Driving Lauterbrunnen to Cinque Terre in mid May

Hi,

We are driving our car from Lauterbrunnen to Cinque Terre in mid may. I know it is a long day of driving can you give me the fastest route on highways and how long would the tunnels be? Or can I take a partial scenic route on a mountain pass without adding too much time? Or even on the fastest route is there still pretty scenery to see from the highways? Or if we did highways fastest route can you suggest a few areas just off the highway to stop and visit that are worth a quick visit and don't add too much more time? Also will the passes in mountains be open on May 20th? Thank you for your suggestions.

Hi Sunnybunch,

The quickest route is the A8 towards Luzern across the low Brünigpass, then join the A2 to Italy just before Luzern. If you're lucky the Susten Pass is open. That route is shorter, more scenic, but don't count on it to be quicker. Drive to Meiringen from Interlaken, and then follow the signs across the pass. I can't comment on the Italian part of the route.

H Sunny bunch.

Note Arno's comments about the Susten. Many alpine passes are not open until mid- June...depends on altitude.

Slowpoke

You've already had some good advice re the Susten Pass so how about considering another alternative?! From Lauterbrunnen head to Spiez then to Kandersteg and take the car train through the Lotschberg Tunnel to Goppenstein. From there head along the Rhone Valley to Brig where you can either go over the Simplon Pass (which is more likely to be open than the Susten) or, if it's still closed you can again take the car train from Brig to Iselle. Then drop down to skirt Lake Maggiore then Milan then Genoa. Some stunning mountain scenery in the first part, then the Italian Lakes, the Po plain and finally the breathtaking drive along the coast. Yes, along drive but worth it. One note of caution - the Autostrade around Genoa is very challenging, invariably busy, narrow, twisty, lots of tunnels and NOT for the faint-hearted!

Hi Morpethian-

Welcome to My Swiss Alps.

I recall that stretch near Genoa from a ride with our salesman many years ago. At night. You description is apt!

Seems like a long drive/day, as you note. Do you think it could be done in one day?

Slowpoke

Thank you for the welcome Slowspoke.

It will be a long drive/day (300 miles min) but I did a slightly shorter one in reverse back in the summer of 2005, starting from Genoa and heading up to Beatenberg. We travelled via the Gottard and then used the Furka-Oberalp Bahn and Lotschberg Bahn car trains. We were in an Audi TT so it was great fun!

That was a dozen years ago - I think I'd probably split the journey now!!