Can you drive in Switzerland without a Vignette?

[A900ss]

Planning a road trip and part of it is Dijon to Chamonix.

Using Via Michelin, it suggests this route that goes through Switzerland but suggests no Vignette payment.

Is that right?

http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Routes?departure=...

[JB8]

I did it the other way in the summer, Chamonix to Dijon (presumably the same route) and didn't need a vignette.

[akadk]

You need it for the motorways

[CABC]

and if taking the motorway you don't go through CH

[A900ss]

Thanks all

[A900ss]

Thanks all

[admaraujo]

One only needs vignette for motorways.

[Mogul]

It would appear that you have checked the 'Avoid vignettes (Switzerland...)' check-box so it has given you a route that specifically avoids the autoroutes (aka motorways) to save you the CHF40.-.

If you enter Switzerland on an autoroute, there will invariably be a chap or chapess there to relieve you of CHF40.- for the autoroute vignette but if you enter the country on any other road, such as via your planned route, you will most likely find that the border post is unmanned so you can take your chances... If you accidentally find yourself on an autoroute and remember that Swiss autoroutes are identified with green signs (as opposed to blue in UK and France just to add to the confusion) you might still be lucky as you will most likely be able to leave the country on the autoroute without being stung - but there is always the chance that there will be some form of random control upon which they might sting you for double.

You can of course buy the CHF40.- vignette at any petrol station...

P.S. I see your route takes you via the Col de la Faucille and Gex towards Geneva. That's a fine route and there are some nice views down towards Geneva as you drive down from the Col but there aren't that many places to stop and the road is rather tight. An alternative route via the Col de la Givrine and Saint Cergue down to Nyon is arguably a better drivers road. If you have time, you might want to do it in both directions a couple of times(!) but watch out for bikes and of course, speed controls.

P.P.S. Michelin kindly highlight scenic routes with green border but you probably already knew that.

[Mogul]

CABC said:

and if taking the motorway you don't go through CH

You can avoid CH when driving from Dijon to Chamonix but it's a totally different route. The most direct route takes you through Switzerland but you'd still have the choice of avoiding the Swiss autoroutes if you really wanted to but the downside is that time will almost certainly be lost in Geneva traffic jams.

[A900ss]

Thanks all.

I drove Dijon to Chamonix this morning and was here before lunch. Geneva was fine and the route was great. Totally unmanned border crossing.

My route was this one:

[CABC]

Mogul said:

You can avoid CH when driving from Dijon to Chamonix but it's a totally different route. The most direct route takes you through Switzerland but you'd still have the choice of avoiding the Swiss autoroutes if you really wanted to but the downside is that time will almost certainly be lost in Geneva traffic jams.

yes, i know the area very well. And Geneva traffic is horrendous for such a small town.
it's 3hrs+ by autoroute or, according to post above, 5 1/2 over the Jura.
Jura is nice and worth doing. I know get to Dijon directly as that's also quiet and scenic and then go B roads there onwards as i wish/depending on time.
French Autoroutes are efficient but costly. 8 hrs Calais to Cham directly, double that if you avoid Autoroute.