Romantic Route Express

The Romantic Route Express is a fascinating bus adventure (available only in the summer months) that captures some of Switzerland’s most extraordinary, rugged, high Alpine scenery. The trip begins in Andermatt, a mountain resort famous for skiing and hiking. As the yellow postal bus leaves town heading west, it ascends the awesome Furka Pass to its 2,341-meter-high, barren, windswept summit where you have a panoramic view of majestic mountain peaks and glaciers. From the summit, the road twists down to Gletsch where the bus turns north and climbs once again into the mountains, tackling more curves as it makes its way up the rugged Grimsel Pass—along the same route used hundreds of years ago by merchants who trudged wearily over the mountains by mule train. The road passes a few remote mountain hamlets as it heads to Meiringen. From Meiringen the bus turns southwest to Grindelwald, the final and most exciting part of the journey. For those passionate about discovering places off the beaten path, this part of the trip will be memorable. Even travelers who take pride in knowing most of the remote byways in Switzerland are often surprised to learn there is a back road to Grindelwald, a village in the stunning Jungfrau region. However, cars are only allowed to drive as far as the Schwarzwaldalp, which is just beyond the hamlet of Rosenlaui. Only buses are allowed as the road continues on, over the incredibly narrow road that makes many hairpin turns as it makes it way up and over the Grand Scheidegg pass and on to Grindelwald. You can end your journey at one of the lovely hotels in Grindelwald, or continue on by train to one of the other charming small towns in the gorgeous Jungfrau Region, such as Wengen or Mürren.