e-Vignette Switzerland

Toll roads in Switzerland

Driving in Switzerland means you need a vignette, always. All national motorways and expressways are toll roads and there are no exceptions or toll-free motorway sections. The vignette is compulsory whether you are just crossing the border for a short trip or driving across the country.

How to recognise Swiss motorways

• Motorways are marked with a red hexagonal A sign showing the route number (for example A1 or A2).

• Many roads also carry a green E number because they are part of the trans-European road network, linking Switzerland with neighbouring countries like Germany, France, Austria and Italy.

• Toll enforcement is strict: cameras at entry and exit points, as well as random police checks, verify every plate against the national vignette system.

Swiss motorway network overview

The Swiss motorway system covers more than 1,800 kilometres and connects the country from border to border through alpine valleys, tunnels and major cities. Below is an overview of the main routes:

• A1 runs east–west from St. Margrethen at the Austrian border through St. Gallen, Winterthur, Zürich, Aarau, Olten, Bern, Lausanne and Geneva to Bardonnex at the French border

• A2 the main north–south route from Basel at the German border through Olten, Luzern, the Gotthard, Bellinzona and Lugano to Chiasso at the Italian border

• A3 from Basel at the French border via Brugg, Zürich (West Ring), Thalwil and Pfäffikon to Sargans

• A4 from the German border near Schaffhausen through Winterthur, Zürich, Cham and Brunnen to Altdorf

• A5 from Luterbach via Solothurn, Biel/Bienne and Neuchâtel to Yverdon

• A6 connecting Lyss and Bern with Thun and Spiez

• A7 from Kreuzlingen at the German border via Weinfelden and Frauenfeld to Winterthur

• A8 from Hergiswil via Sarnen, Brünig Pass and Interlaken to Spiez

• A9 from Vallorbe at the French border via Vevey, Sion and Sierre to Brig

• A10 short connection between Muri bei Bern and Rüfenacht

• A12 from Bern via Fribourg and Bulle to Vevey

• A13 from St. Margrethen at the Austrian border through Buchs, Sargans, Chur, San Bernardino to Bellinzona

• A14 from Luzern via Cham and Zug to Baar

• A15 from Brüttisellen via Uster and Hinwil to Reichenburg (“Zürcher Oberlandautobahn”)

• A16 the “Transjurane,” from Boncourt at the French border via Porrentruy, Delémont and Moutier to Biel/Bienne

• A17 from Näfels to Niederurnen

• A18 from Basel to Reinach (BL)

• A20 from Le Locle via La Chaux-de-Fonds and Neuchâtel to Ins

• A21 bypass around Martigny

• A22 from Pratteln to Sissach

• A23 from Müllheim via Eschikofen, Arbon and Rorschach (“Bodensee-Thurtalstrasse”)

• A24 from Mendrisio to Stabio

• A25 from Herisau to Gossau (SG)

• A50 Rheinsfelden – Glattfelden bypass

• A51 the “Flughafenautobahn,” connecting Bülach and Zürich Airport with Zürich-North

• A52 from Zumikon to Hinwil (“Forchstrasse”)

Additional toll tunnels in Switzerland

While the Swiss vignette covers the entire motorway and expressway network, there are a few major alpine tunnels where an extra toll fee applies. These tolls are charged separately and are not included in the vignette price.

• Great St. Bernard Tunnel – This tunnel connects the Swiss canton of Valais with Italy’s Aosta Valley. It is a key route through the Alps and remains one of the longest road tunnels in Switzerland. Drivers must pay a separate toll at the tunnel booth. Both one-way and return tickets are available, and discounts are sometimes offered for multiple crossings.

• Munt la Schera Tunnel – Located in the canton of Graubünden, this single-lane tunnel links Switzerland with the Italian duty-free area of Livigno. It is open year-round and especially popular with travellers heading to ski resorts. The toll is paid directly at the entrance booth, with both cash and card accepted. Seasonal passes and multi-trip tickets are also offered for frequent travellers.

The Gotthard Road Tunnel

Unlike the Great St. Bernard or the Munt la Schera Tunnel, the Gotthard Road Tunnel does not require an additional toll. Access is fully covered by the standard Swiss vignette, which means you won’t pay more than the vignette fee itself to use this route.

The Gotthard Tunnel is the longest road tunnel in Switzerland (16.9 km) and one of the most important north–south links through the Alps. It connects Göschenen in the canton of Uri with Airolo in the canton of Ticino, forming the heart of the motorway A2 that runs from Basel at the German border all the way to Chiasso at the Italian border.

Because of its strategic position, traffic volumes are often very high, especially:

• During holiday periods and long weekends

• At the start and end of ski seasons

• On summer Saturdays when many travellers cross the Alps towards Italy

Queues of several kilometres at the tunnel entrances are common during these peak times, and waiting times of one to two hours are not unusual.

Toll regulations for heavy vehicles in Switzerland

Not every vehicle can simply buy a motorway vignette. Once your gross vehicle weight (GVW) goes over 3,500 kg, different rules apply. Instead of the vignette, Switzerland uses a heavy vehicle charge system with two models: LSVA and PSVA.

LSVA

The LSVA (performance-related heavy vehicle charge) is the main system for lorries and heavy commercial vehicles over 3,500 kg.

• The charge depends on three factors: distance driven in Switzerland, the vehicle’s GVW, and its emission class.

• Cleaner trucks pay less, while older, more polluting vehicles pay more.

• LSVA applies everywhere, not just on the motorways, even regional and local roads are included.

Example: A 40-tonne Euro 6 truck driving through Switzerland will pay less per kilometre than an older Euro 3 model.

PSVA

The PSVA (lump-sum heavy vehicle charge) is designed for heavy vehicles that are not primarily used for goods transport. Think of:

• large motorhomes or campervans over 3,500 kg,

• buses and coaches,

• heavy tractors or special-purpose vehicles.

Instead of paying per kilometre, these vehicles pay a fixed lump sum, which depends on the vehicle type, weight and period of use. You can pay for a single day, a full month or even an annual pass.

Example: A foreign motorhome over 3,500 kg entering Switzerland for a two-week ski trip will pay a lump-sum PSVA for those days, rather than per kilometre.