Swiss Vignette (1 Viewer)

[DavidG58]

Hello

Am I right to think you need a vignette to enter Switzerland or is it only needed to use motorways?

Is it realistic to drive in Switzerland for a few days only (passing through 2 nights max) without using motorways?

Any idea on cost, we are over 3.5T, 5.0T I think you pay more for over 3.5 tons?

 

[Wildman]

you only need it if you use motorways, however it also covers the cost of some of the tunnels if you are going to Italy for example, we bought one and never went on a motorway came in from Germany and out through France.

 

[drago35uk]

We tried not using motorways earlier this year...was a bloody nightmare. In the mountains the motorways and railways run in the valleys between towns . Setting the sat nav to no motorways took us over huge hills using single track roads to get to various overnight stops as there was only the motorway access in and out. After a couple of days we called at a post office and bought a vignette(about £25ish). It was so much quicker and easier after that. We just asked for a vignette they never asked about weight ,red for this year, and had no trouble. we are 4 tonnes.

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[Pat4Neil]

Over 3.5 tons you have to buy a daiky ticket, the best way was 10 days over a year and yu used to tick the day of it was about the same price as normal vignette. Its near enough impossible not to do motorways.

 

[Bertie Bassett]

Hello

Am I right to think you need a vignette to enter Switzerland or is it only needed to use motorways?

Is it realistic to drive in Switzerland for a few days only (passing through 2 nights max) without using motorways?

Any idea on cost, we are over 3.5T, 5.0T I think you pay more for over 3.5 tons?

The definitive answer is here David and some Swiss 'motorways' are more like our A roads!
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[lou020]

Last week we came from Austria through Lichtenstein to zurich , never got checked at border so did not get a vignette, all motorway driving, spent 1 night in Zurich then up to France,before we knew it we were in France. Had a scary moment at the swiss/French border but just waved through.
As they say,,you take your chance.

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[canopus]

We went through Switzerland to Italy, and if like us your vehicle is over 3.5 tons you need to get the vignette ( actually an A4 sheet and not a tax disc) at the border. In our case it was Basle. The lady was very helpful but the concept of the system is confusing. You only need to pay for days when you're using the motorways/tunnels/passes. If you're on route to Itlay and not intending to stay in Switzerland just passing through both going and coming back, then in reality you only need purchase the vignette for two days.
However, we purchased about 5 days and we actually enjoyed Switzerland more than Italy (apart from the prices).
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[DavidG58]

thanks all, glad I started asking now

The link seems to say you have to buy the pass locally if over 3.5T, for smaller vehicles you appear to be able to buy online before going

Can you remember roughly how much you paid?

Might just do as you did, arrive at the border and see what they say

 

[Wildman]

mine was a 12 month pass (3.5T) and cost 30€ I seem to remember.

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[Kool Kroozer]

Please post and keep us updated, we are going that way next year via the Grimsel Pass - Furka Pass and on into Italy

 

[ivorantony]

After taking my missus and four kids with a land rover discovery plus four wheel caravan over the Furka pass in the eighties it will always be remembered as quite a traumatic event,
And too this day my family refer it as the F-----g pass after having a Italian jeep Cherokee take the side out the caravan coming down and around a hair pin bend at speed with no hope of slowing down,
Then to rub salt in the wound he continue down the mountain without a backward glance, but that's Italian drivers for you!

 

[Kool Kroozer]

YIKES ! thats scary stuff, anyone else done the grimsel or furka passes ?

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[Pat4Neil]

Done the passes several times on a motorbike. That dont help though lol.

 

[DavidG58]

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looks like a 5T MH could be cheaper than 3.5T for a short stay

as far as I can work out we will have to pay the minimum charge of 25CHF, which will cover us for 30 days, compared to 33 CHF for an annual charge for 3.5T MH, CHF = 66p

 

[canopus]

thanks all, glad I started asking now

The link seems to say you have to buy the pass locally if over 3.5T, for smaller vehicles you appear to be able to buy online before going

Can you remember roughly how much you paid?

Might just do as you did, arrive at the border and see what they say

Over 3.5 ton can only be bought in Switzerland at the border as you enter. Price is dependent of number of days you require it for. Without digging my old diary out, from memory I think we paid either €36 or 36 Swiss Francs.

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[MikeD]

Done the passes several times on a motorbike. That dont help though lol.

Your right, it probably does not help but sounds a huge amount more fun

 

[Bertie Bassett]

YIKES ! thats scary stuff, anyone else done the grimsel or furka passes ?

Both at various times, largest van I've taken over was a Herald at 3.5T. Worth it and it's coming down that's the problem, you may need to stop (if fully laden) to let the brakes cool, but apart from that no real problems. Check that both passes are open if you intend crossing before mid to late May. The Swiss are 'super' efficient but even they take a bit of time to clear it after a larger than average snowfall.

 

[wingman]

I've just come through France into Switzerland a few days ago (via E25) towards Bern and Interlaken. Traffic was halted at the border and shepherded into channels - those WITH and those WITHOUT vignettes. I duly complied, bought one and felt happier, especially as I saw two 'Douanne/Zoll' marked motorbikes chase and pull over a panel van a few miles up the road!

It took all of 30 seconds to buy one from a ticket machine carrying lad with perfect English who wished us a pleasant stay in Switzerland.

I know there are those who say you never need one, but we just felt it ain't worth the hassle. Quickest way I've ever spent circa 40Chf !!

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[drago35uk]

YIKES ! thats scary stuff, anyone else done the grimsel or furka passes ?

Done the Grimsel twice on motorbikes and once in a motorhome

 

[olley]

Vehicles over 3.5t don't pay a toll, they pay a "Heavy vehicle tax" this is payable for every day your vehicle is in Switzerland, whether on the roads or not. In practice people just tick of the days their on the roads on the sheet.

Ian

 

[scotjimland]

Vehicles over 3.5t don't pay a toll, they pay a "Heavy vehicle tax" this is payable for every day your vehicle is in Switzerland, whether on the roads or not. In practice people just tick of the days their on the roads on the sheet.

Ian

Correct Ian...

motor homes up to a total weight of 3.5 t require a vignette. Where the total weight is greater than 3.5 t, the vehicle is subject to a lump-sum heavy vehicle fee, amounting to CHF 3.25 a day (minimum fee: CHF 25.00) and payable for using any of the public roads at any time of stay in Switzerland.

info here http://www.tolltickets.com/country/swiss/vignette.aspx?lang=en-GB#articles

and here Broken Link Removed

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