Gotthard tunnel, Simplon Pass or Brig/Simplon train tunnel?

[Dave bee]

we will be driving between Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland to Feriolo at Lake Maggiore in Italy soon. This is only our second venture overseas with 3 children so trying to plan our routes to be prepared. On this leg of the journey, we seem to have 3 route options. One involves going through the Gotthard tunnel (it will be a Monday - haven't checked prices or queues yet!), another involves driving over the Simplon Pass and the other, sticking the van on a train tunnel at Brig.

Does anyone have any experience of any of these routes to advise on which would be easiest? We love scenery but also have to take into account having 3 children on board, 1 of which sometimes gets car sick!

 

[WelshGas]

Did the

we will be driving between Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland to Feriolo at Lake Maggiore in Italy soon. This is only our second venture overseas with 3 children so trying to plan our routes to be prepared. On this leg of the journey, we seem to have 3 route options. One involves going through the Gotthard tunnel (it will be a Monday - haven't checked prices or queues yet!), another involves driving over the Simplon Pass and the other, sticking the van on a train tunnel at Brig.

Does anyone have any experience of any of these routes to advise on which would be easiest? We love scenery but also have to take into account having 3 children on board, 1 of which sometimes gets car sick!

Did the Gotthard route on Wednesday. Standstill traffic due to lorry checks etc: so took the Pass. Only 9km longer. 1 set of traffic lights for road works but not a difficult drive. Very scenic. Recommended.

 

[fred]

I've done a lot of driving over the alps and rear passengers often get car sick with hours of switchbacks. If you don't go through the tunnel then try bringing the seats forward as far as possible so passengers can see the horizon through the front windscreen. Train tunnel sounds fun though.

 

[Dave bee]

Thanks for the advice, can't wait to get away. Might find the summer when away!

 

[Swissian]

Personally I'd go with the Simplon pass. It's the most direct route for you, and it's a very good road without too many switchbacks, and yet still very scenic.
Gotthard tunnel is boring, and the pass is not one of the most scenic here. Also both very busy.
The car-train, 20 mins of sat in your car, and CHF22, who wants to do that when you have a Cali and amazing scenery

 

[Dave bee]

True, want to take in as much of the wonderful country as we can . Thanks

 

[cleve]

We did the gotthard last Thursday and it was fine. Queued for 30 minutes about lunch time and was really easy drive. We found the congestion and bends around Lake maggiore the worst bit for complaints about travel sickness! We had an amazing time, I'll post pics and links of our route soon. Enjoy your trip!

 

[cpjb@btinternet.com]

I agree with Swisslan. We've just done the Simplon pass down to Stressa on Maggiore and it was easy peasy. No holdups, nice views but not scary. Lovely road.

We did Geneva to Stressa in just over 4 hours - very comfortable.