Is it possible to cross Switzerland without using a vignette?
We're planning a road trip from Germany (Frankfurt area) to Italy (Milan area) next summer. The main focus is on driving on nice roads so we want to avoid driving on highways. We don't mind if we have to pay for some alp passes but we want to avoid buying a vignette (motorway sticker) for Switzerland. Is that possible?
Best Answer
I did the similar trip this year, starting in Worms, Germany with Zurich stopover and finishing in Milan, Italy. I've decided to pay for the vignette for two reasons:
- to avoid any fines if I accidentally enter toll road and get caught
- to travel faster between interesting areas
When travelling through Germany, I remember views from highways to be really boring... But in Switzerland it was different and even the highways gave me spectacular views of mountains, waterfalls etc. With the spare time we gained by travelling on highways I've decided to visit Islabord with such a spectacular view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq8nFt7ixk8 Roads leading to this place were interesting as well - narrow and remote.
So if you aim for the views, you can still consider traveling by highways and visiting interesting places for the views.
But if you decide to leave the highways, make sure to not enter any red marked roads on this map: http://www.tolls.eu/data/switzerland-map.pdf
Please see this Google Maps link route I've prepared: https://goo.gl/maps/KLP6zduCr352
Follow it and decide if the route passes through regions you might find interesting and compelling to visit :)
Pictures about "Is it possible to cross Switzerland without using a vignette?"
Can you drive in Switzerland without vignette?
You can drive without vignette in Switzerland. Just when caught without on motorways, you will have to pay a CHF 200 fine in addition to buying the vignette for an other CHF 40.What happens if you dont have a vignette?
What's the Fine if I'm Caught Without a Vignette in Austria? A spot fine of \u20ac120 is to be paid if you're unable to show proof of a valid vignette in Austria. And if there's evidence that you tampered with a toll sticker, you'll have to cough up \u20ac240.How do I avoid toll roads in Switzerland?
If you type in your route and then use the options menu to select 'avoid toll roads' google will give you a route avoiding any major highways which require a vignette.Can you drive in Switzerland without a vignette?
More answers regarding is it possible to cross Switzerland without using a vignette?
Answer 2
Yes, the vignette is only required for motorways and equivalents. If you avoid those completely, you don’t need a vignette.
You can find a map of the roads that require it here:
Note that I wouldn’t be too surprised if there were a couple of places where you have no choice but to use a road requiring the vignette, so you’ll want to double-check your itinerary. For instance, the St Gottardo and St Bernardino tunnels require a vignette, but are always open; the St Gottardo and St Bernardino Passes (no vignette required) sometimes are closed.
Google Maps seems to find itineraries going from Freiburg im Breisgau to Milan without highways, but they're a lot longer than the highway (over twice the duration). In some instances it even sends you through Liechtenstein... I wouldn't be surprised if in some situations, switching to a highway for a few km could save you hours (and give you a lot more flexibility, if time is not of the essence).
Of course, you’ll have to enter (and exit) Switzerland by a regular road and not a motorway as well!
Official info here
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ketut Subiyanto, Matheus Guimarães, Samson Katt, Ketut Subiyanto