I understand that to drive on the expressways in Switzerland you have to pay for your tolls at the border as you enter the country by buying a pass. One person told me the passes were only sold on an annual basis and that for our two days of driving in Switzerland it would be too expensive. They suggested we stay on the local highways to circumnavigate Lake Geneva.

Can anyone enlighten me on this?

Your information is correct. In Austria, for example, you can buy a "vignette" for as few as 10 days to a year. In Switzerland it doesn't matter if you are there two days or a year, the price is the same.

Last year I believe it was around E27. You are required to have their "vignette" to drive on the expressways. Local roads have no such requirement.

Curious

Also read the info on this page here on Fodors:

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...n=tra&pg=2

It will cost about $31. Following is from the Swiss web site: An annual road toll, called <Vignette> of CHF 40 is levied on all cars and motorcycles using the freeways. Cars rented in Switzerland usually include the Vignette, vehicles rented outside of Switzerland do not. Vignettes are available at border crossings as well as all Swiss post offices and gas stations.

This is interesting. So, for example, the folks at the thread about driving from Munich to Lyon through Switzerland. . . . Would it be practical to avoid the pass and drive on 'free' roads? J.

You'll pay close to the Swiss Vignette cost for tolls in France on the way to Lyon, so what's the big deal? Especially considering fuel costs are significantly lower in Switzerland. Some places in Switzerland it's virtually impossible to avoid a motorway. Also driving through Austria is very expensive, they make you buy a vignette AND pay tolls for some tunnels, etc.

John, if you truly intend to only stay around Lac Leman (Lake Geneva), yes it is possible to drive around the lake without going on a motorway. Always follow the blue signs (green signs indicate motorways in Switzerland BUT local roads in France, yes, it's the opposite).