Swiss Postbus Roads

I don't understand what you mean by "Postbus routes". Do you have a map that plots public transportation buses? Postbus is the name they give to an arcane old system in Switzerland where vehicles doubled as mail delivery trucks and small buses. Even if they retain the name, most routes are now served by proper vehicles. They go over routes that, with just two or three exceptions nationwide, are also opened to all car traffic. Many mountain pass routes in Switzerland close for the winter (like the routes over Grimsel, Stuten, Furka, Novena and San Gottardo passes, for instance). The highest alpine passes open, usually, sometime around mid-May and close at the first heavy snowfall after late October.

Thanks for your info. I found another place where someone basically told someone, "in the summer you can do it," but I wanted a little...more, if it was out there. It is based on an experience in Grindelwald. My fault, of course (AND Grindelwald and the whole area are amazing btw), and I hated that we did it. My wife and I drove from Grindelwald to Rosenlaui,back and forth, about 3 times via Grosse Scheidegg. I got the distinct feeling that we (ie car travelers) were NOT supposed to be on that road. For some reason, signage or something someone said (it has been several years), I got the feeling that we had been on a "PostBus route" that cars were not welcome on. Obivously if it can carry a PostBus (and we passed one) it can carry a car, but I just 'want to do it right.' For years I had driven, basically, where I wanted and I suddenly felt that I had been missing something. On the SAC-CAS huetten map it lists roads, highways, and Postbus routes (they could be overylaying each other?). They look like roads to me--HA! I hate to go to someone's country and mess their stuff up, though ;) I try to be a good traveler. I appreciate your help!

There are some mountain roads in Switzerland that are restricted with respect to public use. The road into the Gasterntal ( near Kandersteg) is one- the few residents have permits to driven it but otherwise traffic is limited to the Postbus. It makes it great for bicycling. I believe the road over Grosse Scheidegg (Meiringen to GS to Grindelwald ) is similar. Places along there, such as the Chalethotel Schwartzwaldalp and the hotel and restaurant at Grosse Scheidegg, are served by Postbus. But I have seen references on hiking and cycling websites saying that the road is closed to private cars. And I have walked down from Grosse Scheidegg to Grindelwald, without seeing a single car. So you probably did drive past signs indicating the road is not open to general traffic.

Thanks, those are what I am worried about and try to keep my eyes open for. AND since the postbuses only run at certain times (in one case going once in the morning and once in the afternoon and returning once in the afternoon) I am trying to figure out if these roads are like those so that I can catch the right bus/van at the right time. Oh google street view, how you would be useful in this situation :) These three are specifically in question: 1. The first is the road from Sisikon, through Riemenstalden, to Chaepelliberg.
2. Another is the road from Wassen (south of Erstfeld) to the Sustenpass via Faernigen. 3. And the third is from Wolfenschiessen to Oberrickenbach (in the mountains to the south and across the lake from Luzern). Any thoughts, or specific knowledge, on those? Thanks again!

I grew up (partly) in Switzerland and as I recall Postbuses are buses that delivered the mail and also carried passengers. In other words, those signs on the map are just an indication for those who are looking for info on public transportation. If you are in your own car you should be fine. They are yellow buses and often exist in areas in which it is not economical to have a seperate postal service + passenger service when the two can be merged into one.

I don't know those areas you mention but on (very) narrow Swiss mountain roads there are regular spaces in which to stop into when facing incoming traffic. It works perfectly well as long as you drive slowly and carefully and are prepared to manoeuvre into one of those spaces when faced with another vehicle (the protocol is that whichever vehicle is the closest/in the easiest position to a space to make way). Obviously none of this applies to most Swiss roads which are fine and perfectly designed for oncoming traffic.

We just spent three weeks in Switzerland. The Postbus is simply the name of the public bus system now. As to whether or not it still carries mail I'm not too sure. We drove on all manner of roads from motorways to roads that were unpaved going up to the tops of mountains including some that had bus stops for the Postbus. As we were staying there as guests of Swiss people, they told us that any restricted roads are clearly marked with the round, white sign with the red "doughnut" around the edge. Some of the roads we drove were two way roads that zigzagged up over very high passes and were extremely narrow; barely wide enough for our car. White-knuckle driving for sure! Postbus stops were all along these roads but as far as we could tell there weren't any that were restricted to public traffic. We passed plenty of other people in private cars as well as lots of holiday travellers in caravans...crazy to drive on those roads! I think you're fine...routes marked "Postbus" on the map are simply that...the route that the public bus takes. Quite the adventure though!

cabalist, both roads are opened to public use! They might have restrictions on vehicle width and/or height, but that is only a concern for trucks, not for personal cars.

The Sustenpass is a major route, and quite wide for Alpine standards indeed. The other two (1) and (3) I can't find them. Could you please plot these routes on Google Map and share a link so that I can find them? Two of the villages names you mentioned don't appear on my search altogether so I ahve no idea which routes are you talking about exactly.

Sorry, converting my umlauts for easy typing. ;) 1. The first is the road from Sisikon, through Riemenstalden, to Chäppeliberg. http://goo.gl/maps/vibXQ 3. And the third is from Wolfenschiessen to Oberrickenbach (in the mountains to the south and across the lake from Luzern). http://goo.gl/maps/S9tuq I am thinking, "go for it, but watch for signs carefully." If I have time I am going to look up the postbus times...leaving and coming back. Thanks for your help.