Flight chaos and the start of vacation are to blame
Now there is a threat of traffic jam madness on Swiss roads
If you want to avoid the chaos at the airport and get in your car instead, you also need a lot of patience. Because: It’s getting crowded on the streets – and how.
Published: 4:18 p.m
|
Updated: 4:31 p.m
The traffic forecasts for the summer holidays are not exactly rosy: Long traffic jams in front of the Gotthard and heavy traffic on Swiss roads are expected.
“We expect the traffic jam to start this weekend,” says Barbara Roelli from the Viasuisse traffic service. Around half of the Swiss cantons would start their holidays this weekend. “From Friday, the first holiday-related traffic jams can be expected.”
Many European countries would also start the holidays. “That will certainly have an impact on holiday traffic,” says Roelli.
Tuesday is the best travel day
“In any case, intensive traffic is expected in the summer,” Roelli continues. On the north-south axis in front of the Gotthard, traffic jams are “practically certain” until the end of August. On the last weekends of July, the traffic jam might last all night.
It’s best to travel late in the evening or at night to cut down on traffic jams, Roelli recommends. If you are flexible, it is advisable to start during the week, for example on Tuesday. If a weekend departure is unavoidable, it is advisable to leave early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the most intense traffic jams.
“It is advisable to consult the traffic reports regularly, for example via the app or on the radio. You should also have enough food and drink with you to bridge the traffic jams,” says Roelli.
Due to the current problems with air traffic, there might be more traffic on Swiss roads in general. Especially when the weather is nice, you have to expect “increased traffic volume” throughout Switzerland.
SBB are also expecting additional passengers
Major events also cause additional traffic obstructions. For example, two stages of the Tour de France take place in western Switzerland. In addition, there is the Ironman in Thun BE, the federal scout camp in Obergoms VS, the Street Parade in Zurich and the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival in Pratteln BL.
The SBB expect numerous additional trips across national borders, especially on weekends, as they write at the request of Keystone-SDA. On these days, tens of thousands of holidaymakers might join the regular passengers.
In bad weather in the north, domestic traffic might also increase. But as a rule, the capacities should be sufficient, it was said. (zis/SDA)
