Where is the Seelisberg Tunnel located?

The Seelisberg Tunnel is a road tunnel in Switzerland with a length of over 9,200 meters. It is part of the A2 motorway (also known as the Gotthard motorway), which runs from the German border near Basel to the Italian border near Chiasso. As such, the tunnel represents a key route for north-south traffic in Europe.

Contrary to what the name might suggest, the Seelisberg Tunnel is not named after the mountain it passes through, but after the nearby village of Seelisberg. The mountain itself is called Niederbauen Kulm, is located in the Uri Alps, and reaches a height of 1,923 meters. It also borders Lake Lucerne. The tunnel runs through this mountain along the lake and connects Lucerne with Altdorf. It was opened to public traffic in December 1980. Before its construction, the route was often covered by ferry. Today, more than 20,000 vehicles per day pass through the Seelisberg Tunnel.

Lake Lucerne

Lake Lucerne is a lake of approximately 114 km² in central Switzerland and extends across the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden, and Lucerne. It is one of the five largest lakes in Switzerland and is located south of Zurich. The most important towns along the lake include Lucerne, Küssnacht, Horw, and Brunnen. The lake is divided into several basins, including the Urnersee in the east, the Gersauersee in the center, and the Chrüztrichter in the west. The Seelisberg Tunnel runs along this lake landscape between the Gersauersee and the Urnersee.

Niederbauen Kulm

Niederbauen Kulm is a mountain with a height of 1,923 meters in the Uri Alps and borders Lake Lucerne to the south. Since 1980, it has been traversed by the Seelisberg Tunnel.

The A2 Motorway

The A2 motorway, also known as the Gotthard motorway, is the most important road connection through the Swiss Alps between Germany and Italy. It has a total length of approximately 295 kilometers and runs from Basel to Chiasso. Construction of the A2 began in the 1950s, including the opening of the Lucerne-South section in 1955. Key tunnels along this route include:

• Belchen Tunnel
• Sonnenberg Tunnel
• Seelisberg Tunnel
• Gotthard Road Tunnel

Is the Seelisberg Tunnel subject to tolls?

The use of the Seelisberg Tunnel is subject to the vignette requirement for vehicles up to 3.5 t GVW or the obligation to pay the heavy vehicle charge for vehicles over 3.5 t GVW. Therefore, the tunnel is subject to tolls, and appropriate authorization is required for its use.

Unlike special toll tunnels such as the Great St. Bernard Tunnel or the Munt La Schera Tunnel, no additional fees are charged beyond the vignette or the paid heavy vehicle charge. The Seelisberg Tunnel is not a special toll route.

The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Trip

We wish you a pleasant journey to the Czech Republic and lots of enjoyment on your exploration tour through the country’s impressive landscapes. Please inform yourself in good time about the applicable toll regulations. In addition, our route planner is available to help you plan your trip optimally and display the relevant toll products. If you have any questions, we will of course be happy to assist you. You can contact us at any time by email.