I've heard that I need some sort of tax disc/sticker before I can drive in Switzerland, I'm driving to France and then going across the boarder.
Any ideas about this (how much and where can they be bought)?
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Yep, you need a sticker on the windscreen to allow you to use Swiss motorways. Cost is around 40 Swiss Francs - 16 quid? - and it's valid for a calendar year. (Not much use to tourists on one-off visits alas...).
They'll stop you on the border at passport control and make you buy one. Otherwise most petrol stations sell them.
If you're NOT going on any motorways in CH then you don't need one.
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But don't go on a motorway without one!
They will stop you and the fine is worse than the disc! But as long as you stay away from motorways you dont need 1. It depends on whether you are driving around or through the country then. Great roads and scenery but takes ages to get anywhere, motorways good for that!
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I've not seen a staffed border control between France and Switzerland yet.
If you don't need the motorways then the 80kph (50mph) limit on ordinary roads actually seems quite effective - you still seem to make adequate progress and you don't get hassled from behind all the time if you obey the limit.
Roadworks, hazards and road junctions are much better signed in advance than they are in (for example) France and traffic lights are correctly positioned, usually with sighting boards, so they are easy to see and don't need to be duplicated on the pole.
Overall, I've found driving in CH a pleasant experience and you see a lot of interesting motors as you get around, too. Easy to see it's a wealthy place!
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OK Thanks, can I buy the disc in this country before I go?
Also I will be travelling to mid France first, I have route planned (AA) two journeys, one avoiding toll roads the other without.
The route via the toll roads ends being 3 hours quicker, so is there a way of estimating how much the tolls will cost me?
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Plan your route on
www.viamichelin.com
and it will give you the relevant toll charges AND the fixed speed cameras. SAFAIK you can't buy the Swiss M-Way disc until you get to the border. If you cross the border on a M way you will be able to buy it at that border.
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Petrol was a lot cheaper in CH when I visited a fortnight ago ( If I worked out the exchange rate correctly! ) There were petrol stations at least every mile on the road from France to Geneva.
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You can buy the Swiss Car Tax vignette in advance online at :-www.swisstravelsystem.com/uk/vignettes/index.php (mine arrived by return)
You also can usually buy it in advance at the Petrol stations just in advance of the border e.g. The last services on the A5 in Germany just before the Basel/Swiss border. Buy in advance if you can and avoid a big queue as most motorway borders have fast track lanes for cars that already have the vignette. At peak times this can save you 40 mins or so!
P.S. dont forget you have your high visablilty jacket or waistcoat IN the car, NOT in the boot. The local police seem to be cracking down on this new(ish) law.
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Nearly forgot to mention.
Petrol is lot cheaper in CH compared to Germany&France but Diesel is not. I made that mistake (once).
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And another..
If you are driving through France towards CH use the Toll roads, it will take you MUCH longer than 3 hours extra. If you are going the way I think you will be going then there are lots of hills and small towns with traffic lights that seem to be plotting against you. If you do use the Tolls then it should be noted that British credit cards DO work in the Carte Bleu lanes, I've zoomed past massive queues of British cars waiting for the cash lanes.
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Yes it's a bit strange to see French petrol car drivers nipping across to Geneva to fill up and Swiss diesel drivers going the other way into France. Mind you, there seem to be very few diesel cars in and around Geneva.
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By the way, avoid speeding in Switzerland. The on the spot fines are draconian to say the least and will make a serious dent in the holiday budget.
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"By the way, avoid speeding in Switzerland." - absolutely! Be particularly careful in tunnels, which usually have a lower limit, and are checked more often.
Be aware also that tif you decide to forgo the motorways, the road sign colours are reversed ie motorway signs are green whereas normal roads are blue.
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