Erstfeld, Switzerland — April 6, 2026 The Gotthard tunnel experienced severe traffic congestion over the Easter weekend, with a 21-kilometer jam causing delays of up to 3.5 hours for travelers heading south on Good Friday afternoon.
## Traffic Snarls Reach Record Lengths The Easter holiday traffic jam at the Gotthard tunnel peaked on Good Friday afternoon, stretching 21 kilometers in the southbound direction. According to multiple sources, this resulted in a waiting time of up to 3 hours and 30 minutes for travelers. The congestion was part of a broader pattern of heavy holiday traffic, with similar delays reported on the A2 highway near Erstfeld and Göschenen, where travelers faced a 1-hour and 15-minute delay.
In the opposite direction, northbound traffic was also heavily affected, with an 8-kilometer jam between Erstfeld and Göschenen in the canton of Uri. This caused an additional delay of over an hour for those traveling north. The Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) confirmed the severity of the congestion, noting that travelers needed around 1 hour and 40 minutes more than usual to pass through the affected section of the A2 highway.
## Breakdowns and Tunnel Closures Worsen Delays The situation was further exacerbated on Monday afternoon when the Gotthard tunnel was temporarily closed in both directions due to a breakdown vehicle. This unexpected closure added to the already significant delays, particularly for those caught in the backlog. Earlier in the weekend, on Thursday, southbound travelers had faced a 15-kilometer jam at its peak, which later decreased to 13 kilometers by evening.
The San Bernardino axis (A13) also saw heavy traffic, with slow-moving conditions and jams reported in several sections. Travelers heading north on this route experienced a 2-hour delay between Lostallo and Mesocco-South. The TCS highlighted that the congestion on the A13 contributed to the overall holiday travel disruptions.
## Holiday Traffic Strains Infrastructure The Easter weekend traditionally sees high volumes of traffic, and this year was no exception. On Saturday and Sunday, the Gotthard tunnel continued to experience jams, though to a lesser extent than on Good Friday. The Leventina region was particularly affected, with an 11-kilometer traffic jam on the A2 highway causing a 1-hour and 45-minute delay for northbound travelers.
Authorities have yet to comment on whether additional measures will be taken to alleviate future holiday traffic. However, the recurring nature of these delays suggests that the Gotthard tunnel and surrounding routes remain critical bottlenecks during peak travel periods.
## Regional Impact and Traveler Frustration The traffic disruptions were not limited to the Gotthard tunnel. The canton of Uri and the Leventina region bore the brunt of the congestion, with travelers reporting significant frustration over the extended delays. The TCS noted that the peak of this year's Easter traffic jam occurred on Good Friday afternoon, underscoring the challenges of managing holiday travel flows.
While the exact cause of the breakdown that led to Monday's tunnel closure remains unclear, its impact was immediate, adding to the already strained infrastructure. For now, travelers are advised to plan for additional time when passing through these high-traffic areas during future holidays.