Driving to Switzerland

[S6 Devil]

I have a marathon swimming event in Zurich next July and am toying with the idea of taking the Tuscan.

Has anyone done a trip to Switzerland who can recommend a good route? Anything that I need to consider when driving in Europe? Any thoughts and advice would be gratefully received.

[e600]

Be prepared for a 40 Euro thump at the border for some short term car tax. I don't know why we don't do the same here to johnny Switzerland when he brings his bike, car, truck into a fair land.

[grumbledoak]

We went down through the Black Forest and over the Bodensee in the T350. Liked that route.

[sascha]

very important in switzerland: don't drive faster than allowed !

[Magic919]

Vignette is cheaper on eBay.

[twold]

I made the mistake of politely,jokingly and tongue in cheekily commenting on the charge to drive on their motorways while in Switzerland at a border control (always got away without paying in the past at smaller border controls) , at which point the official placed his hand on his gun in its holster and uttered the words "pay or discuss"....I promptly paid and drove through the country to Italy within the hour and now always avoid any route which takes me through the country as a matter of principle ,childish I know but I'd rather spend my stopover money elsewhere.

Regards

Edited by twold on Saturday 20th December 16:24

[so called]

I used to drive down to Strassburg then cross into Germany, then head down the A5 to Basil.
That used to be about 7 hours in my old Tasmin.

[PGNCerbera]

sascha said:

very important in switzerland: don't drive faster than allowed !

This. They are incredibly officious and aggressive with speeding

[lancepar]

Read this before you buy a vignette, (I sold my last one on ebay.)not all the Swiss roads require you need one.
http://www.tolltickets.com/country/swiss/vignette....

You will find driving on the equivalent to our motorways easier abroad because when a vehicle indicates to move into your lane they are going to do just that, not like over here waiting for you to let them out. I found this prevents lane hogging, because as soon as they have overtaken the vehicle in front they pull out of your way.

In Switzerland they are really cracking down on being drunk in charge, boaters included. My Swiss mate got done drunk in charge of a pedal cycle. They will continue to randomly test him (blood and hair samples) until he is completely free from any alcohol.

And don't forget you will need some Swiss Francs as well as Euros.

Can't suggest a route because we visited friends in Belgium and Germany before visiting another friend near Lucerne and then on to another friend in Castino, Italy with who we toured around Italy on our motorbikes. Twenty three days in July, 4,750miles. It was bloody hot, 39C in the shade.

Edited by lancepar on Saturday 20th December 23:12

[Hedgehopper]

I would recommend one of these.............

http://european-accident-statement.accidentsketch....

Choose which language you download. I managed to reclaim my excess from a Frenchman for an accident in Switzerland with one of these.

Hope you don't need it!

[s6boy]

twold said:

I made the mistake of politely,jokingly and tongue in cheekily commenting on the charge to drive on their motorways while in Switzerland at a border control (always got away without paying in the past at smaller border controls) , at which point the official placed his hand on his gun in its holster and uttered the words "pay or discuss"....I promptly paid and drove through the country to Italy within the hour and now always avoid any route which takes me through the country as a matter of principle ,childish I know but I'd rather spend my stopover money elsewhere.

Regards

Edited by twold on Saturday 20th December 16:24

Not wanting to start an internet dispute here, but why ask why they charge? They do and we know they do, much like the French charge to use their Autoroutes but we don't question that!? To be honest for the chance to drive through a beautiful country with well surfaced and serviced roads I think £40 for a years motoring is bloody good value. No you can't speed but if you did you'd miss the scenery anyway and you have a couple of countries either side of Switzerland to exercise you car. Each to their own I suppose.

[Magic919]

Buy it for that price in November and it's not such a great deal.

[twold]

s6boy said:

Not wanting to start an internet dispute here, but why ask why they charge? They do and we know they do, much like the French charge to use their Autoroutes but we don't question that!? To be honest for the chance to drive through a beautiful country with well surfaced and serviced roads I think £40 for a years motoring is bloody good value. No you can't speed but if you did you'd miss the scenery anyway and you have a couple of countries either side of Switzerland to exercise you car. Each to their own I suppose.

For many years my work took me to mostly Zurich approximately once a fortnight for a night or three with the occasional Geneva thrown in also.I also travelled around the country many many times from the age of three onwards and regularly nightstopped on my way further south in later life and agree that it is a picturesque country.But I do dislike the lack of any sense of humour that some officials feel they have the need to exhibit especially when reinforced by placing their hand on a firearm.Principles can become a pain in the ars# I know but if you have them,well....each to their own I suppose.........regards

[S6 Devil]

Thanks all. Food for thought!