St Gothard - Over Or Under?

[blueST]

Will be travelling from Lucerne to Umbria on the 30th August. Its a long day behind the wheel and I'm trying to decide if I have time to go over the St Gothard pass.

Is it correct I would leave the motorway at Wassen and Rejoin at Airolo? If so the sat nav reckons 36mins over the pass which seems remarkably quick. But means I could spare the time no problem. Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

[UltimaCH]

I think the turn-off to the pass could be Göschnen. The other end is Airolo. If you have time take the pass as the tunnel is long, polluted and congested with traffic, specially if its holidays time. During the last week-ends they had several kms of traffic jams at the entrance of the tunnel.

[blueST]

I cannot see Göschnen on my map. As the motorway approaches the tunnel (southbound) Erstfeld, Silenen and Wassen appear to be the last 3 junctions.

In your experience, how long does it take to get over the pass?

[UltimaCH]

Göschenen is between Wassen and Andermatt. Could be no exit there from the motorway but can't confirm. Never have been over the pass..... Once through the tunnel, but as I live in the western part of Switzerland, when I go south I always go via the Simplon pass or tunnel or St Bernard tunnel.

[blueST]

I have been able to find Göschenen on my Sat Nav, it's very small and my map is not detailed. It does look like there is an exit there. I shall certainly go over the pass, should have enough time.

Thank You.

[UltimaCH]

Have a good trip and providing the weather is fine, the drive over the pass should be great providing you don't have too many campers, etc. Going south should be OK too as the holiday season is drawing to a close.

[RainerM]

Good evening,
there is an exit at Goeschenen no. 40, but depending on traffic you may have
to take an exit before and use the old road, rather nice ,too.
On top of the Gotthard you can take the modern road down to Airolo (spectacular
hairpins on bridges) or the old Tremola, cobbled, very old fashioned, depending
on your suspension ;-)

Links:

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/offer-Activities_E...

http://www.alpineroads.com/uri.php#gottard

As "UltimaCH" says, there are often traffic-jams on the way to the tunnel (A2),
as there are some speed-traps (motorway and normal road!!)

Anyway enjoy your trip and your holidays :-)

Rainer-CH

[dazren]

Not really a question for a PHer is it? Over it man, get with the program!

DAZ
(Will be travelling over it the following weekend.)

[blueST]

dazren said:

Not really a question for a PHer is it? Over it man, get with the program!

DAZ
(Will be travelling over it the following weekend.)

In which case, over the to it is. I feel shame at considering the tunnel.

I may pass you going the opposite way, heading back up from Umbria to the South of France on the 6th.

[dazren]

Ah, La Spezia to Monaco via the motorway. Fabulous road, enjoy the tunnels.

DAZ