Alpine Passes

facts about the grand tour of Switzerland

Alpine Passes on the Grand Tour
The Grand Tour leads over five mountain passes at more than 2000 m above sea level. The recommended time to make the Grand Tour is the summer season from April to October. If a pass is blocked at this time because of snow, there is still the possibility of car-train services or tunnel crossings. Alternatives to pass roads:

  • Flüela (2383 m above sea level): Vereina car-train service from Klosters-Selfranga to Sagliains
    • www.rhb.ch/car-transporter
  • Julier (2284 m above sea level): Pass road open all year and cleared by snowfall
  • San Bernardino (2065 m above sea level): Road tunnel from Hinterrhein to San Bernardino
  • Gotthard (2106 m above sea level): New pass road or road tunnel from Airolo to Göschenen
  • Furka (2429 m above sea level): Car-train service from Realp to Oberwald
    • www.matterhorngotthardbahn.ch/car_transport

Information on road conditions of the Alpine passes
alpen-paesse.ch

Right-of-way on Pass Roads
On narrow mountain roads, if necessary, vehicles traveling down must stop and give right-of-way to ascending vehicles. Postbus vehicles always have right-of-way on narrow mountain roads - and their presence is heard by the sounding of a horn ahead of the curve. Postbus is the name given to the yellow intercity and overland buses in Switzerland.