Crossing alps - Switzerland to Italy

MinguezSeed
MinguezSeed Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited July 2018 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi, we are first time caravanners in Europe. We are spending two nights in Switzerland, not far from Zurich. We are then going on to Venice. Can anyone suggest the best route over the alps, that avoids hairpin bends, we don't mind paying for tunnels!

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #2

    You will have vignettes for both car and caravan so there will be nothing else to pay to use the Swiss motorways and St Gotthard tunnel. 

  • Dave Nicholson
    Dave Nicholson Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited July 2018 #3

    As Eurotraveller says, the St Gottard tunnel route is the easiest. Where are you planning to stay near Venice?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #4

    St Gottard tunnel is great but just be aware that as you approach there are a series of traffic lights to get the traffic from a dual carriageway to a single carriageway before entering the tunnel.  It’s no problem but always a help to be aware.

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited July 2018 #5

    As per Oneputt but be aware there can be delays getting to the tunnel if traffic is heavy. 

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited July 2018 #6

    Just a point on vignettes they cost 40Chf (they take euro`s as well) each one for car one for caravan. If you enter Switzerland through Basle you`ll be directed off to a "layby area" following customs/immigration where you purchase the vignettes they are usually far more interested in getting the road toll out of you than anything else. If you enter via  other entry points into Switzerland you may need to buy them at a Fuel Station. You can buy vignettes from Swiss Travel here but I have never seen the point, they last for around a calendar year.The vignette covers motorways and the St Gotthard some other tunnels such as the St Bernard have an additional toll. 

    It is actually cheaper to go via Austria as you only need a single vignette,  the last time I went 8.5e lasts ten days so 17e return in effect 

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2018 #7

    On approaching the customs at Basel there are sometimes long queues  of lorries. They will be on the inside (right hand) lane as there is a separate entry point so you should overtake. There are seldom delays for cars at the border.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 2018 #8

    If you've already got vignettes for car and caravan you can also by-pass the cars, too. There's a separate lane for buses and cars towing trailers/caravans and there's hardly any queue there.

  • MinguezSeed
    MinguezSeed Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited July 2018 #9

    Thanks for all the comments, all very helpful.

     

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