Swiss travel getting more expensive

A trip to Switzerland by car is to get more expensive from the beginning of August when Swiss Customs raises the cost of a vignette to 34.50 euros.

The vignette is a compulsory road tax payable once per year and essential for any motorist travelling through Switzerland.

Unlike in France, where motorists pay a different price at motorway tolls, the vignette is a once-off cost per year.

Motorists can purchase the 2011 Swiss vignette at the current price of 31.50 euros from ACL until July 31. The vignette is valid until January 31, 2012.

In addition, ACL provides vignettes and payment cards for tolls Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary and Italy.

Motorists can also obtain a Umweltplakette, or environmental disc, compulsory for certain German towns, from the ACL car club.