Gotthard tunnel this weekend: traffic forecast
Predicted queues Saturday and Sunday, best departure windows and alternatives 2026.
Updated hourly · Confidence: medium
Live status now
Live Gotthard status, last update 15:27. North portal: 0 km queue, about 0 minutes waiting time. South portal: 2 km queue, about 20 minutes waiting time. Gotthard tunnel: open. Gotthard Pass: open. Next planned closure: Wed 26 Aug, 23:00 - Thu 27 Aug, 01:00. Best route: take the Gotthard tunnel now.
Overall assessment
ExtremeFriday — Friday 28 August
Southbound peak: 9.4 km · Northbound peak: 0.5 km
Saturday — Saturday 29 August
Southbound peak: 8.3 km · Northbound peak: 0.5 km
Sunday — Sunday 30 August
Southbound peak: 0.5 km · Northbound peak: 11 km
Expected peak queue
Friday · Friday 28 August
Saturday · Saturday 29 August
Sunday · Sunday 30 August
How to read this outlook
These windows are heuristic estimates based on recurring historical patterns, not a statistically validated forecast. Queue kilometres show an expected order of magnitude; always check live conditions before leaving.
Historical context: Friday concentrates southbound departures, Saturday the holiday peak, and Sunday northbound returns. July uses more specific monthly patterns; other months use broader seasonal patterns.
Extreme queues — avoid peak hours
Alternative: A13 San Bernardino (≈ 50 min extra)
Southbound
Southbound on Saturday, the 08:00–11:00 window is critical. Better to leave before 06:00 or after the evening peak.
Northbound
Northbound on Sunday, 15:00–18:00 is the main pressure window. Plan the return trip before noon or late in the evening.
Gotthard or San Bernardino?
This weekend, San Bernardino (A13) is the better planning route once the Gotthard queue goes above 4 km or you hit the main peak windows.
Rule of thumb: below 3 km of queue, Gotthard is usually still faster. From 4-5 km upward, or when the tunnel is closed, check A13 seriously. San Bernardino details
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Weekend planning FAQ
When is the best time to depart southbound on Saturday?
On Saturday, departing before 7:30 AM or after 6:00 PM avoids peak queues. During high season (July–August, Easter), queues start building from 8:00 AM.
Is Sunday evening always busy northbound?
Yes, Sunday afternoon and evening is peak time for return traffic heading north (Germany/German-speaking Switzerland). The highest traffic is typically between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Is the San Bernardino always available as an alternative?
The San Bernardino tunnel (A13) is open year-round and offers a reliable alternative. It adds about 50 minutes but often saves hours of queue time.
Source: TCS / ASTRA historical patterns