Lötschberg Tunnel Toll

The Lötschberg is located in the south of the Swiss canton of Bern and borders the canton of Valais. The Lötschberg Tunnel is 14,600 meters (14.6 km) long and was opened in 1913. It is a single-tube, double-track tunnel with a gradient of 7 ‰ on the north side and 3.8 ‰ on the south side, while the gradient in the middle section is 0%. The journey through the tunnel takes about 15 minutes, and the tunnel can be used by around 80 vehicles simultaneously.

Origins

During the planning phase, various options were developed to pass beneath the roughly 3,500-meter-high Alps. These typically envisaged a long summit tunnel in the Gasterntal as well as additional tunnel sections. The tunnel initially planned was single-track with a 500-meter-long passing loop for train crossings. The first survey took place on July 14, 1906. After the death of the surveyor in charge, the survey was repeated on October 1 of the same year. Construction began on October 15, 1906. Shortly afterward, construction work started in Goppenstein, and a day later in Kandersteg on the north side. In August 1907, the expansion to a double-track tunnel was approved. The Lötschberg line was opened for public traffic on July 15, 1913.

Surroundings of the Lötschberg Tunnel

In the vicinity of the Lötschberg Tunnel there are numerous other mountains, including the First, Chlyne Lohner, Lohner, Innerer Fisistock, Doldenhorn, and Altels. This mountain landscape is characterized by extensive wooded areas such as the Gasterntal.

Lötschberg Tunnel: Car Shuttle Trains (Autozüge)

The Lötschberg Tunnel is not a classic road tunnel, but is used as part of a car shuttle service. These are car shuttle trains that quickly transport travelers along with their vehicles through the Alps, offering a comfortable alternative to mountain pass roads. The connection runs within Switzerland between Kandersteg and Goppenstein. The trains run every 30 minutes during the day, with a journey time of about 15 minutes.

Using the car shuttle service through the Lötschberg Tunnel incurs additional fees, regardless of the vignette requirement or the heavy vehicle charge. For more information on the procedure, ticket purchase, and important notes, please see our article on Car Shuttle Trains (Autozüge).

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 nature. 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 will of course be happy to assist you. Feel free to contact us anytime by email.