The San Bernardino is the A13 crossing between Graubünden and Ticino, made up of a road tunnel that runs all year and a historic pass road above it that opens in summer. It is the main alternative to the Gotthard for north–south traffic, linking Chur with Bellinzona, Lugano and Lake Como. From Geneva it is rarely the shortest way south, but AirportsTransfers.ch may use it on longer itineraries via eastern Switzerland or when the Gotthard is congested.
- Route: Chur – Thusis – Splügen – Hinterrhein – San Bernardino – Mesocco – Bellinzona
- Tunnel: open year-round as part of the A13
- Pass road: open in summer only, at around 2,070 metres
- Main use: alternative to the Gotthard when queues build
- Destinations: Bellinzona, Lugano, Locarno, Lake Como
Why the San Bernardino exists
For north–south traffic through Switzerland, the Gotthard is the obvious route, and its road tunnel is one of the busiest Alpine crossings. On holiday weekends, especially at Easter and in summer, queues at the Gotthard portals can be very long. The San Bernardino, further east, offers a second motorway-standard crossing that bypasses those queues, and traffic information services often recommend it when the Gotthard wait grows.
The tunnel, opened in the late 1960s, made the San Bernardino a year-round route. Before that, the pass was the only road crossing and was closed in winter like most Alpine passes.
The northern approach via the Via Mala
From Chur, the A13 heads south up the Hinterrhein valley to Thusis, then enters the Via Mala, a deep, narrow gorge that was once a dreaded obstacle for travellers. The motorway now passes through tunnels, but the old road and footbridges remain for visitors who want to look down into the gorge. Beyond lie the Schams valley and Splügen, a village of handsome stone houses where the Splügen Pass road leaves for Italy.
The motorway continues to Hinterrhein, a small village near the source of the Rhine's southern branch, where the tunnel begins.
Above the motorway, this stretch of the valley is lined with high pastures and old stone settlements, and it is the last chance for a break before the tunnel. In winter, the approach to the northern portal can be snowy even when Chur is clear, so winter tyres are essential throughout the season, and chains are carried as a precaution.
Tunnel or pass?
The tunnel runs beneath the mountain from Hinterrhein to the village of San Bernardino on the southern side, taking only a few minutes. It is the default choice in winter, at night and whenever time matters.
In summer, the old pass road climbs above the tunnel with a series of hairpins to a summit at around 2,070 metres, where the Lago Moesola lies among granite outcrops. It is a short, scenic detour that adds some time but offers a peaceful alternative to the tunnel, with views over the upper Mesolcina. The pass closes in winter because of snow.
The southern descent into Ticino
South of the tunnel, the A13 drops steeply through the Mesolcina valley, past Mesocco with its castle ruins on a rocky hill, and through a landscape that becomes noticeably Mediterranean: chestnut forests, stone villages and granite walls. The valley is Italian-speaking but part of Graubünden, which sometimes surprises visitors.
The motorway joins the A2 near Bellinzona, whose three castles are a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there it is a short drive to Locarno and Lake Maggiore, or south over the Monte Ceneri to Lugano, Chiasso and Lake Como.
When to use the San Bernardino from Geneva
From Geneva, the fastest way to Ticino is usually via Bern and the Gotthard, or in summer via the Valais and the Nufenen. The San Bernardino becomes relevant in specific cases:
- Gotthard queues: heavy holiday traffic or an incident in the tunnel
- Combined itineraries: a stop in Zurich, Chur or the Grisons before heading south
- From St. Moritz: travellers from the Engadin often use it via Thusis to reach Ticino
Chauffeurs follow real-time traffic reports and choose between the Gotthard and San Bernardino on the day, rather than fixing the route in advance.
Booking a north–south transfer with AirportsTransfers.ch
Long journeys across Switzerland work best with flexible routing. AirportsTransfers.ch quotes a fixed price per vehicle, shown before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, so a change of tunnel on the day does not change your fare. Your chauffeur meets you in the Geneva arrivals hall with a name sign and tracks your flight, waiting if it is delayed. Child seats are available on request, and skis or bulky luggage should be declared at booking. For itineraries to Ticino or Lake Como, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
