Tunnels and Passes in Switzerland
If you are traveling to Switzerland and want to explore the country, you will encounter numerous tunnels and mountain pass roads. We offer you a comprehensive overview of the various tunnel types and explain which of them are subject to the vignette requirement, when a heavy vehicle charge applies, where you can use car shuttle trains, and in which cases a special toll must be paid.
Vignette or heavy vehicle charge?
In Switzerland, most tunnels (unlike, for example, in Austria) are not subject to a special toll, but only require a vignette. All vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight (gross vehicle weight including occupants) require a vignette in order to use the Swiss road network.
Unlike other countries, Switzerland does not have a distance-based toll. Instead, vehicles weighing more than 3.5 t gross vehicle weight must pay a heavy vehicle charge, which means the vignette requirement no longer applies. You can find further information on the heavy vehicle charge in our guide.
Tunnels and passes
Below you will find tunnels that are not subject to a special toll requirement. To use them, only a vignette or a paid heavy vehicle charge is required:
Tunnels and Alpine passes subject to a special toll
In Switzerland, there are certain tunnels that are subject to a special toll. A special pass is required to use these routes. This can cover a single journey, a round trip, or an annual ticket.
The prices of these passes vary depending on the vehicle class and, in some cases, on the day of the week and season. The special toll routes include the Great St. Bernard Road Tunnel (Switzerland–Italy) and the Munt-La-Schera Road Tunnel (Switzerland–Italy). In addition, there are numerous Alpine pass roads that are also subject to a special toll.
Tunnels with car shuttle trains
The prices for car shuttle trains vary depending on the vehicle category, tunnel, and day of the week. It is therefore important to find out, for each specific tunnel, which category your vehicle falls into. The following tunnels offer car shuttle trains:
Furka Tunnel car shuttle train: This connection runs within Switzerland and connects Realp and Oberwald. During the week, trains run hourly, and on weekends every 30 minutes. The journey takes 15 minutes.
Vereina Tunnel car shuttle train: This connection is also within Switzerland and connects Klosters-Selfranga with Sagliains. Departures run every 30 minutes during the day. The journey takes 18 minutes.
Lötschberg Tunnel car shuttle train: This connection within Switzerland connects Kandersteg with Goppenstein. Departures run every 30 minutes during the day, and the journey takes 15 minutes.
Lötschberg and Simplon Tunnel car shuttle train: This connection runs from Switzerland to Italy, covering the route from Kandersteg to Iselle. It is available from April to October, with 1–9 departures per week. The journey takes about one hour.
Simplon Tunnel car shuttle train: This connection also runs from Switzerland to Italy and connects Brig with Iselle di Trasquera. Departures run every 90 minutes, and the journey takes 20 minutes.
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 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 corresponding toll products. If you have any questions, we will of course be happy to help. Feel free to contact us at any time by email.
