Holiday Traffic in February: Chaos Looms on the Roads

Every winter, the sports holidays in February are some of the busiest times on the Swiss road network. Again this year, drivers must brace themselves for heavy traffic across the country, particularly on roads and highways to ski areas. Significant traffic disruptions are expected in several regions, namely in Western Switzerland, the Bernese Oberland, Central Switzerland, Graubünden, and on the North-South axis. Traffic peaks are anticipated mainly on the weekends of February 14th and 21st, when departures and returns of holidaymakers overlap, with substantial waiting times on major routes.

Especially heavily impacted Alpine routes

According to TCS traffic data and forecasts, numerous routes will be heavily used throughout February. In Western Switzerland, heavy traffic is expected on the A9 motorway between Martigny and Montreux, on the A12 between Châtel-Saint-Denis and Lausanne, and on the A1 at the Bardonnex border crossing. Delays are also expected off the highways on routes like Château-d'Oex-Aigle, Monthey-Châtel, and Charmey-Bulle.

In the Bern region, significant traffic jams are expected on the A1 motorway between Kirchberg-Schönbühl and Kriegstetten-Härkingen in both directions. The main roads in the Bernese Oberland are also heavily affected, especially towards Interlaken, Simmental, Kandersteg, Grindelwald, and Meiringen as well as on the route to the Brünig Pass.

In Central Switzerland, traffic disruptions are expected on the A8 between Alpnach and Hergiswil and on the A2 between Lucerne and Stans. Outside the highway network, roads in the areas around Engelberg and Einsiedeln are also heavily used.

In the Zurich region and Eastern Switzerland, traffic volume between Basel and Zurich on the A3 motorway, between Zurich and Walenstadt on the A3, and between Zizers and the Sarganserland connection on the A13 is high. In Graubünden, the road network's capacity may further increase due to the hosting of the Winter Olympic Games. Some of the access routes to the venues pass through the Graubünden canton. Finally, significant traffic jams are expected in the Gotthard Tunnel area on the North-South axis.

Car loading stations: Expected waiting times

Car loading stations will also be heavily frequented during the sports holidays. High demand can lead to significant waiting times at loading stations. Delays of up to 2 hours and 30 minutes are possible at Furka (Oberwald), Lötschberg (Kandersteg and Goppenstein), and Vereina (Sagliains and Selfranga). TCS recommends informing oneself in advance about operating conditions and waiting times and considering them in travel planning.

TCS tips: start early, listen to the radio, plan the route with the TCS app

Starting early or slightly adjusting departure or return times often helps avoid the worst traffic peaks - especially on weekends. The heaviest loads usually occur between 7:00 and 9:00 am and between 4:00 and 6:00 pm on journeys to and from holiday resorts. It is recommended to avoid these time windows and to either leave earlier or later. Otherwise, drivers should prepare for significantly extended travel times with losses of up to two hours.

When there are traffic jams on the highway, some drivers try to save time by diverting through towns - a strategy that can quickly overload the secondary road network and lead to traffic restrictions. For example, during a similar period in 2025 in the Chablais region, several stretches of road were closed to traffic.

TCS recommends carefully planning the route and following official recommendations in case of road closures. The TCS app allows users to access real-time traffic flow and disruptions. TCS members also have access to advance traffic forecasts for Swiss roads and highways to adjust their departure and avoid heavily loaded areas. Radio remains an important channel for quickly informing oneself about traffic conditions on the Swiss road network and alternative routes. Additionally, road users can call the number 163 to receive traffic information before and during the journey.

Beware of fatigue: a significant risk after skiing

After a day on the slopes, fatigue sets in quicker, especially during late returns, at night, and on long distances. Common signs include yawning, burning eyes, concentration difficulties, as well as back pain or stiffness in the neck and shoulder area. It is important to recognize these warning signs in time, as the only truly effective remedy is sleep. Adequate night's rest before departure is essential, and a short power nap of about fifteen minutes during a break can help restore alertness.

TCS tips

- Securely store skis and luggage in the trunk and do not leave loose items on the back seat.

- Completely clear the vehicle of snow and ice to ensure optimal visibility and avoid dangers from snow residues.

- Drive with winter tires in good condition (tread >= 4 mm) and carry snow chains if necessary.

- Plan for range loss with electric vehicles and plan charging operations with TCS eCharge.

- Choose a calm driving style on snow and ice: reduced speed, greater safety distance, gentle steering, and braking maneuvers.

- Use the TCS app to track traffic and road conditions in real-time and receive warnings about the state of roads in holiday destinations before departure.

Press contact:

Marco Wölfli, TCS Press Spokesperson

Tel. 058 827 34 03

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Getty Images / Photographer: Scharfsinn86