In france now. Sixt rental took advantage of our late (planned) arrival and really tried to screw us with the car. Ended up having to run to another sixt terminal location to plead our case. With 5 minutes to spare we got an audi a4 that is front wheel drive but no snow tires. We rented snow chains. Do you think FWD and snow chains is good enough to drive in these areas? I've driven in snow storms so I'm not too unfamiliar with it. I am just unfamiliar with Switzerland winter storm driving. I'll have to check the forecast as well. Thanks.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
IF roads are bad enough that you need chains on a front wheel drive, DON'T DRIVE . Stay put. Putting chains on or taking off is a pain in the a$$. I would not do it. Second, chains can cause damage to the vehicles and should not be driven very fast. Save your money and return the chains. What part of the US do you live in?
Posted by
Green Bay
21142 posts
Going from Monaco to Interlaken you will have to go over the Simplon Pass, which would be very hairy in bad weather. As an alternative, take the Simplon Tunnel Car Train.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/car-bike/car-trains/autoverlad-simplon.html
Then you would need to take the Loetschberg Car Train.
https://www.bls.ch/en/fahren/unterwegs-mit/autoverlad
You will also need to pick up a Swiss Vignette as soon as you enter Switzerland, as it seems you rented the car in France, n'est pas?
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
This is a duplicate post: Already replied here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/drive-from-monaco-through-italy-to-interlaken
You are unlikely to encounter snow on the road surface, and definitely not enough to need snow chains. Snow chains are only good at low speed, and destroy the road. Front Wheel Drive is better than RWD for roadholding in any conditions.
Coming from Italy, you will come through the Gotthard road tunnel (main road route from Italy to Germany), Autobahn all the way. Then you leave the Autobahn go over the Brünigpass to Interlaken. Current weather says minus temperatures overnight, but +4-5°C on the pass, Interlaken +6-7°C.
Posted by
OP
50 posts
Thank you for the feedback. Sorry for posting twice. Wasn't sure where to post.
Sounds like we'll be alright as long as no surprise snow storms. We will follow the weather.
On a side note, the smog here is terrible. Interested to see what paris will be like today.
Posted by
OP
50 posts
Almost had to pull out the chains in the ski area parking lot but thankfully didn't have to crack them open. The parking lot attendant questioned the tire choice but given our needs and insight from you all we stuck with the fwd audi with chains as an emergency backup. Had no problems except the minor parking lot hiccups. Thank you.