How the Gotthard Verlad works — load your car onto an SBB train and cross in just 15 minutes. 2026 prices, timetables, booking tips and when it's really worth it.
The Gotthard Verlad is the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) service that lets you load your car onto a train and cross the Alps in just 15 minutes — with no road tunnel queue.
The train runs between Göschenen (north portal, Canton Uri) and Airolo (south portal, Canton Ticino) in 15 minutes. You can stay in your car or sit in a passenger carriage.
1. Arrive at Göschenen or Airolo station 20–30 minutes early
2. Buy your ticket online, at a ticket machine or at the counter
3. Join the queue in the designated waiting area
4. Load your car onto the train following staff instructions
5. Cross the tunnel in 15 minutes (you can stay in your car or get out)
6. Drive off and continue your journey
| Vehicle | Single | Return |
| Car (up to 5 m) | CHF 35 | CHF 60 |
| Motorcycle | CHF 20 | CHF 35 |
| Car + trailer | CHF 55 | CHF 95 |
| Motorhome (6–8 m) | CHF 45 | CHF 80 |
| Bicycle | CHF 5 | CHF 9 |
💡 Savings: GA or Halbtax SBB pass holders get up to 50% off.
Online (recommended in summer):
On site:
| Situation | Worth it? |
| Queue > 60 min at road tunnel | ✅ Absolutely yes |
| Queue 30–60 min | ✅ Yes, for comfort and time saving |
| Queue < 30 min | ❌ Road tunnel is faster |
| Bad weather or snow | ✅ Yes, safer and guaranteed |
| Night driving with a tired driver | ✅ Yes, safety break |
| Small children on board | ✅ Yes, they can move around |
| Criterion | Verlad | San Bernardino |
| Extra cost | CHF 35–55 | €8–12 fuel |
| Extra time | 30–60 min wait + 15 min crossing | +30 min drive |
| Open in winter | ✅ Always | ✅ Yes (tunnel) |
| Driving stress | 🟢 None | 🟡 Moderate |
| Scenery | 🌑 None | ⭐⭐⭐ Beautiful |
| With children | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Practical rule: if you're at Göschenen and the road tunnel queue is over 90 minutes, the Verlad is almost always the smartest choice.
Check [live queue data on Gotthard Live](https://www.gotthard-live.ch) before you decide. If the queue exceeds 5 km (about 60 minutes), start planning the Verlad or San Bernardino immediately. 🚂🏔️
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