Tenda Tunnel: Extended Opening Hours for Summer 2026, Full Schedule and Timetable

The Intergovernmental Commission for the Southern Alps has approved extended opening hours for the Tenda Tunnel during the summer of 2026. The agreement, reached with the support of the Piedmont and Liguria regional governments and the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, aims to improve accessibility during the peak tourist season while meeting the needs of residents, businesses and tourism operators.

The new schedule will provide longer daily opening hours throughout the summer, with the tunnel remaining open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. throughout August.

Tenda Tunnel Summer 2026 Opening Schedule

The new operating timetable is divided into several periods.

July 11–31

• Open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
• Open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
• On July 13 and 14, during the French National Day celebrations, the tunnel will remain open until 11:00 p.m.

August 1–31

• Open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

September 1–13

• Open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
• Open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

September 14 – October 4

• On weekdays, open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• On weekends, open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

From October 5

• The tunnel will close for approximately six weeks to allow the completion of scheduled construction works.

Longer Opening Hours to Support Tourism and Local Businesses

The extension of opening hours was jointly requested by the Piedmont and Liguria regional governments during the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission held in Paris. The objective is to facilitate travel between Italy and France during the busiest tourist season while reducing inconvenience for residents, cross-border workers and businesses.

The decision responds to the needs of communities around the Tenda Pass, particularly Limone Piemonte, the Vermenagna Valley, and other border areas, where the tunnel plays a strategic role in the local economy.

August Will Feature the Longest Daily Opening Hours

The most significant change concerns the month of August. For all 31 days, the Tenda Tunnel will remain open from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., ensuring smoother traffic flow during the peak holiday season and encouraging travel between Piedmont, Liguria and the French Riviera.

Extended weekend opening hours in July and September are also intended to better accommodate increased tourist traffic.

Tunnel Closure Scheduled Again in October

The extended summer timetable is a temporary measure while work on the infrastructure continues. From October 5, the Tenda Tunnel will close again for approximately six weeks to allow construction work to be completed.

Attention also remains focused on the full completion of the project, including the future construction of the second tunnel bore. The Piedmont Regional Government has reiterated the importance of accelerating the project to restore the tunnel’s full operational capacity, recognizing it as a strategic transport link between Italy and France and a key driver of economic development and tourism throughout the Alpine region.