If you are planning a trip to the Jungfrau Region, one question I am sure you have is where you would like to base yourself for your trip.
There are three main places to stay within the region itself – Murren, Wengen, and Grindelwald, and it can be tough deciding on which one to choose from.
While I have not stayed in each one myself, I can speak a bit more in detail on the pros and cons of each and hopefully help you out a bit when making your decision.
At the end of the day, I have a hard time believing you won’t have a fantastic time in the Jungfrau no matter which area you choose from.
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I want to say this from the start – there is no right answer!! It will all depend on PERSONAL PREFERENCE.
This guide will go over logistics, views, hikes, activities, accommodation and more – and based on your personal preferences you should be able to arrive at a better answer for yourself! This guide is not going to give you an answer but it will give you a direction.
1) What is the Jungfrau Region
Before diving into each town, I thought it may be beneficial to actually show you where the Jungfrau Region is.
The Jungfrau is actually part of the larger Bernese Oberland region which makes up a large part of the mountain ranges in central(ish) Switzerland. The Jungfrau expands from Grindelwald in the east to Murren in the west with Wengen right in between the two.
The way the towns are situated in the Jungfrau can be better explained by looking at the map below. Starting on the right-hand side (which is actually west from a directions standpoint), is the town of Murren.
Directly to the left of that is the valley town of Lauterbrunnen (Murren is situated above the Lauterbrunnen Valley).
After Lauterbrunnen comes Wengen, which sits in the middle of the Jungfrau, followed by the valley town of Grindelwald on the far-left hand side of the map.
Lastly you also have Interlaken, which is actually outside of the mountain area and is based between the two lakes of Thun and Brienz.
So, to recap you have Murren (mountain town), Lauterbrunnen (valley town), Wengen (mountain town), Grindelwald (valley town), and Interlaken at the base of the Jungfrau.
This guide will focus more on Murren, Wengen, and Grindelwald. However, I will also touch upon Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken throughout.
2) Access to the Jungfrau Region
If you haven’t traveled to Switzerland in the past, you are in for a treat when it comes to the public transportation system in the country. It is quite incredible how interconnected and efficient the transportation is.
You can get from any one point to another using a multitude of different transport options and everything will be perfectly on time to get you from point A to point B. The same goes for getting to the Jungfrau.
All you need to do is take a look at the Swiss transportation website – SBB.CH or the very friendly mobile app, type in your starting and ending points, and you should be on your way in no time.
I won’t go into detail about the train system here but do head on over to the Train Travel in Switzerland Guide to learn more.
As an example, I will put in a starting point of Interlaken to get to each of Murren, Wengen and Grindelwald.
I am starting off with Interlaken simply because no matter where you go in the Jungfrau, you will first need to make your way through Interlaken.
Getting to Interlaken from Zurich, Geneva, or another Swiss city is simple enough as there are trains that run constantly through Bern, where you can then connect to Interlaken.
Once you arrive in Interlaken from anywhere you may have been coming from, it is time to make your way into the Jungfrau Region. Below are the three different routes:
Interlaken to Murren
You can get to Murren by two different ways from Interlaken. Both options take a similar amount of time and would more so be based on transport schedules. You can either:
1) Train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, Bus from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, and Cable Car x 2 from Stechelberg to Murren (via Gimmelwald) OR
2) Train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, Cable Car from Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp, Mountain Train from Grutschalp to Murren.
Interlaken to Wengen
Getting to Wengen is a bit simpler. All you need to do is hop on a train towards Lauterbrunnen, switch trains there, and transfer up to Wengen.
Interlaken to Grindelwald
Getting to Grindelwald is the simplest of all options as all you need is one direct train to get you there from Interlaken.
So, as you can see from the above, getting to Murren is the most complicated and longest of options while Wengen comes with one train transfer and Grindelwald with a non stop route.
Note 1: If you are driving on your own, you are only able to drive to Grindelwald. Both Murren and Wengen are car free towns and you would need to leave your car in Lauterbrunnen most likely before making your way up to either.
Note 2: If you have the Swiss Travel Pass (more on that in the article above), all transport would be included in any of these options. If you have the Half Fare Card, all prices above would just simply be cut in half.
Swiss Travel Pass: Are you planning on traveling frequently throughout Switzerland during your trip? Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass to save some money!
3) Getting Between Towns
Now that you know how to get to the three towns from Interlaken let’s go into how to get from one to another.
If you are looking to visit all three areas during your visit then this can be helpful regarding all logistics you need to know about. Below are the three potential routes you will be taking (or vice versa).
From Murren to Wengen
If staying in Murren (or visiting Murren from Wengen/Grindelwald) you will need to utilize the most variety of transportation options.
Similarly, to above, to get out of Murren you will first need to either 1) take the mountain train to Grutschalp and then cable car down to Lauterbrunnen or 2) two cable cars down to Stechelberg (via Gimmelwald) and then bus to Lauterbrunnen.
Once in Lauterbrunnen to you can then hop on the train that will get you right to Wengen station.
If going from Wengen to Murren all you need to do is the opposite – train to Lauterbrunnen and then one of the two options up to Murren.
Duration from Murren to Wengen: 36 Minutes (via Grutschalp) / 54 Minutes (via Stechelberg) – may be shorter depending on transfer times
From Murren to Grindelwald
If going to Grindelwald from Murren you will first use one of the two options to get down to Lauterbrunnen mentioned above and then hop on a train to Grindelwald with a transfer at Zweilutschinen.
If going from Grindelwald to Murren well then just hop on the train first to Lauterbrunnen (via Zweilutschinen) and then choose one of the two options to get you to on top of the valley to Murren.
Duration from Murren to Grindelwald: 70 minutes (via Grutschalp) / 73 minutes (via Stechelberg)
From Wengen to Grindelwald
Lastly if staying in Wengen or Grindelwald and want to get to one another, you will need to make two train transfers to get there.
You will first go from Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, then transfer trains to Zweilutschinen, and head to Grindelwald from there.
Duration from Wengen to Grindelwald: 65 minutes
Alternatively, you could go via Kleine Scheidegg but that would be a more expensive route and would only receive a discount if you have a Swiss Travel Pass.
So, what did we learn from this – well it may not be the most convenient to get between the towns, but it is all very well connected at the end of the day. There are some longer potential routes out there so just be prepared when going about your days.
4) The Jungfrau Pass
If you are just spending most of your time in the Jungfrau Region and are not planning on getting the Swiss Travel Pass, you may want to look into getting the Jungfrau Pass to save some money.
Essentially by buying the pass you will have nearly unlimited transport around the Jungfrau (anywhere from 3-8 days) and you will not need to pay for individual train or cable car tickets each and every time.
Below are the main routes that are included in with the purchase of the Jungfrau Pass:
- Jungfrau Railway: Kleine Scheidegg to Eigergletscher
- Top of Europe Discount: Train from Eigergletscher (one stop above Kleine Scheidegg) to Jungfraujoch Top of Europe (63 CHF – 75 CHF depending on season)
- Bernese Oberland Railway: Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen / Grindelwald
- Harder Railway: Interlaken to Harder Kulm
- Schynige Platte Railway: Wilderswil to Schynige Platte
- Wengernalp Railway: Lauterbrunnen – Kleine Scheidegg – Grindelwald
- Lauterbrunnen Murren Railway: Lauterbrunnen to Grutschalp to Winteregg to Murren
- Mountain Railway from Grindelwald to First
- Mannlichen: Grindelwald to Mannlichen Aerial Gondola & Wengen to Mannlichen Aerial Cableway
- Railway: Interlaken Ost to Interlaken West & Interlaken Ost to Brienz
- Boat rides on Lake Brienz and Thun
5) The Views
Let’s move on from transport and onto the towns themselves. If you decide to stay in one of the three towns odds are you are looking for some nice views to wake up to each day.
Below are some quick descriptions along with some pictures to show you what they offer.
Grindelwald
As mentioned earlier, Grindelwald is the one town that is actually down in the valley. Because of this you will not get vast views from the town itself. To get those views you will need to hike or cable car above the valley.
Some of the best views would just require some rides up to the First region or up to Pfinstegg. You can also head up to Mannlichen from Grindelwald but that would require getting to Grindelwald Grund cable car station (about a 15 minute walk from town).
Wengen
Wengen is located on the east side of the Lauterbrunnen valley up top on the mountainside. You can easily get some great views of the surrounding mountains by just heading out your front door and into town.
You will also have easy access to Mannlichen as the cable car is right in town and from there the views will just get better and better.
Murren
Lastly lets get to Murren. Located on the west side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley you are welcomed to incredible views of the valley walls alongside the Alps out in the background.
Just walking through town or having lunch outside will be an activity in its own right. When it comes to views it won’t get much better than that.
6) Hiking the Jungfrau
You just cannot visit the Jungfrau region without getting some hiking in. Now there are hiking options everywhere you go in the region so it will just depend on preference when it comes to which type of trails you would like to take part of.
Here is a pretty detailed map of the region with many of the hiking trails highlighted.
You can also take a look at this Jungfrau hiking website and dive a bit deeper into some of the trails (scroll to the bottom of the page where you toggle between the regions).
Grindelwald
Grindelwald offers easiest access to the most amount of trails in the region. You can get to both the First and Pfinstegg areas, train to the start of the Eiger Trail, and cable car to the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg trail.
From First you have access to a whole variety of trails with great views of the Eiger out in the distance. The views over the valley with the mountains out in the background were some of my favorite during my time in Switzerland.
You can also take the Pfinstegg cable car up over the valley and be able to hike to Baregg from there. Finally if you head to Grindelwald Grund, you can easily cable car up to Mannlichen to the start of the Panorama Trail.
There are just so many hiking options to choose from and you could spend days hiking the area.
Wengen
From Wengen you have easy access to two popular trails in the region – the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg Trail as well as the Eiger Trail.
Beyond those two there are a variety of other trails that start in either Wengen or Mannlichen that will take you down to Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.
Murren
Murren also offers its fair share of hiking options in the Jungfrau. A couple include hiking all the way up to Schilthorn or the scenic Blumental trail by Allmendhubel.
One of my favorites though is the trail in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. While you can get to Lauterbrunnen pretty easily from all three, it is probably fastest from Murren.
Walking the valley with the waterfalls coming off the walls and the Alps all around makes it a fan favorite. You can also take advantage of the Murren to Gimmelwald trail. While just less than an hour in length it offers some incredible views of the valley and mountains.
And if you are up for some adrenaline then don’t look further than the Via Ferrata from Murren to Gimmelwald. It is an action packed hike but it includes some additional skills and equipment.
Want to learn more about some of these trails? Take a look at the guides to:
- The Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg Panorama Trail
- The Trail to Bachalpsee Lake
- The Murren to Gimmelwald Walk
- The Murren to Gimmelwald Via Ferrata
- Trummelbach Falls
7) Other Activities
Within the Jungfrau Region there is much more to do and see beyond hiking and walking around the towns.
There is everything from mountain viewpoints to boat cruises to some adrenaline options that you can choose from. These can be found all over the region and below I go into a bit more detail on each.
Schilthorn
One of my favorite places in the region is up top of the Schilthorn. Once up there you will he welcomed to vast views of the famous three mountains the Eiger, Monch and the Jungfrau.
You will also have the chance to grab a meal or drink at a rotating restaurant, visit Bond World, and take part of the Thrill Walk (one cable car station down in Birg).
It will be a fun filled few hours experiencing it all. Getting to Schilthorn is by far the easiest from Murren as all it requires is a couple cable cars up. Getting there from Wengen or Grindelwald will require a bit more work.
-> Learn more about what a day at Schilthorn entails in the comprehensive Schilthorn Switzerland Guide
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Your second mountain excursion option is to the Top of Europe – Jungfraujoch. On top you will he welcomed to vast views of the glacier with some absolutely breathtaking mountains all around you.
The easiest route is from Wengen and Grindelwald as they both have direct connections to Kleine Scheidegg – where you catch the train all the way up.
First Activities
Around the area of First there are four unique activities to take part of – the First Glider, First Flyer, First Mountain Cart and Trottibike Scooter. You can decide to take part of one or you can decide to take part of all four.
You also have the Cliff Walk, which is free walk around a steel platform. You will have some great views from up top with the Eiger right up front and center.
Getting to the First area will require a cable car or hike up from Grindelwald. So if those are something you are interested in then Grindelwald would be your most convenient option.
Boat Rides on Lake Thun or Brienz
If you want to hit the water then make your way to Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. The lakes are located right on either side of Interlaken so you will need to get there first.
You can revert back to the first section of the guide that went over how to make your way between the towns and Interlaken.
Adrenaline Activities
All around the Jungfrau you will find some adrenaline activities to take part of too. These include everything from skydiving to paragliding to bungee jumping to canyoning.
If you are looking to get that heart pumping a bit then you are sure to find some options in the region.
Note: depending on the activity you are interested in, pickup may be in Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald.
8) Accommodation in the Jungfrau
There are several accommodation options to choose from in each one of Murren, Wengen and Grindelwald.
Below are some different options to browse through when deciding what is best for you and your budget. I have also included some options for Interlaken if you are looking to stay outside of the mountain area.
Hotels in the Jungfrau Region do sell out! Be sure to book your rooms sooner rather than later. I have included links below that will take you directly to each hotel’s booking page for your convenience.
→ Check out the most unique hotels in Switzerland & the best hotels in Switzerland with infinity pools
Murren
Staying high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the car free town of Murren is a great option for travelers. Getting to wake up to those mountain views outside of your window is something unique to Murren.
Below are some top hotels to choose from:
Hotel Edelweiss sits in the town of Murren, surrounded by incredible mountain views and a picturesque village. The landscape features the Eiger-Monch-Jungfrau massif and a plunging landscape view of the valley.
Even if you don’t stay here, be sure to check out their outdoor restaurant, which offers one of the best views you can ask for. The facilities are clean, lovely, close to transportation, and have a friendly staff with hospitality that is unmatched.
Hotel Alpenruh is a chalet-style hotel located in the center of Murren and is an ideal option for accommodation with magnificent views and a lot of relaxation. Sitting at the edge of the village, the property provides a calm and peaceful serenity for guests.
Be sure to ask for a room facing the mountains, and be awoken with stunning sunrise views each morning. The staff on-site are very friendly and helpful, providing tourist information and transportation opportunities.
Eiger Guesthouse is a cozy guesthouse in the alpine village of Murren. What used to be the Hotel Belmont, is a place for guests of Murren to be pampered with pastries, fine details, and an elegant and homey atmosphere.
Fast forward to today, the guesthouse has been remodeled, with modernized rooms, an English pub, restaurant, and fresh flowers placed daily throughout the facility.
→ Check out some of best places to stay in Murren for more options
Wengen
Another fan favorite, sitting right in the middle of the Jungfrau is Wengen. There are several top hotels to choose from around the area including:
The Edelweiss hotel can be found in calm setting, and just a few minutes walk away from the train station of Wengen. All of the south-facing rooms have balconies, with amazing views of the Jungfrau mountain range.
Make use of the cozy lounges featuring ping pong tables and table football, a children’s play corner and a sauna. The kitchen chef creates tasty 4-course set menus for dinner from market-fresh ingredients.
Hotel Bären enjoys a quiet location in the car-free Wengen, with views of the Jungfrau range and the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Breakfast is served every morning and you can enjoy seasonal dishes made from locally sourced products in the restaurant and on the summer terrace.
The Arenas Resort Victoria-Lauberhorn, built in 1897, is centrally located next to the train and cable car station of the car-free Wengen and features up-to-date spa facilities including a swimming pool.
The Alpine Spa provides various treatments and includes the swimming pool, a sauna, a steam bath, a gym and a salt-water bath (33°) with massage showers.
→ Check out some of best places to stay in Wengen for more options
Grindelwald
For those that want to head to the eastern side of the region, Grindelwald is for you. There are many hotels located around the center of town as well as further up in the hillsides.
Located in idyllic seclusion – yet still close enough to the amenities of downtown Grindelwald – the Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof is a 19th century gem.
This Grindelwald luxury hotel sports amazing views of the Eiger massif from most of its rooms. Many kinds of rooms are offered, from cozy singles, double rooms, and junior suites. Most rooms have balconies, allowing you to really take in the majesty of the Eiger.
The Hotel Belvedere Grindelwald may be a four-star Grindelwald hotel, but almost everything about their service and rooms is 5-star.
The hotel sports amazing views of the Alps from almost all rooms. In addition, its delicious cuisine and sprawling wellness facilities make for a vacation you won’t soon forget.
The top-notch cuisine will delight the taste buds of anyone in your family. The Belvedere’s breakfast buffet is one of the highest quality in any hotel in Grindelwald.
The hotel Gletschergarten occupies a great spot in Grindelwald, directly opposite the beautiful village church. It’s been in operation since 1899 and is a family-run venture.
This makes for top-notch, personable service that means your every need is met while staying at this Grindelwald hotel.
In addition to its complement of standard hotel rooms, the Gletschergarten offers holiday apartments that combine high-quality living space with the hotel’s legendary customer service.
→ Check out some of best places to stay in Grindelwald for more options
Lauterbrunnnen
Lauterbrunnen can be a great option for those that want to stay in the Jungfrau and do so more on a budget.
It is also pretty well connected to the rest of the region, making it a convenient option for most.
One of Lauterbrunnen’s oldest hotels, the Hotel Staubbach was built towards the end of the 19th century and retains much of its historic charm.
Hotel Staubbach is aptly named – it offers amazing views of the eponymous waterfall and the surrounding mountains from many of its rooms. It is also perfectly placed for those who’d like to venture further, with easy access to many hiking trails.
The charming Hotel Oberland is one of Lauterbrunnen’s best and, similarly to the Silberhorn, offers fantastic views.
Many of the rooms feature majestic views of the mountains and Staubbach Falls. The rooms’ balconies are also the perfect place to take in the sweeping views while enjoying your morning coffee.
One of the best things about this family-run hotel is the responsive and helpful customer service, who are immediately on hand to help out with any queries their guests might have.
→ Check out some of best places to stay in Lauterbrunnen for more options
Interlaken
For those that want to stay outside of the Jungfrau itself, then Interlaken is the place to choose. Even if staying in Interlaken, you will have easy access to explore all that the region has to offer.
If you are looking for a hotel near the Interlaken train station, then Hotel Du Nord is one of the top options to consider.
A historic hotel in the city dating back all the way to 1847 with recent renovations to overhaul its lobby and entrance area. You will find 55 various rooms and suites to choose from if staying at the property.
This is probably the most unconventional hotel you will find in Interlaken. In addition, their cool vibe throughout, you will find a restaurant, bar, lounge and seating areas.
Not only that but the hotel also offers free activities different days of the week. Canyoning, Jet Boats, E-Bike Tours, and Rafting may be included for free depending on the schedule during your time there.
This is an adult only hotel located in Interlaken and one of the only ones with a pool and more extensive spa offerings. It is the perfect place to rejuvenate after some time in the mountains.
You will find several restaurants on site as well including Hotel Restaurant, Asllani’s Corner, Chalet Beizli, and Tapas Bar Cover.
→ Check out some of best places to stay in Interlaken for more options
9) Decisions, Decisions
At the beginning of this guide I said there really is no right answer to give to you. It really will all come down to personal preference on your end.
If for example you are interested in doing the Bachalpsee Lake hike, the activities around First, and are driving a car then I would say Grindelwald is best for you.
On the other hand if you want to head up to Schilthorn, take part of the Via Ferrata, and walk the Lauterbrunnen Valley, well then Murren may be for you.
If you want to do a combo of anything and everything well then why not Wengen?
And don’t forget about Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen as potential options too.
At the end of the day here, you really cannot go wrong with Wengen, Murren or Grindelwald. They all have their strengths and you are sure to enjoy any one of them.
I hope though by going through this article a bit, you have a better sense of what each one of these towns offer and you now can go ahead make that decision!
Feel free to ask any questions below and safe travels out there!
For plenty more helpful info check out the rest of the Switzerland itineraries and guides up on the site, some of which include:
- 10 Day Switzerland Itinerary
- How to Prepare for Switzerland Weather
- One Day in Geneva
- What to Do in Bern
- A Day Trip to Montreux
- Switzerland Travel Tips
Tara
Sunday 16th of July 2023
Charles- I love this article and it’s beyond helpful for my upcoming trip in August 2023! I need advice on logistics & number of nights to stay in each place. We are arriving into Spiez via train from Florence. My initial thought was to head straight to Wengen for 2 nights, Lauterbrunnen for 1 or 2 nights, Murren for 2 nights, Grindelwald for 2 days, then head to Lucerne for 2 nights. Does this order sound about right? Should I skip staying in Lauterbrunnen and just make it a day trip? My activities include hikes, walks, and seeing all of the pretty views and mountains. I’m open to any and all feedback /change of tentative plans. I’m a bit overwhelmed and undecided. Thank you!
Tara
Sunday 16th of July 2023
@Charles, loving your feedback! Thank you so much for your reply - greatly appreciated! If I choose to stay in 2 places altogether, which 2 would you recommend?
Charles
Sunday 16th of July 2023
Hi Tara - that sounds fantastic. Hope you enjoy some of the other helpful Switzerland travel guides up on the site!
It is great that you have so much time to explore the region. A couple pieces of feedback:
1) I do not think it is necessary to stay in Lauterbrunnen if you are also planning to stay in Murren and Wengen. Wengen is just a 15 minute train from Lauterbrunnen so it seems unnecessary to continue to switch hotels given the proximity. You can still spend plenty of time in Lauterbrunnen given the amount of time you will have.
2) You also may want to consider just staying in two places altogether (unless you are very keen on staying in 3+). I feel as the area is very well connected and it is easier to simply take public transport than to check in / out of hotels every 2 days.
Enjoy the trip!
Rahul Das
Saturday 21st of January 2023
Hi Charles, we are a 4 member family and we are visiting Swiss in June or July ( Month not decided but we prefer summer ). We have 4 days to spend in Swiss. How do we plan our days ? Can you kindly advice please. Like which places to visit , where to stay, Where to keep our base location etc etc ?
We will be really grateful to you if you kindly reply please
Charles
Sunday 22nd of January 2023
Hi Rahul - that sounds like it will be a great time. I would recommend checking out the 5 day Switzerland itinerary I have up on the site. It talks about a great trip to Zurich, Lucerne, and The Jungfrau. Hope you enjoy Switzerland!
Kelly
Friday 30th of December 2022
Hi Charles
Thanks for the helpful info. I will be going around end of April. I’m planning to base at Interlake 3D2N and spend one day to explore Grindelwald + Jungfraujoch and another day to Lauterbrunnen + Wengen. Do you think it’s better this way or should I be base at Grindelwald throughout?
Charles
Saturday 31st of December 2022
Hi Kelly - I don't think it matters too much in your situation logistically. Grindelwald will be an easy place to stay in as well (maybe just a little bit more travel time to get to Wengen/Lauterbrunnen). In general, I prefer Grindelwald due to its location right in the valley with mountains all around. Interlaken is more of a city altogether, set back from the mountains. Hope you enjoy the trip!
Falco
Monday 14th of November 2022
Hi, me and my wife will have first trip visiting Switzerland. We will be staying in Grindelwald and would like to plan a day trip to visit Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Murren in mid December. Do you think is it possible for us to cover these three places in a day? We have Swiss Travel Pass, highly appreciate if you can advise us the route/itinerary to complete this day trip. Thanks
Charles
Tuesday 15th of November 2022
Hi Falco - covering all three places in one day does seem like a bit much. However, this also depends on what you would like to do in each place. If you simply want to visit the towns, then that is possible. On the other hand, if you are trying to do any activities, hikes, walks, etc. then you won't have the ability to do so. Ideally you can split this up into two days instead of one to fully enjoy your time in each place. Enjoy!
Cheryl
Monday 6th of September 2021
Hi! your blog is so helpful. I am staying in Wengen for 3 days/nights this september. My rough plan is to spend 1 day hiking around Mannlichen/Klein Scheidagg region, 1 day biking/walking through Lauterbrunnen valley, and 1 day still deciding between a Murren/Grutshalp hike or the amazing Grindewald/Bachalpsee hike you did. 2 questions: 1) Can you help flip my coin on the Murren vs Grindelwald day? and 2) i'm having the hardest time finding cable car prices and how to buy them on-line (they all seem like independent tourist sites when I search?). I'm trying to decide whether to get a swiss half fare card so want to do the math. My goal is to spend more time hiking than on trains, but I know I need multiple trains/cable cars to get where I'm going. For context, I'll be spending 2 days in Zurich (mostly walking) before, and 3 days in Lucerne (mostly cycling/walking) after Wengen. Not doing major scenic trains or too many big mountain peak cable cars like Jungfraujoch, etc. Just the scenic/logistical ones in Jungfrau region for 3 days. Any help is appreciated! Thanks, Cheryl
Charles
Wednesday 8th of September 2021
Hi Cheryl - glad you have found the site helpful! Happy to help out with some of your questions..
1) Instead of choosing between the two, I can recommend another option here. The day you spend walking through the Lauterbrunnen Valley, you can also add the Grutschalp to Murren walk as well. The walk should take around 90 minutes so you can easily add the Lauterbrunnen Valley into the day too. You can start early in the morning, take the cable car up to Grutschalp, walk to Murren, spend some time in town, and then take the cable car down to Stechelberg. Once down in the valley you can then walk back towards Lauterbrunnen and take your time enjoying the valley. If you combine this into one day, you will still be able to do the Grindelwald day as well.
2) The Swiss train site -> SBB.CH will have the cable car prices (the mobile app too is super helpful to use). You simply put in your beginning and ending points, and you should see the schedule with prices. You do not need to buy cable car tickets online. You simply can buy them when you arrive in each spot. Be careful when looking at prices, as the prices you see may already take into account the Half Fare Card.
Hope that helps but feel free to let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!