Driving to the Alps

Austria · 30 ski resorts

The route there

Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone, arriving at Calais, then drive south through Belgium and Germany, joining the A7 motorway near Kassel and continuing south. From there take the A8 towards Munich and Salzburg. The final stretch is on the A10, the Tauern motorway.

Road toll

Austria requires a fee to drive on the motorways, called a vignette. It exists digitally linked to the registration number or as a sticker on the windscreen, and is valid for ten days, two months or one year. Without it you risk a fine right at the border.
Buy a digital vignette from ASFINAG

Tunnels and passes

The Tauern motorway A10 has a separate toll for the Tauern and Katschberg tunnels, in addition to the vignette. A single journey costs 15 euros for a car. If you are heading to the Arlberg area, that is St. Anton, Lech or Ischgl, the S16 Arlberg expressway costs 13 euros. You pay at the toll station just before the tunnel, by card or cash, or buy it in advance as a digital section toll.
Buy a section toll in advance from ASFINAG

Tyres

Winter tyres or chains are required in winter conditions from 1 November to 15 April.

Italy · 17 ski resorts

The route there

Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone, arriving at Calais, then drive through Belgium and Germany on the A7 motorway towards Munich. Continue on the A93 towards Innsbruck and the A13 over the Brenner Pass down into South Tyrol.

Road toll

No annual fee. The motorways are paid per section driven. You take a ticket when you join and pay when you leave, at a toll station that accepts coins, notes and cards. Avoid the lanes marked with the yellow Telepass sign, they are only for subscribers and you will be stuck at the barrier.

Tunnels and passes

On the way down you pass the A13 Brenner motorway on the Austrian side. It has a separate toll of 12.50 euros for the whole stretch, and the vignette does not apply there. Paid at the toll station by the pass or in advance as a digital section toll. On the Italian side, the A22 continues as an ordinary toll motorway where you pay per section driven.
Prices and purchase of section tolls from ASFINAG

Tyres

Winter tyres or chains in the car are compulsory on many roads from 15 November to 15 April.

Switzerland · 13 ski resorts

The route there

Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone, arriving at Calais, then drive through Belgium and Germany on the A7 motorway past Kassel. Continue on the A5 via Frankfurt and Karlsruhe down to Basel, where you cross into Switzerland.

Road toll

Switzerland requires a fee for the motorways, called a vignette. It exists digitally or as a sticker, but is only sold for a full year. There is no short-term option, so you pay for a whole year even if you are only driving through the country.
Buy an e-vignette from Swiss customs authorities

Tunnels and passes

The Great St Bernard Tunnel between Martigny and the Aosta Valley has a separate toll in addition to the vignette: 32 CHF or 33.50 euros for a single journey by car, 51 CHF or 53.50 euros for a return. The return ticket is valid for 30 days. The ticket is bought directly at the toll station by the tunnel, not in advance.
Official prices from the tunnel operator

Tyres

Winter tyres are not a legal requirement, but you become liable for damages if you cause an accident without them.

France · 23 ski resorts

The route there

Take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone, arriving at Calais, then drive south through France and Germany to Basel via the A7 and A5 motorways, continuing on the French A36 and A40 towards Geneva or the A43 towards Chambéry.

Road toll

No annual fee. The motorways are paid per section driven at toll stations that accept coins, notes and cards. Avoid the lanes marked with the orange t for Télépéage, they are only for subscribers. Choose the lane with the note and card symbol.

Tunnels and passes

If you are coming from the south through Italy, you go through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, 11.6 km between Courmayeur and Chamonix, or the Fréjus Tunnel, 12.9 km between Bardonecchia and Modane. Both cost the same: 56 euros for a single journey by car and 70 euros for a return. You pay at the toll station right at the tunnel entrance, not in advance. If you are returning the same way within a week, it is worth buying a return ticket directly at the booth, but the return ticket is only valid for seven days. If the stay is longer, two single tickets apply.

Tyres

In mountain areas the Loi Montagne applies: winter tyres or chains are required from 1 November to 31 March.

How far is it to drive to the Alps?

The distance varies a great deal from resort to resort. From the UK the journey runs via the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, and from there on through France or Germany depending on the resort. Allow for two days behind the wheel for most resorts, or one day from Calais for the nearer ones.

What do the road tolls and tunnels cost on the way down?

Austria and Switzerland require a vignette for their motorways, while Italy and France charge per stretch of road driven. In addition, certain tunnels have their own toll: Mont Blanc and Frejus cost 56 euros one way or 70 euros return, the Great St Bernard 32 CHF, the Tauern and Katschberg tunnels 15 euros, and the Brenner Pass 12.50 euros for a car.

Can you drive to the Alps on studded tyres?

No. Many of the routes down pass through Germany, where studded tyres are banned all year round, even for travellers just passing through. Drive on stud-free winter tyres and carry snow chains for the final mountain roads, and you will meet the requirements in every country.