For your next trip to Switzerland, consider experiencing the country in a unique way: by Swiss Postal Bus. These nifty yellow buses with large windows, comfortable seats, and very loud horns, deliver mail (and you!) to hard-to-reach areas of the Swiss countryside.

The buses complement trains and boats, the more mainstream elements of the country?s public transport system. In addition to being surprisingly roomy, the buses are quite safe—their drivers go through rigorous training to ensure they can drive in all weather conditions and on tight alpine roads.

About a dozen Postal Bus Routes are available, each offering travelers a unique and memorable way to explore the Swiss countryside. The Ticino Express Route takes in the famous Gotthard Pass, which these days is often bypassed in favor of the tunnel that eliminates about an hour of travel between Zurich and Ticino; the Historic Express Route takes in a lesser-known area, connecting the southern tip of Lake Luzern to Glarus; and the Palm Express Route connects the glaciers of the Upper Engadine to the palm-lined shore of Lake Lugano.

Traveling aboard a Swiss Postal Bus is free for Swiss Pass holders and costs only about $3 per person for the Alpine Ticket. For a country known for its high price tags, this is certainly an inexpensive way to experience truly off-the-beaten-path travel.

Winter 2002