Gotthard Tunnel (toll required)

What is the Gotthard Tunnel?

The Gotthard Tunnel is a road tunnel located in the southern center of Switzerland, connecting the Swiss cantons of Uri and Ticino. With a length of 16.9 kilometers, the Gotthard Tunnel (which is part of the Gotthard system) ranks among the fourth-longest road tunnels in the world and is also the longest road tunnel in the Alps.

The tunnel is a central 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 connection, the tunnel is used by around 17,000 vehicles daily.

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

Since then, the Gotthard system has been used not only for car, motorcycle, and truck traffic, but also for freight and passenger rail transport. This has significantly relieved road traffic. Rail traffic capacity is around 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains per day.

Accidents & Safety

Between 1980 and 2004, around 900 accidents occurred in the Gotthard road tunnel. In combination with the high volume of traffic, safety is therefore of particular importance. For this reason, the tunnel has breakdown bays every 750 meters, measuring 3 × 41 meters. In addition, there are protective shelters with overpressure ventilation every 250 meters, offering space for up to 60 people and connected to rescue galleries.

To manage heavy traffic, truck access has been regulated by a separate traffic light system since 2002. Only two to three trucks per minute are allowed to enter the tunnel from a waiting area. Through this system, the daily volume of trucks has been reduced from around 6,000 to around 4,000 vehicles.

Is the Gotthard Tunnel subject to tolls?

The vignette requirement applies to the use of the Gotthard Tunnel for vehicles with a permissible total weight of up to 3.5 t. Vehicles weighing more than 3.5 t, however, are subject to the heavy vehicle charge. Thus, the use of the tunnel is generally subject to tolls, as a valid vignette or the corresponding charge is required.

However, in contrast to tunnels subject to special tolls, such as the Great St. Bernard Tunnel or the Munt-La-Schera Tunnel, no additional fees apply. Once you have a valid vignette or have paid the corresponding heavy vehicle charge, you can use the Gotthard Tunnel at no extra cost.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

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