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By road

This is probably the most expensive way to reach the Swiss Alps, but is the obvious choice of walkers and climbers who fill their car with camping equipment, climbing gear and food, and for those who plan to visit several different regions.

Walkers below Cabane d’Arpitetta with the Moming glacier ahead in the Val d’Anniviers (Chapter 2:8)

Cross-Channel car ferries currently operated by P&O (www.poferries.com) and Sea France (www.seafrance.com) sail many times daily between Dover and Calais, while Eurotunnel (www.eurotunnel.com) runs frequent car-carrying trains through the Channel Tunnel from Folkestone to Calais in 40–45 minutes.

The distance from Calais to the Swiss border is about 850km, with fast toll-paying motorways (autoroutes) for much of that distance. However, on reaching the Jura mountains the motorways run out and slower roads continue through bottleneck towns and villages. On arrival at the Swiss border it is advisable to purchase a vignette (current cost CHF40) which enables you to drive on Swiss motorways. (Be caught driving on a motorway without one and you’ll face a hefty fine.) Note that the minimum driving age in Switzerland is 18, third-party insurance is compulsory, seat belts must be used, and it is a legal requirement to carry a warning triangle and the vehicle’s registration documents.