Gubrist Tunnel (toll required)
What is the Gubrist Tunnel?
The Gubrist Tunnel is a tunnel in Switzerland with a length of 3,309.80 meters. It is part of the A1 motorway as well as the Zurich Northern Bypass, which belongs to the A1 and A4. The tunnel is one of the busiest roads in Switzerland, with over 100,000 vehicles daily. At peak times, more than 7,000 vehicles pass through the tunnel per hour. It was opened in 1985 with two tubes. Due to the high volume of traffic, construction of a third tube began in 2017 and was completed in March 2023. This tube has a diameter of nearly 16 meters, making it one of the largest tunnel tubes in Switzerland. Since its opening, the additional capacity has been used for the renovation of the older tubes. These are being refurbished alternately, so that from 2027 all three tubes are planned to be usable simultaneously.
Zurich
The Gubrist Tunnel is part of the Zurich Northern Bypass and runs north of the city alongside the A4 as well as part of the A1. With over 400,000 inhabitants, Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and lies at the northern end of Lake Zurich. The city is considered the economic center of Switzerland, particularly due to its significant financial and banking sector. You can find more information about sights and nature around Zurich in our guide. Zurich is excellently connected via the A1, A3, and A4 motorways as well as other expressways.
The A1 motorway
The A1 motorway, which includes the Gubrist Tunnel, is the longest motorway in Switzerland (410 km) and runs in an east-west direction from the French border at Bardonnex to the Austrian border at Höchst. The first section was opened in May 1962. The route was continuously expanded until 2001 and has been fully passable ever since. Further expansion measures were carried out afterward to improve traffic flow, including the addition of a third tube to the Gubrist Tunnel, which was completed in 2023.
Is the Gubrist Tunnel subject to tolls?
The vignette requirement applies to the Gubrist Tunnel for vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, or the obligation to pay the heavy vehicle charge for vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight. The tunnel is therefore subject to tolls, and a corresponding fee must be paid for its use.
Unlike special toll tunnels such as the Great St. Bernard Tunnel or the Munt La Schera Tunnel, however, no additional fees are charged beyond the vignette or the paid heavy vehicle charge. The Gubrist Tunnel is not one of the special toll routes.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey
We wish you a pleasant journey to Switzerland and much enjoyment on your exploration tour through the country's impressive nature. 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 are of course happy to help. Feel free to contact us anytime by email.
FAQ about the Gubrist Tunnel
Answers to the most common questions on this topic.
Is a toll required to drive through the Kerenzerberg Tunnel?
The Gubrist Tunnel is part of the A1 motorway, which runs from the French-Swiss border to the Austrian-Swiss border. A vignette is required to use motorways and national roads in Switzerland. This can be purchased as a sticker vignette at petrol stations or as a digital version conveniently online via us. Vehicles with a weight of over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight are exempt from the vignette requirement and must instead pay a heavy vehicle charge. Further information on this can be found in our guide on the heavy vehicle charge.
How long is the Gubrist Tunnel?
The Gubrist Tunnel is 3309.80 meters long.
When was the Gubrist Tunnel built?
The first two tubes were opened on June 21, 1985. Construction of the third tube began in November 2017. It was opened to traffic on April 20, 2023, while the third lane was put into operation at the beginning of July 2023.
Is the Gubrist Tunnel closed at certain times?
The Gubrist Tunnel is generally accessible around the clock. However, the two older tubes will be gradually renovated until 2027 and temporarily closed for this purpose. During this time, the three lanes of the new tube as well as the lanes of an open old tube will be available. In addition, further closures of individual lanes for maintenance and cleaning work may occur, especially at night. You can get current information from the Federal Roads Office.
