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Border tailbacks and hours of waiting at popular checkpoints can be avoided if you plan an alternative route in advance. Alternative roads via mountain passes, secondary motorways and regional corridors often offer a quieter and more reliable way to reach your destination. This is especially true on peak travel days during the summer and school holidays. In this article you can read which backroads and routes make the difference at busy borders with France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
Why alternative routes often work better
Most travellers choose the fastest route according to their satnav. As a result, everyone heads for the same tunnels and border posts on the same peak days. The result: long queues at the Gotthard Tunnel, on the French–Spanish border and on the main corridors towards the south of France. An alternative route is not always shorter in kilometres, but it is often more reliable and more pleasant during holiday periods.
You not only avoid the crowds, you also gain more control over your journey. Many alternative roads run through quieter areas. There you will find better stopping places, less stress and sometimes more beautiful views. It does, however, require preparation. Not every alternative is suitable for every vehicle, season or destination. You can find more information about preparing for your border crossing on the page Border crossings, customs & travel formalities.
‘ At weekends in July and August, waiting times of two to three hours are not unusual. ’
Alternatives to the busy Gotthard Tunnel
The Gotthard Tunnel is a notorious bottleneck for travellers heading to Italy. At weekends in July and August, waiting times of two to three hours are not unusual. Fortunately there are several alternatives you can consider, depending on your destination and the season.
Gotthard Pass
The Gotthard Pass is a mountain road that runs parallel to the tunnel. This route is easily passable in a car and offers spectacular views. Note: the pass is only open from June to October. This depends on snow and road maintenance. You do not need to pay tolls, but the road has hairpin bends and is not suitable for large caravans or inexperienced mountain drivers.
San Bernardino Tunnel
The San Bernardino route runs to the east of the Gotthard Tunnel and is a widely used alternative. Travellers heading for the east of Italy often choose this route. Travellers to Graubünden do the same. The downside: if the Gotthard comes to a standstill, this route can also become busier. So it is best to set off outside peak hours.
Simplon Pass and Great St Bernard Tunnel
For travellers to western Italy, the Simplon Pass and the Great St Bernard Tunnel are good options. The Simplon Pass is described as wide and comfortable, but always check the current status. Bad weather can temporarily make the road impassable. Incidents can also cause problems. The Great St Bernard Tunnel is a toll road and is open all year round.
Route via Austria
In some cases, a detour via Austria is a good alternative. In that case you take the Brenner Pass. This route does add kilometres. Even so, it is an interesting option if your destination is in northern Italy, as it avoids Switzerland’s congestion entirely. Remember you will need a vignette for Austria and you may encounter tolls on Italian motorways.
Avoid the congestion around Paris and French corridors
Most routes to the south of France run through or around Paris. In July and August this is a major bottleneck. Fortunately there are several alternatives that help you bypass the capital.
A26 via Reims, Troyes and Dijon
Many travellers from Belgium and the Netherlands choose the A26 towards Reims and then via Troyes to Dijon. This route runs to the east of Paris and is often quieter than the classic corridors via the A1 or A6. The road is largely tolled, but well maintained and easy to follow.
West side via northern and western France
For destinations in western or south‑western France, the route via Amiens and Rouen is a good alternative. This road runs to the west of Paris and gives access to the A10 towards Bordeaux and the A20 towards Toulouse. The route is less busy than the direct roads through Paris and offers plenty of petrol stations and rest areas.
Francilienne (N104/A104)
The Francilienne is a wide ring road around Paris that can serve as an alternative if you still need to pass through the region. Note: this road can also be busy at peak times and during holiday traffic. Use up‑to‑date traffic information to decide whether this is a smart choice.
Toll‑free roads and Routes Nationales
Motorways are often expensive. Not everyone wants to pay for them. Toll‑free Routes Nationales offer an attractive alternative, especially if you have time and want to break up your journey. These roads often run through smaller towns and regional areas. They are quieter, but also slower due to lower speed limits and traffic lights.
In France there are specific toll‑free stretches that are suitable for through traffic, such as sections of the A16, A31, A35 and A84. These roads are often used by travellers who want to avoid the congestion and cost of toll roads. Do allow for plenty of extra travel time. Also check whether the route fits your destination.
‘ Thursday is generally the quietest day. ’
Travel at the right time
An alternative route will not help much if you set off at the busiest time. Fridays and Saturdays in July and August are peak days. On those days, long‑distance traffic heading south is at its heaviest. Thursday is generally the quietest day. If you do need to leave at the weekend, try to depart after 10:00. You then drive behind the biggest wave and avoid the worst jams.
Also consider staying overnight halfway. This splits the journey into two manageable stages and gives you the chance to travel outside peak hours. Check the Bison Futé advice for France in advance. This is the official traffic information service. It provides daily traffic forecasts using colour codes and congestion levels. That way you know exactly what to expect on different routes.
Use up‑to‑date traffic information
Alternative routes are only effective if you combine them with real‑time information. Mountain passes can unexpectedly close due to weather or roadworks. Diversions can themselves become congested if too many people make the same choice. So use navigation apps such as Google Maps or Waze and check official traffic information.
For mountain passes in Switzerland and Austria there are specific websites that show the current status of passes and tunnels. For France, Bison Futé provides daily updates. Do not just plan your route at home; also check regularly en route whether your chosen route is still the best option.
Match your route to your vehicle and experience
Mountain passes such as the Gotthard Pass require a car that can handle mountain roads. You also need experience with hairpin bends. Some routes are therefore not suitable for everyone. Caravans and large motorhomes are better off using tunnels or wider corridors. Also check the season. Many Alpine passes are closed from October to June due to winter conditions.
Also take the length of your journey into account. A detour of 100 kilometres can be acceptable if it saves you two hours of queuing. The detour is less convenient if it means you arrive too late at your accommodation. Decide in advance what your priority is: speed, comfort, cost or experience.
‘ Do not compare routes on speed alone. ’
Make an alternative route a fixed part of your planning
A well‑prepared journey always includes a plan B. Do not only choose your main route, but also decide on an alternative. That way you can switch immediately if conditions change. Note down intermediate exits and key junctions, as well as the remaining distance to your destination. This allows you to adjust your plans quickly on the road, without stress or delay.
Do not compare routes on speed alone. Also look at reliability. One route may take ten minutes longer but offer an hour less risk of congestion. That is often the better choice, especially during school holidays, public holidays and long weekends.
On the Traveler Tips website you will find much more information about route planning and border crossings. You will also find travel formalities and practical tips for your trip. Discover more and plan your next journey with confidence.
Frequently asked questions
Reliable apps and websites for real‑time information on border congestion include **Google Maps** and **Waze**, which show current traffic jams and waiting times. For France, the official **Bison Futé** website and app provide traffic forecasts and congestion calendars. In addition, many national motoring organisations (such as the ANWB or Touring apps, or the websites of traffic control centres) offer live information on waiting times at major border crossings. For the most complete picture, it is best to combine a navigation app with an official traffic information service.
Yes, there are lesser‑known border crossings and routes that are not only quieter but also more scenic and more of an experience, for example via mountain passes and regional roads instead of motorways and tunnels. Think of the Gotthard Pass or Simplon Pass towards Italy, or quiet Routes Nationales in France instead of the major toll corridors. Such routes often offer views of mountain landscapes, villages and regional countryside, making the journey feel more like part of your holiday. Do take into account seasonal closures, weather conditions and your own driving experience on mountain roads.
Compare the estimated remaining waiting time at the border (using apps or current information) with the extra travel time of your alternative route, including detour kilometres and any slower roads. For both options, also add fixed factors such as planned breaks or the risk of additional delays (for example on mountain passes or village roads). Choose the route with the shortest and most predictable total travel time, not just the theoretically fastest. Take your own preference into account as well: driving on steadily in quieter conditions can be more attractive than a slightly shorter trip spent waiting in stressful queues.
Around the major holiday corridors heading south, such as via the Gotthard Tunnel towards Italy and the classic routes via Paris towards the south of France, Fridays and Saturdays in July and August are structurally the busiest days. Smart tactics include choosing alternative mountain passes or tunnels such as the Gotthard Pass, San Bernardino Tunnel, Simplon Pass or a route via Austria. For France it helps to take the A26 (via Reims–Troyes–Dijon) or routes via Orléans/Tours (A10/A20) instead of the busy axes around Paris. In addition, travelling on weekdays (preferably on Thursday and after 10:00) and using current traffic apps is an effective way to avoid border congestion.
Cross‑border train journeys often reduce waiting times at busy border crossings considerably, but they do not always eliminate them entirely, as you may still face border checks, changes of train or compulsory reservations. Therefore choose connections with as few changes as possible, and preferably direct international trains (for example ICE, Thalys/Eurostar, TGV or Nightjet). Plan your trip using international journey planners such as the NS International or Deutsche Bahn planners, or the app of your own rail operator, and compare departure times outside rush hour and peak holiday periods. Reserve seats and international tickets well in advance to limit waiting times at ticket offices and on platforms.
