St Gothard Tunnel

robert Image
04/14/2011 - 18:47

So far I have been fairly lucky with the traffic at St Gothard Tunnel but I have seen the traffic backing up in the opposite direction and have been very glad not to be in it. Is there any advice as to how to avoid the jams there?

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Midweek there shouldn't be a problem. If you do get a queue the pass is an option though I haven't ever had to use it. I'm told it's about 30 mins extra but the views are slightly better smiley.

" ........ pass is an option though I haven't ever had to use it. I'm told it's about 30 mins extra but the views are slightly better" Slightly!!! - a bit of an understatement Yes - it can add about 20 - 30 minutes, but if its queueing on the motorway its quicker than staying put.  Its a useful 'break point' for the trip - coffee shop and excellent views at the top.  I often use the pass, even if the Tunnel is free flowing

" .....You also save the E38.60 cost of the tunnel pass.  ...." There isn't a tunnel pass - the swiss motorway pass [vignette] costs about E40 and is required on vehicles using the motorways  [I think its a E100 on the spot fine if you don't have one]   I forgot to say in my earlier post - if using the pass, and worried about jams on the approaches to the tunnels, you can get off at Faido going North [or earlier at Biasco] and Altdorf travelling South and follow the local road that parallels the motorway to the pass

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I've tried without success to find the tunnel website. Can anyone help? Alan H-would you advise getting off at Faido if you can see traffic ahead? So often you're in the traffic & it's too late to turn off.

"would you advise getting off at Faido if you can see traffic ahead? So often you're in the traffic & it's too late to turn off?" It a bit like Sod's Law - if you get off, the motorway will run free, and if you stay on, it blocks up. I think I'd leave it until the junction after Faido [Quinto, I think] unless its very heavy traffic on the motorway [even if its still moving]

...is usually pretty accurate.  Leaving teh road is academic at the moment if the pass is still closed.   I would plan to go through out of peak times or just bring a thermos of pg tips and relax