Apparently I ruffled some feathers of Swiss-lovers here (see "Zurich in 2 days") - - I apologize! <BR> <BR>I'll try to adhere to the old adage of "if you can't say something positive..." <BR> <BR>Four TERRIFIC countries await you if you step across the border from Swizerland (there... is that better? whoops, now I've potentially offended the Liechtensteiners!) <BR> <BR>...and none of them charges you $400 for the "privilege" of having a car on their countries' highways - - whether for one day or for one year! <BR> <BR>In more positive news (from www.usatoday.com) <BR> <BR>Strikes in France that have snarled public transportation in two French cities for six days came to an end, but walkouts continued to disrupt radio and television broadcasts. Bus, metro and tram traffic in Marseilles and <BR>Lyon was expected to return to normal by today. <BR> <BR>...and some bad news and good news for would-be skiers... <BR> <BR>"Europeans fear return of avalanches" <BR> <BR>By Helena Bachmann, Special for USA TODAY <BR> <BR>GENEVA, Switzerland -- Mountain communities here are worried that early heavy snowfall could bring a repeat of last year's deadly avalanches. <BR> <BR>The fears, of course, are competing with high hopes for a strong ski season and the money that would bring to the region. Resorts are already predicting an increase in business. Bookings from the United States in some areas are up 5%, ski-resort operators say. <BR> <BR>to read the rest of the story, see http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news...alforecast.htm <BR> <BR>Happy travels everyone - - I'm off to the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade and the Radio city Music Hall Christmas spectacular over the next 48 hours! <BR> <BR>Rex

Whoops! BIG typo! $40 (forty) not $400! <BR> <BR>Sorry!

Rex---- LOL! <BR> <BR>That's why this is call a FORUM!!! <BR> <BR>....Macy's parade?, Radio City Christmas Special....you lucky dog!!!!

I must have been dozing. Which country charges cars $40 to use its roads? <BR> <BR>Does this apply only to rental cars from other nations? Which EU countries do this...i.e., is there more than one?

Switzerland is not the only European country where freeway tax has to be paid. This is also the case in France, Spain and Italy. The only difference is that for Switzerland every freeway user has to stick a "Vignette" (sticker) on the windscreen of his car. This vignette, for sale at the border or in gas stations, costs CHF 40 (= approx. $26.50) and is valid for one year. So if you ride 10 km or 20.000 km in one year, you pay the same 40 CHF. For cars rented in Switzerland this vignette is usually included in the rental price. <BR>In France, Spain and Italy the freeway user has to pay per kilometer and from Northern France to the South the cost will be much higher than $26.50. <BR>In Belgium, where I live, we don't pay any freeway tax upto now but the condition of our freeways is in no way comparable to those in France or Switzerland.

Al, <BR>Austria, too, now has a required "vignette" purchased at a cost of 70 shillings for a week that allows travel on major roads in Austria. The fine for lacking the sticker is 1100 shillings! I've noticed, also, that rental car companies are starting to charge a nominal "mandatory road use fee". In Italy, for example, it's $2.45 a day with a maximum of $45.00 for the week depending upon car size.

We paid $24.00 to crossed thru Liechtenstein (Vaduz). We stopped for about halh hour at a souvenirs store across from the hill where the Royal Palace is located. Not the most exciting place by far.

Back to Economics 101: this is what is known as using the power of taxation and thus killing the golden goose. Or goosing the source of the gold. Soon they will be charging tourists who come in buses or trains, wearing out their cobblestone streets with our Nikes. I thought one purpose of the EU was to knock off such barriers to tourism and trade. How can we retaliate? Let's hear it from you, Fodorites -- what can be done?

Al, <BR>Been thinking! I've rented autos on more than one occasion in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany and in every instance the rental car had the Swiss vignette pasted to the upper corner of the windshield. You might expect countries neighboring Switzerland to be so equipped, but Belgium?!, the Netherlands!? I wonder now if that "mandatory road use fee" is intended to compensate for the cost of the vignette (many times over). I haven't rented an auto since Austria recently imposed its vignette requirements and wonder if the vignette is provided by the auto rental outfit - the Austrian tourist office indicates its obtainable from rental agencies.

Ah, yes, the beloved vignette. I was working in France for a couple of years and naturally I bought a car. Didn't know anything about the vignette. I saw them on other cars, but assumed it was a vehicle inspection thingamabob or annual registration. Didn't know I had to go to a tobaccanist once a year to pay a small tax and get my new vignette. The result was I was pulled over near Cholet and fined 500ff. Eventually my company, unasked, reimbursed me, considering it their fault for not telling me. <BR>As someone mentioned the Peages or French autoroutes are expensive. If it were in France the NJ Turnpike would cost about $50, I figure. But then gas is around $4.50 per gallon. It was ever thus... that's Europe.