Switzerland or bust in the morning??? What would we need to be aware of please?

[MisterB]

Just checking the map and I see that we are less than 3 hours to Geneva .... If I did go, is there anything I need (other than big fat wallet) We hadn't even considered going there to be honest, but if we turn right instead of left in the morning....

That's the bit I love about not planning, but it can also be a minefield.....

So, is it sensible or should we plod on up through eastern France?

 

[WESTY66]

Just checking the map and I see that we are less than 3 hours to Geneva .... If I did go, is there anything I need (other than big fat wallet) We hadn't even considered going there to be honest, but if we turn right instead of left in the morning....

That's the bit I love about not planning, but it can also be a minefield.....

So, is it sensible or should we plod on up through eastern France?

Switzerland or France??

Do you really have to ask
EVERY time

 

[chaser]

Just checking the map and I see that we are less than 3 hours to Geneva .... If I did go, is there anything I need (other than big fat wallet) We hadn't even considered going there to be honest, but if we turn right instead of left in the morning....

That's the bit I love about not planning, but it can also be a minefield.....

So, is it sensible or should we plod on up through eastern France?

It's no problem just stick to the blue roads, the other way round to France, and you don't need anything they just wave you through the border.
But if you do go on green roads there is a charge

 

[MisterB]

It's no problem just stick to the blue roads, the other way round to France, and you don't need anything they just wave you through the border.
But if you do go on green roads there is a charge

I would need a road map I suppose lol ...??

 

[chaser]

I would need a road map I suppose lol ...??

Not necessarily just follow the blue signs,

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[Simon Meadwell]

Dont drive over a Toblerone!

 

[The Coops]

Stock up on fuel, food and drinks before entering Swiss territory

 

[colyboy]

We are at present parked up by the Thun lake. Beautiful lake and town you most visit, with views of loads of snow capped mountains. YES YOU DO NEED A GURT BIG WALLET! Remember that you also need mainly Swiss Francs and few euros . The Swiss Franc is roughly = one pound.!! The trip by a large boat on the lake without food and drink is 90 SF YES 90SF EACH. Camp sites are also expensive 5* one Motorhome 2 people and electric 52 SF!
We are in fact in a car park right on the side of the lake with one other German van and wonderful cycling tracks traffic free. The cost only 4SF yes 4SF for 24 hours. ( of course no camping chairs out etc).Hope this helps.

Colyboy

 

[Sapper520]

Watch out for mad moped riders and crazy car drivers if you drive through Geneva.

 

[suavecarve]

Stock up on fuel, food and drinks before entering Swiss territory

I think they have been known to check what you are taking into the country as only certain amounts. I understand why you would want to stock up.

I stand to be corrected if wrong

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[colyboy]

suavecarve.
Of course stock up, EVERYTHING is expensive and I mean expensive. No checks taken while crossing the border. Normal cheap old MCs burger over 20SF eg £20!

Colyboy

 

[suavecarve]

suavecarve.
Of course stock up, EVERYTHING is expensive and I mean expensive. No checks taken while crossing the border. Normal cheap old MCs burger over 20SF eg £20!

Colyboy

300 CHF is 272 nicker. It has been known for them to check and far more often than the Dutch checking ham sandwiches

 

[MisterB]

Sounds like it's not a place to visit on a whim .... Perhaps we need to wait and be better prepared ...

 

[Dutch 68]

Watch out for mad moped riders and crazy car drivers if you drive through Geneva.

Mad drivers you say ? I am in Verona lol

 

[Feltwell]

Switzerland is fantastic - I can also vouch for Lake Thun and the surrounding area, in fact anywhere around Interlaken, but definitely not Interlaken itself!
You do need to spend some money to see the best of the Swiss Alps, on cable cars etc - but it's *so* much nicer than the French alps.
I highly recommend Camping Wang in Beatenberg if you want a campsite - small pitches but amazing views. Call them before traveling, they do get busy at times. You can walk from there to a funicular railway that takes you down to Lake Thun.
It helps if you speak some German in that area but it's not essential.

If you're over 3.5t you need a vignette whichever roads you use, use the "Swiss Via" app to get one, much easier than at the border. If you're under 3.5t and want to use motorways you also need a vignette, again the Via app is the easy way to get one.

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[Itsmcb]

Watch out for mad moped riders and crazy car drivers if you drive through Geneva.

That will be the Portuguese

 

[Itsmcb]

Seriously, if you've not been to Switzerland before then spend a few days. The western area near Geneva is very French, it won't seem very 'Swiss' until you get to the mountains. Drive around the French southern side of lake Geneva, it's a nice road and there's a couple of nice lakeside villages plus Evian to see before you get to the border, then your already close to the mountains. Basic food in the supermarket isn't that much more expensive than France.

 

[IRHP]

I don't know how common this is as we only had a one night stop but when we came off the motorway onto an off ramp at the end of the off ramp was a barrier blocking the road. After sitting for a minute or so we notice a small post with a button on top. It was on our passenger side (rhd) pressed the button and hey presto the barrier went up. Presumably some sort of safety measure to stop people driving on to the motorway in the wrong direction.

 

[Sapper520]

That will be the Portuguese

Now you’ve got me thinking…..Lisbon.

 

[jongood]

300 CHF is 272 nicker. It has been known for them to check and far more often than the Dutch checking ham sandwiches

View attachment 668067

Its my route of choice if going south because we re over 3500kgs. We ve never been checked or even asked about declaring anything, the only thing they re interested in is whether you have paid to use the motorways ( pragmatic folk the Swiss!!)

We have stopped in the past but these days we just pass through, I'm not a stinge, don't mind paying a decent price for something decent but Swiss prices are eye watering. and yes you do need francs.

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[Tombola]

Came through yesterday via Luxembourg. Stopped at a camp site next to south side of lake Geneva(TCS) no problem on roads...took the mountain route with some winding turns down to the lake with spectacular views.
Travelling alongside the lake was rough at rush hour.never stopped at any borders in or out...fuel 2.20.
Scooters erm yeh...mad.
Site cost almost 60chf and 20 midgie bites.

On to Turin now.

Have fun.

 

[MisterB]

Thanks everyone, I think it's best we plan properly rather than on a whim. We've decided to push on up to Sennecy le grand to visit an SAS memorial and small museum.