Tunnels and Passes in Switzerland
Buy the Vignette Flat Rate nowIf you are traveling to Switzerland and would like 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 motor vehicles and trailers up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight each (gross vehicle weight as stated in the vehicle registration documents) require a vignette for Swiss motorways and expressways; trailers generally need their own vignette.
For vehicles up to 3.5 t, there is no distance-based motorway toll in Switzerland, but rather the annual vignette. On the other hand, vehicles with a weight of over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight must pay a heavy vehicle charge, which means the vignette requirement no longer applies. You can find more 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. For their use, only a vignette or a paid heavy vehicle charge is required:
Tunnels 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). The Swiss Alpine mountain pass roads, on the other hand, are toll-free; only the car shuttle trains incur additional costs (see below). You can find the toll regulations for Italy itself in our guide Toll in Italy.
Tunnels with car shuttle trains
The prices for car shuttle trains vary depending on vehicle category, tunnel, and day of the week. It is therefore important to find out tunnel-specifically which category your vehicle is assigned to. The following tunnels offer car shuttle trains:
Furka Tunnel car shuttle: 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: This connection is also located 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: 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: This connection runs from Switzerland to Italy and enables the route from Kandersteg to Iselle. It is available from April to October, with 1–9 departures per week. The journey takes about an hour.
Simplon Tunnel car shuttle: 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 nature. Please make sure to find out about the applicable toll regulations in good time. 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 help. Feel free to contact us at any time by email.
About the author
Michelle Albrecht