Hi.
We will be travelling by car from Milan to Lucerne (Switzerland) on the 2nd of December. We plan to explore Lurcerne and the surrounding cities and attractions for 6 days. Afterwards, we plan to explore the north of Italy (Lake Como etc...) till the 9th of December.
Do you think we require winter tires for this trip?
A car rental with winter tires will cost us double during this period (from AutoEurope).
Thank you!
I don't know what the legal ramifications are if you get stuck and block traffic, but as long as you use the Gotthard Road Tunnel, you should be OK. Be sure to buy a Swiss vignette and attach to the windshield.
Do you think that we will encounter a lot of snow and ice during this period (2 - 9 December)?
AutoEurope offer free tire chains during this period. Will we be able to use the chains if we get stuck?
I also believe that the Swiss vignette can be purchased when crossing the border from Italy?
Do you think that we will encounter a lot of snow and ice during this period (2 - 9 December)?
Do you feel lucky?
https://www.ch.ch/en/winter-tyres/
In Switzerland, there is no legal obligation to fit your vehicle with
winter tyres. However, drivers must always maintain control of their
vehicle.Furthermore, in the case of an accident, the driver may be found
liable if the car is not properly equipped for the winter. The
insurance company may not cover the full cost of the damage or may
even take action against the insured person for negligence.It is worth changing your tyres before the first snow falls; it is
recommended to fit vehicles with snow tires from October until Easter
time.
Will we be able to use the chains if we get stuck?
Yes, under most circumstances you should be able to install tire
chains after you loose traction. However, you should ideally get to a
safe place off the travel lanes while you install chains. And ideally
you should have a rain suit and a tarp to lie on while you attempt to
hook the chains. Also note that some vehicles have limited clearance
between tires and wheel wells.Also note that one of the safety features of chains is it is hard to
drive faster than 40 kph with chains.
Video Geneva 16/12/2010 (Mid December):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKxy5Vst7Mo
Hmm. Geneva had a snow storm in 2010. My own experience of about 10 landings at Zurich Airport in December and January over the last 20 years is that I only saw snow on the ground once. So to quote Rick, don't pack for the worst scenario, pack for the best. If you get snow, celebrate the unusual occurance.
Roads to and from the ski resorts in the mountains we're always dry and clear, except one occasion in late January in Lauterbrunnen.
For Pete’s sake, who can say what the OP will encounter in northern Italy and Switzerland specifically on (2 - 9 December) this year?
Can they change their reservation to the more expensive car with winter tires if, a few days before they depart, a major winter weather system hits? I’d say it’s a wait and see situation. It’s good though be be looking at legal ramifications for driving a properly outfitted car in two countries and checking weather conditions closer to departure.
Well I, for one, will be in western Austria at the end of January and hoping it dumps.
Here is a video from our DOT on how to install tire chains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8RVbDuyOcY
Also some good tips such as have windshield scrapers. Throwing hot water on frozen windshilds can be a bad idea.
Milan to Luzern is Motorway (autostrada/Autobahn) all the way. This is the main north-south route Italy to Germany, and is open all the year. occasionally it may get blocked for a few hours by snow, or equally by an accident. However snow down that low is unlikely at the beginning of December.
You will not need chains. These are only used for deep snow or ice on back roads. Mostly unsurfaced roads as they chew up the road surface. You are only allowed to use them on such roads. There is a special road sign they put up if you need chains (click for photo) and the opposite when no longer required (click for photo). Unless you go up mountain you will not see this sign.
Winter tyres on the other hand I would strongly recommend. They make a big difference if it is snowy or icy. The Swiss put them on their cars "from O to O" (= Oktober bis Ostern, October to Easter).
Re Swiss autobahn vignette, you can buy that at the border if the car does not already have one, cost CHF 40.
It isn't clear what is your country of origin. If not the EU you will need an IDP in Italy.
My country of origin is Malta (EU).
I would also recommend using winter tires at that time of year. You may be able to get by with all season tires if you're only driving within cities but for highway driving, proper tires would be highly advisable. Winter tires have not only a different tread pattern but also a softer rubber compound which tends to grip the road better at cold temperatures. While you might not encounter much snow, you could encounter black ice or other hazards. These are the rules for tires here - https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving/about-winter-tires . There's a short video attached to this page.
I always use proper studded ice & snow tires in the winter, and just had them installed a few days ago. Those who are involved in an MVI and found to have improper tires can be fined or face other expensive consequences. I'm not familiar with the winter driving regulations in Switzerland, but in this area winter tires are compulsory on high mountain roads such as the Coquihalla (aka Highway Thru Hell).
Switzerland has an excellent transit network, so that would be my choice for getting around, especially at this time of year.
As you'll also be driving in Italy, you may want to do some research on the dreaded ZTL (limited traffic) areas which exist in many towns. Each pass through one of these may result in hefty fines!
Edgar, just loved the video!
From Nov. 15th to April 15th, on the Italian motorway between Chiasso and and the junction direction Varese you are required to have winter tires or snow chains ready in your trunk. Police checks are possible and, at some times, even frequent. Winter tires or snow chains ready are required on a lot of Italian itineraries.
All of the car rentals in Italy provide you with snow chains. It is much difficult than I thought in order to book a car with winter tyres from Italy, as most of them do not provide them.
Is it safe to drive in northern Italy and Switzerland during this period without winter tyres?
"Is it safe to drive in northern Italy and Switzerland during this period without winter tyres?"
In my experience, No, it is not safe to drive in winter conditions with summer tires. That could also be illegal in some places, but I'll leave that question to the European members of the forum.
I've been driving in Canadian winters for ~50 years, and have seen many examples of people who didn't bother getting winter tires, and they often suffered a painful experience as a result, both physically and financially.
Thank you all for your reply's. Do you know of any car hire agency in Milan which is reputable and offers winter tyres?
Like everyone else, I can only guess. I think it's early to worry about a lot of snow. An all weather tire will work until the snow gets deep. Driving technique is at least as important in the snow as winter tires. Leave lots of room around you and don't start, stop or turn suddenly.
It's always a good idea to be prepared to walk (or at least stand outside for awhile). Warm clothes, socks, ski hat, gloves and shoes that can take cold and wet should be handy. Even if you don't get snow, other things can happen to disable a car in the cold. Too many people dress as if they know they'll arrive safely and aren't prepared for a dead battery or flat tire.
Inside ten days, you can start looking at the long term forecast. If snow is in the forecast, discuss it with the rental agent when you pick up your car.
