When the Gotthard Tunnel is congested with queues of 8–10 km and wait times over 90 minutes, alternative routes become the best choice. Here are all the available options.
1. San Bernardino Tunnel 🚗
Key Facts
- Length: 6.6 km
- Portal altitude: ~1,600 m
- Road: A13 (North–South)
- Traffic: Far less congested than the Gotthard
- Status: Always open (except extreme weather)
When to Use It
✅ Recommended when:
- Gotthard queues >5 km
- Peak summer weekends (July–August)
- National holidays (1 August, Easter, Ferragosto)
- TCS forecasts show "red" or "black" traffic
❌ Avoid when:
- Winter with heavy snow (possible temporary closures)
- Heavy vehicles >7.5 t with high loads (height restrictions)
Travel Times
Zürich to Milan:
- Via Gotthard: 3h 30min (no queues)
- Via San Bernardino: 4h 00min (+30 min)
- With Gotthard queues >60 min: San Bernardino becomes faster!
Basel to Como:
- Via Gotthard: 3h 15min
- Via San Bernardino: 3h 50min (+35 min)
Costs
| Swiss vignette (required) | CHF 40/year |
| Italian toll | €0 (free to Como) |
| Extra fuel | €8–12 (+30 km) |
| Total extra | €8–12 |
Pros and Cons
👍 Advantages:
- ✅ Almost never queued (free-flowing 95% of the year)
- ✅ Spectacular scenery (Valle Mesolcina)
- ✅ Less heavy traffic
- ✅ Excellent summer alternative
👎 Disadvantages:
- ❌ +30 km distance
- ❌ +30 minutes without traffic
- ❌ Steeper tunnels (caution in winter)
2. Gotthard Pass 🏔️
Key Facts
- Altitude: 2,106 m
- Length: ~30 km of ascent/descent
- Type: Scenic mountain road
- Open: May – October (closed in winter!)
- Gradient: Up to 10%
When to Use It
✅ Recommended when:
- Summer with good weather (June–September)
- You want to enjoy the scenery
- Travelling by motorbike or sports car
- Tunnel queues >2 hours
- You are not in a hurry
❌ Avoid when:
- ❌ November – April (CLOSED for snow)
- ❌ Bad weather, snow, fog, rain
- ❌ You are in a hurry
- ❌ Trailers or caravans (tight bends)
Travel Times
- Andermatt to Airolo via tunnel: 15 min
- Andermatt to Airolo via pass: 45–60 min
Attractions Along the Route
- 🏛️ Gotthard Museum (2,091 m)
- 🍽️ Old Hospice (panoramic restaurant)
- 🏞️ Alpine lakes (Lago della Piazza)
- 🛣️ Tremola Road (historic cobbled hairpins)
3. Simplon Pass 🌄
Key Facts
- Altitude: 2,005 m
- Length: ~50 km from Brig (VS)
- Connection: Switzerland (Valais) ↔ Italy (Piedmont)
- Open: May – October
When to Use It
✅ Recommended when:
- Destination: North-West Italy (Milan via Novara/Vercelli)
- Scenic journey without a rush
- You want to avoid all Gotthard traffic
❌ Avoid when:
- Winter (CLOSED November–April)
- You are in a hurry (much longer route)
- Destination: Ticino or Como (enormous detour)
Travel Times
- Zürich to Milan via Gotthard: 3h 30min
- Zürich to Milan via Simplon: 4h 45min–5h 15min (+1h 30min–2h)
Costs
| Swiss vignette | CHF 40/year |
| Italian toll | €2–5 |
| Extra fuel | €15–20 (+100 km) |
| Total extra | €20–30 |
4. Car Train (Verlad) 🚂
Key Facts
- Route: Göschenen (north) ↔ Airolo (south)
- Duration: 15 minutes crossing
- Frequency: Every 30–60 minutes (more frequent in summer)
- Capacity: Up to 250 cars per train
- Operator: SBB (Swiss Federal Railways)
When to Use It
✅ Perfect when:
- Tunnel queues >90 minutes
- You want to avoid the stress of queuing
- Travelling with small children
- Bad mountain weather (snow, fog)
- Night travel (rest for the driver)
Costs (2026)
| Car (up to 5m) | CHF 35 |
| Car + trailer | CHF 55 |
| Motorcycle | CHF 20 |
| Campervan (6–8m) | CHF 45 |
| Bicycle | CHF 5 |
How It Works
1. Arrive at Göschenen (north) or Airolo (south) station
2. Buy your ticket (online or ticket machine)
3. Join the queue in the waiting area
4. Board the train with your car (staff will guide you)
5. Cross the tunnel in 15 minutes
6. Drive off the other side and continue your journey
5. Full Comparison: Which Route to Choose?
| Route | Time (no queues) | Extra distance | Extra cost | Open in winter | Queue risk | Scenery | Difficulty |
| Gotthard Tunnel | 15 min | 0 km | €0 | ✅ Yes | 🔴 High | ⭐ | 🟢 Easy |
| San Bernardino | 15 min | +30 km | €8–12 | ✅ Yes | 🟢 Low | ⭐⭐⭐ | 🟢 Easy |
| Gotthard Pass | 45 min | +15 km | €5–8 | ❌ No (May–Oct) | 🟡 Medium | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🔴 Medium–High |
| Simplon | N/A | +120 km | €20–30 | ❌ No (May–Oct) | 🟢 Low | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🟡 Medium |
| Car Train | 15 min | 0 km | CHF 35–55 | ✅ Yes | 🟡 Medium | 🌑 | 🟢 Easy |
📋 Smart Decisions: Scenario Guide
Scenario 1: Peak Summer Weekend
Gotthard queue 10 km (120+ min)
Best solution:
1️⃣ San Bernardino (+30 min, no queues) ⭐ BEST
2️⃣ Car Train (CHF 35, 15 min crossing)
Scenario 2: Easter or Peak Summer Holiday
Queue 8 km (90 min)
Best solution:
1️⃣ San Bernardino ⭐ BEST
2️⃣ Night departure (22:00–05:00, zero queues)
Scenario 3: Sunny Summer Day, Not in a Rush
Queue 2 km (20 min), sunshine
Best solution:
1️⃣ Gotthard Pass (scenic experience) ⭐ BEST
Scenario 4: Winter with Snow
January, heavy snow
Options:
1️⃣ Gotthard Tunnel (always open, safe) ⭐ BEST
2️⃣ San Bernardino (check conditions)
❌ Not available: Gotthard Pass, Simplon (closed in winter)
✅ Conclusion
The best route depends on:
1. ✅ Current queues at the Gotthard (always check before leaving!)
2. ✅ Time of year (summer vs winter)
3. ✅ Your budget (time vs money)
4. ✅ Your destination (northern vs southern Italy)
General rule:
- Queues <30 min → Gotthard Tunnel
- Queues 30–60 min → Consider San Bernardino
- Queues >60 min → San Bernardino or Car Train ⭐
- Summer + good weather → Gotthard Pass ⭐
💡 Final tip: Check [Gotthard Live](https://www.gotthard-live.ch) 1–2 hours before leaving. If you see queues >5 km, switch route immediately!
Safe travels! 🚗⛰️🇨🇭