Travelling to Italy by car: the best tips for the road.
How do you make sure you arrive at your holiday destination relaxed?
With good preparation and some smart tips, the drive will become an important part of your holiday enjoyment.
Good preparation takes away a lot of annoyance or stress on the road. Our tip; it is useful to plan your route, make sure you have enough cash, be prepared for crowds, and pay attention to road signs that provide information on roadworks and speed.
We won't talk about tyre pressure, oil levels, warning triangles and safety jackets now. That speaks for itself.
Discover the hidden gem; The Great St Bernhard Pass
You have probably never heard of this breathtaking route through the northern Italian mountains, but that is about to change. In this blog, we will take you through the Great St Bernard Pass (or in Italian: Cole del Gran San Bernardo). And what you need to know about this alternative route and the Great Saint Bernard Tunnel (not to be confused with the pass of the same name).
Are you travelling from the Netherlands to Italy via Switzerland and heading towards the Valle d'Aosta region (or vice versa)? Then you will pass one of the most beautiful routes through the mountains: the Great St Bernard Pass (SS27). This iconic pass is a sight to behold, but not open all year round. As a rule, you can enjoy the spectacular views here from June to October, so check in advance.
The route takes you along a winding mountain road to the Swiss-Italian border crossing, with breathtaking views along the way that will make your trip instantly unforgettable.
Normally the route takes you through the Great St Bernard Tunnel, but that comes with a price tag: around €32. Add to that the cost of the Swiss vignette (€44), and the trip gets pretty pricey. Want to save money and experience something special? Then opt for the Great St Bernard Pass instead of the tunnel.
The pass may cost you an extra 10 minutes, but it offers an unparalleled experience in nature. And honestly? Even if the tunnel was free, this route would be a must for nature lovers and road trip fans. Make your trip special - drive the Great St Bernard Pass!
Attention! A few important tips for this route - read on quickly!
The turn to the Great St Bernard Pass: From Switzerland to Italy
If you are driving to Italy from Switzerland, i.e. on the way out, and want to take the Grand St Bernard Pass, it is important to turn off at the right moment. From Martigny, follow the signs towards the Great St Bernard Tunnel (Grand St Bernard). It might be confusing because you want to avoid the very tunnel, but this is so correct! As you get closer to the tunnel, you will see an exit for the Grand St Bernard Pass (SS27). The exit is at the front of the tunnel, this goes fast, so here you have to be careful. COL is written in large letters on the exit road. The smartest thing to do is to enter something on the pass in your navigation. For example, a restaurant located there on the route.
Instead of driving into the tunnel, take this exit and follow the winding mountain road. This route takes you through beautiful alpine scenery to the Swiss-Italian border. Keep in mind that the pass is only open from June to October, so check in advance if the road is passable.
The turn to the Great St Bernard Pass: From Italy to Switzerland
Driving back from Italy to Switzerland, the turnoff to the Great St Bernard Pass is fortunately well signposted. It is even easier to find than on the way there. Large signs above the road indicate the direction to the Great St Bernard Tunnel. Note that this wide road means you have to not Follow if you want to take the pass!
A few metres before this tunnel exit, you will find the exit to the Great St Bernard Pass, recognisable by the word COL on the signs. Choose this route, and you can once again enjoy the beautiful nature and winding roads.
At the end of the pass, you will drive a short stretch through the Great St Bernard Tunnel. Don't worry if you suddenly find yourself in the tunnel - this is a very short stretch, and you'll be out of there quickly. This will make your return journey as memorable as the outward one!
Another great route: The Reschenpass
The Reschen Pass: A scenic alternative to the Brenner motorway
If you are looking for an alternative route into Italy, the Reschen Pass is a must. This route is known for its beautiful scenery and the iconic Reschensee reservoir, where the church tower of the flooded village of Graun rises mysteriously from the water. It's an image you won't soon forget.
The Reschen Pass is a popular alternative to the often congested Brenner motorway, where traffic jams during rush hours are the rule rather than the exception. The route starts in Landeck, Austria, and takes you through the scenic Inn Valley over the Reschen Pass to the Vinschgau Valley in South Tyrol. Along the way, you can enjoy breathtaking views and the tranquillity of the mountains, while avoiding the hustle and bustle of the motorway.
Note! Planned closure dates for the year 2025 and 2026.
According to the Tyrolean province, the construction of a 400-metre-long stonefall gallery is necessary because rocks keep breaking off from the steep, rocky terrain above the road.
- Traffic will be diverted from 10 March 2025 to 2 May 2025.
- From May 6, 2025, traffic than over one lane with traffic lights directed to the Reschenpass. This traffic arrangement is expected to last until August/September 2026.
Before its scheduled completion in late 2026, the road will then have to be closed for three more months from September to November from 8am to 6pm to complete the expansion and asphalting work.
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