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I am travelling from Milan, Italy to Zurich, Switzerland and would like to drive, but I'm not sure how difficult the drive would be. Would someone be able to describe what it's like - the terrain, road, bends and so on?

EDIT: As @aziz asks, what about the conditions in Winter? Is the road always open? Is there a need for winter tires or even chains?

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    "How hard" is subjective unless you tell us from what aspect exactly?
    – Nean Der Thal
    Jul 23, 2013 at 4:35
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    Also, there is a part of your question missing, as far as I can see...
    – Bernhard
    Jul 23, 2013 at 6:01

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This is, for a 3+ hour drive, pretty much as easy as it can get.

It's a drive 100% over Italian and swiss highways. It is also pretty much one straight line north - on the same road, with only one single fork in the road. If you print out a google navigation beforehand and stick to the road, you basically cannot do anything wrong.

If you are willing for some sightseeing, a 1.5 hour detour and if the weather is nice, you might want to not go through the Gotthard tunnel but take the pass road instead. You can make 2 detours to the Lago di Lucendro and the Göscheneralp. Those are 2 really spectacular glacier lakes on top framed in high mountains.

In winter, appropriate tyres are required, chains should not be needed as long as you use the tunnel. The road should be open except for special circumstances. The scenic street over the pass is often closed during winter or requires chains.

If there is a traffic jam, you can take the detour via the St. Bernardino pass, it takes just a bit longer but there is usually less traffic. The signage is quite good to find it, but you have to know the traffic conditions about 1 hour before you reach the Gotthard tunnel.

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    Don't forget that you need a "vignette" for driving on Swiss highways.
    – Bernhard
    Jul 23, 2013 at 7:57
  • And the routes involve quite long road tunnels, such as the Gotthard (+- 16 km) or the San Bernardino ( +- 7 km). Note so nice if you are claustrophobic.
    – Maître Peseur
    Jul 23, 2013 at 17:21
  • @Bernhard What is a vignette ?
    – Simon
    Sep 12, 2013 at 11:22
  • @Simon en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignette_(road_tax)
    – Bernhard
    Sep 12, 2013 at 11:30
  • As @aziz asks, what about the conditions in Winter? Is the road always open? Is there a need for winter tires or even chains?
    – Vince
    Oct 27, 2014 at 21:32

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