Swiss Motorway Vignette - Cost rising to SF100 [from SF40] in 2015

09/01/2013 - 15:58

Looks like the days of the easy/cheap trip to italy through Switzerland are numbered. Apparently, the Swiss government has decided to raise the cost of the vignette to 100 Swiss Francs for 2015. They are introducing a two month vignette for 40SF, but for those of us that drive down 2 or 3 times a year, it won't be worth it.Looks like a review of routes for 2015 is needed. 

Comment

It doesn't surprise me as I've always thought it a bargain considering the number of times per year I pass through Switzerland.You have to bear in mind that the Mont Blanc tunnel costs the same as the present vignette for only one return trip and the Austrian route would probably work out much more expensive for multiple trips.They probably need the extra money to pay for all those armed guards at the border - checking your vignette. cheeky

In reply to by chris18

I think we can taken as official.Here is an article - http://driveeuropenews.com/2013/03/10/new-swiss-tourist-vignette-still-bad-value-for-visiting-drivers-maybe/I didn't begrudge the SF40 cost at present, as we drive down 2 or 3 times a year, but SF100 is a bit too steep. Therefore, I've worked out my 'how to cross Switzerland without using motorways' route, [via Simplon Pass] - looks like it will add about an hour [max] to the journey, but will be a bit scenic]  

Vignette Avoiding Routes1.  Dunkirk - Lille - Namur - Luxembourg [cheap petrol] - Metz - Nancy- Remiremont - Lure - Villersexel - Baume-les-Dames - Pontarlier - swiss border - Vallorbe - then road 9 [Not A9] to Lausanne - stay on 9 around Lac le Man and  also stay on 9 parallel to A9 up to Brig and on through Simplon Pass to Italy and on to the Italian Autostrada that passes Stresa and on to Milan.  No toll charges until Italy 2.  Calais - Rheims - Chalons [all toll motorway] - then off motorway to Vitry-le-Francois - St-Dizier - Chaumont - D619 to Rolampont - N19 to Langres - D974 to Longeau-Percy - D67 to Besancon [at present town centre being dug up fot Trams] - N57 to Pontalier - then follow above route.  Toll charge of approx £20 Route 1 is my favourite, but when we take the dog [via Channel Tunnel], Route 2 will probably 'win', although its not much of a detour to go Calais - Dunkirk, and on via Luxembourg. Time wise - as we don't belt down to/from Italy, it shouldn't be excessively longer.  We've done the Lausanne to Brig [Road 9] route once already, as it is more scenic than the A9 around the lake. Comments?

Well - did the 'motorway avoiding route'to try it out.  It consist of getting on 'Road 9' once you enter Switzerland from France near Pontarlier.It was an easyish drive, and the only minor difficulties were in negotiating Lausanne [just follow signs for Montreux etc]  Timewise it adds between 1 and 2 hours to the jouney.  Distance wise there is not much in it.We returned via the motorway - I prefer the quicker route, but if they did hike up the cost of the Vignette, I'd go non-motorway again

I always enjoyy reading the details of your journeys, and the different routes.  We're planning to drive down to Italy in the summer and instead of sticking to the empty french motorways from Calais to Strasbourg, we're gonna go via Belgium/Lux, and save approx €50 on tolls.  I suppose if we do it both ways thats a clear €100 - not to be sniffed at really.  Would cover the cost of a meal.  From what I can see the mileage is about the same, and therefore the same diesel cost, its only the extra time going via Belgium/Lux time that becomes the issue.  I have to admit though, coming out of the Chunnel and steaming along a deserted french motorway on a sunny afternoon is quite appealing even with the tolls! 

Well ............................."From what I can see the mileage is about the same, and therefore the same diesel cost, its only the extra time going via Belgium/Lux time that becomes the issue. "Drive time is very similar - distance are about the same and the route through Belgium/Luxembourg is all mortorway, so speeds are similar to french motorwaysYou may even save on fuelprices - see http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuel/ to sort out which country is best to fill up in.