Gotthard Tunnel queues top 5 km on south portal as holiday traffic peaks
France extends Schengen border checks with Switzerland until 30 April 2027
French visa tightening complicates cross-border hiring for International Geneva
Latest News
Arson Attack Halts Lausanne–Yverdon Rail Line, Disrupting Swiss Domestic and International Connections
A fire set deliberately in a cable conduit near Éclépens shut down the Lausanne–Yverdon rail axis on 9 October, forcing SBB to cancel trains, deploy buses and reroute long-distance services via Bern. The disruption affects domestic commuters and international travellers transiting through western Switzerland, with full service not expected before 11 October. Companies should anticipate delays and adjust travel plans.
SBB warns of 9–12 October tunnel works cutting Como stop on Chiasso–Milan EuroCity services
Maintenance in Italy’s Monte Olimpino 1 tunnel will divert Swiss-Italian EuroCity trains from 20:20 on 9 October to 04:20 on 12 October. Services between Chiasso and Milano Centrale will not call at Como S. Giovanni, and several TILO regional trains are cancelled or bus-substituted.
Sabotage fire halts Lausanne–Yverdon line, reroutes national traffic for the weekend
A suspected arson attack on 9 October destroyed signalling cables on the Lausanne–Yverdon rail link, shutting a key section of Switzerland’s west-east corridor until at least 11 October. Thousands of commuters and business travellers face detours and longer journeys, while freight and supply chains are disrupted. The event underscores infrastructure security risks and the need for robust travel-contingency planning.
Switzerland Hosts First EU-MODEX Disaster Exercise, Testing Cross-Border Mobility Logistics
EU MODEX Switzerland 2026 concluded on 9 October after mobilising 500 Swiss and foreign rescuers for an earthquake simulation. The drill tested how quickly international teams could clear Swiss borders, integrate with local command structures and deliver aid—key data points for future mobility and crisis-response planning.
Zurich Airport cautions of longer queues as EU Entry/Exit System goes live for third-country travellers
A new notice on the Zurich Airport website warns that biometric processing under the EU’s Entry/Exit System is lengthening border-control queues for non-EU/Schengen nationals. Swiss and EU citizens are unaffected, but companies should pad arrival schedules for third-country staff.
Overnight Gotthard Pass closure highlights early-season winter restrictions on Swiss mountain routes
A status update on 9 October shows the Gotthard Pass shut overnight, with Furka, Susten and Nufenen also facing restrictions. The closures foreshadow Switzerland’s winter pass season and may add up to 90 minutes to Zurich–Milan road journeys.
Customs Seize 82 kg of Meat and 492 Bottles of Wine in Ticino, Highlighting Traveller Allowance Rules
FOCBS revealed two seizures in Mendrisiotto: 82 kg of meat on 3 October and 492 wine bottles on 7 October, both undeclared at the Swiss-Italian border. The offenders paid fines and duties, underscoring strict enforcement of traveller allowances and the importance of declaring bulk purchases.
Gotthard Tunnel Weekend Forecast Warns of Peak Queues up to 7 km, Advises Early Departures
Gotthard-Live projects up to 6 km queues southbound on Saturday and 7 km northbound on Sunday, advising departures before 06:00 or after evening peaks and suggesting the A13 San Bernardino as an alternative once waits exceed 4 km. Logistics and mobility managers should adjust weekend schedules accordingly.