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Motorway Switzerland – Comprehensive Information
Since the motorways in Switzerland in general, as well as the expressway network, cover large parts of the country, the routes are often used by vacationers traveling by car. The classification of the roads differs significantly from that in Germany. For this reason, you should become familiar with the most important information about the road network in Switzerland before you start your trip.
In the following article, we have collected all the facts about Swiss motorways and will provide an overview of the national roads.
Motorway Switzerland – a quick overview
If you are planning a long trip by car, you should not completely rely on the navigation system in your car, but also know which roads and motorways you will be on during the trip.
The following map shows all motorways in Switzerland in a quick overview. Looking at it, it becomes obvious that some of them run from north to south and can be found in a corresponding number of areas in the country. The motorways not only run between metropolitan regions but also provide a link between Switzerland and its neighbouring countries.
If you take a look at the overview before you start your journey, you are guaranteed to travel comfortably through Switzerland.
Important facts about the motorways
What many car drivers don't know regarding motorways is that in Switzerland a distinction is made between national and cantonal motorways. National motorways are managed by the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA), while cantonal motorways are managed accordingly by the cantons.
There is a further subdivision - and that is between motorways and motor roads. Motorways are also known as first-class national roads, while motor roads are second-class roads. The characteristics of a motorway are clear: in comparison to motor roads, motorways are always directionally separated. They also have at least two lanes.
Motorway signage
If you are now wondering how to separate the individual roads from each other, you only must pay attention to the signage while driving. This plays an important role not only regarding orientation but also because of the speed limit.
In Switzerland, a green sign with a white bridge is considered a distinct sign for the motorway (national or cantonal). If you see this sign as a passenger car driver, you must adhere to the maximum speed of 120 km/h.
The first- and second-class roads are also marked with an A number (A1, A2, A3 etc.). For historical reasons, in addition to the A numbers, there is also an N number assigned to the respective national roads.
Obligation to have a vignette
The information about the different roads in Switzerland is also relevant for drivers because the classification determines for which stretches of the road a vignette is required.
Basically, you must buy a vignette for all national roads in Switzerland. The cantonal sections are exempt from the obligation to have a vignette.
Motorway network Switzerland - All details
If you look at the entire motorway network in Switzerland, all routes in total are 1544 kilometers long. As you can already recognize from the course in the quick overview, the network of motorways is very well developed. Despite the many existing routes, there are still some under construction or in the planning stage.
Since there are many different sections (numbered N1 to N25), we will focus on the most important routes in the country: the A1, A2, and A3 motorways. The mentioned sections are described in detail below.
The reason for starting with the A1 motorway is that it is the longest motorway in the country. It runs from east to west and covers a total of more than 400 kilometres.
The A1 motorway begins in the village of St. Margrethen, which is in the canton of St. Gallen, and then runs to Bardonnex on the French border. Thus, it is mainly relevant for vacationers who are traveling though Germany via Austria to reach France.
The A1 motorway is also known as the Lake Geneva motorway, among other names. This is because the motorway passes both Lausanne and Geneva and thus runs directly along the lake. Other important motorway junctions on the route are Zurich or Bern, for example.
Like the vignette, different tickets are available for the digital route toll. Some are valid for single trips and others can be used as a yearly pass for 365 days.
Drivers can pay tolls at service stations, rest stops, or in the ASFINAG online shop before they travel. Travellers who pay the digital route toll via our portal can use the tickets immediately. Various credit cards (Visa, Diners Club, etc.) and other means of payment are accepted. The confirmation with a link will be sent to the e-mail address provided.
The Austrian infrastructure company ASFINAG also offers drivers the option to pay afterwards. This works by using the FLEX service. The trips through the toll booths on the motorways and expressways are automatically recorded via the vehicle’s license plate number and charged retrospectively.
Swiss motorway - national roads in the cities
We have already mentioned some motorways that pass by the major cities of Switzerland. To expand the list of sections, we will describe other roads that are important connections near Zurich, Lucerne, or Bern.
Probably the most important stretch of the motorway around Zurich is the city's western bypass. The bypass consists of the A1, A3, and A4 motorways and was opened in 2009 after a long construction phase.
The bypass reduces traffic in the city and ensures that drivers from Zurich can get to the capital Bern or any other region of the country faster.
Another motorway near Zurich is the A50. Since it is one of the cantonal motorway sections, it does not require a vignette compared to the others. The A50 motorway is also located near the A51, which is also known as the airport motorway.
Like the vignette, different tickets are available for the digital route toll. Some are valid for single trips and others can be used as a yearly pass for 365 days.
Drivers can pay tolls at service stations, rest stops, or in the ASFINAG online shop before they travel. Travellers who pay the digital route toll via our portal can use the tickets immediately. Various credit cards (Visa, Diners Club, etc.) and other means of payment are accepted. The confirmation with a link will be sent to the e-mail address provided.
The Austrian infrastructure company ASFINAG also offers drivers the option to pay afterwards. This works by using the FLEX service. The trips through the toll booths on the motorways and expressways are automatically recorded via the vehicle’s license plate number and charged retrospectively.
Speed Limit Switzerland Motorway - Caution!
Speed limits and vehicle categories
On motorways, the maximum speed limit is 120 km/h for passenger cars, motorcycles, and "light" caravans that do not exceed a total weight of 3,5 tons. A maximum speed of 100 km/h is prescribed for car and trailer combinations. The same restrictions (100 km/h) apply to "heavy" caravans. Truck drivers with large trailers must also adhere to a separate speed limit.
As far as speed is concerned, another issue is relevant in Switzerland: the speed limit in the country's many tunnels. According to the Traffic Regulation Ordinance (VRV), anyone driving through a tunnel is subject to a limit of 80 km/h or 100 km/h.
Of course, the speed limit for the vehicle also depends on the vehicle category in towns, outside towns, and on other roads. It is therefore advisable to pay attention to the signs on the roads at all times.
Fines and penalties
There are penalties for violating traffic rules, which include speed limits. For example, anyone speeding on the motorway after entering the country can expect a fine starting at 20 Swiss francs. Speeding more than 25 km/h over the limit may also result in a charge sheet or a driving ban.
As a certain part of the police agreement is not yet valid according to the current status, fines from Switzerland cannot be enforced in country yet. However, this does not mean that you do not have to pay the fines anyway.
Anyone driving in Switzerland without a vignette also faces a fine. After all, toll-free roads can only be found among the cantonal route sections that the federal government has not yet taken over.
Motorway rest stops Switzerland
There are a total of 49 rest stops that can be found along the motorways. The A1 motorway has the most with 18 rest stops, closely followed by the A2 with 12. Among vacationers, the "Teufengraben" and "St. Margrethen" rest stops are particularly popular due to their facilities.
The rest stops are often also characterized by their surroundings. Since some places are in the north of the Alps, many vacationers use the rest areas not only to stop for a short break but also to explore the surrounding area.
