I am planning a road trip from northern Italy (Lake Como) to Interlaken between mid and end of May (probably around May 20) next year. Which route do you think I should take? Option #1 - take A2 (Gotthard pass along the way) all the way to Lake Lucerne and then take A8 to Interlaken, Option #2 - A2 (Gotthard pass along the way) and to 19 (Furka and Grimsel passes along the way) and 6 to Interlaken, Option #3 - A1 (Gotthard along the way) and to 11 (Susten pass along the way) and to 6 to Interlaken. Considering the time of the year, the only pass which may be open would be Gotthard pass. I think all other passes will be closed at that time of the year. If I would have to bypass all the passes due to closure, which route do you think I should take, taking the road condition, travel time, and sceneries into account? If the passes are closed, there are always car trains onto which I can board my car? I will be travelling with my wife and two old parents (in their late 70s). Appreciate your input and wish you all the best.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1388 posts
Nufenenpass if it is open and you are ready to drive it (end of May? 2478 m ü.M). Have you driven in these mountain conditions? Drive thru Meiringen (Reichenbachfalls/Sherlock Holmes) after the pass. It's been awhile since I drove this way, but saw some trailer campers get stuck in the curves. The last time was from Varenna to Grindelwald. The Navi route is not always the best. I'm not aware of an auto train on this route. https://www.paesse.info/paesse-infos-alpenpaesse/nufenen-pass/ The A2 to A8 route is probably the easiest.
Posted by
San Diego, California
5604 posts
Are you taking a rental car across borders? That always add complexities. Why not at least use the train into Switzerland? What is your final destination?
Have a great multi- generational trip in these beautiful countries! Safe travels!
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Hello mchpp,
Thanks so much for your recommendations. I have never driven in any type of mountain condition and I would like to avoid all dangerous road conditions. The mountain roads may still not be dry in mid May? Then I will have to stick to highways (I think A2 and A8 are highways?) and not drive on any mountain pass.
Hello Pat,
I am renting a car in Munich and do road trip around Alps - travelling through Australia visiting Saltzburg, Hallstatt, etc and to Dolomites in Italy, and visit Verona (decided to skip Venice since I know it is overly crowded), Milan, and Lake Como and then to Jungfrau region visiting Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, etc and back to Milan to drop off the car. Since I will be picking up and dropping off a car in Munich for a road trip, train trip is not an option for me. This will be a month-long road trip.
Thanks so much for your replies guys!
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1388 posts
Take a look at some videos for Nufenenpass. Yes, A2 and A8 are highways. You will need a Vignette unless your rental comes with one. MAX speed is 120 kph. There are speed cameras. I've gotten a ticket before. Same for Austrian Autobahns (Vignette, 130 kph). You'll pay tolls at toll gates on the Autostrada in Italy. Not sure you need a Telepass. Check your routes as the secondary roads do not require a Vignette.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33818 posts
the A in A2 and A8 mean autobahn = vignette. 40 CHF. Fines for not having are very high. Even when a road has only one lane each way, like the A8 from Luzern to Interlaken, if it has Autobahn coloured signs it is still an autobahn. Green is a vignette required road, blue is not. That is Swiss colours, other countries, France for example reverse the code.
If you are not familiar with high altitude passes with snow banks sometimes 10 metres high and lots of slush and runoff on the roads, with hairpin turns, and mountain driving including the correct gears and braking techniques then May in the passes is not a good time to learn.
The Gotthard tunnel is a good one, just watch carefully your speed - the speed limit is reduced to 80 in almost all tunnels and very strictly enforced, radar throughout and you must be at that 80 or whatever the illuminated sign says before the sign. If you just take your foot off the gas as you approach and let the car coast down to the new limit, American style, you will get a ticket.
There have been some disasters in tunnels in previous years and the Swiss and Austrians take it very very seriously. Understand the spacing requirements, and what all the different signs mean in the tunnels. Understand how to find the nearest refuge and when to go there. Never enter a tunnel if your lane has a red light.
The Gotthard is very long. Prepare yourself and your passengers.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33818 posts
I am renting a car in Munich and do road trip around Alps - travelling through Australia visiting Saltzburg, Hallstatt, etc and to Dolomites in Italy, and visit Verona (decided to skip Venice since I know it is overly crowded), Milan, and Lake Como and then to Jungfrau region visiting Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, etc and back to Milan to drop off the car. Since I will be picking up and dropping off a car in Munich
This bit is really confusing. Renting the car in Munich. Back to Milan to drop off the car. dropping of the car in Munich.
Sorry??? How does that work? I'm really confused.
Forgot to mention above, for that drive through Austria you will need at least a 10 day Vignette (the smallest they offer) for around 10€.
Posted by
Green Bay
21141 posts
You will also need a vignette for Austria, although a 10-day version is a lot less than Switzerland, which is only available in the 1-year version.