Traffic jams at Easter: Here you need a lot of patience
OFF TO THE SOUTH The first wave of travelers heading south took place a week before Easter after the start of the school holidays in Germany. As usual, the second wave is expected before Easter and over the Easter holidays.
This confirms the trend that, for the past two years, congestion peaks have been spread over two weekends. This year, Easter is earlier than last year. The first wave of vacation travelers already passed through the Gotthard on 23 and 24 March. In twelve cantons and three federal states, however, the start of the vacation coincides with the Easter weekend. A high volume of traffic can therefore be expected again in the days leading up to and over Easter.
Maximum already on Good Friday
During the week before Easter, an increased volume of southbound traffic is expected for the first time on Wednesday. On Maundy Thursday, traffic jams can be expected early in the morning before eight o'clock. Traffic jams are most severe between 12 noon and midnight. The traffic jam in front of the north portal is not expected to clear up during the night of Good Friday. As in the previous year, the biggest wave of travelers is expected on Good Friday. As a general rule for the journey south: to avoid traffic jams as much as possible, you should arrive at the Gotthard north portal early in the morning before eight o'clock or in the evening after 10 pm.
Biggest traffic jam on Easter Monday
The most time-consuming obstructions are expected on Easter Monday. Between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., long tailbacks can be expected in front of the Airolo south portal. There may be further delays on Tuesday. Traffic jams and longer waiting times in front of the south portal can also be expected throughout the rest of the week. To minimize traffic jams on the journey north, it is recommended that you start your return journey early in the morning before eight o'clock or in the evening after 10 pm.
Alternative routes or car train
For travelers from the greater Zurich area and eastern Switzerland, the Federal Roads Office recommends a detour via the San Bernardino route. This alternative is recommended as soon as the waiting time at the Gotthard tunnel exceeds one hour. However, there may also be delays there. If you are traveling south from the Mittelland, you can take the car train through the Lötschberg and Simplon. For travelers from western Switzerland, the Great St. Bernard is a good alternative.
