Skipping the Gotthard Tunnel: Alternative Journeys for Holiday Travels
Available detours for the Gotthard Tunnel are accessible - Available detours exist for the Gotthard tunnel traffic.
Hey there! If you're planning a trip from Baden-Württemberg towards Italy or southeastern France during the holiday season, patience might not be your only need - you might also need a bit of strategy to steer clear of the infamous Gotthard Tunnel. With approximately six million vehicles using it annually, this Swiss bottleneck can cause some serious delays.
Imagine sitting in traffic for hours before reaching the 16.9-kilometer-long tube. Ugh, right? But fear not! This congested stretch isn't your only option. Here are some alternatives to the Gotthard Tunnel that you might wanna consider:
The San Bernardino Tunnel (A13)
The San Bernardino route between Chur and Bellinzona has become a preferred detour for many travelers. German drivers often take the 6.5-kilometer-long tube between Hinterrhein and San Bernardino, which connects them to the A7 and A96, heading towards Ticino or Milan. This route can be quite attractive if you're stuck in traffic waiting over an hour before the Gotthard Tunnel.
The Historic Gotthard Pass
When the summer rolls around, and you’re a motorcycle rider or a car enthusiast without a trailer, the historic Gotthard Pass could be your ride (or drive, rather). However, it might not be the best choice for those with a caravan due to its steep and winding nature. During peak holiday season, delays can occur on this pass road. FYI, it usually remains closed due to winter conditions from November to May.
Other Pass Roads
Oh, and if the San Bernardino route gets overloaded, there are other routes to consider, such as the Simplon Pass, the Grimsel Pass, the Nufenen Pass, or the route via the Grand St. Bernard.
- Holiday Season
- Gotthard Tunnel
- Traffic
- Baden-Württemberg
- ADAC
- Italy
- Southeastern France
- Germany
- Switzerland
- San Bernardino
- Stuttgart
- Car
Wanna know a secret? There are other less popular, but potentially beneficial routes that you might consider. For instance, taking a detour through Austria(Brenner Pass and related corridors) for Italy or western routes via France(Mont Blanc or Fréjus tunnels) for southeastern France can help you avoid the congested Swiss Alpine routes where Gotthard resides. Plus, there's a new railway line in Austria, the Austrian Koralmbahn, that is scheduled to become operational in December 2025. This line could become a powerful alternative transit corridor for southern Austria, indirectly benefiting road travel by easing overall transit volumes on Swiss routes.
- When considering alternate journeys from Baden-Württemberg to Italy or southeastern France, one might find the Austrian Koralmbahn railway line (scheduled to operate by December 2025) a potential option, as it may help reduce overall transit volumes on congested Swiss routes.
- For those seeking a different lifestyle during their holiday travels, exploring less-popular routes such as the Brenner Pass in Austria for Italy or western routes via France's Mont Blanc or Fréjus tunnels for southeastern France can offer a unique travel experience while potentially avoiding congested Swiss Alpine routes, like the Gotthard Tunnel.
