O/night stop before going through Gotthard Tunnel

magic
magic Forum Participant Posts: 32
edited June 2019 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi we off to Italy in September and wondered if anyone knows any overnight stops near Gotthard Tunnel.

 

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  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,829 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2019 #2

    We have stayed at several TCS sites(Touring Club Suisse) and all were reliable. I don't know the one they have at Lucerne but if I were on your route I would stay there for two or three days. It's about 30 miles from the Gotthard tunnel. 

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2019 #3

    We always stay at the TCS campsite in Horw, just outside Lucerne, when we go Italy. It's right on the lake and conveniently just a mile or two off the motorway.

  • Dave Nicholson
    Dave Nicholson Forum Participant Posts: 408
    edited June 2019 #4

    Camping Gottardo in Faido, just south of the tunnel, is excellent. Its about 3 minutes off the motorway. We often stop off there on our way to Italy. Its not cheap but its no more expensive than other sites in Switzerland and the scenery is spectacular. My wife often has the swimming pool to herself even in August. One of the advantages of this site is that its rarely full since many tourists are anxious to get  through the tunnel and straight into Italy. However, in August the Italian sites around the lakes will be fully occupied and unless you have a reservation it can be difficult to find a pitch. You will not have that problem in September but the site at Faido is worth a visit.

  • magic
    magic Forum Participant Posts: 32
    edited June 2019 #5

    Thank you I will look at these sites, very helpful 😃

  • ILoveSwitzerland
    ILoveSwitzerland Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited July 2019 #6

    There is a nice small site on Lake Sachseln (camping Ewil) about CHF 26 a night and an ACSI site (if you're using an ACSI card) at Lungern, Camping Obsee at Euro 20 plus taxes.  Both in beautiful areas.  If you go to Camping Ewil don't park down by the railway unless you want to be woken up at 0600 by the first train!  Use the pitches at the top.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited July 2019 #7

    We once stayed at Camping Vitznau but it's on the Eastern side of Lake Lucerne and therefore a lot slower road but then again we had plenty of time but we turned up after they shut so we went in the late arrival section and was told to come back and pay in the morning before heading off to the tunnel.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2019 #8

    Just a word of caution on the tunnel which we have used dozens of times. When it is very busy the pollution builds up and they can close it for a while. We once waited a couple of hours; quite a party atmosphere on the motorway! Obviously, it is best to avoid busy times.

    Much as we love Switzerland the prices can be eye watering sometimes. Check site costs before choosing one because we have paid as much as 50/60 Euros a night. Stops for coffee and snacks on the motorway are best avoided due to risk of heart attack when you get the bill! However, there are some ACSI sites which can be good value. We stayed at one in Zermatt which had spectacular views.

    Nowadays we stay near Strasbourg and transit Switzerland in a day to get to the Italian lakes.

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