Summary
The Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) forecasts significantly increased traffic volumes on Swiss national highways during the February 2026 ski holidays. Access routes to winter sports areas as well as motorways in the Midlands and conurbations are particularly affected. The 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina lead to additional traffic via Graubünden. ASTRA recommends travellers to remain on motorways even during traffic jams to avoid diverting traffic through towns.
Persons
- Federal Roads Office (ASTRA)
Topics
- Traffic forecasts February 2026
- Winter sports traffic
- Motorway bottlenecks
- Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina
- Traffic management
Detailed Summary
Swiss traffic authorities are preparing for massive traffic increases during the February school holidays. ASTRA identifies weekends as critical phases with significant disruptions on the motorways A1, A2, A3, A8, A9 and A13 as well as in the conurbation areas of Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucerne, Chur and Lugano.
Critical bottlenecks occur particularly on the San Bernardino route (Sargans–Thusis), in the Gotthard road tunnel, as well as on routes to the Bernese Oberland and Valais. Main roads such as the Axen Road and various Valais side valleys will also be overloaded.
A central concern of ASTRA is the avoidance of diverted traffic. Traffic jams on motorways lead to undesired traffic through towns, which impedes local traffic flows, public transport and slow traffic, and increases accident risk.
At the car shuttle stations, waiting times are expected: Furka (Realp/Oberwald), Lötschberg (Kandersteg/Goppenstein) and Vereina (Klosters-Selfranga/Lavin-Sagliains). The Simplon car shuttle operates from 16 February to 28 May at 120-minute intervals instead of the regular 90 minutes. The Lötschberg offers up to six additional trains per hour.
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games (6–22 February) in Milano Cortina further intensify traffic load via Graubünden.
Key Messages
- Weekends in February are peak times with significant delays
- Six motorways and several main roads affected; San Bernardino, Gotthard and mountain routes critical
- Diverted traffic through towns burdens local population; travellers should remain on motorways
- Waiting times at car shuttle stations from 08–16 hours (outbound) and 11–18 hours (return)
- Simplon car shuttle at reduced intervals; Lötschberg with additional trains
- Olympic Winter Games intensify traffic via Graubünden
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Group | Impact |
|---|---|
| Travellers | Long waiting times, delays, traffic jams |
| Local population | Diverted traffic through towns, increased accident risk |
| Public transport | Obstruction by diverted traffic |
| Winter sports areas | Increased visitor flows, traffic load |
| ASTRA & cantons | Coordination effort, traffic management |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Additional trains at Lötschberg relieve roads | Massive traffic congestion on main routes |
| 24/7 traffic monitoring by ASTRA | Diverted traffic significantly burdens towns |
| Coordinated measures with cantons | Accident risk increases due to overload |
| Winter road safety planned | Waiting times at car shuttle stations |
| Olympic Games promote infrastructure awareness | Environmental burden from traffic jams and diversions |
Action Relevance
For travellers:
- Plan trips outside of weekends
- Do not leave motorways even during traffic jams
- Account for waiting times at shuttle stations
- Use current traffic reports from ASTRA
For authorities & cantons:
- Coordinate traffic management measures
- Strengthen winter road safety
- Protect towns from diverted traffic
- Intensify communication on Olympic Games
For winter sports areas:
- Review capacity for increased visitor flows
- Optimize parking management
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and figures verified
- [x] Unconfirmed data marked with ⚠️ (none present)
- [x] Official ASTRA press release as primary source
- [x] No apparent bias or political one-sidedness
Supplementary Research
- ASTRA Traffic Reports: Real-time traffic information and congestion forecasts
- Winter Olympic Games 2026: Official traffic concepts Milano Cortina and Graubünden
- SBB Car Shuttle: Current information on train capacity and waiting times
Source Directory
Primary Source:
Federal Roads Office (ASTRA) – Press Release of 22 January 2026
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/PMmE2PGb3uDP-JnOo4ceh
Supplementary Sources:
- ASTRA Central Switzerland Traffic Centre – Real-time traffic situation
- Canton Graubünden – Traffic concept Winter Olympic Games 2026
- SBB – Car shuttle information (Furka, Lötschberg, Vereina, Simplon)
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 22 January 2026
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Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 22 January 2026