Switzerland: possible routes
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Those traveling to Tuscany from southern and western Germany usually take the route through Switzerland: via the Gotthard Pass (A2) or the San Bernardino Pass (A13) into Ticino, then via Chiasso, Como, and Milan towards Bologna/Florence, or via Parma and the Cisa Pass to the Tuscan coast. Here you will find both routes, information about the vignette (toll sticker), and tips for avoiding Gotthard traffic jams.
Switzerland transit to Tuscany: Short answer
- Road 1: Basel or Schaffhausen – Lucerne or Zurich – Gotthard Tunnel – Bellinzona – Chiasso
- Road 2: Lindau/Bregenz – Rhine Valley – Chur – San Bernardino Tunnel – Bellinzona – Chiasso
- Thumbnail: CHF 40 for the calendar year (valid from December 1st of the previous year to January 31st of the following year), as a sticker or e-vignette; a separate vignette is required for caravans/trailers.
- Over 3,5 t: No vignette, but heavy vehicle tax (PSVA), e.g. CHF 3,25 per day, minimum CHF 25
- Traffic jam: Avoid the Gotthard Tunnel at Easter, Pentecost and on summer Saturdays, or travel before 6 a.m. or after 20 p.m.
The two main routes through Switzerland
Route 1: via the Gotthard Pass (A2)
The fastest connection for travelers from Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, and North Rhine-Westphalia: From Freiburg, take the A5 to Basel, then the Swiss A2 via Lucerne to the Gotthard Road Tunnel (16,9 km, Göschenen–Airolo) and continue via Bellinzona and Lugano to Chiasso. From the Stuttgart area, take the A81 and cross the border at Schaffhausen, then continue via Winterthur and Zurich towards Lucerne and the Gotthard Tunnel.
Heavy traffic is to be expected around Zurich and Basel during rush hour; holiday traffic is added to this.
Route 2: via Bregenz, Chur and the San Bernardino Pass (A13)
For travelers from Bavaria and East Württemberg, the route via Lindau and Bregenz is often the better choice: via the A96 to Lindau, on the Austrian A14 through the Pfänder Tunnel (vignette-free between the border at Hörbranz and the Hohenems junction since December 2019) and via the Rhine Valley to the Swiss A13. This leads via Chur and through the San Bernardino Tunnel to Bellinzona, where it meets the Gotthard route.
The A13 is more scenic and usually less congested than the Gotthard Pass on peak days – it is therefore the most important alternative route. Those who want a relaxed drive will find it ideal.
From Chiasso onwards to Tuscany
- After Florence, Siena and into Chianti: A9 via Como to Milan, then A1 via Bologna to Florence.
- To the coast (Versilia, Pisa, Livorno): A1 to Parma, then A15 over the Cisa Pass to La Spezia and on the A12 towards Viareggio, Pisa and Livorno.
- In Italy there is no vignette, but rather a distance-dependent toll at toll booths – details on our page about Toll 2026.
Vignette and tolls in Switzerland 2026
Motorway vignette and e-vignette
A vignette is mandatory for all vehicles up to 3,5 tons on Swiss motorways and expressways. It costs CHF 40 and is valid for one calendar year – the 2026 vignette is valid from December 1, 2025, to January 31, 2027. It is available as a sticker (e.g., at border crossings and petrol stations) or as an e-vignette, which is purchased online via the official federal portal and linked to the vehicle's license plate. Caravans and trailers require their own vignette. Anyone caught without a vignette will be fined CHF 200 plus the cost of the vignette.
Motorhome over 3,5 tons: PSVA instead of vignette
Motorhomes and vehicle combinations over 3,5 tons pay a flat-rate heavy vehicle tax (PSVA) instead of a vignette. This tax applies to the entire Swiss road network, not just motorways. The daily rate is CHF 3,25 per calendar day (minimum CHF 25); alternatively, monthly and annual flat rates are available. Payment is made in advance via the federal government's online portal. Important: All calendar days count, including days spent at campsites.
| vehicle. | Swiss tax 2026 | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Cars, motorhomes up to 3,5 t | Vignette (sticker or e-vignette) | 40 CHF/year |
| Caravan/trailer (total weight up to 3,5 t) | additional vignette | 40 CHF/year |
| Motorhome over 3,5 t | PSVA (daily allowance) | CHF 3,25 per day, minimum CHF 25 |
Avoid traffic jams at the Gotthard Pass
The Gotthard road tunnel has only one tube with two-way traffic. During peak traffic hours, the flow of vehicles is regulated before the portals to prevent congestion inside the tunnel. As a result, on busy days, cars often wait 10 to 20 kilometers before Göschenen (southbound) or Airolo (northbound), with waiting times of two to three hours being not uncommon.
- Typical traffic jam days: Easter (Friday southbound, Monday northbound), Pentecost, Saturdays during the summer holidays
- Time: Start before 6 a.m. or after 20 p.m.
- Evade: San Bernardino (A13) all year round; in summer alternatively via the Gotthard Pass
- Outlook: A second tunnel tube is under construction and is scheduled to go into operation in 2030; after that, the old tunnel will be renovated.
Further travel information can be found under Travel Advice Switzerland and Travel Advice Italy . The alternative route via Austria and the Brenner Pass is described under Arrival via Austria , and the routes within Italy under Routes through Italy.
Frequently asked questions about traveling through Switzerland to Tuscany
Which route is better: Gotthard or San Bernardino?
The Gotthard (A2) is usually faster, especially from Basel. However, on public holidays and summer Saturdays, traffic jams often last for hours – then the San Bernardino (A13) via Chur is the better choice.
How much will the vignette for Switzerland cost in 2026?
CHF 40. The 2026 vignette is valid from December 1, 2025 to January 31, 2027, as a sticker or e-vignette. A second vignette is required for caravans and trailers.
Do I need a vignette in Italy?
No. In Italy, you pay distance-based motorway tolls at the toll booths.
What are the taxes for a motorhome over 3,5 tons in Switzerland?
Instead of the vignette, the flat-rate heavy vehicle tax (PSVA) applies: CHF 3,25 per calendar day, minimum CHF 25, payable in advance via the Via portal.
When is the traffic jam at the Gotthard Pass at its worst?
At Easter, Pentecost, and on Saturdays during the summer holidays. Those who travel before 6 a.m. or after 20 p.m. usually avoid the peak times.
Do I need a vignette for the A14 motorway in Vorarlberg?
Between the border at Hörbranz and the Hohenems interchange, the A14 motorway has been toll-free since December 2019. Anyone continuing on Austrian motorways needs a toll sticker.
