Available detours for travelers avoiding the Gotthard tunnel - Navigational options circumventing the Gotthard tunnel are available.
Wanna skip the boredom and frustration of being stuck in traffic heading south from Baden-Württemberg during the holiday season? The infamous Gotthard Tunnel is often the culprit. With a whopping six million vehicles passing through it every year, it's a bloody mess, according to the ADAC, causing blockages that can leave you waiting for hours, mate. But there's hope, mate! Here's a lowdown on some lesser-known routes that'll let you dodge that traffic snake and get on your way.
San Bernardino Tunnel (A13)
This one's a crowd favorite for German drivers, especially those coming from Basel or Zurich. When the traffic before the Gotthard Tunnel is hellish and delay's more than an hour, this route shines like a beacon. The San Bernardino Tunnel is approximately 6.5 km long, sneaking you between Hinterrhein and San Bernardino, and merging seamlessly with the A7 and A96 to take you to Ticino or Milan. It's a breath of fresh air, mate!
Gotthard Pass
For the adrenaline junkies, the Gotthard Pass is here for you, especially during the summer. It's a historic route, perfect for bikers and cars without trailers, but not suitable for vehicles with caravans as it's damn steep and twisty. During the main holiday season, though, there can be delays on this road too. Keep in mind that it's usually blocked by winter conditions from November to May.
Other Pass Roads
Still stuck? Give the Simplon Pass a spin, especially when the other detours are chock-a-block. If you fancy something more scenic, the Grimsel Pass, the Nufenen Pass, or the route via the Great St. Bernard could be up your alley.
- Switzerland
- Holiday Season
- Gotthard Tunnel
- Traffic
- Baden-Württemberg
- Delays
- San Bernardino Tunnel (A13)
- Gotthard Pass
- Simplon Pass
- Grimsel Pass
- Nufenen Pass
- Great St. Bernard
Tips 'n' Tricks
- Use Mountain Passes: Beat the jam by ditching the tunnel for scenic mountain routes like the Susten Pass (2,224 meters, the last Alpine pass in canton Uri) that'll open during the holiday season.
- For travelers from the Swiss Mittelland: Take the Lötschberg or Simplon routes south towards Italy. These bad boys are transalpine lifesavers that'll ease the load on the Gotthard corridor.
- Timing's Everything: Start your journey early on Friday morning before 11 am, or delay it on Sundays. For the return, shoot for early Monday morning or travel at night from Whit Monday to Tuesday. These times'll help you avoid the holiday traffic rush.
