Sion Travel Forum

Visiting Valais 19th Aug. and want to visit an old friend who lives in cugnasco, a little worried about driving over the Simplon Pass as I'm not used to driving over mountain roads and also not used to driving on the left. Is it a dangerous route and did I see a train route that brings cars some of the way, also would that be very expensive. A little worried. Would appriciate honest opinions.

The Simplon pass is one of the easy to drive ones (Especially on the Swiss side). Really, don't worry.

As far as I know the car transport on the train is only offered in winter.

Hi there,
The Simplon is definitely not a problem. It is even used by the big trucks and semi's and it is open all year round. (Except an occasional avalange) The road is from Brig to Gondo (Swiss-Italien border town) very wide, after that until Domodossola it get's a bit narrower but there the hairpin curves are over anyway. Don't take the train if you don't have to! You would miss one of the most scenic area of the alps. From which side do drive into the alps anyway? From lake Geneva there is a good motorway to Sion or a.k.a. Sitten. From there to Brig it takes another 45 minutes. But if you come from Basel, Zurich or Berne take the road to Thun - Spiez - Kandersteg. Then the car is loaded on the train (CHF 25.-) and for 15 minutes you're in the Tunnel to Goppenstein. From there to Brig it takes about 30 minutes. Have fun! Martin

Thanks so much for all the advice, it really is much appreciated, and now I know of course I can drive it. Just me a little anxious about the mountain roads.
Thanks Again