Lausanne to Andermatt Road Trip Guide: Alpine Drive

Switzerland’s A9 motorway carries you east from Lausanne along the northern shore of Lake Geneva, a route flanked by terraced vineyards that have produced wine since Roman times. In 2023, traffic counts on this stretch averaged 45,000 vehicles per day, yet the drive to Andermatt (roughly 220 km) takes about two hours and 40 minutes without stops. The road you’ll follow is partly the historic trade route over the Furka and Gotthard passes, a path used by travelers since the 13th century. Crucially, the route is entirely paved and well-maintained, but winter conditions can demand snow tires from November to March.

• Distance: 220 km
• Driving time: 2h40min without stops
• Roads: A9, A2, then A2/E35 up to Andermatt

The motorway sections are straight and well-lit, but watch for sudden fog pockets near Lake Geneva, especially in late autumn. The Gotthard tunnel has a strict speed limit of 80 km/h and emergency telephones every 150 meters. For families, consider a stop at the Swiss Vapeur Parc in Bouveret (60 km east of Lausanne), a lakefront miniature train park suitable for children aged 2–12. Pet-friendly stops include the rest area at Mayens-de-Sion, where there is a designated dog walking field and waste bag dispensers.

To avoid fatigue, plan breaks every 90 minutes. The rest area at Veyraz (near Sion) has a playground, picnic tables, and a restaurant serving local raclette. For a more unique stop, detour to the Arolla glacier viewpoint (13 km south of Sion) – accessible by car in summer. The how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities guide can help you discover lesser-known viewpoints like the Binn Valley or the Ernen village.

• Emergency call boxes: Every 2 km on A9, every 1.5 km on A2 tunnels.
• Family attraction: Swiss Vapeur Parc (open April–October, entry 15 CHF).
• Pet facilities: Gampel rest area (N46.315, E7.742) with fenced dog run.
• Hidden gem: Klettersteig at Belalp, a via ferrata with cable car access (summer only).

Departing Lausanne, your first panoramic view appears after just 20 km: the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. These south-facing slopes produce Chasselas grapes and offer tasting cellars open daily. Continuing east, the road hugs the lake shore, passing through Montreux with its Jazz festival legacy and a statuesque Freddie Mercury sculpture. Beyond Vevey, the scenery transforms as the Rhône valley opens, flanked by the Dents du Midi mountain massif to the south. In the valley, Sion’s twin hills (Valère and Tourbillon) host medieval castles, while Sierre marks the start of the German-speaking region.

As you approach Brig, the landscape becomes drier and the architecture shifts to timbered Valais-style chalets. Past Brig, the road enters the narrow Goms valley, a series of villages with traditional black-and-white facades. The climb to Andermatt reveals the Urseren valley, a high alpine basin surrounded by 3,000-meter peaks. Andermatt itself, at 1,447 meters, has been a military outpost since the 19th century and now hosts the luxury Chedi hotel.

• Lavaux: 30 hectares of terraced vineyards, open to visitors.
• Sion: Castle complex with a 12th-century church and Romanesque frescoes.
• Brig: Stockalper Palace, a 17th-century Baroque palace built by a merchant.
• Andermatt: Gothic church (St. Peter and Paul) with a 15th-century altarpiece.

The A9 motorway from Lausanne to the Rhône valley is a dual carriageway with speed limits of 120 km/h, reducing to 80 km/h near tunnels. Past Sierre, the road narrows to two lanes as you enter the Upper Valais, and you’ll encounter several long tunnels, including the 9.3 km Base Tunnel near Visp. The final leg to Andermatt climbs via the A2 through the Gotthard Road Tunnel (16.9 km), the world’s third-longest road tunnel, which costs 17 CHF for cars each way. Fuel prices in Lausanne average 1.90 CHF per liter in 2024, while in Andermatt they are about 0.10 CHF higher. Plan to fill up in the Rhône valley where prices are lower.

• Motorway vignette required (40 CHF/year, valid for 14 months).
• Winter tires mandatory from November to March.
• Tunnel tolls: Gotthard (17 CHF), other tunnels included in vignette.
• Rest stops: 6 service areas along A9/A2 with fuel, toilets, and snacks.