St Gotthard Pass, Airolo: Address, St Gotthard Pass Reviews: 4.5/5
St Gotthard Pass
St Gotthard Pass
4.5
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1-2 hours
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Top ways to experience St Gotthard Pass and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
11 within 3 miles

Albergo Ospizio San Gottardo
66
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Swiss • European • Vegetarian Friendly

Gotthard-Matteli
19
2.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Swiss • European • Central European

Snack-Bar Airö
89
2.7 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Swiss • Bar

Tremola San Gottardo Osteria
62
2.8 mi$$$$ • Italian • Swiss • European

Caseificio Dimostrativo del Gottardo
403
2.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Swiss • European • Vegetarian Friendly

Ristorante Forni
122
2.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Swiss • European

Ristorante Flora
66
2.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options

des Alpes - Restaurant & Pizzeria
55
2.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Brew Pub • Swiss

Ristorante Cristallina
67
2.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly
Take Away Tö Sü E Va
2
2.8 mi$ • Swiss • European
Attractions
15 within 6 miles

Museo Nazionale del San Gottardo
47
0.1 miHistory Museums

Sasso San Gottardo
117
0.3 miSpeciality Museums

Vier Quellen Weg
1
0.4 miHiking Trails

Oberalp Pass
95
Scenic Drives

Funivie Airolo-Pesciüm
35
2.8 miMountains • Biking Trails

Museo Forte Airolo
7
2.2 miMilitary Museums • Speciality Museums

Basecamp Andermatt
58
Ski & Snowboard Areas

Funicolare Ritom
26
Trams

Chiesa Santi Nazario E Celso
1
2.9 miChurches & Cathedrals

Talmuseum Ursern
15
Speciality Museums
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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
106 reviews
Excellent
73
Very good
24
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
0
pore
Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland19,522 contributions
Aug 2021
We drive the historic Tremola road every year as we like it so much. There are more than two dozens of u-turns. My friends do not like to drive it by bycicle and by motor bike as there are pavés on the road.
I do not recommend to drive this road for drivers who are not used to drive mountain roads.
Please let pass faster cars and drive it your pace.
pore
I do not recommend to drive this road for drivers who are not used to drive mountain roads.
Please let pass faster cars and drive it your pace.
pore
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kathinated
Dunfermline, UK680 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We took the older grand tour route through this pass but you also have the option of a slightly wider main road. Our route, while possibly more scenic was a cobblestone road with very sharp turns and cyclists so be aware and don’t try to drive too fast or spend your time gazing at the amazing scenery. At the top was a town with a Sunday market.
Written July 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frank Geisler 🇨ðŸ‡
Zurich, Switzerland13,061 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
We passed the St Gotthard pass due a traffic jam in the tunnel below.
Weather was great so we enjoyed several outstanding views around the region.
Is this a helpful review? Then please give me a "Thumbs up Thank FrankGeisler" by clicking the button below.
Weather was great so we enjoyed several outstanding views around the region.
Is this a helpful review? Then please give me a "Thumbs up Thank FrankGeisler" by clicking the button below.
Written October 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mark H
Sonoma, CA2,266 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
St Gotthard's pass provided the most important historic link between the North (Switzerland and Germany) and the south (Italy and Rome). This incredibly panoramic pass drips history, with cobble stone roads, ancient bridges, and battle fields from dating to Napoleon's conquest of Europe. Why wait in tunnel traffic when you have this alpine adventure option? Leave the main highway before the tunnel; the road climbs up sections of old cobble stones with a different view at each turn. Stop for a coffee and selfie at the Cafe Chicco D'Oro with a stunning view of the pass opening to the south. At the pass summit, visit the National Museum of the San Gotthard in a beautifully restored building dating to 1834. You can grab lunch here at the excellent restaurant in the Albergo di St Gotthardo and stretch your legs checking out the Lago della Piazza and the interesting Eagles Statues. You will see vendors with trailers and local merchandise. Check out the cheese vendors in particular. The artisanal alpine cheese are fantastic (ask for a sample!). Continuing your trip, you pass through the sonic town of Hospental, which is being developed into a major summer/winter resort. As you continue north, the must see Devil's Bridge (Teufelsbrücke) will come up quickly (parking is on the right). This is the site of the famous historic bridge, a Napoleonic battle site replete with memorials), the newer tunnel and a roaring gorge. Getting back on the road, the narrow deep canyon gradually widens as the pass opens with you descending to excellent views of Lake Lucerne. At the lake you can rejoin the main highway. During peak season in late July we made this crossing including breaks for coffee, lunch, sightseeing, a short hike, cheese tasting, and photographs in a little over 6 hours. The delay at the dark and long tunnel were being reported on the radio as 6 hours. Your results may vary, but just saying...
Written August 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
GlobalMillionMiler
Evansville, IN20 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
For those who follow road cycling and racing, this pass is well known. Often considered THE top climb in Switzerland, the climb from Airolo to the pass on the Tremelo road is not to be missed. Most of the road is cobbled, and it is well maintained by the authorities. This is not Roubaix cobbles, this is Swiss cobbles made smooth by nearly 2 centuries of use. If you do drive it, plan on going slowly as it's narrow and has many switchbacks; and also be prepared to stop for photos on a regular basis. But the views are outstanding and the satisfaction of climbing it can't be beat. At the top, grab a wurst off the grill from the locals. Nice atmosphere at the top, even on a relatively cold June day. I wish I would have been able to go to the museum, but just hiking around on the top and taking in the views makes this trip worth it regardless of how you get there.
Written June 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jock M
Ashford, UK189 contributions
Sep 2019
You can do this on tarmac. Stop! Use the 2 cobbled routes and you'll have much more fun. Plan your trip and the cobbled routes are amazing. We saw classics driving these routes as well as the modern Porsches, Lambo etc in our group. Shop also offers a free passport stamp...weird but similar to Liechtenstein's tourist stamp.
Written September 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
No D
132 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Instead of follow a long traffic towards the Gotthard tunnel, taking the St Gotthard Pass was the best option. A nice roadtrip upon the hills, making a stop for a coffee or snack, it has it all if you love mountains and nature. The trip takes approximately 1,5 hour without a stop. Don't think, just do it. It's worth it.
Written December 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sanookhans
Rotterdam, The Netherlands99 contributions
Sep 2020
Nice drive up the St Gotthard pass, much nicer than the tunnel ofcourse. Not as spectacular as other Swiss passes but worth the ride!
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Paul D
Pretoria, South Africa29 contributions
Aug 2019
An amazingly beautiful place to visit and to drive.
Always take the long and exciting option.... the Tremola Road is the one ....
First we went up Furka Pass and visited the glacier which was exciting for the children. We then took on Gotthard Pass which is somewhat easier.
We had a great Bratwurst (or 2) from the "old' lady at the top of the pass - see pictures.
Always take the long and exciting option.... the Tremola Road is the one ....
First we went up Furka Pass and visited the glacier which was exciting for the children. We then took on Gotthard Pass which is somewhat easier.
We had a great Bratwurst (or 2) from the "old' lady at the top of the pass - see pictures.
Written September 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
SabreSailor
New York421 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
Why would you drive many km through a dark tunnel when you can EASILY drive the St. Gotthard Pass??
This was the easiest of 5 passes we drove in Switzerland. We are at the top of the pass before we realized we were halfway through! There's a hotel, restaurant, gift shop, and post office at the top, but skip that and walk over to the red building where a 70+ year old lady and her son sell delicious bratwursts!
This was the easiest of 5 passes we drove in Switzerland. We are at the top of the pass before we realized we were halfway through! There's a hotel, restaurant, gift shop, and post office at the top, but skip that and walk over to the red building where a 70+ year old lady and her son sell delicious bratwursts!
Written October 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Zul
Kota Bharu, Malaysia
Hi all. I will be driving from Interlaken to Milan this september. What is the best route to go? Gotthard Pass, Furka Pass is something in my mind.
GlobalMillionMiler
Evansville, IN20 contributions
If you are in no rush and are looking for knockout scenery, then that would be one of the routes I'd consider. The other is to go east out of Interlaken over to Wassen, then south to Andermatt and over Gotthard - the drive from Wassen to Andermatt is also beautiful but in a different way, driving through a canyon as you gain elevation to Andermatt.
Wij komen uit Italië ( Gardameer) wat is vlgs jullie de beste( mooiste) route?
thegarageguy
Dallas, TX112 contributions
If staying in the north, should you drive south, take the tunnel to the top, then drive back down for the scenery? Thinking about doing Furkapass too. Advice?
Cata246
Rugby, UK23 contributions
Hello.
It is going to be open this pass mid June?
Anybody knows if you have to pay to use it?
We are driving from UK for the sole purpose of driving through the pass, any advice is very welcomed.
Obviously, I will drive a car with the wheel on the right side.
Thank you in advance.
Qamer_Zia
Frankfurt, Germany1,414 contributions
Hi,
1. Pass will be open unless something out of the ordinary happens.
2. There is no toll just to drive this pass.
3. But in order to use motorway and some other roads in Switzerland you have to buy a toll sticker called Vignette (will cost around 35€ and is valid until 31 of January the following year). You can check the route planner from Michelin to confirm if the route you will or want to drive would require the Vignette.
4. You can also consider driving towards Gotthard pass via Furka Pass if it makes sense. Lovely scenary and drive. Grimsel Pass, Grimsel Welt/Hospiz, Oberaar and Grimsel water reservoirs......are right next to Furka Pass, you just have to take left turn from Gletsch but if you do not have enough time skip this and continue on Furka pass. Minimum three stops i would recommend on Furka Pass 1)Belvedere Hotel with a view of Rhone Glacier and Furka Pass 2) When you further drive like 1km or so you would have a lovely view of Furka Pass and the valleys on both sides 3) While driving down the Furka Pass towards Realp there is a shield depicting that a chase scene in James Bond movie ''Goldfinger'' was filmed there, a nice place to take some snaps.
Hope this helps. Wish you a nice trip.
Qamer
Neilbebb
Radcliffe, UK54 contributions
Hi there
We are due to cycle from basel to como on May 6th, and were a little concerned about the pass being closed ? Will bikes be allowed to pass over or is it completely closed off ?
Thanks in advance
SabreSailor
New York421 contributions
The pass itself can be closed as late as June, so you can't rely on being able to use it in early May.
Frequently Asked Questions about St Gotthard Pass
- We recommend booking St Gotthard 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 St Gotthard Pass tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near St Gotthard Pass:
- (0.11 mi) Albergo San Gottardo
- (0.11 mi) St. Gotthard Hospiz
- (0.21 mi) Ospizio San Gottardo
- (5.90 mi) Lodge and Hostel Basecamp Andermatt
- (5.80 mi) The Chedi Andermatt
- Restaurants near St Gotthard Pass:
- (0.11 mi) Albergo Ospizio San Gottardo
- (4.18 mi) Locanda Orelli
- (2.75 mi) Snack-Bar Airö
- (5.62 mi) Toutoune
- (5.83 mi) Restaurant Chuchichäschtli
- Attractions near St Gotthard Pass:
- (0.10 mi) Museo Nazionale del San Gottardo
- (0.27 mi) Sasso San Gottardo
- (0.40 mi) Vier Quellen Weg
- (6.49 mi) Teufelsbrücke
- (4.06 mi) Dampfbahn Furka Bergstrecke