Toll A-Z

Switzerland, a country known for its picturesque Alpine landscapes, impressive infrastructure, and high quality of life, has been charging tolls for the use of its highway and expressway network for decades.

The toll systems in Switzerland are well-organized and relatively easy to handle, although they have some peculiarities for first-time visitors. This guide covers all aspects of tolls in Switzerland: from costs and validity to specific regulations for heavy vehicles.

Whether you are a tourist traveling through the Alps, a frequent traveler passing through, or a commuter in Switzerland, you will find all the necessary information here to avoid fines and make your journey smooth.

Why does Switzerland charge tolls?

In Switzerland, the roads are in excellent condition. This applies not only to highways and expressways but also to many smaller, less trafficked roads that pass through the mountains or rural areas.

Switzerland invests heavily in the maintenance and expansion of its transport network, which is particularly costly due to the country's geographical features. The famous Swiss Alps require the construction and upkeep of tunnels, bridges, and winding mountain roads to ensure mobility throughout the country.

The tolls collected through the vignette system play a key role in financing these infrastructure projects.

Tolls also help Switzerland address the environmental impact of road traffic. By building an efficient and sustainable road network, Switzerland contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting alternative modes of transport.

This revenue not only facilitates the modernization of the existing network but also the construction of new, environmentally-friendly roads and tunnels that meet international standards.

The Swiss Toll System: An Overview

The toll system in Switzerland is divided into two main categories:

• Vignette requirement for vehicles up to 3.5 tons: For cars, motorcycles, and light commercial vehicles, purchasing a time-based vignette for Switzerland is mandatory.
• LSVA for vehicles over 3.5 tons: For trucks, buses, and other heavy vehicles, there is a distance-based toll system known as the performance-related heavy vehicle fee (LSVA).

Both systems are strictly regulated, and violations of toll regulations can result in heavy fines. In Switzerland, known for its discipline and efficiency, such violations are not tolerated and can be recorded both when entering and exiting the country.

The Swiss Highway Vignette

The Swiss highway vignette is a time-based system that applies to all vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons. The vignette is a small adhesive sticker that is attached to the windshield and allows the use of Switzerland's entire highway and expressway network.

Cost of the vignette:

• The annual vignette costs49,90 EUR and is valid for a calendar year.
• It is valid from December 1st of the previous year until January 31st of the following year. This means the Swiss vignette can be used for a maximum of 14 months.

A particular feature of the Swiss toll system is that there are no short-term vignettes. So, even if you are only passing through Switzerland for a few days or weeks, you still need to buy the annual vignette. This regulation may seem inconvenient for some travelers, but it simplifies administration and contributes to the country's continuous revenue.

The vignette can be purchased in various ways. It is available at border crossings, gas stations, post offices, many kiosks, and in our online shop. For tourists or travelers entering with their own vehicle, it is recommended to purchase the vignette before entering the country to avoid long wait times at the border. It can also be purchased at border gas stations in neighboring countries like Germany, Italy, or France.

The adhesive vignette must be clearly visible on the inside of the windshield, preferably in the lower left corner or behind the rearview mirror. For motorcycles, the vignette must be attached to a non-removable, visible part of the vehicle, such as the fork or the tank.

It is important that the vignette is correctly affixed, as improperly placed vignettes can be considered invalid, leading to fines. It is also forbidden to place the vignette on removable parts, such as sun visors.

The digital vignette is digital, and its validity is automatically checked via the license plate. Therefore, no sticker needs to be affixed to the windshield if a digital vignette has been purchased.

The LSVA System for Heavy Vehicles

For vehicles with a total weight of over 3.5 tons, the performance-based heavy vehicle fee system (LSVA) applies. This system is not based on the time a vehicle spends on the roads but rather on the distance traveled, the weight of the vehicle, and its environmental friendliness (emission class). The LSVA is mandatory for trucks, buses, and other heavy vehicles using Swiss roads.

The LSVA system works with a special device installed in the vehicle. This device records the distance traveled, and the toll is calculated based on the kilometers driven. The calculation is made by combining three factors:

• The number of kilometers driven.
• The maximum permissible weight of the vehicle.
• The emission class (vehicles with lower emissions pay less).

Billing and payment: Billing is done electronically. There are two main options:

1. Prepaid mode: Credit for road use is loaded in advance, and toll fees are deducted from this balance.
2. Postpaid mode: Fees are billed after using the roads, which is particularly convenient for frequently traveling vehicles.

This system enables precise tracking of use and promotes the adoption of more environmentally friendly vehicles by providing financial incentives for switching to lower-emission models.

Toll Roads in Switzerland

In Switzerland, all highways and expressways are subject to tolls. This applies to vehicles of all categories that must comply with the vignette requirement or the LSVA system.

Key toll roads include:

• A1: This highway runs through Switzerland from the border with France near Geneva to the Austrian border at St. Margrethen. It connects the country's largest cities, including Geneva, Lausanne, Bern, Zurich, and St. Gallen, and is one of the most heavily trafficked routes in Switzerland.
• A2: This route runs from the German border at Basel, through Lucerne and the famous Gotthard road tunnel, to the Italian border at Chiasso. It is the main connection for travelers from Germany and Italy.
• A3: The A3 runs from the French border at Basel, through Zurich, to Sargans and forms an important part of the east-west connection through Switzerland.
• A4: This route connects Zurich with the southeastern part of Switzerland and passes through the touristically significant region around Lake Lucerne.
• A9: This highway runs along the Rhone Valley and connects Lausanne with the canton of Valais. It is an important route for tourists visiting the Swiss Alps.

Additionally, there are many expressways and national roads that are also subject to tolls.

Special Roads and Tunnels

In addition to the general vignette requirement, there are some road sections in Switzerland that incur additional fees. These mostly involve tunnels and mountain passes, which represent significant construction challenges and require regular maintenance.

• Gotthard Road Tunnel: One of Europe's most famous road tunnels, the Gotthard Road Tunnel, runs on the A2 between Göschenen and Airolo and crosses the Swiss Alps. There are no additional fees for cars and motorcycles as the usage is included in the vignette price. However, heavy vehicles incur an additional toll.
• Lötschberg and Vereina Tunnels: These tunnels are part of Switzerland's car transport system, which allows vehicles to be loaded onto trains to bypass Alpine passes. These services require separate tickets and are not included in the vignette.

Penalties for Violating Toll Rules

Driving on toll roads without a valid vignette or without proper registration in the LSVA system can result in heavy fines in Switzerland.

Fines start at 200 CHF (about 210 EUR) for cars and motorcycles and can be significantly higher for trucks and buses. It is also possible for the vehicle to be impounded until the outstanding tolls are paid.

Swiss authorities take toll monitoring very seriously. Automated control stations are located at many highways and border crossings, which capture license plates through cameras and sensors to check if a valid vignette is present.

Mobile police checks are also widespread, especially in busy areas and tourist hotspots.

Exceptions from Toll Requirements

There are a few exceptions to the vignette requirement in Switzerland:

• Vehicles that only drive on non-toll roads: If you only drive on country roads or inner-city streets, no vignette is required.
• Trailers and caravans: These are exempt from the vignette requirement as long as they are towed by a vehicle that already has a valid vignette.
• Special vehicles: Public service vehicles, such as ambulances or fire trucks, are exempt from the vignette requirement.

Tips for Using the Swiss Road Network

To travel safely and smoothly through Switzerland, the following tips should be considered:

• Buy the vignette early: Make sure to purchase the vignette for Switzerland either before entering or directly at the border. If you already have a vignette, check that it is correctly affixed to the windshield.
• Check alternative routes: If you do not want to buy a vignette, you can try avoiding toll roads. However, the local road network is often slower and less efficient, especially if you need to travel long distances.
• Be aware of tunnels and car transport services: When planning your route, consider that some tunnels and passes charge additional fees.

Conclusion: Tolls in Switzerland

Tolls in Switzerland are an integral part of using the road network. The relatively simple rules of the vignette requirement and LSVA system make it easy for most drivers to comply with toll regulations.

Whether you are a tourist, frequent traveler, or commuter – with the right preparation, you can avoid unnecessary fines and enjoy Switzerland’s impressive landscape hassle-free.

By paying tolls on time and adhering to regulations, you also help ensure that Swiss roads remain in top condition.