Where is the Gotthard Road Tunnel located?

The Gotthard Tunnel is a road tunnel located in the southern central region of Switzerland. It connects the two Swiss cantons of Uri and Ticino. With a length of 16.9 kilometers, the Gotthard Tunnel (which is part of the Gotthard tunnel system) is considered the fourth longest road tunnel in the world and the longest road tunnel in the Alps.

The tunnel is an essential part of the A2 motorway, which runs from Basel in the north of Switzerland via Lucerne to Chiasso in the south. Due to this important north–south transport route, approximately 17,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel every day.

What is the Gotthard Base Tunnel?

In addition to the road tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel for railway traffic also runs through the Gotthard massif. Construction of this railway tunnel began in 1993 and was completed in 2016. The tunnel was officially opened for operation on June 1, 2016.

Since then, the Gotthard tunnel system has been used not only for car, motorcycle, and truck traffic but also for freight and passenger rail transport. This has significantly reduced road traffic in the region. The rail system has a capacity of approximately 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains per day.

Accidents & Safety

Between 1980 and 2004, approximately 900 accidents occurred in the Gotthard Road Tunnel. Combined with the high traffic volume, safety has therefore become a particularly important priority.

For this reason, emergency bays are available every 750 meters within the tunnel, each measuring 3 × 41 meters. Additionally, emergency shelters with overpressure ventilation systems are located every 250 meters. These shelters can accommodate up to 60 people and are connected to emergency escape tunnels.

To regulate heavy goods vehicle traffic, truck access has been controlled by a separate traffic light system since 2002. Only two to three trucks per minute are allowed to enter the tunnel from a designated waiting area. This system reduced daily truck traffic from approximately 6,000 to around 4,000 vehicles.

Is the Gotthard Tunnel subject to tolls?

Use of the Gotthard Tunnel requires a Swiss vignette for vehicles up to 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight. Vehicles exceeding 3.5 tons are subject to the Swiss heavy vehicle fee. Therefore, the tunnel is generally considered subject to toll regulations, as a valid vignette or payment of the applicable fee is required.

Unlike special toll tunnels such as the Great St. Bernard Tunnel or the Munt La Schera Tunnel, no additional charges apply. If you already possess a valid vignette or have paid the corresponding heavy vehicle fee, you may use the Gotthard Tunnel without paying extra fees.

The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Trip

We wish you a pleasant journey to the Czech Republic and lots of enjoyment on your exploration tour through the country’s impressive landscapes. Please inform yourself in good time about the applicable toll regulations. In addition, our route planner is available to help you plan your trip optimally and display the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we will of course be happy to assist you. You can contact us at any time by email.