UNITYJAN Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 I have just printed off a routeplanner for our impending trip through France, Switzerland, Germany etc and it is telling us to get on the Beckenried-Gersau ferry across Vierwaldstattersee.(Lucerne) Has anyone done this crossing? Is it wise and if so is it costly with a 3.5 ton motorhome? We are staying in Vitznau for one night and then its telling us to cross back on the ferry to carry on down to Interlaken. Any advice greatly appreciated Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted May 30, 2008 Share Posted May 30, 2008 Hi, Here's the ferry prices http://www.autofaehre.ch/ Now you have the ferry costs you can work out the mileage cost if you do not use the ferry. Don't forget your GB sticker, the one on your number plate will not do in Switzerland also the Vignette for the motorways. Safe travelling. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 There is an additional cost if taking a vehicle into Switzerland which weighs more than 3.5t. In order to pay for the series of tunnels which will form the new Gotthard rail link there is now a "heavy vehicle tax" which, for motorhomes, is 32.5 Swiss francs. This covers you for up to ten days in the country and then an extra 3.25 francs per day thereafter. If the border guards realise that your vehicle is over the magic figure of 3.5t then you will be directed to pull to one side at the border crossing to complete the paperwork. There seems to be no check that a vehicle has actually left the country within the paid-for timescale. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 eljay - 2008-06-01 5:39 AM There is an additional cost if taking a vehicle into Switzerland which weighs more than 3.5t. In order to pay for the series of tunnels which will form the new Gotthard rail link there is now a "heavy vehicle tax" which, for motorhomes, is 32.5 Swiss francs. This covers you for up to ten days in the country and then an extra 3.25 francs per day thereafter. If the border guards realise that your vehicle is over the magic figure of 3.5t then you will be directed to pull to one side at the border crossing to complete the paperwork. There seems to be no check that a vehicle has actually left the country within the paid-for timescale. J Hi John, Vehicles up to 3.5 tons must buy a Vignette costing 40 Swiss Francs and valid for 14 months (1 Dec 2007 - 31 Jan 2009) caravanners/trailers have to buy two. See http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_privat/informationen/00421/index.html?lang=en Payment is easy (Euros, Sterling, Credit Cards or Swiss currency accepted. Exchange rate about 2.06 Swiss Francs to the Pound). If you pay for the vignette with Euros or Sterling you will get Swiss Francs in change. The vignette can be bought in advance at service areas on main routes approaching the border. If you are over the 3500kg limit you can only get a permit at the border post. If you are travelling mid week be prepared to wait as you use the same counter as the truckers. Permits can be bought for one day (3.25 SF), 10 days (32.50), one month (58.50) or a year (650.00). Just make sure you tick the box for the days that you are travelling if you have the 10 day/monthly/yearly permit. When we had the Laika (4200kg) we would buy a 10 days pass to transit Switzerland out and back. The ten days don't have to be taken consecutively, so the pass is good for a return journey too, provided it's within one year. Excellent value, as the motorways include the 10-mile St Gothard Tunnel through the Alps into Italy! Safe travelling Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 I've never bought a vignette for travelling on Swiss motorways using either a car and a caravan or a motorhome. We're been through Switzerland a few times with no problems, simply being waved through by border guards. I remember perhaps 5 years ago being told by some British friends of ours who lived in Switzerland for years who told us they had never bought one either. The trick it appears is not to stop on Swiss motorway service areas as this is where vehicles are periodically checked. Incidently I've never bought one in Hungary either and had the same treatment of being waved through at the Austrian border. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brambles Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 We may not like paying and may have objections to paying on various grounds, but Swiss law says you need one and so we should abide by their laws as we would expect them to ours in the UK. Is it really worth the risk getting a hefty fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libby Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 With modern detection cameras I would never travel without the relevent passes for whatever country. LB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 Hi Used the ferry April past. The ferry will take very large vans and buses so plenty of room, my own is a Delphin 680. No problems getting on or off with very helpful staff on the boat. Would recommend the crossing as a great way to see the area. Suggest a trip to Engleberg which is a beautiful area with a super site. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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