Red flags at the Gotthard: traffic chaos in May

Contesto

In brief - May 2026: heavy traffic at San Gottardo - Up to 20 km of traffic jams expected - Delays up to 2 hours ## Key facts - What: San Gottardo tunnel traffic forecast - When: May 2026 - Where: North portal of San Gottardo - Who: TCS (Touring Club Svizzero) - Amount: 20 km of traffic jam expected on May 23 May 2026 is expected to be particularly problematic for traffic at the San Gottardo tunnel. According to TCS forecasts, the fifth month of the year, with its various bank holidays and long weekends, will be the last 'warm' period before the summer chaos. Already this Saturday morning, several kilometers of traffic jam were reported at the north portal of the tunnel, with delays around an hour and a half. The situation is set to worsen in the coming hours, according to TCS forecasts. ### Critical days TCS forecasts show a patchy situation for the month of May, with a clear majority of days marked in yellow (moderate traffic), but with several critical days marked in orange and red (heavy and very heavy traffic). The crucial moments obviously correspond with the various bank holidays. May 1, a holiday in less than a dozen cantons, will see the red signal on Monday, May 4, heading north. The most delicate situation is expected for the Ascension and Pentecost bank holidays. For Ascension, the 'no-go' days will be May 13 and 14, with the chaos of the return journey expected for the following weekend, particularly on Sunday. Even more critical are the forecasts for the weekend preceding Pentecost Monday. On Saturday, May 23, TCS expects about twenty kilometers of traffic jam at the north portal of San Gottardo, with the return journey punctually set for Monday and (even more) for Tuesday. ### Summer 2025 data Looking back at the data from summer 2025, the Federal Ro...

Dettagli operativi

Implications for cross-border workers The heavy traffic at the San Gottardo tunnel has significant implications for cross-border workers who daily cross the border between Italy and Switzerland. The expected delays, which can reach up to two hours, can have a substantial impact on daily life, affecting work schedules and family activities. ### What to do in case of delays In case of significant delays, it's important to stay calm and follow some guidelines to minimize discomfort. First, it's advisable to leave with an adequate time margin, especially on days marked as critical by the TCS. Additionally, it's useful to stay updated on traffic conditions through dedicated apps and websites, such as the TCS's. ### Alternatives to the tunnel For those who need to cross the San Gottardo on days of high traffic, it might be helpful to consider alternatives to the tunnel. For example, one could opt for the Brogeda or Gaggiolo crossings, although these routes can also be subject to queues and delays, especially during peak tourist seasons. ### Summer forecasts Forecasts for summer 2026 are not yet available, but it's likely that traffic at the San Gottardo will remain intense, especially in July and August. For those who need to cross the tunnel during the summer, it's advisable to plan the trip in advance and consider alternative options, such as the train or bus. ### Measures by the Canton of Ticino The Canton of Ticino has adopted various measures to improve the traffic situation, such as introducing preferential lanes for heavy vehicles and expanding road infrastructure. However, despite these efforts, traffic at the San Gottardo remains a complex issue that requires the collaboration of all parties involved, from Swiss and Italian authorities to individual citizens. ##...

Punti chiave

What to do concretely For those who need to cross the San Gottardo during critical days, it is important to follow some practical guidelines. First of all, it is advisable to leave with an adequate time margin, taking into account the TCS forecasts. Additionally, it is useful to stay updated on the traffic situation through dedicated apps and websites. ### Use the traffic calculator To best plan your trip, you can use the traffic calculator available on the TCS website. This tool provides updated information on the traffic situation and allows you to plan your route based on the forecasts. ### Consider alternatives In case of heavy traffic, it might be useful to consider alternatives to the San Gottardo tunnel. For example, you could opt for the Brogeda or Gaggiolo passes, although these routes may be subject to queues and delays, especially during peak tourist seasons. ### Plan ahead For those who need to cross the San Gottardo during critical days, it is important to plan your trip in advance. This means leaving with an adequate time margin, taking into account the TCS forecasts, and considering possible alternatives in case of heavy traffic. ### Use the site's tools To delve deeper into the traffic information at the San Gottardo and to best plan your trip, you can use the tools available on the Frontaliere Ticino website. Among these, the traffic calculator and the route comparator can be particularly useful for obtaining updated information and planning your route based on the forecasts. Source: tio.ch

Punti chiave

[{"q":"What are the most critical days for traffic at the Gotthard in May 2026?","a":"The most critical days for traffic at the Gotthard in May 2026 are the bank holiday weekends. In particular, May 4th heading north, May 13th and 14th for Ascension Day, and May 23rd for the weekend before Whit Monday. On these days, TCS expects queues up to 20 km and delays up to 2 hours."},{"q":"What are the alternatives to the Gotthard tunnel?","a":"Alternatives to the Gotthard tunnel include the Brogeda and Gaggiolo passes. However, these routes can also be subject to queues and delays, especially during peak tourist seasons. You can consult the TCS website for real-time traffic updates and plan your trip accordingly."},{"q":"What should I do in case of significant delays at the Gotthard tunnel?","a":"In case of significant delays at the Gotthard tunnel, it's important to stay calm and follow some guidelines to minimize inconvenience. First, it's advisable to leave with a sufficient time margin, especially on days marked as critical by TCS. Additionally, it's useful to stay updated on traffic conditions through dedicated apps and websites, such as the TCS site."}]

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