The 13 most beautiful mountain passes in Switzerland: San-Bernadino-Pass, Gotthard-Pass & Co.

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Our roadtrips are intended for those who want to get out. Those who want to drive, explore and break free from monotony. Our travel recommendations are supposed to give your wanderlust direction – and this time, we bring you along on a trip conquering the most terrific mountain passes of Switzerland.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re driving your own car or one of our rentals – the real focus is the road itself. Of course, if you decide to check out our fleet, we’d be more than happy! We offer everything from affordable compact cars to minibuses for your whole crew, but our real specialty is exclusive sports cars. Every vehicle in our lineup is carefully selected and professionally prepared before each rental, ensuring you get the best possible driving experience.

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Discover Swiss Mountain Passes: From Zurich to Bern the Scenic Way

The first day of our round trip starts with a stunning view over Lake Zurich, which means you should ideally arrive in Zurich the day before. How you get there is entirely up to you. From Munich, the drive takes just over 3.5 hours, while from our rental hub in Stuttgart, you can make it in under 3 hours, depending on traffic. But with 750 kilometers ahead of you over the next few days, that’s just a warm-up.

For our customers, we have an exclusive deal: if you’re not coming from southern Germany or simply don’t want to deal with border traffic, you can fly into Zurich instead. On request, we’ll deliver your rental car straight to your hotel for a small fee. After a brief introduction, you can either hit the road immediately or take a moment to relax before the adventure begins.

You’ll be on the road for three days and three nights, so it’s best to plan this trip over a long weekend or take some time off. Your route will take you from Zurich to the breathtaking Lago Maggiore, through central and western Switzerland, and finally to the vibrant city of Geneva. To ensure you don’t lose your way – or miss out on some of the most incredible curves of your life – we’ve included Google Maps links throughout the itinerary.

Alright, that’s all the logistics sorted. Now, let’s get started.

We hope you enjoy reading, daydreaming, and of course, driving the route yourself!

Let’s get started in Zurich: Day 1 of the Road Trip

A brief introduction to Zurich: The road trip begins

The cultural and financial center of Switzerland has hopefully given you a warm welcome. The night before, you may have had the chance to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city before today’s adventure truly kicks off. Zurich has plenty to offer, not least of all the Zurich Lake, which provides a refreshing escape, especially in summer, at its many bathing areas, the Badi.

The famous Bahnhofstrasse is one of the world’s most expensive and exclusive shopping streets. If you’re keen to see some rare vehicles before your adventure begins, this is the place to be. If not, we recommend checking out Zurich’s many art galleries; the works inside are just as stunning as the creations of the city’s famous watchmakers, like Rolex, who have been based in Zurich’s Old Town for decades.

2 different routes to Lago Maggiore

So, hop into your seat – whether it’s one of our classic Porsche 911s, an Audi R8, or even our Ferrari Roma. Enjoy the cold start, let the engine purr for a moment, and buckle up. What awaits you in the coming days will be an adventure you’ll want to be ready for.

For the first day, you start off easy as you drive along the scenic roads by Zurich Lake. Then, further south, you have two options: either follow the world-famous San Bernardino Pass (Route #1), or take the Oberalp and Lukmanier passes (Route #2). The latter are only open in summer, so be sure to check that when planning your trip!

Both routes promise exciting curves and breathtaking views. By the evening of day one, you’ll reach Lago Maggiore, where the unique charm of this Swiss-Italian region awaits you.

The most exclusive hotel in the area is probably the Boutique Hotel Stresa. Hand your key to the valet, who will park your sports car in one of the private parking spaces. Please note that while parking is free, reservations are required. Park your sports car, take a stroll along the lakeshore, and end your day with a delicious dinner before relaxing in your luxurious room.

Over the Gotthard Pass: From Lago Maggiore to Bern

The Gotthard Pass awaits

After a refreshing morning dip in the cold water – or perhaps a warm shower followed by a wake-up boat tour – you’ll be ready for the day ahead. And you’ll need to be, because today is quite the adventure. After a hearty breakfast, you’ll fasten your seatbelt and turn the key.

As the engine roars to life, you’ll take a closer look at your route for the day – which we’ve linked here for you. Today, you’ll be crossing the Gotthard Pass, one of the historically most important traffic routes through the Central Alps that connects northern and southern Switzerland. The Romans walked the pass, and by the Middle Ages, it had become a central transport route. Its significance only started to wane with the construction of the railway and highway tunnels. But today, you’re not just taking the tunnel – you’re going for the full scenic experience.

Up you go, to 2,107 meters, and feel how even in midsummer, the temperature drops as you climb higher. Especially in a convertible, you might even find yourself turning on the heater at some point as the wind distracts you from the stunning views.

Over the Susten Pass to Bern

After crossing the Schöllenen Gorge, you’ll arrive in Andermatt. But you’re not done yet. Next, the Susten Pass awaits. Though it’s much younger than the Gotthard Pass, the thrill you’ll feel on every switchback is just as exhilarating, and it’ll keep you going all the way to Interlaken.

Our recommended stop, Interlaken, lies nestled between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun, and it’s the perfect place for a lunch break and a quick rest. Afterward, get ready for the final leg of the day’s journey, heading towards Bern, the capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Once you’ve reached your destination, spend the evening exploring this historic city. Discover Bern’s Old Town, visit the Rose Garden, check out the Paul Klee Museum, or relax with a cold beer and Swiss specialties like cheese fondue or raclette.

For accommodation, we recommend the Bellevue Palace Hotel in Bern. Here, you’ll not only find a beautiful Jugendstil building but also private parking, available for CHF 35 per night.

Final Destination Geneva: Straight through Switzerland’s National Park

The route to Geneva: Gantrisch & Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Nature Parks

From Bern, you could easily be in Geneva in just a few hours if you take the highway. But where’s the fun in that? Instead, you’ll opt for winding country roads that snake through and between the mountains.

To reach the global city of Geneva on the French border, our route (linked here on Google Maps) takes you through the Gantrisch and Gruyère Pays-d’Enhaut Nature Parks. Here, you won’t encounter any more mountain passes, but instead, you’ll trade sweeping views for immersive nature. This is the perfect spot for plenty of small stops, and with a little luck and good planning, you might even catch one of the seasonal events hosted in the park. If you want to snap some pictures of you and your sports car, this is the place!

Enjoy the tranquility of the wide valleys and quiet, winding roads as you get closer to the French border. Circumvent Lake Geneva on the north side and find yourself at the foot of Mont Blanc in beautiful Geneva. Depending on how you’ve planned your trip, our road trip might end here.

Almost in France: Welcome to Geneva

If you want to stay another night (and we highly recommend it), Hôtel Les Armures will offer you not only a comfortable stay but also a great experience. If you’re planning to drive the nearly 7 hours back to Munich the next day, you can also book private parking for CHF 45. Located in a 17th-century building, the hotel places you in the heart of Geneva’s historic Old Town.

From here, you’ll be within a 10-minute walk of the lake promenade and major museums. The hotel itself houses Geneva’s oldest café, making it one of the city's landmarks.

Mountain Passes in Switzerland: Endless Adventure

Our route through Switzerland is just a small glimpse of what this Alpine country has to offer in terms of mountain roads. In such a short time, we can only cover a fraction of what’s available. But if the 3 to 4 hours of driving time we’ve planned for you each day isn’t enough, here are a few more of Switzerland’s most beautiful mountain passes. This list, of course, isn’t exhaustive, so don’t be mad if your favorite pass isn’t listed.

Sanetschpass

The Sanetsch Pass, located in the western Bernese Alps, especially delights wine lovers with a route through the picturesque vineyards of the Valais, leading to a narrow valley that takes you to high pastures. After a panoramic view of Arpelistock and Sanetschhorn, the road ends at Lake Sanetsch.

Klausenpass

Connecting the cantons of Uri and Glarus, the Klausen Pass offers a varied route. On the west side, it leads through Schächental, past Alp Esch and the 100-meter deep Stäuben Waterfall, before reaching the maximum pass height of 1,948 meters with stunning views of the peaks of Clariden and Gross Windgällen.

Furkapass

The Furka Pass is not just a historical Alpine crossing but also an icon of film history: it was the setting for a spectacular chase scene in the Bond classic Goldfinger. Opened in 1867, the pass connects Realp in the canton of Uri with Goms in Upper Valais and offers breathtaking views from its 2,429-meter summit, including the impressive Rhone Glacier.

Nufenenpass

At 2,477 meters, the Nufenen Pass is the highest pass in Switzerland that can be driven. The route from Ulrichen in Upper Valais takes you through winding sections and straight stretches, passing the impressive rock face of Fühlhorn before offering unforgettable views from the summit. On the Ticino side, the road rewards you with a picturesque mountain lake in the Bedretto Valley, before the journey ends in the southern canton.

Albulapass

The Albula Pass connects the valley of the same name with the Engadine and is especially known for the Tour de Suisse. Along the way, charming villages invite you to stop, while the bridges of the UNESCO-protected Albula Railway majestically tower above you – a sight that makes the journey unforgettable.

Col de la Croix

At 1,778 meters, this pass is one of the lower ones in Switzerland, but it offers its own special appeal. Starting in the vineyards of Chablais, you’ll climb 1,300 meters over 23 kilometers – luckily, you’re not on a bike! Along the way, you’ll pass small hamlets before reaching Villars-sur-Ollon, a stage destination for the Tour de Suisse and the Tour de Romandie.

Große Scheidegg

This mountain pass in the Bernese Oberland may be less known than its higher counterparts in central Switzerland, but its route is undoubtedly impressive. It runs below the distinctive Wetterhorn and offers spectacular views of the legendary Eiger North Wall – one of the most famous and challenging climbing walls in the world.

Grimselpass

The Grimsel Pass connects the Bernese Oberland with the Valais, passing through narrow gorges and alongside several reservoirs, including the Totensee at 2,165 meters. From here, you’ll have stunning views of the peaks of Finsteraarhorn and Wetterhorn, as well as the distant Rhone Glacier.

Switzerland certainly offers plenty of options. Of course, you are completely flexible in how you plan your trip. If you’re still missing the perfect vehicle, we offer fantastic sports cars for rent. In addition to (super) sports cars like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS or Ferrari Roma, we also provide more practical cars like the Audi A1 or the Abarth 695.