Switzerland: A9 in Upper Valais – Tunnel closures and 24-hour full closure near Visp in September 2026

Travelers on the A9 motorway in Upper Valais must expect several tunnel closures in September 2026 between the Susten, Gampel, Raron, Visp and Brig-Glis junctions. The reason is cleaning and maintenance work on no fewer than four tunnels along the route, the Turtmann, Raron, Visp and Gamsen tunnels, as well as the Eyholz tunnel. The highlight of the series of closures is a 24-hour full closure between Visp-East and Visp-West from 7 September 2026, 5 a.m., to 8 September 2026, 5 a.m., during which the tunnels' firefighting water basin will also be cleaned.

This affects one of the most important north-south connections in Valais: the A9 links the Rhone Valley with the Simplon Pass and thus with Italy, and is also the main access route to the holiday resorts of Zermatt and Saas-Fee.

These closures are scheduled for September 2026

The Turtmann tunnel between Susten and Gampel was already closed in both directions on the nights of 31 August/1 September and 1/2 September, each time from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Next comes the Raron tunnel between Raron and Visp-West, also in both directions, on the nights of 2/3 and 3/4 September, each time from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The highlight is the 24-hour full closure of the Visp tunnel and the Eyholz tunnel between Visp-East and Visp-West from 7 September, 5 a.m., to 8 September 2026, 5 a.m. This is followed by the Gamsen tunnel between Visp-East and Brig-Glis on the nights of 9/10 and 10/11 September, each time from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., and finally the Visp tunnel again between Visp-West and Visp-South on three nights, 14/15, 15/16 and 16/17 September, also each time from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

During the closures, traffic will be diverted via the parallel cantonal roads, which is likely to lead to noticeable detours and waiting times, especially during the 24-hour closure on 7/8 September. Travelers wanting to pass through Upper Valais during exactly this time window should, if possible, move their journey forward or back.

Toll in Switzerland

Anyone traveling to Switzerland by car generally needs more than just a vignette, even though for most travelers this is the most important document. For cars, motorcycles and motorhomes up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, the vignette requirement has always applied in the form of an annual vignette, either as a sticker vignette or as a digital vignette; short-term options such as weekly or monthly vignettes, unlike in most neighboring countries, do not exist in Switzerland. For vehicles over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, no vignette applies; instead, the distance-based heavy vehicle charge applies, either as a flat-rate heavy vehicle charge (PSVA) or as a mileage-based, performance-related heavy vehicle charge (LSVA). In addition, a separate special toll is charged on selected mountain pass roads and two tunnels, the Great St Bernard Tunnel and the Munt la Schera Tunnel, which must be paid in addition, regardless of the vignette or heavy vehicle charge. No special toll applies on the regular A9 section in Upper Valais itself.

Anyone who would rather not do the math can conveniently obtain their vignette via the Europamaut flat rate: for 12.80 euros a month, the annual vignette for Switzerland is automatically included, there is no contractual commitment, and the flat rate can be cancelled at any time.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

Anyone planning to drive through Valais toward the south in the coming weeks will find all the details on the vignette, heavy vehicle charge and special toll on our page Toll in Switzerland, as well as general travel information at Travel information for Switzerland. Anyone wanting to avoid the tunnel traffic altogether can also opt for the car train through the Simplon tunnel for the last few kilometers between Brig and Iselle. Anyone traveling to Italy via the Gotthard anyway will find current traffic jam information in our article on the Gotthard Tunnel.

Frequently asked questions about the A9 closures in Upper Valais