Driving in Switzerland
If you like cars, Switzerland can seem like a bit of a tease. It offers some of the greatest driving roads in the world, but you can literally be thrown in jail for speeding, even on highways. Traffic rules are strictly enforced. If you stick to the road rules and especially the speed limits, the back roads/mountain roads will still be a blast to drive on, while making sure you are not fined or arrested. Driving can be a good way of seeing the country and the vista from some mountain roads makes it worth the cost and hassle.
MotorwaysTo use the motorways (known as Autobahn(en), autoroute(s), or autostrada/e, depending on where you are) and expressways (de: Autostrasse(n), fr: semi-autoroute(s), it: semiautostrada/e; often with oncoming traffic),…
Road signsSwiss road signs follow international norms (Vienna 1968), however some of them are Swiss-specific. Motorways and expressways are indicated by green signs with white characters.
Speed limitsSpeed limits: 120 km/h (75 mph) on motorways, 100 km/h on expressways (de: Autostrasse(n), fr: semi-autoroute(s), it: semiautostrada/e; often with oncoming traffic), 80 km/h (50 mph) on normal, principal roads outside…
Driving laws01 Strassenvekehrsgesetz (SVG) / Loi fédérale sur la circulation routière (LCR) / Legge federale sulla circolazione stradale (LCStr) are part of the VII. Title of the Swiss Internal Law.
Mountain roadsThe roads in Switzerland are mostly excellent and in great condition - however beware that during the winter season most of the mountain passes are closed.
AutoverladAs Switzerland is very mountainous and has a comprehensive railway network (see Rail travel in Switzerland), it is possible - and often both faster and cheaper - to load your car onto a train.
Stay safeWinter driving introduces several issues, and you should be prepared, especially in the mountains. Studded winter tyres are allowed November–April.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Driving in Switzerland" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0