Introduction

This guide is a step-by-step breakdown of how to get from Interlaken to the most popular nearby destinations using trains, buses, boats, and cable cars.

When researching the travel logistics for my trip, I wanted a simple, one-page overview of how to get around the Jungfrau region. Instead, I found myself digging through separate transportation guides that described multiple routes for every destination on my itinerary.

It was time-consuming and overwhelming—I just wanted all the main travel routes in the Jungfrau region quickly summarized in one place.

This logistics guide intends to do exactly that.

After staying in Interlaken and taking multiple day trips throughout the region, I put together all the transport routes I actually used in one place. My goal is to provide a clear, practical reference that makes planning your Jungfrau travel logistics much easier.

Interlaken is one of the most popular bases for exploring the region, so this guide assumes you’ll be starting from there.

Interlaken has two main train stations:

• Interlaken Ost (East)
• Interlaken West

Most mountain day trips start from Interlaken Ost.

Getting to Interlaken

Interlaken is well connected by Switzerland’s rail system. Direct trains run regularly from major cities like Zurich, Lucerne, Geneva, and Bern.

The train journey itself is often scenic, especially the Lucerne to Interlaken route.

If you’re planning multiple train trips, it can be worth looking into the Swiss Travel Pass to save money depending on how much you plan to move around.

Grindelwald

Travel time: ~35 minutes from Interlaken Ost
Route: Direct train

There are frequent trains throughout the day from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald. You can buy tickets at the station, online through the official SBB site or through a booking platform like Omio, or via the SBB app.

From Grindelwald station, it’s a short walk (about 5–10 minutes) to the Grindelwald First cable car station.

From there you can access:

• First Cliff Walk
• Bachalpsee hike
• Mountain activities like ziplining and mountain carts (seasonal)

Lauterbrunnen

Travel time: ~20 minutes from Interlaken Ost
Route: Direct train

Lauterbrunnen is one of the easiest and most frequent train connections from Interlaken.

Popular stops include:

• Staubbach Falls (walkable from the train station)
• Trümmelbach Falls (take PostBus 141 from Lauterbrunnen train station and get off at Trümmelbachfälle. The ride takes about 5–10 minutes)
  

Wengen

Travel time: ~15 minutes from Lauterbrunnen Bahnhof (train station)
Route: Mountain train

I recommend combining a visit to Wengen with Lauterbrunnen if you have time.

Wengen is compact and can be explored in a short visit, so it works well as a side stop rather than a full-day destination. The train ride up is one of the most scenic parts, with stunning views over the valley.

Route:
Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen Bahnhof → Wengen

Gimmelwald, Mürren, & Schilthorn

These two villages, along with Schilthorn, are reached via the same route from Lauterbrunnen.

The views from both villages are incredible

Travel time from Interlaken Ost: ~60 minutes to Gimmelwald/Mürren and ~1.5 hours to Schilthorn

Route:
Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen → Stechelberg → Gimmelwald/Mürren/Schilthorn

Step-by-step

1. Take the train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen.
2. Outside the Lauterbrunnen train station, take PostBus 141 to Stechelberg (about 10 minutes). You can buy bus tickets with cash from the driver, by tapping a contactless card on the bus, using the SBB Mobile app, or at station ticket machines.
3. Get off at Stechelberg and take the Schilthornbahn cable car up the mountain to Gimmelwald, Mürren, and/or Schilthorn (tickets can be purchased at Stechelberg).

• First stop: Gimmelwald
• Second stop: Mürren
• Third stop: Birg (Skyline Walk and Thrill Walk)
• Fourth stop: Schilthorn (rotating restaurant and James Bond exhibit)

Since there are several stops and activities along this cable car route, I wouldn’t try to combine a visit to Gimmelwald, Mürren, and Schilthorn with Lauterbrunnen and Wengen in the same day. This should be a separate day trip on its own.

Spiez & Thun

Travel time by train:

Interlaken West → Spiez: ~20 minutes
Interlaken West → Thun: ~30 minutes

Ferry Option: There is also a ferry on Lake Thun that gets you to Spiez and Thun, which is slower but very scenic. It stops at several lakeside villages along the way.

My Experience

I took the train to Spiez and returned to Interlaken by ferry. If you have the time, I highly recommend doing at least one direction by boat—the lake views are a highlight.

Note that ferries run less frequently than trains, and the last ferry departure is earlier in the evening than the last train departure. If you’re planning to stay out late, you may want to take the ferry there and catch the train back to Interlaken.

Lake Brienz

Travel time: ~20 minutes from Interlaken Ost
Route: Train to Brienz

Lake Brienz is an easy half-day or full-day trip depending on what you want to do.

From Interlaken Ost, you can take the train directly to Brienz village.

Things to do:

• Walk along the lake
• Take a boat cruise
• Ride the Brienz Rothorn Railway (book ahead if possible — it can sell out. I learned this the hard way when I arrived and there were no more tickets available for the day.)

Final Thoughts

Interlaken is a great base in Switzerland for day trips in the Jungfrau region.

Every destination in this guide is within roughly an hour’s travel, and train connections are frequent and reliable.

I bought all my tickets at the train station in Interlaken on the day of departure, but you can book online if you prefer having tickets in advance.

You can also stay in surrounding villages like Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, but Interlaken has more convenient train connections, which makes it easy for exploring multiple places.

If your goal is to explore as much of the Jungfrau region as possible without changing accommodations, Interlaken is one of the best places to base yourself.