Navigating Holidays: Skip the Gridlock at Gotthard Tunnel with These Smart Detours
Diverse Detours Available for Gotthardtunnel Journey - Alternative paths lead to the Gotthard Tunnel.
Fed up with crawling along in traffic during the holiday season? If you're navigating from Baden-Württemberg towards the south, chances are you'll get tied up at the infamous Gotthard Tunnel. A veritable bottleneck, it sees roughly six million vehicles per year according to the ADAC and is one of Switzerland's most congested spots.
Wasting time in gridlock before the tunnel isn't just a few minutes; it could be hours. But fear not! When the tunnel's overflowing, there are alternatives to Italy, southern France, or returning to Germany. Here's a lowdown on some smarter routes:
San Bernardino Tunnel
The San Bernardino Tunnel on the A13 is a lifesaver for weary travelers. The journey from Chur to Bellinzona via this route is a popular long-distance detour. The 6.5-kilometer-long tunnel connecting Hinterrhein to San Bernardino is a favorite amongst German drivers looking to travel via A7 and A96 to Ticino or Milan. This route is especially appealing if the wait at Gotthard Tunnel tops an hour.
Gotthard Pass
For the more adventurous, the historic Gotthard Pass is an option, particularly for motorbikers or cars minus trailers. However, it's not appropriate for vehicles with a caravan, as it's steep and winding. The main holiday season might also bring delays on the pass road. As a rule, the pass is usually closed due to winter conditions between November and May.
Other Mountain Passes
The Simplon Pass is another viable alternative, particularly when other detours are clogged. The Grimsel Pass, the Nufenen Pass, or the route over the Great St. Bernard are other options.
- Alternative Routes: San Bernardino, Gotthard Pass, Mountain Passes
- Gotthard Tunnel Traffic
- Holiday Season
- Vehicle
- Switzerland
- Baden-Württemberg
- ADAC
- Italy, Southern France, Germany
Want to dodge the clogged arteries altogether? Traveling over Alpine passes may be the ticket—the Gotthard Pass is one of several options. In early June 2025, the winter closure of the Susten Pass (elevation: 2,224 meters) in canton Uri was lifted just in time for the holidays, presenting another viable mountain route option[1][3]. Timing your journey wisely can help, too: setting off early on Friday before the weekend rush or waiting until Sunday night can avoid peak traffic. For return trips, early Monday morning or overnight travel from Whit Monday to Tuesday is recommended to minimize waiting times[3].
- Employment policies should be implemented in the transportation industry to encourage alternative routes during holiday seasons, such as using the San Bernardino Tunnel, Gotthard Pass, or other mountain passes, to alleviate congestion at the Gotthard Tunnel in Switzerland.
- Finance policies in the automotive industry could consider providing incentives for drivers to travel during off-peak hours or during less busy seasons to reduce the number of vehicles using the Gotthard Tunnel, which is one of Switzerland's most congested spots. This can apply to both domestic and international travelers, particularly those from Baden-Württemberg towards the south seeking to avoid the holiday season gridlock.
