ANDERMATT, SWITZERLAND – THE HEART OF SWISS ALPINE DRIVING
Andermatt 🇨🇭 is arguably the best base for a driving holiday in the Swiss Alps. Nestled at 1,447 m (4,747 ft) in the Ursern Valley, this historic mountain village sits at the crossroads of some of Europe's most spectacular roads.
Within a single day, drivers can experience the legendary Furka Pass, Grimsel Pass, Susten Pass, Gotthard Pass, Oberalp Pass and Nufenen Pass — a concentration of world-class alpine roads that is difficult to match anywhere in the world.
For this reason, Andermatt has become a favourite destination among driving enthusiasts, luxury travellers and road-trip adventurers seeking the ultimate Swiss Alps experience.
Scenic: ★★★★★
Driving Variety: ★★★★★
WHY ANDERMATT IS SO SPECIAL
Most Alpine destinations offer access to one or two famous roads.
Andermatt offers six. In every direction, a different mountain pass unfolds:
Furka Pass – Switzerland's most iconic driving road
Grimsel Pass – dramatic reservoirs and granite landscapes
Susten Pass – glacier views and flowing sweepers
Gotthard Pass – historic Swiss crossing and the Tremola
Oberalp Pass – Glacier Express scenery and wide-open tundra
Nufenen Pass – Switzerland's highest paved mountain pass
Klausen Pass – Classic Alpine Road
This unique location allows visitors to drive a different legendary road every day without constantly changing hotels.
THE BIG 3 PASSES OF ANDERMATT
Furka Pass
Made famous by the James Bond film Goldfinger, the Furka Pass combines dramatic elevation, tight bends and unforgettable views of the Rhone Glacier.
Scenic: ★★★★★
Thrilling: ★★★★★
Grimsel Pass
Known for its enormous reservoirs, granite peaks and cinematic scenery, Grimsel feels unlike any other pass in Switzerland.
Scenic: ★★★★★
Thrilling: ★★★★☆
Susten Pass
Wide, smooth and beautifully engineered, Susten is often considered one of the finest grand-touring roads in the Alps.
Scenic: ★★★★★
Thrilling: ★★★★☆
Together, these three roads form Switzerland's famous "Big 3" Alpine Pass Loop.
OTHER GREAT ROADS NEAR ANDERMATT
Gotthard Pass
One of Europe's most historic crossings, featuring both a modern summit road and the legendary Tremola cobblestone route.
Oberalp Pass
The scenic link between Andermatt and the Graubünden region, famous for its lighthouse and the Glacier Express railway.
Klausen Pass
The Klausen Pass in Switzerland 🇨🇭 rises to 1,948 m (6,391 ft) and links the cantons of Uri and Glarus. It’s a raw, old-school alpine drive.
WHY STAY IN ANDERMATT?
Andermatt combines world-class roads with luxury hospitality. Visitors can spend the day exploring mountain passes before returning to excellent restaurants, spas and alpine hotels.
The village is also surprisingly accessible, located approximately 90 minutes from Zurich Airport, making it one of the easiest Alpine driving destinations to reach from overseas.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Mid-June to October
The prime driving season, when all major passes are typically open and conditions are at their best.
October
Often one of the most beautiful months, with autumn colours, quieter roads and crisp mountain air.
Winter
While many high passes close due to snow, Andermatt remains a popular mountain destination and gateway to the Swiss Alps.
IN SUMMARY
If you're looking for:
Switzerland's ultimate driving destination
The highest concentration of legendary Alpine passes
The famous Big 3 pass loop
Luxury hotels combined with unforgettable roads
An ideal base for exploring the Swiss Alps by car
...then Andermatt belongs at the very top of your list.
Few places in Europe offer so much driving variety within such a small area. For road-trip enthusiasts, it is difficult to imagine a better starting point for an Alpine adventure.
