Vignette for Swiss motorways?

Richard53

I am taking my daughters to Switzerland soon for a few days. I understand that I will need a pre-paid vignette to display if I am going to travel on the Swiss motorways, at a cost of 40CHF.

The last time I drove through Switzerland was in 1982, so this is all a bit new to me. I'm told it is possible to pick one up at the border or, failing that, at the next Post Office or petrol station. I am also told that the Swiss police are very keen on enforcing it, and there is a 200CHF fine for not having one. It would be just my luck ...

It's not possible to buy one in advance online without paying a big postage charge (or 'booking fee'), as far as I can see.

Anyone been there recently, and is it as straightforward as people say?

GolfBravo

IMHO not worth the effort buying online and paying postage.

You'll be able to buy one at the Swiss border without even getting out of the car (you can pay Swiss Francs or in Euros for a small surcharge). They are more interested in selling you their vignette than checking your passport. Just make sure you have 40CHF in cash ready.

In case there is no border staff present just get one at the first service station.

Alternatively you can get one from any service station just before you reach Switzerland, and it takes 2 minutes.

redux

I've had 3 over the years, always bought right at the border using credit or debit card, and apparently that is universal.

Motorway tax stickers are for sale at all manned customs offices at the Swiss border. There, the sticker can be paid for also in a foreign currency (EUR, GBP, USD; only notes) and with all major credit and debit cards. Change is given in Swiss francs.

http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_privat/04338/04340/04720/index.html?lang=en

Iceweasel

Yes - it's no problem at all - very quick and easy - if you really need a vignette.

The vignette is valid for a full 12 months - no short term tourist alternative.

This is because Switzerland is not in the EU and they can make up any greedy rules they like.

However I would add that you should look at a map and obviously depending on where exactly you are going and how much of a hurry you are in - it's simple to avoid using the motorways at all.

When I arrive at the Swiss Border I simply set my sat-nav to avoid motorways and then pay nothing.

I had to do the same in Slovenia before they joined the EU. They very quickly had to stop being so greedy.

poet123

We did the above too. There is usually another, often more scenic, route, so before you decide to just pay up check out if it is absolutely necessary to use the Mway.

bondy01

It was the 90's last time I drove in Switzerland and I needed 2 as I had a caravan also. When I got to the border there was a lane for with (mit) and without (ohne) vignette.

fivetide

You can also get them on ebay as they are valid for 12 months but watch out. Most flog them at the same as it will cost you to actually buy one.

40 swiss frances is about £27 at the moment so if it comes to anything more than that, forget about it.

You can of course flog yours on ebay when you get back.

Iceweasel

fivetide wrote: »

You can also get them on ebay as they are valid for 12 months but watch out. Most flog them at the same as it will cost you to actually buy one.

40 swiss frances is about £27 at the moment so if it comes to anything more than that, forget about it.

You can of course flog yours on ebay when you get back.

I haven't bought a Swiss one myself for years -but you certainly can't do that with the current Austrian or Slovenian ones.

They are very sticky and if you try to remove them from the screen they leave parts of the print behind and reveal a panel with a cross so they are then very obviously invalid.

Edit:
I have just checked the 3 currently for sale on eBay and they all say 'new and unused'.

If you look closely at the pics you can see the separate ring construction which will come to pieces if you try to remove it after sticking it to the screen.

If you try fixing it to the screen with the backing paper still in place the Swiss polizei will not be too impressed. That gets a hefty fine.

fivetide

Iceweasel wrote: »

If you try fixing it to the screen with the backing paper still in place the Swiss polizei will not be too impressed. That gets a hefty fine.

This one looks used http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Swiss-Motorway-Vignette-/221408294866?pt=UK_Tickets_Travel_Package_Holidays_CV&hash=item338cf677d2

Not cheap enough mind at £21 you may as well go the extra fiver and get a new one.

I'd also use sticky back plastic

nobbysn*ts

Iceweasel wrote: »

Yes - it's no problem at all - very quick and easy - if you really need a vignette.

The vignette is valid for a full 12 months - no short term tourist alternative.

This is because Switzerland is not in the EU and they can make up any greedy rules they like.

However I would add that you should look at a map and obviously depending on where exactly you are going and how much of a hurry you are in - it's simple to avoid using the motorways at all.

When I arrive at the Swiss Border I simply set my sat-nav to avoid motorways and then pay nothing.

I had to do the same in Slovenia before they joined the EU. They very quickly had to stop being so greedy.

Greedy Swiss, £27 for the use of all the motorways for 1 year! Shocking! If they were in the EU, we'd soon sort them out. Like the M6 toll, one use of the 27 miles for £5.50, let's hope they adopt our fair EU system eh?

GolfBravo

They used to be for 14 months only (40CHF), now there are two alternatives: 2 months for 40CHF, or 14 months (1st Dec to Jan 31st) for 100CHF. The fine for lack of vignette is now 200CHF.