Question on Tolls
 

We are planning on driving to see the falls in Schaffhausen Switzerland from Stuttgart Germany, I know that we will be on a Swiss toll road and was wondering if anyone knew what it was going to cost us for the day.

Thanks
Gary

You can plot the route on www.viamichelin.com - they will show you toll & estimate gas costs.

j62,

I use that site and the site gives me a total of 32euros which seems outrageous for just a one day one time trip of about 40km.

The short sections of Swiss Autobahn from the German border as far as Schaffhausen don't require Vignette (toll sticker) which is otherwise required at 40 CHF.

You will be disappointed anyway. They are small and not very interesting at all.

I disagree. Not as overwhelming as the Niagara Falls, admittedly, but still an impressive sight.

However, the old town of Schaffhausen and the castle are well worth a stop.

I do like Niagara Falls :-) This "Reinfall" did disappoint me big time when I eas a kid. Not enough water. Schaffhausen is nice indeed!

We took a rental car in to Switzerland and 32 Euros sounds about right.

I really am looking forward to seeing not only the falls but the town of Schaffhausen and the surrounding countryside. I am still a little hesitant about paying what amounts to about $45 just to drive a little bit into Switzerland.

Like logos999 I too like Niagara Falls but still would like to see the European version.

Gary

I assume viamichelin.com gave you the routing via A81, Hwy 34 for a short bit, (border DE/CH), Hwy 15/A4 in Switzerland to Schaffhausen.

This is indeed a bit tricky since Swiss Hwy 15 is only toll-free until exit SH-Herblingen (at the NE outskirts of Schaffhausen), just before Hwy 15 merges with A4. The signage denoting the end of the vignette-free section is quite tiny, and if you followed the signs for "Rheinfall" (Rhine falls), you would need a vignette (or risk a fine) for 40 CHF. Which would be nuts since the vignette is valid for one calendar year, and you'd only use it for a day and few kms on Swiss motorways.

For someone not familiar with the location, it is easier to leave Hwy 15 at the first exit (Thayngen) in Switzerland (only a few 100 yards after the border check point), and follow signs to Thayngen and Schaffhausen from that exit.

You are on the safe side (i.e. toll-free road) when the destinations are given on blue signs. If the destination is given on green background, it will take you via a motorway requiring the vignette. That's why in Switzerland
you often find directions to the same destination pointing in different directions: green via motorways, blue via regular (toll/vignette-free) highways.

To leave Schaffhausen, you'd ignore any signs towards Singen or Stuttgart, but follow directions to Thayngen (Hwy 15), to Singen (D) once you got to Thayngen, and thus go back same way.

It sounds more complicated than it is, and in fact you will be driving just a few kms in Switzerland in total.

http://www.cafe-fechtig.de/ausflug/rheinfall.jpg

Click.

logos999,

Great picture. Thanks

Cowboy1968,

I have printed out your directions and will follow them. I appriciate all of the help I get on this site. I am looking forward to being back in Germany if only for a week.

Gary