Need Swiss and Austrian vignettes if avoiding expressways?

[plenty]

For an upcoming road trip through the Alps I'm planning to stay completely away from motorways and to stay on the passes and the local equivalent of minor routes.

Am I right in thinking I don't need to purchase vignettes in Switzerland and Austria?

[Hugo a Gogo]

true
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignette_%28road_tax%...

[Super_Marv]

Yep, no need for a Vignette, if you're avoiding the motorways.

The Swiss Vignette is a pain, because you have to buy a full year. At least with Austria, you can buy a ten day vignette, which are not too expensive.

Anyway, have fun in the 968 - I found the Swiss and Austrian passes more flowing in nature, than the French passes, which suited the 968 more

[tinman0]

plenty said:

For an upcoming road trip through the Alps I'm planning to stay completely away from motorways and to stay on the passes and the local equivalent of minor routes.

Am I right in thinking I don't need to purchase vignettes in Switzerland and Austria?

Do what everyone else does - buy a s/h one off Ebay for Switzerland.

Or, buy one one the way into Switzerland and sell it on Ebay afterwards.

There are two ways to retain a Swiss vignette:

1. Bit of clear cling on the windscreen above your tax disc. Must be totally clear though. You can then retain the vignette at a later date and chop the spare cling off it.

2. When you get to Basel, wave your credit card at the guard. DO NOT OFFER CASH. He will then direct you to a car park which is inside Switzerland. Park up, run back to the office to buy your vignette. Then run back to your car, wave the sticker at the guard, and shove it in front of your tax disc and get the hell out of there.

Job done.

I'll give you 20E for an unstuck vignette if you are back by 15th July or so and can send it to me.

[plenty]

Thanks Tinman - but it looks like I won't need a vignette at all.

Marv, I'm actually going in the MX5. I'd love to take the 968, but without a/c it just isn't feasible in the height of summer.

[tinman0]

plenty said:

Thanks Tinman - but it looks like I won't need a vignette at all.

Marv, I'm actually going in the MX5. I'd love to take the 968, but without a/c it just isn't feasible in the height of summer.

A/c for Switzerland? It's not going to be that hot. At best it will be high 20s in the valleys and close to zero at the top.

[plenty]

The Alps are just one section of my trip which also takes in France, Germany and Italy. The 968 has a large glasshouse and all-black interior - it doesn't take much to get pretty warm in there!

[Super_Marv]

Ahh, okay - I'm sure the MX-5 will be great fun too...Though it may feel as underpowered as a 1 litre Nissan Micra, when you're reaching the top of the highest passes

I only found the lack of air-conditioning a pain once, while on my trip across the Alps last year - otherwise I didn't miss it, though admittedly, my trip was in September.

[skodamanpat]

Just returned from our Alpine trip in a MX5 highest temp recorded was 30 deg and lowest -2 With the exception of torrential rain through Belgium and a Blizzard atop the Grimsel pass the roof as been off for the full week, without that the aircon would have been ON. The 2lt is adequate if you keep it spinning above 4,000 rpm and was quite happy on the autobahn at 125 (gps) but it was getting a little blustery :lol:

Have fun

ps video from my trip is here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by skodamanpat on Monday 28th June 17:27

[plenty]

I saw your planning thread. Post a trip report!

[skodamanpat]

plenty said:

I saw your planning thread. Post a trip report!

If I get chance, see video above Where would the best place be to post a full report??

Edited by skodamanpat on Monday 28th June 17:37

[plenty]

Nothing wrong with YouTube footage, but personally I find a well-written writeup with a few choice pictures much richer and more immersive.

This forum would be a good place for such a writeup, I'd say.