Best Day Trips From Grindelwald: How To Plan Them
Are you looking for Day trip ideas from Grindelwald to explore more of Switzerland? I am sharing some of the best day trips to consider if you choose Grindelwald as your base location.
We stayed in Grindelwald for half of our Switzerland trip, but we wanted to make the most of our visit, so we made multiple-day trips to various nearby towns, which were easy to manage even with a 3-year-old.
While there are plenty of things to do in Grindelwald, day trips from Grindelwald allow you to discover more of what this stunning region offers.
Taking day trips from Grindelwald offers countless opportunities to experience the best of Switzerland, from a scenic journey to the impressive Jungfraujoch to a visit to the nearby towns of Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Bern.
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Best Day Trips from Grindelwald
1. Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe)
Start your journey in Grindelwald by visiting Europe’s scope railway station, Jungfraujoch, often called ” The Top of Europe.” The trip can be completed in a single day, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and activities.
Getting Here
You have multiple transportation options to reach Jungfraujoch from Grindelwald.
- Wengenhalp Railway: Take the train from Grindelwald to Kleine Scheidegg, then transfer to the Jungfrau railway, which leads directly to Jungfraujoch. This journey offers spectacular scenery and takes about 1 hour and 55 minutes.
- Eiger Express: A faster, more scenic route involves taking the new Eiger Express cable car from Grindelwald Terminal to Eiger Glacier and then continuing with the train to Jungfraujoch. This option cuts travel time and provides breathtaking views.
Things to do
Once you reach the Jungfraujoch station, you can explore the top-of-Europe attractions, including the Ice Palace, Sphinx Observatory, and Aletsch Glacier. Read the complete Jungfarujoch day trip guide below.
Read: Day Trip to Jungfraugoch
2. Interlaken
Interlaken, a picturesque town between mesmerizing Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, is another fantastic day trip option from Grindelwald.
Getting Here
You can travel from Grindelwald to Interlaken by train, which takes approximately 36 minutes and costs about $14 PP (single ride). Multiple trains run throughout the day, providing convenient transportation between the two destinations.
Things to do
Explore Town: Interlaken has many cute shopping spots, cafes, and stunning scenery. We had such a relaxing and beautiful day that I would not mind staying for more than just a day next time!
Try Swiss Chocolate: Interlaken has so many chocolate shops that I could not resist, so I tried a few while we strolled around. You cannot go wrong with Swiss Chocolate Chalet Interlaken or Funky Chocolate Club!
Cruise around Lake Brienz by boat – Lake Brienz, located near Interlaken, Switzerland, is famous for its stunning turquoise waters and picturesque surrounding mountains, waterfalls, and villages.
This was, without a doubt, the most beautiful Lake I have seen so far. We visited the nearby villages twice during our trip to Switzerland, and the train ride from Interlaken was a short 20-minute one.
The Lake offers scenic activities such as boat trips or Kayaking if you want to make your day trip filled with stunning outdoor adventures!
You can purchase a day boat ticket, which grants you unlimited travel on scheduled lake boats across Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Customize your day, hop on and off at charming lakeside villages, and enjoy some of the boat’s mountainous views, including the Oberhofen Castle.
>>>Book a Day Boat Ticket for Lake Brienz and Lake Thun here
>>>Book a Kayaking Tour on Lake Brienz here
3. Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen is a charming village in the Interlaken-Oberhasli district in Switzerland. It is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, surrounded by cliffs and numerous waterfalls, including the iconic Staubbach Fall. Throughout my visit, I felt like I was inside a postcard.
Schilhorn, also known as Piz Gloria, is a mountain top where James Bond 007 was filmed.
Getting Here
Train travel from Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen is the most convenient and popular mode of transportation for this route. The train journey offers stunning views of the Swiss Alps and takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can drive if you rent a car for your trip.
Things to do
- Visit Beautiful Waterfalls: Lauterbrunnen is home to numerous breathtaking waterfalls, including the iconic Staubbach Falls and Trümmelbach Falls.
- Explore the Village: Explore the charming village, soak in its traditional Swiss ambiance, and visit local shops and restaurants to experience the local culture.
- Take the cable car to the Schilthorn (Piz Gloria). Viewpoint: Schilthorn is one of the most beautiful viewpoints from Lauterbrunnen, and you can visit it via a cable car ride. It is also famous for being featured in James Bond movies, so many James Bond fans can also expect to see this spot. We had to skip this as we were running short as our kid’s nap time was approaching, but if you have more flexibility, I recommend checking it out.
4. Mürren or Wengen
Mürren is a small, traditional Swiss alpine village perched high in the mountains, accessible by cable car or train.
Getting here
From Grindelwald, you can easily reach Mürren by taking the train from Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen, followed by a Grütschalp cable car and another short connecting train to Murren.
Things to do
During your visit to Murren, stroll around the car-free village and enjoy panoramic views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. If you are an adventure enthusiast, consider exploring some of the numerous hiking trails and Visit the Schilthorn Piz Gloria.
We visited Wengen, a car-free resort village in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It’s known for its wooden chalets, stunning alpine scenery, and various outdoor activities like hiking or skiing; the town offers a charming and picturesque atmosphere.
Getting here
Getting to Wengen is slightly faster and involves only one train ride from Grindelwald, so we decided to go here instead of Murren.
We spent a couple of hours strolling around the town and enjoying our delicious afternoon snacks before returning to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.
5. Bern
Bern is the capital of Switzerland and is known for its well-preserved medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also famous for its extensive network of arcades, locally called “Lauben,” which stretches for 6 kilometers. Those arcades were a lifesaver as we arrived here on a rainy day.
Getting Here
You can drive to Bern from Grindelwald or take a train, which is very convenient. The train journey typically takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. While Bern is a bit further than other destinations mentioned above for day trips, I still think it should not be missed.
Things to do
- Explore the Old Town—The Old Town, also known as Altstadt, is the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cohesive and authentic medieval architecture. The Old Town has narrow streets, historic buildings, and arcades stretching approximately 6 kilometers. The Old Town’s most popular attractions include the Zytglogge clock tower, the Federal Palace, and Bear Park. There are many shops and restaurants you can explore while here.
- Visit BarenPark—Did you know that the bear symbolizes Bern, Switzerland? Well, that was something I learned when I arrived in Bern. The BärenPark, also known as the Bear Park, is an attraction in Bern, Switzerland. It provides a natural and spacious bear environment and focuses on animal welfare. If you are traveling with kids, this is a must-see attraction.
- Relax at Rose Garden, a beautiful rose garden in Bern near Baren Park. Not only do you get to see pretty flowers here, but you can also get a spectacular view of the city of Bern from above. We loved hanging out here while our son napped. It was beautiful and peaceful. Inside the garden is a restaurant called Rose Garden, which can be your dinner spot with panoramic views, too.
7. Lucerne
While Lucerne is not as close to Grindelwald as other towns, it still deserves a visit, whether for a day or 2. Famous for its cobblestone streets, rich history, and picturesque medieval architecture, a trip to Lucerne was quite enchanting. It offers a vibrant old town, a tranquil lake, and stunning mountain views. I can safely say that Lucerne was one of my favorite places to visit in Switzerland.
Getting here
You can travel from Grindelwald to Lucerne by various means, including train, bus, or private car transfer. The quickest and most convenient way is by train, which takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Read: One Day in Lucerne Itinerary
Best Day Trips From Grindelwald: Final Thoughts
There you have it— Some of Grindelwald’s best day trip ideas!
We loved staying in Grindelwald for a few days, and I am beyond happy that we managed to visit all these beautiful parts from there. Every town was uniquely charming.
Whether renting a car or using public transportation, getting around is easy. Remember to grab a Swiss Travel Pass if you stay in Switzerland for more than four days and plan to use public transportation to visit many attractions. That way, you will get the most of your money spent!
Check out more Switzerland articles below for more tips and inspiration.
