Special Toll in Switzerland
What Is a Special Toll?
Special toll routes are often tunnels or mountain pass roads that are associated with higher construction and maintenance costs. The construction of tunnels and alpine roads requires careful consideration of many factors, which can lead to a significant increase in costs. A key role is played by the geographical conditions, as Switzerland is a mountainous country and tunnels and mountain roads often have to be built through challenging terrain.
As a result, construction involves greater technical challenges, requiring specialized machinery and technologies that increase costs. Maintenance is also more expensive, as the condition of mountain roads is strongly influenced by weather conditions. These include snowfall, rockfalls, and other natural events that regularly damage infrastructure and result in additional maintenance expenses.
Who Has to Pay the Special Toll?
Using special toll routes requires payment of an additional fee. Although these routes are exempt from the vignette requirement, they are still subject to tolls. This means that regardless of whether a vignette has been purchased or a heavy vehicle charge has been paid (in Switzerland, a distance-based toll is replaced by the heavy vehicle charge), an additional amount must be paid for certain tunnels and mountain passes.
Accordingly, every vehicle owner must pay the special toll once a special toll route is used. Most special toll routes are accessed via vignette-required access roads or routes subject to the heavy vehicle charge.
Which Routes Are Subject to the Special Toll?
In Switzerland, there are two road tunnels as well as a large number of alpine mountain pass roads subject to special tolls. These include the Great St. Bernard Road Tunnel and the Munt la Schera Tunnel. To use these tunnels, a pass or ticket is required, valid either for a single journey or a round trip. Prices vary depending on the vehicle category.
Great St. Bernard Road Tunnel (Switzerland–Italy)
The following vehicle categories apply to the Great St. Bernard Road Tunnel:
- Category A1: Motorcycles, motorcycles with sidecars, and motorcycles with trailers
- Category A2: Vehicles with two or more axles, front axle height under 1.30 m, total height up to 2 m
- Category B1: Vehicles with two or more axles and a total height over 2 m and up to 3 m
Munt la Schera Road Tunnel (Switzerland–Italy)
Prices for passes for the Munt la Schera Road Tunnel vary by weekday and season. The tunnel has only one lane and is operated alternately using traffic lights. It is 3.5 km long, has a height of 3.6 m, and a width of 2.55 m. Vehicle categories are as follows:
- Passenger cars and vans up to 9 seats and up to 3.5 t GVW
- Caravans and motorhomes
- Motorcycles
Alpine Mountain Pass Roads
There are numerous mountain pass roads subject to special tolls. An overview of alpine passes and prices can be found at Alpine passes and mountain pass roads.
Where Can a Pass Be Purchased?
Passes for special toll routes can be purchased online in advance or directly on site at toll stations. Please note the respective opening hours.
The DMC Team Wishes You a Pleasant Journey
We wish you a pleasant journey through Switzerland and are happy to assist yo
