Driving from Switzerland to other countries

Posted by IMA (San Francisco) on 05/12/17 06:15 PM

I have a car (my car) - it's a swiss registered / licensed car
I plan on driving in Italy, I want to see as much of the country as possible
I hear there are many tolls
Is there an auto toll device?
Or is there a highway sticker I need?

I'm new to living in Switzerland, so I don't know the responsibilities I need when traveling to other countries.
* I know Austria I need a highway sticker
* I heard I don't need one for Germany
* I don't need anything for Lichtenstein
* I don't know if France has any "electronic toll pass" or "highway sticker"

Thanks for the help.

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

05/12/17 07:02 PM

16893 posts

For the Autostrade in Italy and Autoroutes in France, you usually pay tolls as you go at toll booths. It's a good idea to have cash available, if you don't have a European credit card, or maybe even if you do.

Posted by Chris F

Basel, Switzerland

05/12/17 09:03 PM

8889 posts

If you have a Swiss registered car, I assume it already has a 2017 Autobahn Vignette on it (costs CHF 40).
The Austrian Autobahn Vignette is (unlike the Swiss one) available for shorter periods.
No Autobahns in Liechtenstein!
No Autobahn tolls in Germany,
As Laura says, most (but not all) Autoroutes/Autostrade in France and Italy have tolls. Make sure you have lots of Euro coins with you unless you are sure your plastic will be accepted.
Make sure you take your licence, registration documents and insurance with you, just in case you get asked for them. Standard car insurance cover all countries surrounding Switzerland.

You say "Location: San Francisco", but you claim to own a Swiss registered car. What licence have you got, Swiss or US? If it is a US licence, you will need an IDP (International Driving Permit) to certify your licence as valid and translate it. For a US licence you would normally have to get that in the USA.

You go through customs (but not passport checks) on entry and exit from Switzerland, but they aren't interested in private travellers, just slow down and get waved through. On minor roads the customs post will be unmanned, just roving patrols.
Obey all laws, especially speed limits.

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

05/13/17 07:22 AM

32767 posts

Liber-T toll devices affixed behind the mirror - known as bippers - are easily available in France. There is a monthly charge for use and a start-up fee, but they make using the French autoroutes painless - if no less expensive. I have one.

There is also one available for Italy but I've never pursued it so can't share info.

If you are driving into cities in Germany (don't try to drive in Munich) you will need a pollution sticker - Umweltplakette. The French are now getting sensitive about pollution too.

Research - on here and elsewhere - about the dreaded Italian ZTLs.