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Swiss highway tolls - how do they work?

Posted by (USA) on

In a few days, we're going to be driving through Switzerland for a bit from the north of France to the south of France, through Italy.

How do the tolls work in Switzerland? Can we pay as we go or do we need to buy a pass? And if the latter, how does that work? If we do pay as we go (our preference), then which lane should we look for?

We've already messed up on the tolls in Portugal (went through the automated lane by mistake and didn't have a ticket, got fined) and Spain (got in the credit card lane by mistake and they wouldn't take our card), so we're trying to get informed as much as possible ahead of time!

Posted by
7025 posts

The Swiss procedure is a one-time vignette. Here is the website with instructions and where to purchase.

Posted by
8889 posts

In Switzerland (and in some other countries like Austria), instead of paying tolls per Km, you pay by time. You buy a "Vignette", which covers you for a certain amount of time with unlimited Km within this time. There are no tollbooths.

  • Tolls only apply for Autobahn/autoroute/autostrada, but it is difficult to get far in Switzerland without driving on an A-road.
  • The Vignette costs CHF 40 per calendar year. There is no shorter period option available.
  • The Vignette comes in the form of a sticker, which you must stick to your windscreen. If it is not on your windscreen, it is not valid.
  • You can buy Vignettes at customs posts on the border. If you cross the border on an A-road, there is usually two lanes, one for people who already have a vignette and one where you buy one. Click here to see photo.
  • If you cross the border on a non A-road, you may find the border unmanned, in which case you need to buy one before you drive on an A-road. Fuel stations and post offices may have them.
  • If you are very, very lucky, your car will already have been driven in Switzerland in 2018, and already have a Vignette.

France and Italy have conventional "per Km" tolls on A-roads, Germany is toll-free.

P.S. The Vignette sellers at the customs border take Swiss Franks or Euro, not sure they accept plastic.

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