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 provide you with a comprehensive overview of the different types of tunnels and explain which of them are subject to the vignette requirement, when a heavy vehicle charge applies, where you can use car-loading trains, and in which cases a special toll is required.
Vignette or Heavy Vehicle Charge?
In Switzerland, most tunnels – unlike in Austria, for example – are not subject to a special toll, but only require a vignette. All vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW (GVW: gross vehicle weight including passengers) 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 over 3.5 t GVW must pay a heavy vehicle charge, which exempts them from the vignette requirement. Further information about the heavy vehicle charge can be found in our guide.
Tunnels and Passes
Below you will find tunnels that are not subject to a special toll requirement. For their use, only a vignette or a paid heavy vehicle charge is required:
- The Gotthard Tunnel
- The Gubrist Tunnel
- The Kerenzerberg Tunnel
- The Seelisberg Tunnel
- The Belchen Tunnel
- The Bözberg Tunnel
- The San Bernardino Tunnel
Tunnels and Alpine Passes Subject to Special Tolls
In Switzerland, there are certain tunnels that are subject to a special toll. Using these routes requires a special pass. This can cover a single journey, a return trip, or an annual ticket.
The prices of these passes vary depending on the vehicle category and, in some cases, 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 for which a special toll is also charged.
Tunnels with Car-Loading Services
The prices for car-loading services vary depending on vehicle category, tunnel, and day of the week. It is therefore important to check the tunnel-specific information regarding which category your vehicle falls into. The following tunnels offer car-loading services:
- Furka Tunnel Car Loading: This connection runs within Switzerland and links Realp and Oberwald. On weekdays, trains run hourly; on weekends, every 30 minutes. The journey takes 15 minutes.
- Vereina Tunnel Car Loading: This connection is also within Switzerland and links Klosters-Selfranga with Sagliains. Departures run every 30 minutes during the day. The journey takes 18 minutes.
- Lötschberg Tunnel Car Loading: This connection within Switzerland links Kandersteg with Goppenstein. Departures run every 30 minutes during the day, and the journey takes 15 minutes.
- Lötschberg and Simplon Tunnel Car Loading: This connection runs from Switzerland to Italy and covers the route from Kandersteg to Iselle. It is available from April to October, with 1–9 departures per week. The journey takes approximately one hour.
- Simplon Tunnel Car Loading: This connection also runs from Switzerland to Italy and links 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 trip to Switzerland and hope you enjoy your exploration of the country's impressive natural scenery. Please make sure to inform yourself in good time about the applicable toll regulations. Additionally, our route planner is available to help you plan your trip optimally and view the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we are of course happy to help. Feel free to contact us at any time by email.
