Swiss road advisory: Anticipated congestion zones to steer clear of on Swiss highways during extended holiday period
Starting this May 29th, the Ascension Day holiday in Switzerland will prompt schools to close on Friday and precipitate a long weekend for many. This has led to plausible expectations of heavy traffic on certain sections of the roads, according to the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA).
The congestion is especially anticipated on the A2 (Gotthard) and A13 (San Bernardino) motorways' north-south axes, not just for departures on May 28th but also for the return journey on June 1st. The same traffic pattern is likely to be observed during the Pentecost weekend, from June 6th to 9th.
Avoid the following motorways if possible: A1, Geneva (including the Bardonnex border crossing); A1, Kirchberg - Schönbühl; A1, Härkingen - Wangen A; A2/A3, Basel (including border crossings with France and Germany); A2, Belchen Tunnel - Härkingen; A2/A14, Lucerne region (from Stans-Nord / return journeys); A2, Altdorf - Biasca (Gotthard Road Tunnel); A2, Lugano - Mendrisio; A4, Adlikon - Winterthur-Nord; A8, Interlaken - Spiez, Sarnen - Lopper Interchange; A9, Lausanne; A9, La Veyre/Vevey - Bex-Nord; A12, Châtel-St-Denis - La Veyre/Vevey; A13, Sarganserland - Thusis-Sud; A13, Andeer - Mesocco; A15, Hegnau - Brüttisellen; A16, Courgenay - Glovelier; border crossings on the A9 (Vallorbe, VD), the A2 (Chiasso-Brogeda, TI) and the A24 (Gaggiolo, TI).
Main roads to bypass include Spiez - Kandersteg (outbound journeys), Gampel - Goppenstein (return journeys), Brunnen - Flüelen (Axenstrasse), Göschenen - Andermatt, Raron - Brig, Bellinzona - Locarno, H338, Sihlbrugg - Hanegg (Hirzel section).
The most congested road during departures and returns on public holidays and weekends is usually the Gotthard Pass Road. ASTRA announced that the road has been reopened to traffic since May 16th for journeys to and from the south. To lessen the flow of traffic, the special Airolo passes lane, called 'CUPRA', will be available on predefined days, as soon as traffic jams develop along a given section. The CUPRA lane allows for rapid access to the Gotthard Pass without leaving the motorway. More information on these lanes can be found here.
Motoring organisation TCS has published a timetable showing which days should be avoided to cross the Gotthard, both during the Ascension and Pentecost weekend. Red squares indicate very heavy traffic, yellow stands for 'busy' traffic, and green for 'normal' traffic.
Other points to consider include the following: Due to the repair work being carried out by the SBB in the Simplon Tunnel, including on public holidays, BLS trains between Brig and Iselle will now run every two hours instead of every 1.5 hours. Wait times are possible between 8 am and 4 pm at the Furka transfer stations in Realp, Lötschberg in Kandersteg, and Vereina in Klosters-Selfranga. Based on past experience, return wait times will likely be expected between 11 am and 6 pm at Furka (Oberwald), Lötschberg (Goppenstein), and Vereina (Lavin-Sagliains).
If you are planning to fly out of Zurich and want to take the train to the airport, know that one track at the Zurich Flughafen station will be closed from May 12th and until July 6th, affecting several long-distance trains - including an international one - that will no longer be able to stop there. The following lines are affected during this time:
- IC5 from St. Gallen/Rorschach via Zurich central station (HB) towards Lausanne - this train will be diverted between Winterthur and Zurich HB.
- EC from Munich towards Zurich HB - this train will also be diverted between Winterthur and Zurich HB.
- IR36 from Basel towards Zurich - the train already terminates in Zurich Oerlikon. The Zurich Airport stop will also be canceled in the direction of Basel.
Despite these disruptions, Zurich Airport remains easily accessible to travelers. The online timetable has been adjusted accordingly, and numerous alternative connections are available either online or via the SBB app. Zurich Airport is also accessible by public transport, with several tram and bus lines linking the city center with the airport. You can see all the possibilities here and here.
With the upcoming holidays, the traffic on the A2 (Gotthard) and A13 (San Bernardino) motorways' north-south axes is expected to be particularly heavy, especially during the departure on May 28th and return on June 1st, as well as during the Pentecost weekend from June 6th to 9th. To avoid heavy traffic and congestion, motorists can consider alternative routes such as Spiez - Kandersteg (outbound journeys), Gampel - Goppenstein (return journeys), Brunnen - Flüelen (Axenstrasse), and Göschenen - Andermatt. Additionally, the Gotthard Pass Road is often the most congested road during departures and returns on public holidays and weekends, and the CUPRA lane may be available on predefined days to lessen traffic flow. Planning your journey accordingly can help ensure a smoother travel experience.
