Does anyone know if the construction on the autoroute between Basel and Solothurn/Biel/Bienne has been completed? Google Maps shows a continuous route, but my map shows construction to the east of Liestal, to the northwest of Olten and in 2 locations between Solothurn and Biel/Bienne. Thanks in advance!
Kathy
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Kathy, I am not sure what map "my map is" or which "Autoroute" you mean (they are called "Autobahn" in German-speaking Switzerland), but the fastest route from Basel to Solothurn is south via the A2, then west via the A1 and A5. According to viamichelin.com that is 69 Km and takes ~1 hour. These Autobahn's have been open for decades.
Basel to Lausanne is 198 Km ~2½ hours, again Autobahn/Autoroute all the way: A2, A1, A12 via Bern and Fribourg, not via Solothurn.
An alternative longer but more scenic route is from Basel to go via Laufen, Délemont, Moutier to Biel. There is only a small amount of Autoroute / Autobahn on this route, but it is a lot more scenic.
I would recommend using the official Swiss tourist board map here: https://map.schweizmobil.ch/?lang=en&bgLayer=pk&resolution=100&X=607600&Y=241100
Or, use viamichelin.com
Google, in my opinion, does not work well for European roads ("Designed by foreigners for foreign conditions"). It also does not show hills and other road features, very important in Switzerland.
I hope this trip is part of a much larger tour which requires a car, because the absolute best and easiest way to get from Basel to Solothurn, Biel or Lausanne is to just get a train.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks so much for your reply, Chris. "My" map is the Michelin 729, but it is several years old. It shows road construction at the locations I mentioned. Your suggested route via Laufen, Delemont and Moutier sounds lovely, but I am not fond of narrow winding mountain roads, so we were hoping to be able to drive through the mountains on the autobahn. I will check the Swiss tourist board map and viamichelin.com that you suggested. Thanks again for taking the time to respond!
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Kathy, are you perhaps confusing the "dashed" section meaning the road is in a tunnel, with the symbol for under construction, easy to do. For example on the A2 south from Basel to Olten, there are two tunnels, including one long one, the Belchen Tunnel, 3.2 Km long, details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belchen_Tunnel And there are tunnels at Solothurn.
As I say, the quickest route is Basel (A2) Olten (A1) Bern (A12) Fribourg Vevey (A9) Lausanne. NOT via Solothurn.
The Basel, Laufen, Délemont, Moutier to Biel route is not mountain driving (by Swiss standards the Jura are mere hills). It follows valleys and gorges, which is why it is pretty.