driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.

What I'm a little unsure of is:

- Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
- I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
already have Swiss Francs?
- If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
- Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
we'll already have Euros.

Just not sure what to expect.

--
Troy Piggins | http://piggo.com/~troy _ __ (_) __ _ __ _ ___
| '_ \| |/ _` |/ _` |/ _ \
| .__/|_|\__, |\__, |\___/
|_| |___/ |___/

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:59:10 +1000, Troy Piggins
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
>and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
>is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>
>What I'm a little unsure of is:
>
>- Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
> border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
> pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
>- I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
> already have Swiss Francs?
>- If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
>- Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
> we'll already have Euros.
>
>Just not sure what to expect.

When I crossed into Switzerland four years ago there was a
border control point; our passports were checked and then we
were waved through. However, I was aware of the vignette
needed for using the motorways so I asked about that and was
directed to a booth to purchase it. From memory it was
40CHF. A "must" buy or you will be booked.

If you cross into Austria before you enter Italy you will
also need another vignette for their motorways.


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Slovenia
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/
latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

* Alan S is quoted & my replies are inline below :
> On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:59:10 +1000, Troy Piggins
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
>> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
>> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>>
>> What I'm a little unsure of is:
>>
>> - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
>> border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
>> pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
>> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
>> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
>> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
>> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
>> - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
>> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
>> already have Swiss Francs?
>> - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
>> - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
>> we'll already have Euros.
>>
>> Just not sure what to expect.
>
> When I crossed into Switzerland four years ago there was a
> border control point; our passports were checked and then we
> were waved through.

And that was all done "in car" like at a toll booth?

> However, I was aware of the vignette needed for using the
> motorways so I asked about that and was directed to a booth to
> purchase it. From memory it was 40CHF. A "must" buy or you will
> be booked.

Thanks.

> If you cross into Austria before you enter Italy you will also
> need another vignette for their motorways.

Thanks again mate.

--
Troy Piggins | http://piggo.com/~troy
RLU#415538 ,-O (o- O
O ) //\ O
`-O V_/_ OOO

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

On Aug 21, 7:59 pm, Troy Piggins <[email protected]> wrote:
> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>
> What I'm a little unsure of is:
>
> - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
> border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
> pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
> - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
> already have Swiss Francs?
> - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
> - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
> we'll already have Euros.
>
> Just not sure what to expect.


Unless you're really going off the beaten track, you would probably
find it a lot easier to take trains.

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

* Iceman is quoted & my replies are inline below :
> On Aug 21, 7:59 pm, Troy Piggins <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
>> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
>> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>>
>> What I'm a little unsure of is:
>>
>> - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
>> border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
>> pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
>> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
>> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
>> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
>> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
>> - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
>> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
>> already have Swiss Francs?
>> - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
>> - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
>> we'll already have Euros.
>>
>> Just not sure what to expect.
>
> Unless you're really going off the beaten track, you would probably
> find it a lot easier to take trains.

Girlfriend gets motion-sickness readily and need to be able to
stop when/where we want. Plus the freedom of being able to go
any way we want.

--
Troy Piggins

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

MOSTLY IN CAR EXCEPT IF YOU CARRY HEROINE OR ARE A LOOK ALIKE TO BEN LADEN

"Troy Piggins" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de
news:[email protected]...
>* Alan S is quoted & my replies are inline below :
>> On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:59:10 +1000, Troy Piggins
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
>>> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
>>> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>>>
>>> What I'm a little unsure of is:
>>>
>>> - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
>>> border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
>>> pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
>>> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
>>> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
>>> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
>>> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
>>> - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
>>> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
>>> already have Swiss Francs?
>>> - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
>>> - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
>>> we'll already have Euros.
>>>
>>> Just not sure what to expect.
>>
>> When I crossed into Switzerland four years ago there was a
>> border control point; our passports were checked and then we
>> were waved through.
>
> And that was all done "in car" like at a toll booth?
>
>> However, I was aware of the vignette needed for using the
>> motorways so I asked about that and was directed to a booth to
>> purchase it. From memory it was 40CHF. A "must" buy or you will
>> be booked.
>
> Thanks.
>
>> If you cross into Austria before you enter Italy you will also
>> need another vignette for their motorways.
>
> Thanks again mate.
>
> --
> Troy Piggins | http://piggo.com/~troy
> RLU#415538 ,-O (o-
> O
> O ) //\
> O
> `-O V_/_
> OOO

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

No need to justify yourself
This is not the US, we live in free countries.

"Troy Piggins" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de
news:[email protected]...
>* Iceman is quoted & my replies are inline below :
>> On Aug 21, 7:59 pm, Troy Piggins <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
>>> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
>>> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>>>
>>> What I'm a little unsure of is:
>>>
>>> - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
>>> border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
>>> pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
>>> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
>>> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
>>> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
>>> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
>>> - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
>>> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
>>> already have Swiss Francs?
>>> - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
>>> - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
>>> we'll already have Euros.
>>>
>>> Just not sure what to expect.
>>
>> Unless you're really going off the beaten track, you would probably
>> find it a lot easier to take trains.
>
> Girlfriend gets motion-sickness readily and need to be able to
> stop when/where we want. Plus the freedom of being able to go
> any way we want.
>
> --
> Troy Piggins

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

* Runge3 is quoted & my replies are inline below :
> "Troy Piggins" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de
> news:[email protected]...
>>* Alan S is quoted & my replies are inline below :
>>> On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:59:10 +1000, Troy Piggins
>>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
>>>> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
>>>> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
[snip]
>>> When I crossed into Switzerland four years ago there was a
>>> border control point; our passports were checked and then we
>>> were waved through.
>>
>> And that was all done "in car" like at a toll booth?
>>
>>> However, I was aware of the vignette needed for using the
>>> motorways so I asked about that and was directed to a booth to
>>> purchase it. From memory it was 40CHF. A "must" buy or you will
>>> be booked.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>> If you cross into Austria before you enter Italy you will also
>>> need another vignette for their motorways.
>>
>> Thanks again mate.
>
> MOSTLY IN CAR EXCEPT IF YOU CARRY HEROINE OR ARE A LOOK ALIKE TO BEN LADEN

What if I look like Mel Gibson?

--
Troy Piggins

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

On 22 août, 01:59, Troy Piggins <[email protected]> wrote:
< I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
< and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
< is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
<
< What I'm a little unsure of is:
<
< - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
< border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
< pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
< by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
< France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
< at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
< Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.

Switzerland is not member of the EU (means not toll
union, custom check at border or border area possible)
and Schengen agreement not in use yet (means at least
in theory immigration check or procedure)

In fact, there is little to no real check when crossing
the border - to my experience ID-check when car
licence plates dont "match" (from far away regions
especially) if not on major highway entrances.
ID-check unfrequent on major highway entrances
(to much traffic .....), once in a while a car
is checked for goods (especially with Swiss
licence places when returning to the country)

As you are just transiting to Italy, you dont have
to declare goods, just make sure not having
prohibited items (drugs mainly, weapons, but also
proteced species ...). Rules are not really different
from EU-countries, but might be worth having a look at
http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_pri...x.html?lang=en

< - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
< gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
< already have Swiss Francs?

Old constitution did not allow toll roads, but
"vignette" is mandatory for most of the highway
network. If you are not using highways, you dont
need it - but if you enter the country on a highway
(Basle, Geneva, Chiasso) and dont have one,
you have to buy it. If you have enough time
and depending what part of the country you plan
to cross, using regular more scenic roads might
be an option. Driving on a highway without
"vignette" costs CHF 40 for the vignette and
a CHF 100 fine.
Be aware that the Grand-St-Bernard tunnel is
a toll road - road is between Switzerland and Italy

< - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?

Euros are accepted - as in most shops at least
near the border (but shops usually dont have
change in Euro - will be in CHF)

< - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
< we'll already have Euros.

To my knowledge Grand-St-Bernard is the
only toll road on the border - but many toll
roads in Italy

< Just not sure what to expect.

Depends where.
Check your itinerary for exemple using
www.viamichelin.com (with or without highway
section)

Basically
- relatively good roads, lots of road construction
- agressive driving
- driving in any larger city a mess, parking a challenge

Regarding border crossing: I live in Switzerland
near German-Swiss border for now 10 years,
cross the border average twice a week at least.
During this time I have been asked around
20 times for an ID, car papers checked once,
and trunk checked once by German customs
at the border .... and 2 times by German
customs some 20 km from the border.
On Swiss side, trunk checked twice at the
border and once some 5 km from the border
by Swiss customs.

More and more entrance points are not manned
permanently any more on Swiss side (especially
not at night or the weekend - but random checking
always possible)

Have a great and safe trip!

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

Troy Piggins wrote:

> * Iceman is quoted & my replies are inline below :
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Aug 21, 7:59 pm, Troy Piggins <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
> >> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
> >> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>
> >> What I'm a little unsure of is:
>
> >> - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
> >> border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
> >> pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
> >> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
> >> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
> >> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
> >> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
> >> - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
> >> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
> >> already have Swiss Francs?
> >> - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
> >> - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
> >> we'll already have Euros.
>
> >> Just not sure what to expect.
>
> > Unless you're really going off the beaten track, you would probably
> > find it a lot easier to take trains.
>
> Girlfriend gets motion-sickness readily and need to be able to
> stop when/where we want. Plus the freedom of being able to go
> any way we want.


Try "entry from the rear" to cure that girlfriend's "motion sickness"
problem...

:-p


--
Best
Greg

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

* me is quoted & my replies are inline below :
> On 22 août, 01:59, Troy Piggins <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
>> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
>> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>>
>> What I'm a little unsure of is:
>>
>> - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
>> border? Does it involve getting out of the car? Or is it all
>> pretty casual and just flash passports? I've travelled around
>> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
>> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy. We /did/ stop
>> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
>> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
>
> Switzerland is not member of the EU (means not toll
> union, custom check at border or border area possible)
> and Schengen agreement not in use yet (means at least
> in theory immigration check or procedure)
>
> In fact, there is little to no real check when crossing
> the border - to my experience ID-check when car
> licence plates dont "match" (from far away regions
> especially) if not on major highway entrances.
> ID-check unfrequent on major highway entrances
> (to much traffic ...), once in a while a car
> is checked for goods (especially with Swiss
> licence places when returning to the country)
>
> As you are just transiting to Italy, you dont have
> to declare goods, just make sure not having
> prohibited items (drugs mainly, weapons, but also
> proteced species ...). Rules are not really different
> from EU-countries, but might be worth having a look at
> http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_privat/index.html?lang

Thanks for the info!

>> - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
>> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
>> already have Swiss Francs?
>
> Old constitution did not allow toll roads, but
> "vignette" is mandatory for most of the highway
> network. If you are not using highways, you dont
> need it - but if you enter the country on a highway
> (Basle, Geneva, Chiasso) and dont have one,
> you have to buy it. If you have enough time
> and depending what part of the country you plan
> to cross, using regular more scenic roads might
> be an option. Driving on a highway without
> "vignette" costs CHF 40 for the vignette and
> a CHF 100 fine.
> Be aware that the Grand-St-Bernard tunnel is
> a toll road - road is between Switzerland and Italy

Ok.

>> - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
>
> Euros are accepted - as in most shops at least
> near the border (but shops usually dont have
> change in Euro - will be in CHF)

Oh that's good to know. At least we can get into the country and
worry about currency there.

>> - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy? Of course
>> we'll already have Euros.
>
> To my knowledge Grand-St-Bernard is the
> only toll road on the border - but many toll
> roads in Italy
>
>> Just not sure what to expect.
>
> Depends where.
> Check your itinerary for exemple using
> www.viamichelin.com (with or without highway
> section)
>
> Basically
> - relatively good roads, lots of road construction
> - agressive driving
> - driving in any larger city a mess, parking a challenge
>
> Regarding border crossing: I live in Switzerland
> near German-Swiss border for now 10 years,
> cross the border average twice a week at least.
> During this time I have been asked around
> 20 times for an ID, car papers checked once,
> and trunk checked once by German customs
> at the border ... and 2 times by German
> customs some 20 km from the border.
> On Swiss side, trunk checked twice at the
> border and once some 5 km from the border
> by Swiss customs.
>
> More and more entrance points are not manned
> permanently any more on Swiss side (especially
> not at night or the weekend - but random checking
> always possible)
>
> Have a great and safe trip!

Thanks again!

--
Troy Piggins

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

* Gregory Morrow is quoted & my replies are inline below :
> Troy Piggins wrote:
>
> [---=| Quote block shrinked by t-prot: 25 lines snipped |=---]
>> >> we'll already have Euros.
>>
>> >> Just not sure what to expect.
>>
>> > Unless you're really going off the beaten track, you would probably
>> > find it a lot easier to take trains.
>>
>> Girlfriend gets motion-sickness readily and need to be able to
>> stop when/where we want. Plus the freedom of being able to go
>> any way we want.
>
> Try "entry from the rear" to cure that girlfriend's "motion sickness"
> problem...
>
> :-p

Heh. You suggest that to her directly and see how long you live.

--
Troy Piggins

Re: AW: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

> What if I look like Mel Gibson?

The police officer might ask you for an autograph.

Never mind the border controls, if you show your passport / ID card and have
a toll sticker, you are waved through unless they suspect something or you
happen to be the one for a random control.

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

Am Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:59:10 +1000 schrieb Troy Piggins:

> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>
> What I'm a little unsure of is:
>
> - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
> border?

Yes.

> Does it involve getting out of the car?

Depends. Normally you are waved through but sometimes they check your
passport and take a look in the car, sometimes you have to open the back of
the car so they have a look at the luggage. That goes mostly for the Swiss
officers. They check for things like Alcohol or food (Switzerland is not in
the EU, so you would have to pay customs if you bring in an box of wine or
something like that).

> Or is it all
> pretty casual and just flash passports?

It really depends. I often travel from Germany to Switzerland and sometimes
they just wave you through without even bother lo look at the passports.
But I also had it that I had to get out of the car, show all my papers
(drivers licence, car papers, you name it), answer some questions ("Where
do you go? For how long? Where you gonna stay?") and wait for about ten
minutes before I got my paperwork back. Seems like spot checks if you ask
me.

> I've travelled around
> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy.

They are all Schengen-Countries, so there are no check-points anymore at
the border. You often don't even notice when you cross. With Switzerland it
is different - not EU, not schengen (yet).

> We /did/ stop
> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.

It is not a EU-country, so you could get checked.

> - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
> already have Swiss Francs?

I think they accept Euors. You need to buy a sticker that you attach to
your windscreen, it's called "Vignette". You can already buy it at big gas
stations on the motorway before you reach the border, that saves you the
trouble of buying it right there and you are more likely to be waved
through. The line for cars without the sticker is always a bit longer, as
it takes a while for everyone to pay.
So it's a good idea to get the sticker in France allready, should be on
sale at any big gas station near the border.

> - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?

Don't now about that. Gas stations take credit cards.

> - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy?

Depends where you go. If you go through Tessin you have the funny situation
of driving a few kms through Italy, come back into Switzerland, and later
on to Italy again. Expect to be checked each time you cross from one
country in another ;-)

But in general, it's nothing to worry about. Once you don't have large
amounts of food, alcohol or cash on you (e.g. more than 10.000 EUR), you
should be fine.

Regards,

Frank

Re: driving France->Switzerland->Italy
 

* Frank Hucklenbroich is quoted & my replies are inline below :
> Am Wed, 22 Aug 2007 09:59:10 +1000 schrieb Troy Piggins:
>
>> I've been reading about driving through France to Switzerland
>> and on to Italy. Seems there are tolls in France and Italy which
>> is easy enough because they're both Euro currency.
>>
>> What I'm a little unsure of is:
>>
>> - Do we need to go through a customs type process at the Fr/Sw
>> border?
>
> Yes.
>
>> Does it involve getting out of the car?
>
> Depends. Normally you are waved through but sometimes they check your
> passport and take a look in the car, sometimes you have to open the back of
> the car so they have a look at the luggage. That goes mostly for the Swiss
> officers. They check for things like Alcohol or food (Switzerland is not in
> the EU, so you would have to pay customs if you bring in an box of wine or
> something like that).
>
>> Or is it all
>> pretty casual and just flash passports?
>
> It really depends. I often travel from Germany to Switzerland and sometimes
> they just wave you through without even bother lo look at the passports.
> But I also had it that I had to get out of the car, show all my papers
> (drivers licence, car papers, you name it), answer some questions ("Where
> do you go? For how long? Where you gonna stay?") and wait for about ten
> minutes before I got my paperwork back. Seems like spot checks if you ask
> me.
>
>> I've travelled around
>> by bus before and we didn't need to stop at borders of
>> France->Netherlands->Germany and Austria->Italy.
>
> They are all Schengen-Countries, so there are no check-points anymore at
> the border. You often don't even notice when you cross. With Switzerland it
> is different - not EU, not schengen (yet).
>
>> We /did/ stop
>> at the Czech border and have passports and visas checked. If
>> Switzerland was EU country I'd be more sure it'd be ok.
>
> It is not a EU-country, so you could get checked.
>
>> - I read there aren't toll roads in Switzerland, but you pay at a
>> gate at the border. Do they accept Euros there, or must we
>> already have Swiss Francs?
>
> I think they accept Euors. You need to buy a sticker that you attach to
> your windscreen, it's called "Vignette". You can already buy it at big gas
> stations on the motorway before you reach the border, that saves you the
> trouble of buying it right there and you are more likely to be waved
> through. The line for cars without the sticker is always a bit longer, as
> it takes a while for everyone to pay.
> So it's a good idea to get the sticker in France allready, should be on
> sale at any big gas station near the border.
>
>> - If not, they probably take Visa/credit cards?
>
> Don't now about that. Gas stations take credit cards.
>
>> - Any similar issues going from Switzerland->Italy?
>
> Depends where you go. If you go through Tessin you have the funny situation
> of driving a few kms through Italy, come back into Switzerland, and later
> on to Italy again. Expect to be checked each time you cross from one
> country in another ;-)
>
> But in general, it's nothing to worry about. Once you don't have large
> amounts of food, alcohol or cash on you (e.g. more than 10.000 EUR), you
> should be fine.
>
> Regards,
>
> Frank

Thanks for your detailed explanations, Frank.

--
Troy Piggins