MySwissAlps.com features ads, commercial and non-commercial Switzerland driving routes for 7 days – difficult?
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We are planning the below driving itin by rental car:
Day 1: Zurich
Day 2: Zurich to Arbon to Appenzell to Moritz
Day 3: Moritz to Ascona to Bellagio (Lake Como)
Day 4: Bellagio to Lugano to Zermatt
Day 5: Zermatt to Gstaad
Day 6: Gstaad to Montreaux to Lausanne to Geneva
Day 7: Geneva to Bern to Zurich
Questions:
1. Are any parts of the route through terrain that is difficult for tourists to drive on? If yes, Do you recommend train for any section of the route?
2. Do you see any other problem with the plan?
Thanks
Nita
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Hi Nita,
When are you driving in Switzerland? Is this in the summer or winter?
You’ll have some mountain roads to deal with and for some people that can be unnerving.
- Chur to St. Moritz has the Julier Pass
- St. Moritz to Bellago has the Maloja Pass
- Bellagio to Zermatt has the Nufenen Pass
Those are at least 3 to be aware of. I wouldn’t say they are difficult (in the summer) but be careful and be alert especially if you haven’t driven mountain passes before. Read our tips about mountain driving here: https://www.myswissalp s.com/car/drivinginthe mountains
Hi Lucas –
<<“You’ll have some mountain roads to deal with and for some people that can be unnerving.”>>
Especially since the Swiss are sparing with their use of guardrails on the mountain roads. I believe the assumption is that you are a well-trained driver, and, if it bothers you, you should not be there. 😉
Slowpoke
Good tips above! I would suggest not to drive all the way to Geneva on day 6 unless you have a specific purpose there. Driving as far as Montreux or Vevey only saves you time, and that’s where the best scenery is anyway. Also mind that Zermatt is car free, and bigger towns like Lugano, Bern, Zurich, Lausanne and Geneva are not pleasant to drive and park in, unless you know your way around. I’d definitely not rent a car until you depart from Zurich. You won’t need it in the city.
Hi Nita-
If you have made a choice to drive for specific reasons, that will be a nice trip.
However, if you are going because you want to see Switzerland, the train could be a better choice for the whole trip or most of it.
Just a thought.
http://www.myswissalps.com/tr avel/inswitzerland
http://www.myswissalps.com/ca r
Slowpoke
Hi Lucas-
I checked the link that you posted:
http://www.myswissalps.com/ca r/drivinginthemountain s
I note that in the picture of the hairpin switchbacks on that page, there are no guardrails beside the road.
That’s normal for Switzerland. It is indeed unnerving and stressful when the land drops away steeply and down for hundreds or thousands of feet ( or meters) and there is no guard rail between you and the drop off..
I am an enthusiastic and experienced driver, but driving those mountain passes is very tiring for me. Slowpoke
Hi Slowpoke,
I know exactly what you mean! This picture however, was shot in the Jungfrau region and it is a service road in the car free area, not accessible to almost everyone including tourists. However, it does show what the smaller roads may look like, so I used it for illustration purposes. Better safe than sorry.
Definitely have to stay alert – and hope the other drivers are as well!
Thank you all. You have changed my mind and we will buy the Swiss Travel Pass for 8 days and do your suggested itin. This is such a fantastic forum and you guys are so helpful.
Thank you all. You have changed my mind and we will buy the Swiss Travel Pass for 8 days and do your suggested itin. This is such a fantastic forum and you guys are so helpful
<<“ou have changed my mind and we will buy the Swiss Travel Pass for 8 days and do your suggested itin.”>>
Everyone gets to enjoy the views…and the driver does not have to pay attention to staying on the road. -)
If you were traveling only in the lower altitude Mittelland, my advice would be different.
No mountain passes there.
Slowpoke
Trains are a fantastic method of transport in Switzerland. You’ll find details on the Swiss Travel Pass here: https://www.myswissalp s.com/swisstravelpass
Click the “where it’s Valid” tab for a PDF map of the coverage area and the “price” link to order it online.
Thanks Lucas, Slowpoke and Aron for all the suggestions
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