What to expect over Pentecost weekend in Switzerland

The only cantons that don’t celebrate Whit Monday (and where it is a regular work day) are Neuchâtel, Solothurn, Valais, and Zug.

Everywhere else in Switzerland, Pentecost is a public holiday.

This is what you should know:

Roads to avoid

Heavy traffic is expected already from Friday afternoon — especially, according to the Federal Roads Office (ASTRA), on the north-south axes of the A2 (Gotthard) and A13 (San Bernardino) motorways.

Also, “not only will the usual high traffic density be expected in the metropolitan areas of Zurich, Basel, Bern, Lucerne, Lausanne and Geneva, mainly on the A1, A2 and A3, ” but you should also expect traffic difficulties on the following sections, according to ASTRA:

Motorways

A1, Geneva (including the Bardonnex border crossing)

A1, Kirchberg – Schönbühl

A1, Härkingen – Wangen A.

A1, Aarau-West – Birrfeld

A2/A3, Basel (including border crossings with France and Germany)

A2, Belchen Tunnel – Härkingen

A2/A14, Lucerne region (from Stans-Nord / return journeys)

A2, Altdorf – Biasca (Gotthard Road Tunnel)

A2, Lugano – Mendrisio

A4, Adlikon – Winterthur-Nord

A8, Interlaken – Spiez

A8, Sarnen – Lopper Interchange

A9, Lausanne

A9, La Veyre/Vevey – Bex-Nord

A12, Châtel-St-Denis – La Veyre/Vevey

A13, Sarganserland – Thusis-Sud

A13, Andeer – Mesocco

A15, Hegnau – Brüttisellen

A16, Courgenay – Glovelier

Border crossings on the A9 (Vallorbe, VD), the A2 (Chiasso-Brogeda, TI) and the A24 (Gaggiolo, TI)

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Main roads

Spiez – Kandersteg (outbound journeys)

Gampel – Goppenstein (return journeys)

Brunnen – Flüelen (Axenstrasse)

Göschenen – Andermatt

Raron – Brig

Bellinzona – Locarno

H338, Sihlbrugg – Hanegg (Hirzel section)

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What about the Gotthard?

This is typically the most congested road during the departures and returns on public holidays and weekends.

The Gotthard Pass Road has been reopened to traffic since May 16th for journeys to and from the south, ASTRA said.

To alleviate the flow of traffic, the special Airolo passes lane, called ‘CUPRA’ will be available on predefined days, as soon as traffic jams develop along a given section. It allows for rapid access to the Gotthard Pass without leaving the motorway.

Motoring organisation TCS has published this timetable showing which days your should avoid to cross the Gotthard during the Pentecost weekend:

TCS

(Red squares indicate very heavy traffic; yellow stands for ‘busy’ traffic; and green for ‘normal’)

And the situation at the airports?

If you are flying to or from Switzerland during the long weekend, keep in mind that all three of Switzerland’s international airports — Zurich, Geneva, and Basel EuroAirport — typically experience an onslaught of passengers at this time of the year.

According to the latter, “increased passenger volumes may lead to longer waiting times at both passport control and the check-in zones. We therefore advise travellers to arrive early at the Airport and to keep their documents ready for check-in at the counter and passport control. 

And also this: “In order to go through the security checks at ease and to avoid unnecessary waiting times, we invite passengers to get information in advance concerning the types of items allowed as hand luggage and items that have to be packed within the checked baggage. Certain items are not permitted on the flight due to security reasons.”

The good news for those flying into Geneva is that the technical glitch which forced the airport to cut the number of aircraft landings by 20 percent is now resolved, so there are no longer capacity problems. 

Are there any special events on during the Pentecost weekend?

You are in luck. These are some you can enjoy in German, Italian, and French-speaking parts of Switzerland:

Pentecost market, Vitznau (Lucerne) — June 7th

The market features plenty of food, a huge tombola, and top music bands performing late into the night.

What also adds allure to the festive atmosphere is that the town is very scenically located on the shore of Lake Lucerne, called Vierwaldstättersee by the locals (no, you don’t have to learn to pronounce it).

‘Ascona in allegria’— June 6th to June 8th

This outdoor ‘theatre’ will take place in a picturesque Ticino community of Ascona. 

Street artists will include mimes, dancers, jugglers, tightrope walkers, fire breathers, musicians, clowns, and many more.

The shows, which take place in the centre of town  are free of charge and — according to organisers — fill spectators with joy — allegria in Italian.

Street Food Festival, Geneva — June 5th to June 15th

For the 10th edition this year, more than 60 food trucks and stands will serve local and other specialties.

There will also be a lineup of DJs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, along with a large children’s playground and other attractions — all on the grounds of Plainpalais.

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Last but certainly not least: the weather

There is both good and ‘so-so’ news on — no pun intended — the weather front.

The not so-good news is that rain is forecast for Saturday and Sunday, in all parts of the country.

 

However, on the Whit Monday, it will be sunny, with temps reaching 19C in the northeast, 21C in the western cantons, and 25C in the south.

 

This is what the weather map looks like for the these three days:

 

MeteoSchweiz

(The column to the left is for the northeast, middle for the west, and right for the south).