Scenic Road Trip
Swiss Grand Tour
Alpine Lakes, Chocolate & Mountain Passes
Switzerland’s Grand Tour loops 1643 km out of Zurich and back, stringing together lakeside promenades, mountain passes, and medieval old towns across seven days on the road. More than 650 signs mark the official route, and the CHF 40 annual vignette is mandatory before you start, with some tunnels charging extra on top.
Quick Facts
| Route | Zurich to Zurich (loop) |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Distance | 1643 km |
| Recommended days | 7 |
| Total drive time | ~24 hours |
| Best months | June–September |
| Toll cost | CHF 40/year motorway vignette (mandatory); some tunnels charge extra |
| Est. fuel cost | ~EUR 200 |
| Motorway speed limit | 120 km/h |
| Alcohol limit (BAC) | 0.05 |
| Drives on | Right |
Top 5 Highlights
1. Furka Pass
The road from Goldfinger — hairpins above the Rhone Glacier
2. Lake Lucerne
A fjord-like Alpine lake surrounded by historic towns and mountain railways
3. Lauterbrunnen Valley
72 waterfalls cascade down vertical cliffs in a glacier-carved valley
4. Rhine Falls
Europe’s largest plain waterfall near Schaffhausen — feel the spray from the viewing platform
5. Lavaux Vineyards
UNESCO terraced vineyards above Lake Geneva, with wine tasting at every turn
Road Conditions & Terrain
Terrain: A mix of lakeside roads, mountain passes over 2,000 m, and valley floors through the Swiss Alps
Road type: Well-maintained two-lane roads. Mountain passes are steep (up to 12%) with hairpins but well-surfaced.
Best Time to Drive
Best months: June–September
High passes (Furka, Grimsel, Susten) are open June to October only; snow can close them without notice
Key Driving Rules
Switzerland speed limits: 120 km/h motorways, 80 km/h outside towns, 50 km/h in towns. Fines start from CHF 40 for 1 km/h over. Headlights always on. Winter tyres not legally mandated but you can be fined if you cause an obstruction without them.
Speed Limits
| Road Type | Limit |
|---|---|
| Urban | 50 km/h |
| Rural/Open road | 80 km/h |
| Motorway | 120 km/h |
Required Equipment
- Warning triangle
- Reflective vest
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Fuel (petrol, round trip) | ~EUR 200 |
| Tolls/vignette | CHF 40/year motorway vignette (mandatory); some tunnels charge extra |
| Petrol price (per litre) | ~$1.92 USD |
| Diesel price (per litre) | ~$1.95 USD |
Practical Tips
- Buy the CHF 40 motorway vignette BEFORE entering Switzerland — fines for missing it are CHF 200
- Check pass status at tcs.ch — snow can close high passes even in June
- Swiss parking discs (blue cardboard clocks) are required in blue-zone parking — free from rest areas or police stations
- Mountain postal buses have right of way on all mountain roads — pull over when you hear the horn
- Budget generously — Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe for fuel, food, and accommodation
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Swiss Grand Tour covers 1643 km and takes approximately 24 hours of pure driving time. We recommend 7 days to enjoy the highlights and stops along the way.
The best months are June–September. High passes (Furka, Grimsel, Susten) are open June to October only; snow can close them without notice
CHF 40/year motorway vignette (mandatory); some tunnels charge extra
Switzerland drives on the right side of the road.
The blood alcohol limit in Switzerland is 0.05 BAC.
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