I will be driving from Venice to Andermatt on a weekday first week of September. If you have recent experience on the various routes, I appreciate your advice. The Gottard tunnel or the pass? I Read that the tunnel has severe backups which last hours ... Is this true or rumor? Is the pass road a good alternative to the tunnel? Is there an alternative routing that is logical? Is St. Bernadino pass or tunnel better? Finally, is there an auto train that would be practical?
Thank you
Posted by
Firenze
500 posts
The tunnel may have long backups. The pass is a very scenic drive - more scenic in the opposite direction as it looks like you are landing a plane. Check carefully as interchanges between the highway and the ordinary road may be closed so that highway backups do not spill into the ordinary road. There is an electronic board just after Bellinzona stating the length of the queue at Gotthard so that people may choose an alternative itinerary in time.
St. Bernardino pass has usually less traffic but makes little sense to drive there. If you want an alternative to the Gotthard route, drive to Biasca and then the Lukmanier pass, that is very easy, to Disentis. At Disentis turn left on the Oberalpass, that has a few narrow sections and a few hairpin curves on the ascending side; the road descending to Andermatt is superb and, again, you have the sensation of landing a plane instead of driving.
Posted by
OP
96 posts
Dear ASPS2
Thank you for this possibility. Is this route from Biasca, Lukmanier pass on main roads? The map that I have it looks like a small road, should this be a concern?
Will I be able to determine the length of the Gottard back up far enough in advace so that I can decide to go via Lukmanier, over the Gottard or chance hours waiting for the tunnel?
Posted by
Firenze
500 posts
As you approach the Gotthard route there are electronic boards on the highway stating the length of the queue, if any. I remember one of these boards being past Bellinzona, just before the St. Bernardino route diversion. Or you may check online for traffic informations.
Driving the Gotthard pass is beautiful - the ascent is quite long on the Ticino side, less so the descent on the Andermatt side. My main concern would be being allowed on the ordinary road as when queues develop they try to keep the ordinary road free so you should better check in advance - say, at a petrol station - if and where you are allowed to exit the highway.
Biasca to Disentis over the Lukmanier is about one hour driving, the route is a minor one but the road is very well kept, not difficult to drive at all, very little traffic even on bad days. I remember the road between Disentis and Andermatt (another hour driving) as having narrow sections around Sedrun, and a few exposed hairpin curves as most alpine passes have. On the Graubunden side the road is not particularly nice, on the Uri side the road is superb.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32921 posts
Don't forget to buy (CHF40) your Swiss Vignette and affix it in the appropriate place on the windscreen.
Is it the road trip that you are after or getting to Andermatt?
If it is the getting there, and if you are concerned about long jams waiting for the tunnels, have you considered the train. The drive from Venice to Milano, before you turn right, is fairly boring. If you have seen one freeway, you will have seen that one.
The train, especially in advance is cheap, much cheaper than car rental, fuel, tolls, and vignette - especially if you have to consider an international drop fee.
Much faster too.
But if it is the road trip, then you get what you get... don't speed.