Hi all. Has anyone ridden from France into Switzerland in the last year or so? Is the border completely open for all to pass through, or are there border controls/passport checks etc. The reason I ask is that I was clocked speeding in Switzerland a few years ago and I’m concerned this could be picked up if there were border controls. Thanks
Last October I rode from France into Switzerland and on to Italy and back up through on different roads. I didn't see any border controls. But if I were you, if you have an unpaid fine etc, I wouldn't go anywhere near Switzerland again. Apart from the fact it is very boring with endless 20/50/80 kph speed limits in the valley roads, the penalty for speeding is severe - I was told you could be fined hundreds or thousands of Euros and have you bike seized and destroyed. Not sure how true that is but not worth the risk imho.
A lot of bikers steer clear of Switzerland for reasons you mention here. My sister got an €800 fine for 63kph in a 50kph. She was a hairs breadth from jail apparently. Later the same day she copped a puncture and had to replace the rear tyre. The day cost her a grand sterling. She’s had a deep hatred of Switzerland ever since and won’t be going back Check out the 44teeth boys on YouTube. I think Chris copped a multi thousand euro fine and banned!
I was also going to suggest watching the 44 teeth video when Chris got caught speeding, his fine was massive.
If you plan to use a Swiss motorway, you'll need to purchase a vignette at the border (I think 40 Swiss francs for bikes). Also, police seem to target machines with loud exhaust pipes. Happy travels
Although not ‘in’ Europe, Switzerland is one of the Schengen states so there should be no boarder control crossing between Schengen states. Andy
The last few times we drove our camper van from France into Switzerland at Basel, there was certainly a 'type of' border crossing in operation! Very friendly Swiss officers (carrying machine guns) checked we had a vignette (we didn't, so they sold us one then right and there) and we were asked the purpose of our travels and length of stay. Last year we also encountered informal police stops around the Italian / French border, and our vehicle was searched. So while the actual border control offices may no longer be in operation, it's not uncommon to find that police are stopping travellers at the toll-stations and lay-bys near the borders. Things have tightened up recently!
No border control when I went in 2 years ago but, as others say, be careful. A guy from Chamonix was caught doing 90kph in a 60kph in Switzerland, they confiscated his bike until he paid 4500 Euro fine. Once he paid the fine, he was unable to ride his bike out of the country as they had banned him from driving there, he had to organise a rental van to come from Chamonix and pick him and the bike up, expensive day.
As someone who travels all over Europe on my bike and in the car. Avoid Switzerland, it's the no fun zone and frankly it's gotten worse. As for borders, it's a roulette, some days you'll wizz through, others you'll be in a queue waiting to explain why you'd like to enter. If you want to ride in Switzerland, never speed, no loud exhausts, no large groups riding together, have your paperwork (all of your paperwork) etc etc. It's a beautiful place, but hell for a petrol head.
Avoid if possible. I might have to pass through in June (in a car) on a rally, will keep it well under the limit. Great scenery in the mountains, horribly slow progress through villages and towns. Hardly dare look at the scenery as you need to be fixated on the speedo. 40 Swiss francs for a vignette. They only sell a year version, could make you think they dont want visitors…. Also,,if you end up somewhere remote, dont be surprised that they will not accept Euros, or, where they do..your change may be in Swiss francs. Ignorance is bliss, I got away with a couple of trips there years ago without realising that the place is Policed in a very enthusiastic manner and the speeds would have lead to issues if ‘noticed’.
