Gotthard Tunnel: Traffic jams in early August and night closures in autumn 2026
Anyone driving through Switzerland to Italy can hardly avoid the Gotthard Tunnel. It's precisely there that massive traffic jams are threatening again in early August. In both directions, waiting times of more than three hours are possible. At the same time, several night closures are scheduled for September and October due to maintenance work. For holidaymakers from southwestern Germany, this means double the planning effort: time buffers for midsummer and alternative routes for the autumn nights.
The Gotthard road tunnel is located on the A2 between Göschenen and Airolo. The tunnel is 16.9 kilometres long and is one of the most important north-south connections for motorists heading to Ticino, northern Italy, or further south.
Early August: the Gotthard becomes a bottleneck
Things are expected to get particularly tight between 1 and 8 August 2026. In the southbound direction, vehicles could face tailbacks of up to eleven kilometres before the tunnel. Waiting times will then be at least two hours and 45 minutes.
On the return journey, it could take even longer. In the northbound direction, 8 August is considered the most difficult day: tailbacks of up to 13 kilometres and waiting times of more than three hours are possible. After the first August weekend, the pressure eases. In the southbound direction, the situation relaxes from 9 August, and in the northbound direction from 18 August. You can find more information on the general traffic situation on the first August weekend in our news article on the traffic forecast for Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.
For September and October, traffic during the day is generally expected to be normal or moderate without long waiting times, apart from the planned night closures. Towards the end of the year, things could get busy again. On 20, 22 and 26 December, very heavy traffic and tailbacks of up to eight kilometres are expected in the southbound direction.
Night closures in September and October 2026
From September, the Gotthard Tunnel will remain closed at night in several phases. The work will take place outside the main travel season and will not affect weekends. In the first phase, the tunnel will remain closed for up to seven hours at a time, later for up to nine hours at a stretch.
The following dates are planned:
7 to 11 September 2026: four nights from Monday evening to Friday morning, each from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
14 to 18 September 2026: four nights, each from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
21 to 25 September 2026: four nights, each from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
28 September to 2 October 2026: four nights, each from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
5 to 7 October 2026: two nights, each from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
In total, that's 18 night closures in early autumn. In addition, regardless of the maintenance work, the tunnel is regularly closed every Wednesday between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. for a time window reserved for special transports.
Important: Anyone wanting to cross the Gotthard at night in September or early October should check the dates before departure and, if necessary, take an alternative route or travel during the day.
What alternatives are there?
In the event of heavy traffic or night closures, the A13 via the San Bernardino route through Chur and Bellinzona is especially recommended. The Gotthard Pass can also be an alternative, although not for vehicles with a camping trailer. Other detour routes run via Simplon, Grimsel and Nufenen. However, these usually take considerably more time and can become overloaded themselves in the event of heavy diversion traffic.
In practice, this means: plan alternatives in advance, not only once you're stuck in traffic in front of the portal. Checking current waiting times and webcam information shortly before departure is worthwhile.
Tolls in Switzerland
Anyone driving through the Gotthard to Italy should take a quick look at the Swiss toll rules. Unlike in Austria, there is no short-term vignette, and the weight limit is based on the permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) including occupants. You can find an overview in our guide on tolls in Switzerland.
Annual vignette
For cars, motorcycles and vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW, the Swiss annual vignette (digital or as a sticker) applies on motorways and many national roads. The Gotthard Tunnel and most other motorway tunnels (such as San Bernardino) are covered by the vignette. Which vehicles require a vignette is explained in detail in our guide on vehicle classes.
Heavy vehicle charge
If the GVW exceeds 3.5 t, the vignette requirement no longer applies. Instead, the heavy vehicle charge applies: either as a PSVA (flat rate, for example for heavy motorhomes) or as an LSVA (performance-related, based on kilometres and weight, mainly for freight transport). Details can be found in our guide on the heavy vehicle charge.
Special toll
On a few routes, an additional special toll applies in addition to the vignette or heavy vehicle charge, for example at the Great St Bernard or the Munt la Schera Tunnel, as well as on some alpine pass roads. The Gotthard itself is not among them. You can find more information on this in our guides on special tolls and tunnels and passes in Switzerland.
Car shuttle trains
As an alternative to the pass and tunnel, Switzerland offers car shuttle trains, for example via Furka, Lötschberg, Simplon or Vereina. For these, you need a separate ticket from the respective operator; the annual vignette does not cover this. You can find more information on car shuttle trains in our guide on car shuttle trains.
Tolls in Italy
Anyone continuing on to Italy afterwards switches to a different system: there is no vignette in Italy, but a distance-based motorway toll instead. More on this in our guide tolls in Italy. To plan your trip, you can use our route planner.
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
With enough time buffer, up-to-date traffic reports and a clear alternative to the Gotthard route, you'll get to Italy and back more relaxed, even in midsummer and autumn. If you have any questions about the digital vignette and tolls in Switzerland, you can reach us at any time by email.
FAQ: Gotthard traffic jams and night closures 2026
How long could waiting times at the Gotthard be in early August?
In both directions, more than three hours is possible. Southbound (1 to 8 August), at least 2 hours 45 minutes; northbound on 8 August, even more than that.
When are the night closures in autumn?
From 7 September to 7 October 2026 in five phases, each on weekday nights. Weekends are excluded.
Are there maintenance closures in July and August?
No. The autumn night closures are deliberately scheduled outside the main travel season. In midsummer, the risk of traffic jams is the main issue.
Which detour makes the most sense?
Often the San Bernardino route (A13). The Gotthard Pass is only an option for vehicles without a camping trailer and usually takes more time.
Do I need an extra toll for the Gotthard?
No. The Gotthard Tunnel is included in the Swiss annual vignette. No special toll applies there.
