland
Anyone driving to Italy via the Gotthard should take a quick look at the Swiss toll rules. Unlike in Austria, there is no short-term vignette, and the weight limit is based on the permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) including passengers. You can find an overview in our guide on tolls in Switzerland.
Annual vignette
For cars, motorcycles and vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW, the Swiss annual vignette (digital or as a sticker) applies on motorways and many national roads. The Gotthard Tunnel and most other motorway tunnels (such as San Bernardino) are included in the vignette. Our guide on vehicle classes explains in detail which vehicles require a vignette.
Heavy vehicle charge
If the GVW is over 3.5 t, the vignette requirement no longer applies. Instead, the heavy vehicle charge applies: either as a flat-rate PSVA (for example for heavy motorhomes) or as a performance-related LSVA (based on kilometres and weight, mainly for goods traffic). Details can be found in our guide on the heavy vehicle charge.
Special toll
On a few routes, an additional special toll is charged on top of the vignette or heavy vehicle charge, for example at the Great St Bernard or the Munt la Schera Tunnel, as well as on some alpine pass roads. The Gotthard itself is not among them. You can find more information on this in our guides on special tolls and tunnels and passes in Switzerland.
Car trains
As an alternative to the pass and tunnel, Switzerland offers car transport by rail (car trains), for example via Furka, Lötschberg, Simplon or Vereina. You need a separate ticket from the respective operator for this; the annual vignette does not cover it. You can find further information on car trains in our guide on car transport by rail.
Toll in Italy
Anyone continuing on to Italy afterwards switches to a different system: Italy has no vignette, but instead a distance-based motorway toll. More on this in our guide Toll in Italy. You can use our route planner to plan your trip.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
With enough time buffer, up-to-date traffic reports and a clear alternative to the Gotthard route, you can travel to Italy and back more relaxed, even in high summer and autumn. If you have any questions about the digital vignette and tolls in Switzerland, you can reach us at any time by email.
FAQ: Gotthard traffic jams and night closures 2026
How long is the expected waiting time at the Gotthard in early August?
More than three hours are possible in both directions. Heading south (1 to 8 August), at least 2 hours 45 minutes; heading north on 8 August, even more.
Are there also night closures at the Gotthard Tunnel in August 2026?
Yes, in addition to the expected traffic jams in early August, the tunnel will be closed for maintenance work on the intermediate ceiling on twelve nights from 11 pm to 5 am each between 10 and 28 August 2026. The Gotthard Pass road is available as an alternative route.
When are the night closures in autumn?
From 7 September to 7 October 2026, in five phases, each on weeknights. Weekends are excluded.
Are there maintenance closures in July and August?
No. The autumn night closures are deliberately scheduled outside the main travel season. In peak summer, the main issue is the risk of traffic jams.
Which diversion makes the most sense?
Often the San Bernardino route (A13). The Gotthard Pass is only an option for vehicles without a camping trailer and usually takes more time.
Do I need an extra toll for the Gotthard?
No. The Gotthard Tunnel is included in the Swiss annual vignette. No special toll is charged there.
