There is another tunnel (4.5 Km) situated between Lausanne and Milan. The charge to use it driving a car is CHF 29,20 single, and CHF 46,70 return. There are never any delays, the approaches are single lanes but are easy to drive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_St_Bernard_Tunnel

http://www.letunnel.eu/tariffe.asp?id=37&l=2

You can plan your route here, www.viamichelin.com

In English, from Bern to Milan:
http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Itine...routeConso=5.6

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The Grand St-Bernard is THE solution for all living west of Bern. Never had any traffic jam in some 30 years. You pay, ok, but no stress, no nervous breakdown, no nothing...

you don't have to pay a dime if you drive through summer, you can go through the pass itself, beating 2500m in car is pretty amazing (and chilly). But watch out - those italian guys put ramp at the very end of their part just before joining tunnel road after 1.10. no matter the weather conditions are - this year it was still quite hot and sunny when we reached it and had to turn back. Some cycling guy passing along said "well it's italy, what do you expect" And no stop sign on the pass either.

They seem to be discussing the traffic queue for the Gotthard tunnel quite often on every radio station. I can't escape it! btw it was 12km yesterday at 5.30pm.

I think you have the wrong pass.

The Gotthard is 2106 msm, not 2500, and neither side is in Italy!

Tom

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Tom, Saiya-Jin and I are talking about the Grand St-Bernard here.

What about this easter weekend?
St Gottardo seems very bad www.tcs.ch
Anyone knows if Simplon is open? I can not find it.
Do you suggest better S. Bernardo?
I do not mind about extra km if I am "moving"

The Gotthard tunnel is predicted to have a 10 Km delay this Easter.

There is another tunnel (4.5 Km long) situated between Lausanne and Milan. The charge to use it driving a car is CHF 29,20 single, and CHF 46,70 return. There are never any delays, the approaches are single lanes but are easy to drive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_St_Bernard_Tunnel

http://www.letunnel.eu/tariffe.asp?id=37&l=2

You can plan your route here, www.viamichelin.com

In English, from Bern to Milan:
http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Itine...routeConso=5.6

Where are you trying to get to?

And where are you coming from?

Tom

good question, thanks for bringing it up again... we've had our share of gotthard horrors in the past, while living in germany. now the idea is that starting from halway we can be more flexible about the timing and avoid the worst.

we have to drive from zurich to liguria on friday morning (about the worst time, I guess...)

we can leave around 5 o'clock in the morning (alhtough it makes me cry to think of it). should we risk gotthard or opt for san bernardino, which is way longer? san bernardo is too far, doesn't look like an option...

thanks in advance for any tips

Leave as early as you can. If 5 is your earliest go then. The roads in Italy are sure to be pretty crowded too so give yourself plenty of time. Have a good trip.

Is going over San Bernardino an option?

Driving from Zug to Milan Friday morning to get there by 13.30, does anyone think it could be worthwhile to avoid the Gotthard and go via the San Bernidino?

From Olten to Genoa. It makes a 50min drive difference without traffic, but knowing there will be traffic in Gotthard I will probably use Bernardino.

Are they san bernardino and san bernardo different????

By the way, I am going to Liguria too!!

Grand St Bernard is on the west side, therefore interesting if you live in and west of bern
San Bernardino is a good alternative to gotthard in the east, only it's longer therefore interesting on high traffic days

I'm hoping for some final advice for friday morning from some of the most experienced italy drivers... Tom?

Grand St Bernard sounds better for me, in google maps is shorter to olten and I guess has less people (you need to pay).

enjoy lovely Liguria, too! unfortunately the weather doesn't look exciting either

Heading to Florence this coming Thursday (first time by car), leaving mid-morning which I think is crazy but husband doesn't think so. He wants his sleep before the long drive..fair enough. But please tell me if this is TOO crazy to do this on a public holiday day. We have a toddler with us and would try anything to mitigate a potentially horrific situation. Thanks in advance for any advice!

potentially horrific, indeed. do check the TCS site in the next days, we found it to be very accurate. it might help you with the fine tuning, ie what time of day or night it will be less nightmarish... you never know, sometimes there are some pleasant surprises.

good luck!