San Bernardino Tunnel: Night closures in August and September 2026
Anyone driving by car through Switzerland to Italy and wanting to avoid the traffic jams at the Gotthard Tunnel almost automatically ends up on the route via the San Bernardino Tunnel (A13). That is exactly where several nights of full closures are scheduled for late summer 2026. For anyone currently planning their trip through Switzerland, it's worth taking a look at the exact dates before setting off.
Key facts at a glance
Period: 22 to 26 August 2026 and again from 28 August to 2 September 2026 (several nights each time)
Times: at night from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am, tunnel open as normal during the day
Break in between: on the nights of 26–27 and 27–28 August the tunnel remains open, so as not to add extra strain to return traffic
Reason: scheduled maintenance work on the roughly 6.5-kilometre-long tunnel between Hinterrhein and San Bernardino
Diversion: light vehicles via the San Bernardino Pass (vehicle width up to 2.30 metres), wider vehicles and combinations via the Gotthard route (A2)
San Bernardino as an alternative to the Gotthard
The San Bernardino Tunnel is the classic alternative route whenever traffic jams or closures threaten at the Gotthard Tunnel. Via the A13, travellers mainly from the Zurich area, eastern Switzerland and southern Germany can bypass the Gotthard on a wide arc towards Bellinzona and on into Italy. We already reported on the Gotthard itself: according to our article on traffic jams and night closures at the Gotthard Tunnel, both holiday traffic jams and its own nightly closure periods are expected there.
If the nights at San Bernardino happen to fall in exactly the same weeks, the scope for a relaxed crossing of the Alps narrows even further. In practical terms, this means for trip planning:
Anyone driving the route during the day anyway is not affected by the closures.
Night drivers with a normal car or narrow vehicle can switch to the pass crossing, but should factor in alpine road conditions and the lack of lighting.
Motorhomes, vehicles with trailers, or vehicles wider than 2.30 metres do not fit over the pass and must use the Gotthard route instead, where separate construction work and holiday traffic may cause additional waiting times at the same time.
It is best for travellers to check both routes (San Bernardino and Gotthard) in parallel and choose whichever Alpine crossing is currently less congested, depending on the day.
Anyone combining several countries on one trip, for example Germany and Austria in addition to Switzerland, needs to keep more than just Switzerland's domestic toll rules in mind.
Tolls in Switzerland
Anyone travelling through Switzerland should take a quick look at the local toll rules. Unlike in Austria, there is no short-term vignette, and the weight limit is based on the gross vehicle weight (GVW) including occupants.
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 San Bernardino Tunnel and the Gotthard Tunnel are covered by the vignette.
Heavy vehicle charge: If the GVW exceeds 3.5 t, the vignette requirement no longer applies. Instead, the heavy vehicle charge applies, either as a flat-rate charge (PSVA, for example for heavy motorhomes) or as a performance-related charge (LSVA, based on kilometres and weight, mainly for goods transport).
Special toll: On a few routes, an additional special toll applies on top of the vignette or heavy vehicle charge, for example at the Great St Bernard or the Munt la Schera Tunnel. The San Bernardino Tunnel itself is not among these.
You can find more details in our Switzerland toll guide.
Travelling more relaxed through several countries with the flat rate
Especially when travelling through several Alpine countries, the Europamaut flat rate pays off: it covers the digital vignettes for almost all European countries that require one. Two concrete advantages for travellers on the San Bernardino route:
Anyone crossing other countries that require a vignette, such as Austria, on the same trip in addition to Switzerland can save money with the flat rate compared to buying several individual country vignettes.
The vignette is set up automatically after activation, so no time is lost at the border crossing or before departure even in the event of short-notice changes of plan due to closures.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
You can find more information about tolls in Switzerland in our Switzerland toll guide. With our route planner, you can see in advance which vignettes are required for your specific route. If you have any questions, you can reach our team at any time by email.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Does the night closure apply to both directions of travel?
Yes, the tunnel is completely closed on the nights mentioned, i.e. for both directions of travel between Hinterrhein and San Bernardino.
Can I use the San Bernardino Pass as an alternative with a motorhome or trailer?
No, at night the pass is only open to vehicles up to 2.30 metres wide. Wider vehicles and combinations should use the Gotthard route (A2) during the closure nights.
Is the tunnel also closed at weekends?
No, on the nights of 26–27 and 27–28 August the tunnel remains open due to return traffic.
