20 Minutes.
According to TCS (Touring Club Suisse), a queue of 10 km was reported on the northern side of the Gotthard road tunnel on Friday 14 July. Some waited 1 hour and 40 minutes. On the southern side of the tunnel queues stretched 3 km, leaving motorists waiting around 45 minutes.
© Brad Calkins | Dreamstime
The long queue on the northern side corresponded with the start of Zurich’s school holidays as well as those in parts of southern Germany in Bavaria and Baden-Wurtemberg.
At peak times like this TCS recommends those starting their journey in Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Vaud or Geneva take the motorway through Valais over the Simplon pass. This route also offers the option of loading your car on to a train connecting Brig (CH) with Iselle (I).
So that’s TCS’s tip. If an alternative route doesn’t add too much distance to your trip then avoid the Gotthard tunnel.
TCS warns that it is illegal to take the emergency lane when queuing for the tunnel, even to reach the next exit. In addition, the automobile club says getting out of the car is forbidden because of the danger of motorcycles and emergency vehicles weaving between cars, adding that brief toilet stops are usually tolerated.
More on this:
20 Minutes article (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
