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Driving From Zermatt -> Lake Como -> Lauterbrunnen

Posted by on

hi all!

I am getting ready for my 1st trip to Switzerland!

We are renting a car (I know train travel is beautiful and easy), but due to time restraints and cost (train will be 2x cost of renting a car, plus we will be splitting the car between four people), we are set on car rentals.

I'm a very comfortable driver, but have read the part of the drive between Como and Lauterbrunnen can be a bit hair-raising. I'm trying to avoid that, so plan on using the Gottard Tunnel. If we take the tunnel (I know I'll be missing some good views), are there many other areas that should be avoided for someone who's trying for the easiest and quickest drive?

Thank you for your inputs and thoughts!!!

Posted by
8889 posts

The Gotthard tunnel is the main road route from northern to southern Switzerland. That is the way you will be signposted. But, you have to across from the Berner Oberland to the valley that goes up to the Gotthardtunnel.

You can look up the route on: https://www.viamichelin.com/
The quickest option suggested by viamichelin (228 km, 03h30) involves going over the Sustenpass before reaching the autobahn A2 to head south through the Gotthard tunnel. The Sustenpass is closed in Winter, when are you travelling? It is not yet open for this year, opening due 9. Juni 2017 (+/- 1 week) see here: https://www.alpen-paesse.ch/
The alternatives are via the Lötschberg tunnel (car on train, toll) and Simplonpass, or loop north via the Brünigpass to Luzern and pick up the A2 there.

Edit: Oops, I described the route from Lauterbrunnen to Como, and you will be going the other way. Please read accordingly.

Posted by
3 posts

hi-thanks for your reply! I will be there in two weeks--so end of May. Sounds like we shouldn't rely on things being open yet. I'm planning on using the Michlin driving directions -- will they account for the car train?

Posted by
1702 posts

Both itineraries are much easier by train than by car; the railway tunnel between the Berner Oberland and Brig has no road equivalent (but you can load your car on a train), the railway tunnel between Brig and Domodossola is duplicated by a long and circuitous road.

Posted by
8889 posts

"will they account for the car train?". Yes. When I entered Lauterbrunnen to Como into viamichelin, it gave option 1 as Sustenpass + Gotthard tunnel, and option 2 as Lötschberg tunnel (train) + Simplon pass. I did not appear to allow for the Sustenpass not yet being open.
Details of the car-on-train system are here: https://www.bls.ch/en/fahren/unterwegs-mit/autoverlad

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