Winter route to Italy

[Neilfg]

Never driven across the Alps and now find ourselves in Germany, Karlsruhe and wanting to get to Venice at some point.

Anybody got a route that is easy driving, were considering Munich Innsbruck then Bolzano, but a German lady well travelled, albeit a smaller van, said Austrian roads awful go via Switzerland, Basel then head for Como.

Am now confused so which is the easiest route for a motorhome?

 

[bladerunner]

If you're happy paying tolls, the Brenner pass South will be 100% fine any time of year.

 

[lorger]

Been a few years since we did this route and it was summer, we left Innsbruck and down The brenner pass A22, we had planned going non toll until the site manager told us we’d waste more in fuel than the cost of toll, I think it was €11.

 

[peterc10]

Neil, she is right. Basle to Como is what we did and it was OK in mid March. Much easier using the Swiss carnet (under 3500kg) or pass system if over 3500kg, than the Austrian Go box system.

If over 3500kg get the Swiss Via app on your phone and you can do it all electronically including payment.

Ask Phil Gaston aires about his treatment by the Austrian police.

 

[Puddleduck]

We went via Switzerland

We stayed at a sort of Aire in Switzerland (I can look it up if you are interested, it's near an army base) - not cheap as you pay by the hour, the first two hours more expensive if I recall - but the clean water and dump facilities are some of the best I have ever used. We liked the area so much we stayed at the same place on the way home. There was also a cafe at a fuel station alongside the aire - not bad prices for Switzerland and frequented by the army personnel who were very friendly and happy to talk to us once I made friends with their dogs. If they were guard dogs they intimidated by size rather than ferociousness - might have beaten me with their tails and then licked me away to nothing!!!!!! Actually the handler was surprised the dogs pulled him over to me and rolled over for a tummy rub. I like dogs and they like me.

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[Neilfg]

Thanks all for the suggestions seems evenly balanced left or right

Swiss VIA app seems easy, compared to the Austrian Go Box as we are 4.5t they are required.

Did anybody have any issues at the Swiss border?

 

[Mousy]

Neil, we’ve been through Switzerland a few times and it’s very easy and straightforward. Enjoy your hols, love to Jacqui xx

 

[peterc10]

Thanks all for the suggestions seems evenly balanced left or right

Swiss VIA app seems easy, compared to the Austrian Go Box as we are 4.5t they are required.

Did anybody have any issues at the Swiss border?

We did our journey before there was the Via app. Very helpful border officer told me where to park, took me into the office and helped me fill in the form and pay. On the way back we did not need to stop.

 

[Neilfg]

The decision this evening over Schnitzel and Pilsner is to go via Switzerland, mainly as have never been, I raced through on a train with my sister about 45 years ago but not set foot since then.

Many thanks for all the suggestions, will probably go via Austria on the way back . And tomorrow morning I shall probably revisit this and decide to go via Austria for some reason.

 

[peterc10]

Neil the pass you get on the Via app allows you any 10 days in Switzerland in a year, so you will not pay anymore if you go back through Switzerland.

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[Sapper520]

Simplon Pass, but you’ll need to check it’s open.

Just realised…..it’s miles from where you are.

We went via the Simplon Pass to Turin, Cremona then Venice.

 

[DDJC]

Another vote for the Brenner Pass. The Tirolean Alps are so beautiful. Big, safe, wide roads, with gradients that won't cook your drivetrain. Never noticed a problem with Austrian roads. Better then UK.

Stuttgart, Ulm, Memmingham, Fussen, Innsbruck, Brennaro, Bolzano, Venice

 

[Molly A]

The Gottard route is always doable... don't imagine the pass is open but you can do the tunnel which is free if you have the Swiss pass, and gives you a relatively easy drive down to Como.

 

[Two Rivers]

Switzerland is my normal route the Brenner pass via Austria can catch you out in late spring with snow

 

[Neilfg]

No change of plan after all Switzerland it is Lake Como and the VIA app tipped the balance.

Stopped at Bad Bellingen, highly recommended easy to access, all services working and superb Thermal Baths Spa next door. Treated ourselves as we have only been using free stops for the last few nights

Many thanks for the suggestions. Will probably be seeking further assist in route decisions down the road at some point

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[peterc10]

Neil, once at Como head South to the Cinque Terre. 5 lovely villages on the coast. Railway line and coastal path links them all. Much better than the Amalfi coast IMHO.

We stopped at Camping Acqua Dolce in the seaside town of Levanto and bought a one day pass for the train from there.

 

[Tio64]

Neil, once at Como head South to the Cinque Terre. 5 lovely villages on the coast. Railway line and coastal path links them all. Much better than the Amalfi coast IMHO.

We stopped at Camping Acqua Dolce in the seaside town of Levanto and bought a one day pass for the train from there.

Many thanks for that recommendation, I've looked in that are before and failed to find a campsite that's as well located as that.

 

[Neilfg]

Thought would update this thread now that we are ensconced in Italy.

We headed from Karlsruhe south to Basel stopping at Bad Bellingen, which BTW is an excellent stop.

In preparation for Swiss roads we downloaded the VIA app, and set up our van 3.5t plus motorhome, and bought 10 individual days, costing 32CHF. We validated our first day as we approached the border, very easy to do

Although, there is definitely a border and for trucks it is slow, we drove through slowly without stopping or seeing anybody who might stop us.

Carried on till lunch and found a free stop but was on the side of a mountain and too windy so carried on through Gottard tunnel, no charge. Upon exiting the tunnel the temp rose to 19c and blue skies.

Found the Swiss road work sign a tad confusing so completely missed our turn and ended up using plan C for a stop. Campsite which was ok but pricey and restaurant very pricey. From there to Lake Garda the next day, after eventually validating our second day on the ViA app.

All in all a very easy route no dramas and the ViA app to be applauded

Lake Garda fantastic and then headed to Venice again very easy Camping Venezia well recommended especially with ACSI

 

[cliffanger]

Hi Neil, glad you’re having a good time. We’ll be following your thread with interest, as we are hoping to go to Italy via South of France in September.

Hope the sun is shining - love to Jacqui xx