Hi, we will be staying Thanksgiving week (November 19-25) in the Lake Maggiore area, Luino specifically. We would like to do a drive through Switzerland, maybe north via Rt 2, to Lucerne and through Interlaken, Sion and back to Luino. Spend a night along the way. I am sure the weather is not ideal and a slow time of year. I note few hotels show rooms. Any thoughts on this itinerary or places we can't miss? We will be driving.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
I don't know what you mean by "Rt 2".
From mid November onwards, all the passes over the Alps are closed by snow. until next May. That leaves only two road routes through the Alps, the Gotthard Road Tunnel (A2) and the San Bernardino Tunnel (A13). If you are heading for Luzern, the San Bernardino Tunnel would be a huge detour, the Gotthard Road Tunnel is your only option.
Luzern is a reasonable base. Anywhere higher (Berner Oberland) would be in the between season, summer is over, and the skiing season does not start until mid-December at the earliest, so many places would be closed.
Luzern to Interlaken is OK, that pass (the Brünig pass) is relatively low and usually stays open. It would be a good drive in November.
But from there to Sion there is no direct road, summer or winter. That route involves putting your car on a train through the Lötschberg rail tunnel. Details here: https://www.bls.ch/en/fahren/unterwegs-mit/autoverlad
From the Rhone valley (Sion) back to Italy involves the Simplon pass, which is again likely to close any day now. If it is closed, you put your car on a train through the rail tunnel.
Live information about Swiss pass roads is here: https://www.alpen-paesse.ch/
Posted by
Green Bay
21142 posts
Unless something has changed in the last 10 years, the Simplon Pass road is open year round unless a storm causes a temporary closure. I remember riding a bus both directions in January in 2004.
Be sure to get a Swiss vignette for the car. Taking the train may be a bit more relaxing than by auto.