Kerenzerberg Tunnel (toll required)

What is the Kerenzerberg Tunnel?

The Kerenzerberg Tunnel, also known as the Kerenzer Tunnel, is a nearly 6 km long road tunnel that opened in 1986 and runs through the Kerenzerberg along Lake Walen. With a length of 5,760 meters, it is the fifth-longest road tunnel in Switzerland. The tunnel is generally used in one direction only – from Zurich towards Sargans/Chur. It is part of the A3 motorway from Zurich to Sargans and relieves the Walensee road, which runs along the lake in both directions. In the opposite direction, the A3 runs directly along Lake Walen through six smaller tunnels. The Kerenzerberg Tunnel runs parallel to the Kerenzerberg railway tunnel, which is nearly 4 km long and was already opened in 1960.

Lake Walen

Lake Walen is a mountain lake in the cantons of St. Gallen and Glarus in Switzerland and a popular travel destination. With a length of 15.5 km and a width of 2 km, it is the twelfth-largest lake in Switzerland and is often referred to as the Riviera of Eastern Switzerland. Due to its clear water and a maximum depth of 150 meters, Lake Walen is particularly popular with divers, but it also offers numerous hiking trails as well as an impressive combination of lake and mountain scenery. Travelers can reach Lake Walen quickly via the A3 from Zurich.

Renovation of the Kerenzerberg Tunnel

The Kerenzerberg Tunnel is currently being renovated. This is the first comprehensive modernization since its opening in 1986. The renovation work is scheduled for the period from 2020 to 2026. As part of the project, an additional safety gallery is being built, running parallel to the main tunnel. The breakthrough of this safety gallery took place in September 2022. Once it is completed, extensive further work will follow, so the overall renovation is expected to be completed in 2026. During construction, the Kerenzerberg Tunnel remains open during the day, but is closed at night (generally on weekdays between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.). Complete closures may also occur temporarily during the day. Information on current closures can be found on the official website.

Is the Kerenzerberg Tunnel subject to tolls?

The Kerenzerberg Tunnel is subject to the vignette requirement (vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW) or the requirement to pay the heavy vehicle charge (vehicles over 3.5 t GVW). Thus, the tunnel is subject to tolls, meaning that a valid vignette or the corresponding heavy vehicle charge is required for its use.

Unlike tunnels subject to special tolls such as the Great St. Bernard Tunnel or the Munt-La-Schera Tunnel, however, no additional fees apply beyond the vignette or the heavy vehicle charge paid. The Kerenzerberg Tunnel is not among the special toll routes.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

We wish you a pleasant trip to Switzerland and lots of enjoyment on your exploration tour through the country's impressive landscapes. Please make sure to 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 are of course happy to help at any time. You can reach us anytime by email.