Right, after having returned from the Alps just over 10 days ago, I'm heading back to Italy next week. I'll be working at Lake Garda for the summer. I came back via Milan & Switzerland as it was about the same price as France, but way nicer to drive and I didn't give the French any money - win. Consequently, I have a Swiss vignette and wondering if it will be cheaper to go back via Switzerland. My boss normally takes Brenner and he seems to think it's cheaper. But I'm guessing that would involve the Brenner toll AND an Austrian vignette - yes?

Help please?

yes i think i posted before about the brenner toll, about 8.90ish iirc, then austrian vignette 14euros ish for a 14day one, more for the year, though less than the swiss one.

if you have no vignettes (and need to buy) austria is cheaper, though takes longer, as there are sections not on motorway, and can get blocked up in the summer months, also there is a lot more road switching, and traffic is generally much heavier through germany than it is the swiss to france route or the france to italy direct route.

have done them all, lots of times over the years, and though the austria route is an interesting drive....i especially like the tirol and usually stay in bressanone if i go this way as the tirol/dolomites are stunning, much more striking than the rest of the alps infact, it takes longer and uses more fuel due to stop start traffic and 2 lane motorways in germany that dont allow you to use cruise control as much.

France to switz, is a more direct, and relaxing route, and as you have the vignette, i suggest this way instead, you don't have to pay to go through the gottard tunnel either, its covered with the swiss vignette.

The best route however imo, for ability to use cruise control, save petrol, lack of traffic, straight motorway, service stations and relaxation of drive is the France route to the val d'aosta/monte bianco tunnel and across.

French police are fine, just came back from Holland/France this week, and no trouble from the police whatsoever. As long as you don't speed like a douchbag, you will be fine.

What are you doing in Garda, i know it quite well, as i have family in Valpolicella and Verona where will you be based, and doing what?

Thanks guys. Looks like Switzerland is the way forward then. At least that way I'll get some use out of my vignette. Will be returning to Sestriere next winter as well, so 3 uses for 35€ ain't bad. The roads were trouble free as well. I imagine the price puts a lot of people off.

I'm not into speeding, as in the vRS 100kph on cruise nets me amazing economy. The only time I punch it is when necessary to stay safe in parts of Germany and Italy. France is easy, but I object to paying 85€ just to cross the country and then more for the tunnels into Italy.

I have been having fun, but it's been a lot of hard work too! I've been doing freelance ski photography for the winter. Sadly for the summer I'm returning to an old job as a lowly holiday rep. However, it would appear that the scene in Italy is a lot better than Spain, so quite excited to be honest. Plus I can't get a job in this country, the weather is grim and I have no friends - so may as well be somewhere else.

I think I'll be working in Garda propio, but I'm not sure at the moment. Probably won't know for sure until I get there, as it's usually a bunfight amongst the managers to get the staff they want and whilst I'm more experienced than most, I'm new to the area, so we'll see...

I also have some Italian mates in Gardone Riviera and looking forward to a chilled, friendly summer (inbetween all the work). Pop down in you're around would be great to put faces to posts :-)

Bodge, I love Villach! Didn't realise Skoda went down there as well. I went for the Woerthersee Treffen last year. You could always drop by on the way home!