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Canton of Valais
Brig
Things to Do in Brig
Simplon Pass
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Simplon Pass

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Simplon Pass
4.5
256
#1 of 21 things to do in Brig
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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12:01 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:01 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:01 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:01 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:01 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:01 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:01 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:01 AM - 11:59 PM
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About
The Simplon Pass (French: Col du Simplon; German: Simplonpass; Italian: Passo del Sempione) (2,005 m or 6,578 ft) is a high mountain pass between the Pennine Alps and the Lepontine Alps in Switzerland. It connects Brig in the canton of Valais with Domodossola in Piedmont (Italy). The pass itself and the villages on each side of it, such as Gondo, are in Switzerland. The Simplon Tunnel was built beneath the vicinity of the pass in the early 20th century to carry rail traffic between the two countries. The lowest point of the col, and the lowest point on the watershed between the basins of the Rhone and the Po in Switzerland lies in marshland about 500 m (1,640 ft) west of the Simplon Pass settlement at an altitude of 1,994 m or 6,542 ft.[2] Rotelsee is a lake located near the pass at an elevation of 2,028 m (6,654 ft).
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Tours & experiences
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Top ways to experience Simplon Pass and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
6 within 3 miles
Simplonblick
6
396 ft
Hotel-Restaurant Monte Leone
36
0.4 mi$$ - $$$
Monte Leone
68
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Swiss • European
Roadhouse Engiloch
12
1.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Swiss • European
Ganterwald
43
2.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Swiss • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Restaurant Wasenalp
2
2.5 mi
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Attractions
26 within 6 miles
Stockalper Palace
154
Castles
Word Nature Forum - UNESCO World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch
31
Natural History Museums • Science Museums
Ecomuseum
5
Military Museums • Natural History Museums
ViaStockalper - Stockalpertrail
8
Hiking Trails
Museo delle guardie svizzere
5
Military Museums • Speciality Museums
Brig Simplon Tourismus
2
Visitor Centers
Beinhaus
4
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Starforce Gym
2
Sports Camps & Clinics
Fort Gondo
5
Military Museums
Kirche St. Gotthard
2
Churches & Cathedrals
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
256 reviews
Excellent
136
Very good
99
Average
14
Poor
5
Terrible
2
Michael S
Liverpool, UK2 contributions
Simply must be Simplon.
Friends
Absolutely brilliant, what a road! Scenery is stunning, road itself is excellent, We had great weather, so it was even better. It's an absolute must, if you are planning to go between Italy and Switzerland. Plenty of viewing area's to take in all the beauty around you.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
midway42
Georgia2,975 contributions
Highlight of my trip to Switzerland
Without question this was my most memorable experience on my trip to Switzerland and Northern Italy. A good portion of that is probably due to the fact it was an entirely unknown experience to drive through here on my way to Lake Maggiore and I wasn't expecting anything special. Swiss engineering at its finest. If you make time for this you will not be disappointed.
Written October 19, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jg3arrow
Nice, France1,397 contributions
Great Value By Train or Road
This is one of the few ways to drive between Italy & Switzerland or France & Italy or Switzerland, or Austria. And it is about the only "free" way. The road crosses between Switzerland's Rhone Valley/Valais region into Italy above Lake Maggiore, north of Milan (& Turin). It is a good road & open a good portion of the year. When it isn't an option, the auto train is. A good value at around $20 US, it cuts a lotta miles & aggravation out of the trip between Brig & Domossodola. Try both ways. Each is pretty cool.
Written October 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
onlyGeorgeVwilldo
Geneva109 contributions
Brig to Domodossola
The pass is beautiful ride, the tunnel is 20km of darkness on a train. You can also load your car on the train if you don't feel like driving, but you'll miss a famous drive trough the Alps.
Written January 19, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
minkusmum
Montreux, Switzerland88 contributions
Different!
Couples
It snowed heavily two days before we were due to drive over the pass, so we decided not to risk our summer tyres (in Switzerland inappropriate tyres can invalidate your insurance) and opted for the car train instead. For 22Chf per car you too can experience a cross between a traffic jam and a ghost train ride. The cars are loaded one behind the other, just like on the Channel Tunnel, but that's where the comparison ends. This time you find yourself sitting in your car on an open truck, with just a metal roof to protect the car from the elements. Once you enter the tunnel there is no lighting, so unless you leave your lights there is pitch blackness all around. The train quickly picks up speed and travels (unsurprisingly) in a straight line, so there are no unexpected twists and turns. However there are plenty of bumps in the track, so we decided to keep our seat belts on! The journey takes 20 minutes, which is certainly a lot quicker than going over the pass. The top speed was about 50km an hour, but it's hard to be precise in the dark. We will definitely do this again, but be warned that once you are in Italy there are no toilets, restaurants or shops for at least 30 minutes. Make the most of the facilities in Brig.
Written April 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James_10022
New York City, NY22 contributions
Opt for the drive instead
Couples
If you want to test your nerves, opt to go for the drive to Italy from Switzerland rather than taking the train. At night, it's even more hair raising; during the day, the views are spectacular!
Written January 9, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RehobothTraveller
Rehoboth Beach, DE13 contributions
Take the pass in good weather.
Friends
Pretty views of the Valais are afforded from the pass. Worth the drive.
Written September 17, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jaybeeFL
Palm Harbor, FL2,966 contributions
What A Drive!!!
Couples
Drove from Lake Maggiore to Zermatt by way of the Simplon Pass and Tunnel. Incredibly beautiful scenes of the Alps and deep valleys while trying to concentrate on the winding roadway, switchbacks, steep climbs and dramatic drops in elevation. It definitely takes your breath away in a good way.
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sanjabg85
Castiglione Delle Stiviere, Italy994 contributions
Time saver
We decided to take the tunnel train from Italy to Switzerland,especially since the weather forecast said that it would snow later that day(which it did).Plus it saves a lot of time too,by train it takes around 20min,and by car friends have told us it can take around hour and a half, depending on the roads and weather. It costs 19euros in one direction,and you pay for it in Switzerland. you cannot buy the ticket on line or book it,you have to be there a bit before,in order to take the line.Around 30 cars can fit on the train.The tunnel itself is really narrow, and dark.I have never been in a tunnel of this kind:-)
Written January 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
timonoff
Tampere, Finland18 contributions
Overevaluated place
Couples
30 minute bis trip 14.40 CHF there and same amount back. One statue made of rocks. Not any great views. We took next bus back. Someone likes for sure but not me.
Written July 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BrigSimplonTourismus
We are sorry that you didn't like the landscapes, lakes and hikes on the Simplon.
Written July 29, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Simplon Pass (Brig) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Simplon Pass
Simplon Pass is open:
  • Sun - Sat 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Simplon Pass tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Simplon Pass tours on Tripadvisor