Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) is warning motorists about the heavy traffic expected on some of the country’s roads during the two holiday holiday weekends in May, and one in June.

The weekends in question are May 14th to 17th (Ascension), as well as May 22nd to 25th (Pentecost).

Additionally, ASTRA said traffic will  also be “heavier than usual” on the long weekend of June 4th to 7th, which marks Corpus Christi – a holiday in  Aargau, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Zug, Fribourg, Solothurn, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Ticino, Valais, and Jura.

According to ASTRA, traffic  jams are “are particularly expected on the north-south routes of the A2 (Gotthard) and the A13 (San Bernardino). The Great St. Bernard Tunnel, the Simplon Pass, and the rail freight lines through the Lötschberg and Simplon Passes serve as alternative routes to avoid the Gotthard Tunnel. The Gotthard Pass will provide an alternative route.”

Expect bottlenecks on the following roads:

Motorways

A1, Geneva (including the Bardonnex border crossing)

A1/A3, Zurich

A1, Härkingen – Wangen a. A.

A1, Kirchberg – Schönbühl

A2/A3, Basel (including border crossings with France and Germany)

A2, Belchen Tunnel – Härkingen

A2/A14, Lucerne region (from Stans-Nord / return journeys)

A2, Erstfeld – Biasca (Gotthard Road Tunnel)

A3, Walenstadt – Reichenburg

A4, Axen Road

A8, Interlaken – Spiez

A8, Sarnen – Lopper Interchange

A1/A9, Lausanne

A9, La Veyre/Vevey – Bex-Nord

A12, Châtel-St-Denis – La Veyre/Vevey

A13, Sarganserland – Rothenbrunnen

A13, Andeer – Mesocco

Border crossings on the A9 (Vallorbe, VD) The A2 (Chiasso-Brogeda, TI) and the A24 (Gaggiolo, TI)

Main roads

Spiez – Kandersteg (outbound journeys)

Gampel – Goppenstein (inbound journeys)

Brunnen – Flüelen (Axen route)

Göschenen – Andermatt

Bellinzona – Locarno

Various main roads in the Bernese Oberland, Graubünden, and the Valais side valleys

Rail transport

At departure, expect longer wait times between 8 am  and 4 pm at the Furka transshipment station in Realp, the Lötschberg transshipment station in Kandersteg, and the Vereina transshipment station in Klosters-Selfranga.

“Based on past experience, return journeys will likely involve waiting times between 11 am and 6 pm at the Furka (Oberwald), Lötschberg (Goppenstein), and Vereina (Lavin-Sagliains) crossings.,” ASTRA warned.

During Ascension and Pentecost weekends, the Simplon car-train service will operate every two hours (instead of every 90 minutes as usual) due to tunnel construction. 

At the Lötschberg Tunnel, additional car-carrying trains will run from Kandersteg and Goppenstein, bringing the total to up to five trains per hour in each direction. Direct trains will also run between Kandersteg and Iselle, but advance booking is required for these services.

Further information can be found on the BLS car transport website.

Between the Kandersteg Junction and the Kandersteg Transshipment Station, the section is only open to traffic on one track due to bridge construction, and traffic is regulated by traffic lights, ASTRA said.

During periods of high traffic, traffic controllers are on duty. In a truly Swiss manner, the traffic light system will be coordinated with the car-carrying train departure times.

“Nevertheless, waiting times before the transshipment station are possible. so allow ample time to arrive at the station.,” ASTRA suggests.

Mind the construction sites

Construction may also slow down the traffic flow considerably on certain sections of the road.

 

They include:

Construction work at the Simplon Pass and Kerenzerberg Tunnel

On the Simplon Pass road (A9), where only one lane was open o the Casermetta section, “traffic will be able to flow without any restrictions due to the construction work.” Further information is available on this website

However, the Kerenzerberg Tunnel (A3) will be subject to the following traffic schedule:

Ascension Day

The tunnel will be fully open during the Ascension Day weekend, from Wednesday, May 13th, at 6 am to Monday, May 18th, at 8 pm.

Pentecost

The tunnel will be open from Friday, May 22nd, at 6 am to Tuesday, May 26th, at 8 pm.

However, on Thursday, June 4th (Corpus Christi) it will be completely closed to traffic and a detour will be in place.

It will remain open from Friday at noon until Sunday evening, 10 pm.

Updated information is available on the project’s website.

 Traffic through the Alps

“Currently, not all Alpine passes are open due to weather conditions. Therefore, travellers are advised to check which roads are currently open before setting off,” ASTRA said.

The TCS Swiss Passes portal provides an overview of the sections that are currently accessible to traffic.