Beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps, the Furka tunnel links Oberwald and Realp in around twenty minutes, sparing motorists the twists and turns of the eponymous pass, which is closed in winter. With a shuttle bus service, regular timetables and a summer excursion by steam train on the old summit route, this crossing combines Alpine logistics with a taste for seasonal travel.
Train+car between Oberwald and Realp
Instead of negotiating the sometimes snow-covered twists and turns of the Furka Pass, motorists load their vehicles onto a shuttle train that crosses the mountain through the base tunnel, between the Rhône and Reuss valleys. Optional in summer, it becomes essential in winter.
Piggybacking is operated by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) and provides a continuous link between the cantons of Valais and Uri, with a journey time of around 20 minutes.
The service is particularly valuable in winter, when the pass road is closed, but it also saves time in summer.
Practical information Furka tunnel
- Departure and arrivalstations: Oberwald (Valais) and Realp (Uri).
- Journeytime by car-train: around 20 minutes between the two piggyback stations.
- Frequency: regular services with scheduled departures in both directions, intensified in high season.
- Year-round service via the base tunnel, even when the Furka Pass is impassable.
For detailed daily timetables, real-time waiting times, webcams at Oberwald and Realp and online ticket purchasing, please refer to the official Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn website.
The Furka base tunnel
Inaugurated in the early 1980s, the Furka base tunnel has completely changed the way people travel between the Rhone Valley and the Gotthard region.
Several kilometres long under the massif, it has made it possible to secure an annual rail link between Oberwald and Realp, where the historic summit railway line only operated during the summer months. This infrastructure provides a route that is safe from avalanches, ice and the prolonged closures that affect the road pass.
The tunnel is operated by Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), a regional network linking the Alpine valleys of Valais and Graubünden with the Andermatt region. One of the company’s main tasks on this stretch is to transport cars, motorbikes, buses and lorries by piggyback, in addition to the regional trains for passengers without vehicles.
The boring of the tunnel has even made it possible to exploit an unexpected resource: hot water, which now contributes to the local geothermal energy supply.
Piggybacking: principles and benefits
The Furka Piggyback operates like a shuttle carrying cars, buses and lorries on specially equipped flat wagons. Drivers drive up to the loading platform, line up on the ramps, board the train, switch off their engines and remain in their vehicles throughout the journey. Once the convoy is formed, the train enters the tunnel to reach the other side in around twenty minutes.
The most immediate advantage is the time saved: the piggyback crossing is shorter than the journey via the pass road, not to mention the potentially difficult weather conditions. In winter, when the road is closed, the tunnel even becomes the only direct route between Oberwald and Realp for motorists. The system also reduces driver fatigue and wear and tear on the vehicle on a high mountain road.
The Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) network
This link provides quick access to the canton of Uri and the Reuss Valley from the Rhône and Goms valleys, with connections to Andermatt, Realp, Oberwald and Matterhorn terminal Täsch.
- Map of the MGB network in Switzerland :
Timetables, frequency and seasonality
Timetables vary according to the time of year, the day of the week and operating conditions.
During the day, there is a regular service in each direction, with regular departures from Oberwald and Realp, particularly at peak times. In the low season, the frequency may be reduced, but the service will continue as long as the tunnel is in operation. Swiss national or religious holidays are often aligned with the Sunday timetable, which may alter the frequency slightly.
Before setting off, it is therefore advisable to check the updated timetable, any waiting times and any temporary interruptions, for example in the event of roadworks or particular weather conditions. Passengers can consult this information online, sometimes supported by webcams showing the situation live at loading stations.
- Until 13 December 2025
- From 14 December 2025
Prices and tickets
The price of piggybacking depends on the type of vehicle, the season and sometimes the category chosen. Passenger cars pay a fixed rate per crossing, while there are special rates for motorhomes, vans and trailers. Subscription formulas or multi-point cards are available for regular users, reducing the cost of each crossing over a set period.
Tickets can be purchased at piggyback stations or directly online from the official MGB website.
Advance booking is recommended during the high season or at major weekends, to reduce the risk of long waits at boarding. The online sales platform also indicates cancellation conditions, any discounts and specific information for groups.
- Direct access to the Furka MGB piggyback ticket office:
And to get to the Furka tunnel, you can also take the train in Switzerland:
Access to Realp and Oberwald stations
Oberwald lies at the bottom of the Goms valley in the canton of Valais, on the road leading to the Furka pass and the source of the Rhône. It can be reached by car from Brig up the valley, and by train via the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB ). The piggyback station is located in the immediate vicinity of the village, and is clearly signposted from the main road.
Realp lies on the Uri side of the valley, heading up from Andermatt towards the Furka Pass. The village is also accessible by car and by the MGB regional network, with a station that is used both for regional trains and for loading vehicles for the tunnel. The whole area forms a strategic link between the Valais and the Gotthard region, whether you are coming from Zurich, Lucerne or even Geneva via the major Swiss rail routes.
- Map of the Furka pass and tunnel
Glaciers and source of the Rhône, MGB network stations, pass and viewpoint:
Other car+train tunnels in Switzerland
The Furka piggyback is part of a wider network of vehicle shuttles that allow you to cross the Alps by train without necessarily having to cross the road passes. Among the best known, the Lötschberg links the Valais to the Bernese Oberland, the Saint-Gothard connects Uri and Ticino, while the Simplon shortens the journey between Brig and Italy. Further east, the Vereina tunnel provides an essential link to Graubünden.
These services follow the same principle: vehicles board a train to cross a mountain or valley that is difficult to access, often complementing spectacular high-altitude routes that are exposed to the vagaries of the weather. For travellers planning an Alpine itinerary, considering a journey through the Gotthard, Furka, Lötschberg, Simplon or Vereina tunnels allows them to combine efficiency, safety and scenic pleasure, by choosing the solution best suited to the season and the weather at the time.
The steam train and the mountain route: the nostalgic face of the Furka
As well as the base tunnel, the Furka region has another trump card: the historic summit line, now used by a tourist steam train.
In summer, this mountain railway links Realp to Oberwald on a spectacular route, with bridges, viaducts and plunging views of the glaciers. Where piggyback transport is fast and practical, the steam train is slow and contemplative, allowing railway heritage enthusiasts to combine an efficient journey through the tunnel with a nostalgic excursion along the summit track.
- Presentation of the DFB summit train over the Furka pass:
Numerous tourist offers include this section in Swiss panoramic train tours, alongside such famous routes as the Glacier Express and other Alpine lines.
- Activities and excursions in Switzerland with Civitatis and GetYourGuide:
Practical advice before you leave
To make the most of the Furka piggyback service, there are a few simple things you need to do.
Arriving at the loading station a little early reduces stress, especially during busy periods or when the weather is changeable. Checking the timetable, vehicle category, means of payment accepted and safety instructions beforehand also helps to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Drivers must comply with the instructions given by staff when loading and parking wagons, in particular as regards the distance between vehicles and stopping during the crossing.
Cyclists and car-free travellers should enquire about regional trains, which offer an alternative tailored to their needs on the same route.
Finally, for those with a bit of time on their hands and a taste for tourism, a combination of piggyback transport, the pass route in fine weather and a steam train excursion in summer means you can discover all the facets of the Furka in a single trip, with the icing on the Alpine cake being the source of the Rhone River.
Webcams and stations
To see the weather and the traffic, here are the webcams of the stations on the Furka piggyback route.
Webcam at Oberwald station
Webcam at Realp station
Oberwald and Realp stations
Practical information, bookings and tickets on the official website:
Taking the train in the Swiss Alps?
And to continue your journey, here are timetables, maps and practical information for crossing the Swiss Alps by train:
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