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Swiss Alps Tours & Trips

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10 best Swiss Alps tour packages

Compiled by

Melissa Swiss Alps travel expert at TourRadar

5 Day Zurich including Lake ferry, Cable Car, Mount Rigi, Grindelwald and Interlaken

Scenic switzerland train tour with glacier express, daily departure, express tour du mont-blanc 5d/4n, mont blanc to the matterhorn, classic swiss alps walk, interlaken in 4 days - 15% off on nov departures, 15% off on nov departures - paris and switzerland (stay in zurich) in 8 days, magical switzerland (small groups, 7 days), swiss alps mountain passes driving tour & stelvio (italy): pre-set sat-nav guided, haute route - switzerland.

• Sightseeing
• Ride a cable car to Felsenegg for stunning views
• Explore Zurich's old town and iconic landmarks
• Ascend Mount Rigi by aerial cableway and railway

“All of the 'details' of finding a suitable hotel, arranging for train and cable car tickets, and structuring my day were taken care of.”

• Train & Rail
• Christmas & New Year
• Experience the Golden Round Trip at Mount Pilatus
• Ride the scenic Golden Pass Line to Interlaken
• Explore Lucerne's Old Town and iconic landmarks

• Hiking & Trekking
• Mountain Hikes
• Learn how Beaufort cheese is made at a local farm
• Cross into Switzerland via Grand Col Ferret Pass
• Spot alpine ibex near Lac Blanc

• Trek past Trient Glacier to Fenêtre d'Arpette
• Explore Mont Blanc views from Les Bossons
• Hike the Grand Balcon trail to Lac Blanc

“Brilliant scenery, and we were lucky with the weather too. The food surpassed all my expectations.”

• Self Guided Walking Holidays
• Picnic by the stunning Oeschinensee Alpine lake
• Stroll around the mystical Blue Lake at Blausee
• Explore the UNESCO-listed Gasterntal's hidden valley

“The hikes were hard, so make sure you are in shape. The restaurant there is near Michelin-star-quality food.”

• Witness the Trummelbach Falls inside a mountain
• Explore car-free villages like Murren and Wengen
• Travel through stunning Swiss landscapes by train

• Cruise down the River Seine on a glass boat
• Explore the Louvre Museum at your own pace
• Skip the line at the Eiffel Tower summit

• Coach / Bus
• Enjoy a fondue dinner in Geneva's local restaurant
• Take a cogwheel train to Jungfrau's summit
• Ride the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps

• Luxury driving tour of Switzerland and Italy's scenic alpine passes
• Stylish cruising with a luxurious Porsche in the region
• Comfortable stay in top-notch hotels

“We are enjoying very much. I am highly recommend to you.”

• Cross the glacier at Grand Desert
• Trek across the Alp du Val de Bagnes
• Face the Matterhorn on a scenic trail

“The food in las heurdes hotel was terrible.”

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The Ultimate Alps & Dolomites

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• Small Group

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• 2024 Classic
• 2024 Small Group
• 2025 Classic
• 2025 Small Group

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• Important Info

Uniquely Tauck

EXPERIENCE WITH TAUCK

TAUCK'S YELLOW ROADS – Unparalleled Alpine views when you scale the heights of Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland by cable car, mountain coach and more

TAUCK EXCLUSIVE – Private dinner and entertainment in the historic Salt Mines of Berchtesgaden

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

Lunch with a tour and schnapps tasting at a 400-year-old family farm

An Alpine evening featuring traditional food & music Q&A with a noted Italian mountain climber during lunch in the Dolomites

SEE WHAT YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Active components such as hiking, bicycling and walking longer distances may be included, and hills and/or uneven terrain may be encountered on several days. Guests should be able to walk two to three miles and stand for long periods of time with no difficulty.

Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

Along Europe's Scenic "Yellow Roads"

Time to enjoy an interlude of Alpine magic... by definition, an interlude means a short play or dramatic entertainment, a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition or an intermission or pause... all of which apply in some form to our delightful respite in the alpine countries of Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Austria...

Fun in the berchtesgaden, dinner and fun in the berchtesgaden salt mines.

Join us for an unforgettable dinner in the subterranean world of the Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden Salt Mines in Bavaria, near Salzburg and the Austrian border. Although the current mines celebrated 500 years of continuous operation in 2017 (it opened in 1517!), salt mining in Berchtesgaden dates back to the 12th century. You'll put on overalls and descend (or, if you wish, slide) down into the salt caverns, where you'll find an underground lake and more… and have a memorable dinner with entertainment down in the mines!

Private visit to Schloss Tratzberg

Private tour and wine reception at schloss tratzberg in the austrian tyrol.

An Alpine train takes you up to Schloss Tratzberg (Tratzberg Castle), a storybook castle perched on the slopes of the Karwendel Alps in the Tyrol region of Austria. After the first Schloss Tratzberg, built in the 13th century, burned down within 200 years, the current castle was acquired and expanded in the 1500s… and this one is a keeper; Tratzberg has retained many of its original furnishings and fittings over the centuries, and is considered one of the best preserved castles in Austria. During your visit to this storybook setting, a private tour and wine reception features wines produced from the castle's vineyards.

Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère Davos

Nights 9 and 10

Alpine style at Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère Davos

The picturesque health resort area of Davos in the Swiss canton of Graubünden is home to the stylish Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère Davos, set on the promenade along with an impressive selection of shops, restaurants, and museums. The hotel's Fitness & Wellness center has a lovely indoor swimming pool, a whirlpool, sauna, steam room and massages are available; while SPA World invites you to indulge in the "Belvédère Vital," a health club oasis with panoramic views of the splendid mountain scenery.

I loved walking through the small towns with narrow streets and local breweries with beer gardens. Tauck did an amazing job and found a way to overcome any obstacle.

Tauck Traveler Review

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All the information you need for this journey at your fingertips – day-by-day details, map, hotel descriptions, key highlights and more.

Where you stay is an important part of your journey – with Tauck, accommodations have been handpicked and carefully selected for their location and ambiance, enhancing the destinations you explore. Download accommodation details and your travel plans begin!

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Download the details to make planning your trip easier - including an itinerary overview, pricing based on your selected departure date and accommodations, plus protection plan costs.

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Overnight Accommodations

Extend your stay

Arrive Early

Hotel vier jahreszeiten kempinski munich.

Munich, Germany

Althoff Seehotel Überfahrt

Rottach-Egern, Germany

Hotel Goldener Hirsch

Salzburg, Austria

Grand Hotel Savoia

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy

Nights 9-10

AlpenGold Hotel Davos

Davos, Switzerland

Nights 11-12

Bürgenstock Resort

Lucerne, Switzerland

Your Journey

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About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally , you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey to enter Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Austria; however, you do not need a visa for the short duration of this tour.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally , you should contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries visited on this tour to determine what travel documentation is required.

Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $700 per person

Final Payment:

Final Payment is due to Tauck  90  days before departure for lands trips, and  120  days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Travel Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Guest Protection

Tauck's Guest Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON up to the day before departure and receive a money-back refund (except in Extreme Circumstances*) on the land tour cost, based on your original method of payment.

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.

Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  If you must cancel your tour due to a covered reason, the plan provides coverage for the amount you paid for your travel arrangements. Since the non-insurance cancellation waiver takes care of the land package cancellation fees already, this benefit reimburses the airfare cancellation charges up to the value of your original airfare purchase.
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.
• Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Guest Protection is: $559  per person

This protection provides insurance coverage that applies only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Guest Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included with initial payment. Fees are based on costs as of July 1, 2021, and are subject to change. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your tour reservation. Guest Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

The Guest Protection plan waives cancellation fees outlined below, provided we are notified of cancellation before your tour departs. Tour cancellation fees are waived regardless of reason, without written notice, and Tauck will refund land tour cost.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACGPPINTL .

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees. If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Guest Protection Plan:

Loss of Guest Protection fee, per person 

Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Guest Protection Plan :

90 days or more before departure = $600 per person

89-8 days before departure = $900 per person

7-1 days before departure = $1500 per person

Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation terms outlined herein.

Note:  All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Guest Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm).

Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and luggage exceeding airline standards for size or weight may result in expensive overage fees or other consequences.

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies.

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Carry-on Luggage - General

Although oversize bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many on-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and that you bring only those items you need handy during the day such as make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or on the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may be inaccessible during daytime travel.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

Guest rooms are all booked as non-smoking unless otherwise requested by guests. No-smoking sections in restaurants are rare in Europe. No smoking is permitted on board the motor coaches.

Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

If you have a medical condition which might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

VACCINATIONS  

If you are a resident of the U.S. traveling internationally, no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Switzerland, Germany, Italy or Austria. For complete vaccination and inoculation information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, prerecorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 800-232-4636 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC website by clicking here .

If you are a resident of another country traveling internationally, please contact an embassy or consulate of Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Austria to determine what vaccinations may be required for you to visit.

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

This active journey of 1,100 miles (1,609 km) through the Alps requires you to be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances often over unpaved and uneven surfaces; highest elevation on this tour is 7,736 ft. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion. Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Austria are home to innumerable historic buildings and sites, many centuries old. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture will present difficulties for some guests with physical limitations. You will encounter cobblestone streets, narrow passageways, and some steep and winding staircases.

PLEASE NOTE: We regret that this Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters. Likewise, we regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs. The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest. Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it. While drinking water is generally safe at all our hotels, bottled water will be available wherever the local water is not fit to drink. We also provide bottled water on the motor coaches.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey!

You can view the reading list  here.

The Alps are located in a temperate climate zone. On this journey, the average high temperatures from April through September range from 55 to 85 °F (13 to 29 °C). The average low temperatures range from 35 to 55 °F (2 to 13 °C). Rainfall is spread throughout the year with the summer months experiencing almost twice as much as the winter months. Munich is the driest location visited with only 20 in (610 mm) per year; Salzburg is the wettest with 31 in (794 mm) per year.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website by clicking here.

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with New Headings who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

The weather in the Alps is temperate and unpredictable. Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Generally, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Cool weather at higher elevations or at night will require warmer, layered clothing.

In Europe, especially in finer restaurants, it is generally customary to dress somewhat formally. Slacks or a dress for women and a jacket for men are acceptable dining attire although not required. It is advisable to avoid wearing jeans, sneakers or shorts to dinner. You may also wish to dress up a bit for the welcome reception and the farewell dinner, but by all means be comfortable.

You will find a hair dryer located in your hotel guest room. Irons and ironing boards are not generally available due to local fire safety regulations; however, valet laundry, dry cleaning and pressing services are available for a fee.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor's prescription or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for your trip to the Alps:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks, long and short-sleeved shirts
• An optional jacket and tie for men
• Casually elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• A light sweater or fleece jacket for higher elevations or a breezy night
• Binoculars (7x50 preferably)
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and memory cards
• Lightweight, comfortable, sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Travel alarm clock/cell phone with alarm function (many hotel do not have clocks in the rooms)
• Rain poncho and collapsible umbrella
• Reusable zipper-lock bags or other waterproof bags
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Sundries and toiletries that may be difficult to find en route
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling

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Explore the Alps in First Class Rail via the Legendary Mountain Railways of Switzerland.

Courtesy of Switzerland Toursim

Testimonials

Each day's traveling, the excursions we did, the places we stayed, the food we ate, and the people we were around were all so special and will give us memories of a lifetime!!! - J.R. and M.R. - FL

Featured in

The Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

Imagine the spectacular alpine scenery through the panoramic "vista" windows that run from your elbow to the ceiling while you sit comfortably in your first-class Swiss rail seat. Your eyes gazing effortlessly on the beautiful Swiss Alp peaks, the sparkling lakes, lush flowered meadows, historic castles, the iconic profile of the Matterhorn, deep-cut glacial valleys, vineyards, gushing white water streams, magic mountains flanked by enormous glaciers. You'll enjoy this all in first class comfort. We will cap out with 14-15 guests on each tour. Be sure to check out our Scenic Alps by Rail FAQ  which also includes the activity level expected for this tour.   

Europe's Finest Rail System

The legendary trains of Switzerland are among the finest in the world and the Swiss have perfected making mountains accessible. Their ingenious network of trains, rack railways, trams, and funiculars easily puts you in the midst of the most spectacular glaciers in the Alps and the highest peaks in Europe.

Mountaintop Excursions

You will also get to ascend the Gornergrat above Zermatt to arrive at an alpine panorama, where you are surrounded by more 4,000-meter peaks than anywhere else in the Alps. Then you will get to ride through a tunnel in the Eiger to arrive at the Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe.

All in First-Class Comfort

Enjoy the Swiss Alps in the comfort of your first-class rail car, and in the company of Swiss rail experts. You'll discover the scenery, history, and engineering that have made Switzerland's rail system the finest and most popular in the world. We do our best to book 1st class seat reservations but please note that at times due to availabilty it is possible to ride in 2nd class.

Glacier Express and Other Scenic Journeys

You'll ride on the most legendary of alpine railway journeys— The Glacier Express —and discover the charms of other scenic routes such as the Bernina Express and the GoldenPass Line.

Trip Videos

Overview Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Lucerne -- Mt. Pilatus

Day 2 – Through the Historic Heart of Switzerland on the Gotthard Route

Day 3 – Bernina Route - Lugano past northern Lake Como to St Moritz

Day 4 – Beautiful Swiss Alps, Lakes and Vistas

Day 5 – Mountains, Meadows, and Breathtaking Scenery on the Glacier Express

Day 6 – The Matterhorn and The Surrounding Majestic Highest Peaks in Europe -- Gornergrat Cogwheel train

Day 7 – Lake Geneva and the manicured Préalps - GoldenPass Rail

Day 8 – Picture-postcard Swiss Alps scenery on the GoldenPass Rail

Day 9 – Magnificent Mountains with Aletsch Glacier Experience -- Jungfraujoch

Day 10 – Depart Zurich for onward travel

$6,295 USD per person, double occupancy

$995 single supplement

Reserve your place on this tour with a $500 per person deposit

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Trip Highlights

• Ride the most legendary alpine railway journeys such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, the GoldenPass Line, and along the Gotthard route
• Travel in first-class comfort in panoramic cars that are air-cushioned and air-conditioned, and on all of Switzerland top scenic rail journeys
• Experience the legendary Glacier Express as it crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels on an unforgettable journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt
• Ascend snowy Jungfrau by cog railway to Europe’s highest railway station and overlooking the Alps’ longest glacier

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BUDGET TRAVEL , EUROPE , SWITZERLAND · March 9, 2018 Last Updated on July 27, 2024

8 TIPS FOR TRAVELING THE SWISS ALPS ON A BUDGET

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The Swiss Alps are one of the most sought-after locations in Europe. With its breathtaking scenes and culture-rich monuments, Switzerland is a country every one of us wants to visit at least once in a lifetime. However, this country also has reputation for being one of the most expensive locations to visit. The country ranks highest in the cost of living and everything from accommodation to food and sightseeing is expensive and will make you dig deep into your pocket. 

Fortunately, if you’re planning to visit the Swiss Alps, there’s no need to despair because there are ways that you can escape the expensive restaurants and hotels. Travelling to Switzerland on a budget isn’t all that difficult as long as you stick to the following tips. So, here are a couple of ways you can make your trip to this European country budget-friendly.

1) PLAN AHEAD

Transport doesn’t come cheap in Switzerland but you’ll need to use the transportation system if you want to go from one location to another. If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on transport, plan ahead and you’ll be able to get cheap fares and discounts. The country is well known for its efficient transport system and you can go anywhere using The Swiss Travel Service, which offers visitor passes for half the price (if bought in advance). You can also use the free public transport if you’re in Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Bern or Lucerne. 

2) DON’T RENT ROOMS

Anyone who has ever stayed in Switzerland knows that accommodation is very expensive in the country. With hostel beds costing $35-40, you’ll need to consider other options. Instead of renting out rooms or beds, you can look into couch-surfing, which is a service that lets you stay with the locals for free. 

However, if you plan on staying in one town for a week or more, you can always look into apartments which are much better value. Airbnb has a lot to offer as far as budget-friendly couch-surfing and apartments are concerned, so be sure to check it out when planning your trip. 

3) COOK YOUR OWN FOOD

Meals at restaurants in the Swiss Alps are expensive, to say the least. With each meal costing around 40-50 CHF (yes you read that right!), it’s better to cook your own food. Buy a week’s worth of groceries from one of the many supermarkets and be your own chef.

If you’ve planned for a day out, just grab some bread, deli meats, vegetables and cheese and you’ll be able to enjoy a nice picnic atop the mountains. However, if you’re not big on cooking or just want to eat out once in a while, you can use the lunch specials that are a bang for your buck at 10-19 CHF (Swiss francs).

4) DRINK TAP WATER

Swiss tap water is perfectly safe to drink, so save up on the bottled water and stick to tap even when you’re at restaurants. While we’re on the subject, try to avoid drinking alcohol in Switzerland because everything from the beer to the wine costs a lot. However, if you do feel like you must have a drink and let yourself loose a little, opt-in for hostel bars where you can enjoy happy hours and drinks for as low as 5 CHF. 

5) VISIT FACTORIES AND FARMER’S MARKETS

When you’re visiting farmer’s markets and chocolate or biscuit factories in Switzerland, you won’t just be getting a chance to find out how things are made but the chance to taste them as well. Though you won’t be able to fill your stomach with free samples of olives, cheese, crackers, and bread, it will be a good way to get rid of the mid-morning cravings. 

If you happen to be in Trubschachen, don’t miss out on the chance to visit the Kambly biscuit factory, which lets you taste its varieties until you explode. You can even bake your own biscuits while you’re at it! 

6) RENT OUT BIKES 

Cities like Bern, Zurich, Zug, Canton, and Geneva are a real treat for visitors because they don’t just offer free local transport but also free bikes. While some of these cities will offer the bikes for a few hours or a day, others will provide them for longer. All you’ll need to do is bring your ID and 20 CHF as a deposit and you’ll be able to take advantage of this great offer. However, you don’t need to despair if you aren’t staying in any of these cities because others rent out bikes as well (and they’re a lot cheaper than public transport). 

7) LOOK FOR GREAT HIKING SPOTS

Visiting the Swiss Alps is all about hiking the great mountain tops. However, it can be a challenge to find spots that aren’t just scenic but inexpensive and budget friendly as well. Though hiking at some of the most famous places can be expensive, you can look for locations that offer cheaper prices. For instance, Arosa is one of the cheapest options with its all-inclusive family day pass for CHF 45 that covers everything from all mountain transport, ropes course, mini golf access and much more.

If you’re going to the Zermatt area, you can try out the Sunnegga Paradise which offers a full fare return trip for just CHF 24 to middle station. However, you’ll need to pay a little more if you want to go higher up. 

8) SAVE MONEY ON SOUVENIRS

If you’ve managed to use all the aforementioned tips and managed to save your hard-earned cash, don’t make the mistake of going overboard with shopping and souvenirs. Instead of visiting expensive souvenir shops, look for keepsakes at department stores or even supermarkets. 

Don’t make the mistake of picking up expensive knives and watches; instead look for chocolate bars, biscuits, and other delicacies. Finally, instead of paying in Euros or other foreign currencies, pay in Swiss francs as this will be a more inexpensive option. 

Traveling to Switzerland or the Swiss Alps on a budget isn’t all that challenging if you’re smart about it. All you’ll need to do is to plan in advance and know what you’re going to be doing and where you’re going. Once you’ve figured that out, you can start planning your budget-friendly trip.

Have you ever been to the Swiss Alps? We’d love to hear your stories, tips or questions in the comment section below!

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Read More About Switzerland

• Hiking For Cheese In Switzerland
• Things To Do In Zermatt Switzerland, Beside Ski!
• See The Best Of Switzerland With These 5 Walks

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Jignesh Suratwala says

May 9, 2019 at 2:34 pm

Thanks for sharing valuable video for having budget friendly tour in Switzerland. It will be really helpful for me to to visit in Switzerland and others too.

We Are Travel Girls says

May 10, 2019 at 9:04 am

Glad you found the article useful Jignesh! Thanks for reading and commenting! X, Vanessa

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Switzerland Travel Budget - Visit Switzerland on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Switzerland Costs

• Is Switzerland Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Switzerland cost?
• Grindelwald
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• Switzerland Cities: Hotel Prices by City
• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Switzerland
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• Hostel Prices & Reviews
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• The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland
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• How much does it cost to travel to Switzerland? (Average Daily Cost)
• Switzerland trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

How much do package tours cost in Switzerland?

Is switzerland expensive to visit.

• How much do I need for a trip to Switzerland?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Switzerland?

You should plan to spend around $299 (Sfr259) per day on your vacation in Switzerland. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $66 (Sfr57) on meals
• $40 (Sfr35) on local transportation
• $352 (Sfr305) on hotels

A one week trip to Switzerland for two people costs, on average, $4,192 (Sfr3,630) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 299 Sfr 259
• One Week Per person $ 2,096 Sfr 1,815
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 4,192 Sfr 3,630
• One Month Per person $ 8,982 Sfr 7,779
• One Week For a couple $ 4,192 Sfr 3,630
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 8,384 Sfr 7,261
• One Month For a couple $ 17,965 Sfr 15,559

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Switzerland cost?

A one week trip to Switzerland usually costs around $2,096 (Sfr1,815) for one person and $4,192 (Sfr3,630) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Switzerland on average costs around $4,192 (Sfr3,630) for one person and $8,384 (Sfr7,261) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Switzerland will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Switzerland on average costs around $8,982 (Sfr7,779) for one person and $17,965 (Sfr15,559) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Organized tours are usually more expensive than independent travel, but offer convenience and peace of mind that your trip has been planned by a travel expert.

The average price for an organized tour package in Switzerland is $391 per day. While every tour varies by total price, length, number of destinations, and quality, this is the daily average price based on our analysis of available guided tours.

• Skiing / Snowboarding holiday, perfect for solo travellers 8 Days - 5 Destinations $ 571
• ​First Discovery 5 Days - 10 Destinations $ 1,452

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Switzerland is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Switzerland is very expensive compared to the other countries. It is in the top 10% of countries in Europe for its travel costs. There are only a few countries as expensive or more expensive than Switzerland in the region.

For more details, see Is Switzerland Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Switzerland?

The average Switzerland trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Switzerland travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Switzerland

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Switzerland is $176 (Sfr153). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Switzerland is $352 (Sfr305). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 176 Sfr 153
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 352 Sfr 305

Hotel Prices in Switzerland

Looking for a hotel in Switzerland? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Switzerland based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $170. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• CFI Hotel & Restaurants Touring Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 128
• The Omnia Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 356

Local Transportation Budget in Switzerland

The cost of a taxi ride in Switzerland is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $40 (Sfr35) per person, per day, on local transportation in Switzerland.

• Local Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 40 Sfr 35

Recommended Services

• Lucerne to Zurich Airport Private Transfer (Local drivers) Viator $ 155
• From Zurich Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer To Zurich Hotel Viator $ 84

What did other people spend on Local Transportation?

Typical prices for Local Transportation in Switzerland are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Local Transportation prices in Switzerland, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• City Pass (2) Sfr 26
• Cable Cars (for 2) Sfr 60

Food Budget in Switzerland

While meal prices in Switzerland can vary, the average cost of food in Switzerland is $66 (Sfr57) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Switzerland should cost around $26 (Sfr23) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Switzerland is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 66 Sfr 57

Recommended

• Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland Viator $ 153
• Basel: Private Italian Cooking Class and Dining Experience Viator $ 130

What did other people spend on Food?

Typical prices for Food in Switzerland are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Food prices in Switzerland, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Breakfast for 2 Sfr 12
• Tea at Interlaken Sfr 30

Entertainment Budget in Switzerland

Entertainment and activities in Switzerland typically cost an average of $59 (Sfr51) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 59 Sfr 51

Recommended Activities

• Whitewater Action Rafting Experience in Engadin Viator $ 179
• Fondue and wine private Tuk Tuk tour in Geneva Viator $ 168

What did other people spend on Entertainment?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Switzerland are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the Entertainment prices in Switzerland, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• 1 Day Bicycle Rental Sfr 31
• The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee Sfr 32

Tips and Handouts Budget in Switzerland

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Switzerland is $6.55 (Sfr5.67) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Switzerland is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 6.55 Sfr 5.67

Alcohol Budget in Switzerland

The average person spends about $28 (Sfr24) on alcoholic beverages in Switzerland per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 28 Sfr 24
• Informative wine tasting with Italian appetizers in the secure wine cellar Viator $ 167
• eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich Viator $ 132

Water Budget in Switzerland

On average, people spend $4.48 (Sfr3.88) on bottled water in Switzerland per day. The public water in Switzerland is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 4.48 Sfr 3.88

Expert Advice from Local Travelers

We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Switzerland.

How can you save money during your time in Switzerland?

Honestly, the food in all of Switzerland is insanely expensive, so we try to avoid eating out as much as possible when we're visiting.

Are you an experienced traveler? Help other travelers! Answer a quick question about your past travels. + Add Comment

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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Here’s How to Take a Train Trip Through the Swiss Alps

The panoramic windows make sure you capture every magical snowflake.

Conjure a mental image of Switzerland, and what do you see? Snowy peaks with skiiers shushing ever downwards, for sure, and sweet little villages laid like blankets among them, plus bubbling fondue pots and piles of fine chocolate bars — and perhaps a girl with braids guiding a goat to a beautiful green mountain vista. Look again and you’ll see trains careening between these towns, marvels of engineering that somehow blast through the bottoms of the Alps themselves. Those trains are the best and most fun way to see the country.

Which lines to look for

Again, you can’t go wrong with a train ride in Switzerland, but there are a few that whiz through particular gorgeous areas of the Alps. The Bernina Express has UNESCO World Heritage status due to its glorious high-altitude journey from Chur or Davos, through St. Moritz, into northern Italy. You’ll pass glaciers and ride along several dramatic viaducts (those super-high bridges with the insanely curved support systems below), and for one section, passengers can even sit in open-air cars to further enjoy the landscape. The GoldenPass takes you from Lake Lucerne to Lake Geneva, curving past four of the highest peaks of the Alps (13,000’+ each) while providing shimmering lake views.

The Gornergrat bahn isn’t a regional train between cities, but is pretty cool: It links the town of Zermatt to a 10,100' peak for skiing and views of the world-famous Matterhorn. The first electric cogwheel railway in Switzerland, the Gornergrat was constructed during Victorian times, making it quite a landmark of engineering. Mark Twain wrote of the viewpoint’s majesty after a visit in 1878.

And if you’re really dedicated to this whole train thing, the Glacier Express is once-in-a-lifetime experience: the “slowest express train in the world,” an eight-hour ride between the ski havens of Zermatt and St. Moritz with unbelievable scenery and a possible luxurious upgrade to their Excellence Class, which comes with a multicourse fine-dining meal and white-glove service.

Where to stop

St. Moritz is the town that claims to have invented winter tourism; it’s the tony ski mecca where you can expect to see beautiful people carrying bottles of champagne back down the mountains. Zermatt is the more low-key ski town where cars aren’t allowed but the royals are; Prince William and Kate Middleton have been known to hit the slopes here with pals. Interlaken is an adventure paradise, where thrill-seekers can paraglide off mountains, or parasail, windsurf, and kayak on the nearby Lake Thun or Lake Brienz.

Zurich and Geneva are, of course, the chic, modern cities that you may have flown into to start your journey, and certainly deserve at least a day each to explore. Montreux, on the shores of Lake Geneva near the French border, is an unspeakably lovely town that Freddie Mercury called home for many years. It also boasts a castle and a jazz festival every July.

How to buy tickets

There are three types of train travel pass to purchase for unlimited rides around the country: a Swiss Travel Pass (set for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days of consecutive travel), the Swiss Travel Pass Flex (set for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days of selected travel days within a month), and the Swiss Half Fare Card (which gives you a 50% on travel for one month).

Rates depend on first- vs. second-class travel, and how many days you want. To give an idea of the most probable purchase for an American tourist, an eight-day consecutive train pass is around $663 in first class, $418 in second class. Young travelers up to age 26 get a 15% discount on train passes; kids under age 16 travel for free as long as they’re riding with a parent carrying a pass — a great deal for families.

There are also tour operators that package rail routes along with hotels and transfers. One such operator is Vacations By Rail , an American company that offers customizable train journeys through Switzerland depending on your budget.

When to ride

Okay, this one’s a bit of a cheat, because there are simply no bad times to train through Switzerland. Yes, the winter holds the alpine wonderland of your dreams, but the summer is a great time to take in lush green panoramas and appreciate the nation’s sparkly clear lakes. In autumn, the mountains light up as the trees change color; in spring, the valleys are carpeted in wildflowers.

Kaitlin Menza is a freelance features writer. She lives in New York. You can see more of her writing at kaitlinmenza.com . 

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7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting The Swiss Alps

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• Switzerland
• Travel Tips

At Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, a blizzard raged and the wind was so bitingly cold that my poor gloveless hands were turning into ice. I had packed a thick jacket for this trip to the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, but I didn’t pack anything else suited for winter, like a hat or gloves. 

It was summer after all. 

I was on a hosted adventure to experience summer in the Swiss Alps near the town of Grindelwald in central Switzerland, so I didn’t think I would need anything beyond a coat for the cold nights.

Yet, even as the sun shone warmly in the valley, I was shivering and freezing in the summer, but winter, storm that raged on top of Jungfrau, one of two major 4,000-footers of the Bernese Alp. The furious snow blocked out most of the Aletsch Glacier view at 11,332 feet above sea level.

Not being prepared for a variety of weather conditions was one of a few mistakes I made when I visited the Jungfrau region for the first time. I am usually adept at researching places before I visit, but I still missed out on some tips that would have made my life a little easier while visiting Switzerland.

Here are 7 things I wish I knew before visiting the Swiss Alps.

1. Bring Layers

The weather in the bucolic valleys of Switzerland vary dramatically from the weather at the top of the mountains and peaks in this region. Because the Swiss Alps straddle the northern European climate and the warmer southern European climate, the weather can be both cool and warm at the same time. In fact, you could experience sunshine in one valley while rain pours down on the other side of the mountain.

When in doubt, it’s better to have that extra jacket and pair of gloves and not need it, rather than to need it and not have it. Bringing heavy winter gear along with shorts and tank tops may mean extra luggage, but don’t underestimate how diverse the weather in Switzerland can be at any time of the year.

Pro Tip: For every 328-foot gain in elevation, the temperature can drop approximately 1.8 degrees. So, if you get on top of the Jungfraujoch , for instance, you’re at 2.14 miles above sea level where the mountain tops are chilly in summer and sometimes covered in thick layers of snow.

2. Be Prepared For Altitude Sickness

Elevation, again, can cause a bit of misery for visitors to Switzerland if they aren’t prepared for the altitude. Switzerland lies at an average elevation of 4,429 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest countries in the world. Switzerland’s highest mountain peak — Dufourspitze — is 15,203 feet.

If you’re not used to high elevations, then altitude sickness can be pretty miserable. According to a study titled “Prevalence of acute mountain sickness in the Swiss Alps,” acute mountain sickness is “not an uncommon disease at moderately high altitude.” It can cause “severe headache, vomiting, dizziness, tachypnoea, and pronounced pulmonary rales.”

One of the ways to combat this sickness is to ask your physician for a prescription called Acetazolamide , or Diamox. This is the common prescription for preventing acute mountain sickness, high altitude pulmonary edema, and high altitude cerebral edema.

You can also get over-the-counter medications to combat altitude sickness, but in my personal experience, they don’t work as well.

Pro Tip: If you are at high altitudes, treat all headaches, dizziness, or vomiting as altitude sickness. Immediately descend to a lower altitude and make sure you are always properly hydrated. If you do plan to climb or summit these high peaks, spend a day or two in one of the nearby towns to slowly acclimate.

3. Tummy Issues Are Common

One of the best things about Switzerland is the food and drink. The Swiss are masters in the arts of chocolate, cheese making, and wine, so be prepared to be tempted by plenty of delicious, rich, and dairy-heavy foods.

While traveling in planes, trains, and automobiles generally causes me to “slow down” in the digestive process — if you know what I mean — the rich and tempting foods made me even more constipated than usual. Other people may have the opposite problem, depending on their body types.

So, if you plan to indulge in all the rich cheese dishes and fondues, the mouthwatering chocolate and hearty sausages, be sure to pack your over-the-counter tummy medications for either issue.

4. Switzerland Is Expensive

You might have heard already that Switzerland is expensive. In fact, Zurich and Geneva are often included in lists touting the most expensive cities in the world.

Yes, certain things are much more expensive in Switzerland, like groceries, clothing, shoe shopping, and going out to dinner or for drinks. In fact, unless you eat fast food, finding a meal for less than 20 CHF ($20.51) is difficult.

Public transportation, tourism excursions, and medical costs are also much higher in cost than other destinations.

That being said, if you have the ability to stock up on light groceries to cover breakfast and lunch, you’ll be able to indulge in the cost-worthy food that restaurants serve here. Just, be aware of the expenses you may face and budget accordingly.

5. Invest In A Rail Pass

Switzerland is home to some of the best public transit in the world, and if you want to see all that this beautiful country has to offer, traveling by train, gondola, and funicular is the way to go. As stated above, Switzerland can be a bit expensive, so buying individual train and gondola tickets can really add up after a while and a rail pass can save you a ton of money.

The Swiss Travel Rail pass from Rail Europe gives you access to the panoramic trains like the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Luzern–Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Panoramic as well as the Gotthard Panorama Express. Although this is a much better option than buying individual tickets, you can expect to pay a lot for the Swiss Travel Pass, so be prepared for sticker shock.

Ths rail pass also has public transport in more than 90 Swiss towns and cities. It even offers senior passes. The Swiss Travel Pass is sold for 3, 4, 8, and 15 days and allows free entrance to over 480 museums and exhibitions.

6. Buy Your Alcohol In The Stores

Like many other things in Switzerland, going out to drink and buying wine at restaurants is a pricey affair. Skip drinking at the bars and restaurants and just buy your wine and beer at the grocery store to drink at your hotel or rental.

Keep in mind that alcohol hits the body a lot faster and harder in higher elevation, making you a cheap drunk in the mountains. 

7. Get A Universal Adapter

If you are traveling around Europe and Switzerland, get the right adapter to charge your electronics. While most of Europe uses the Schuko plug ( type F ), Switzerland is different and uses type J outlets, which are smaller.

Instead of buying both, you can buy a universal travel adaptor. Just make sure it has a type J outlet included.

Check out our most recent Swiss Alps coverage, including:

• How To Spend 3 Perfect Days In Switzerland’s Jungfrau Region
• 5 Beautiful Gondola Rides To Experience In The Swiss Alps
• How To Spend A Long Weekend In Grindelwald, Switzerland

Heide Brandes is an award-winning journalist and travel writer based in Oklahoma. She loves outdoor adventures, exploring different cultures, and finding off-the-wall, bizarre, and wondrous experiences to enjoy. Heide writes for numerous national and international publications and is an award-winning member of the Society for Professional Journalists, North American Travel Journalists Association, and Society of American Travel Writers. Besides traveling and writing, Heide is also a professional Bellydancer, a medieval re-enactor, and a quirky chick who lives in Oklahoma City.

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Destinations
• Switzerland

Skiing Costs In Switzerland: A Detailed Breakdown

Published: November 29, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Georgina Berlin

• Budget Travel
• Travel Guide
• Travel Tips

Introduction

Welcome to Switzerland, the stunning alpine country known for its majestic mountains and pristine ski resorts. Nestled in the heart of Europe, Switzerland offers a winter wonderland experience like no other. From world-class ski slopes to picturesque villages, it’s no wonder that Switzerland is a dream destination for avid skiers and snowboarders.

However, before you pack your bags and hit the slopes, it’s essential to understand the costs associated with skiing in Switzerland. From lift passes to equipment rental and accommodation, there are several expenses to consider to ensure you have a memorable and budget-friendly ski trip.

In this article, we will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the costs you can expect when skiing in Switzerland. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a first-time visitor, this information will help you plan your trip better and make the most of your time on the slopes.

So, let’s dive into the various components of skiing costs in Switzerland and equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and enjoy an unforgettable ski vacation.

Costs of Lift Passes

When it comes to skiing in Switzerland, lift passes are a necessary expense. These passes give you access to the ski lifts and allow you to explore the vast terrain of the Swiss Alps. The cost of lift passes can vary depending on several factors including the ski resort, the duration of your stay, and the time of year.

In popular ski areas like Zermatt, Verbier, and St. Moritz, lift pass prices tend to be higher compared to less crowded resorts. A single-day lift pass in these renowned ski destinations can range from CHF 70 to CHF 120, depending on the region and time of year. If you plan on skiing for multiple days, it’s often more cost-effective to purchase a multi-day or weekly pass.

For example, a six-day lift pass in a top-tier resort may cost anywhere between CHF 350 to CHF 700. Keep in mind that prices can also fluctuate during peak holiday seasons, such as Christmas and New Year’s. It’s wise to check the resort’s website or contact them directly to get the most accurate and up-to-date information on lift pass prices.

Additionally, many ski resorts offer discounted lift passes for children, teenagers, and senior citizens. If you fall into one of these categories, be sure to inquire about any available discounts. Family packages are also a popular option, allowing families to save on lift pass costs.

Please note that some ski resorts participate in the “Magic Pass” program, which grants access to multiple resorts with a single pass. These passes typically offer great value for those planning to explore different ski areas within a specific region.

Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that some ski resorts may require a deposit or additional fees for lift pass cards. These cards can usually be recharged for future visits, making them a convenient option for frequent skiers.

Ski Equipment Rental Expenses

If you don’t own your own ski equipment or prefer not to travel with it, renting ski equipment is a practical and cost-effective option. Most ski resorts in Switzerland have rental shops where you can find a wide range of skis, snowboards, boots, and other accessories.

The cost of ski equipment rental can vary depending on the type of equipment and the duration of your rental. On average, expect to pay around CHF 30 to CHF 60 per day for a standard adult ski or snowboard rental package. This package typically includes skis or snowboard, boots, and poles.

If you’re a beginner or haven’t skied in a while, consider taking lessons along with your equipment rental. Many ski rental shops offer discounted packages that include both equipment rental and lessons. This can be a great way to save money and improve your skiing skills at the same time.

For children, ski equipment rentals are usually cheaper, with prices ranging from CHF 15 to CHF 30 per day. Some rental shops also offer seasonal rental options for families, which can provide more substantial savings if you plan to ski multiple times throughout the season.

It’s important to note that renting equipment for longer durations, such as a week or longer, often comes with discounted rates. Be sure to inquire about any available discounts or promotions when making your rental reservations.

When renting ski equipment, it’s crucial to try different sizes and models to ensure a proper fit and enhance your skiing experience. Ski rental staff are knowledgeable and can assist you in choosing the right equipment based on your skill level and preferences.

Lastly, remember to take good care of rented ski equipment. Any damages incurred to the equipment will usually result in additional charges, so be mindful of how you handle and transport the rented gear.

Accommodation Expenses

When planning a ski trip to Switzerland, accommodation expenses are a significant consideration. The cost of accommodations can vary greatly depending on the location, proximity to ski resorts, and the type of accommodation you choose.

Switzerland offers a range of accommodation options, from luxurious hotels and cozy chalets to budget-friendly guesthouses and holiday apartments. Ski resorts like Verbier, Zermatt, and St. Moritz tend to have higher-end hotels and chalets, which can be quite expensive. On the other hand, smaller resorts and mountain villages may offer more affordable options.

If you’re on a budget, consider staying in a guesthouse, hostel, or self-catering apartment. These accommodations offer a more affordable alternative and often provide the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay, such as kitchens, communal areas, and sometimes even ski storage facilities.

On average, you can expect to pay around CHF 150 to CHF 300 per night for a mid-range hotel or chalet in a popular ski resort. Prices may vary depending on factors such as location, amenities, and the time of year. Keep in mind that prices tend to be higher during the peak winter season and may also differ during weekends versus weekdays.

If you’re traveling with a group or family, consider booking a larger accommodation, such as a holiday apartment or chalet. These options often provide more space and may offer better value compared to booking individual hotel rooms. Additionally, many holiday apartments have fully-equipped kitchens, allowing you to save money by preparing your meals instead of dining out for every meal.

Booking your accommodation well in advance can sometimes lead to better deals, especially during the off-peak season. Online booking platforms and travel websites often provide a wide selection of options, allowing you to compare prices and read reviews to make an informed decision.

Lastly, keep an eye out for any package deals or ski resort promotions that include both accommodation and lift passes. These packages can provide substantial savings and convenience, especially if you plan to stay at one resort for a longer duration.

Food and Dining Costs

While enjoying the slopes of Switzerland, you’ll undoubtedly work up an appetite. Food and dining costs are an important aspect to consider when budgeting for your ski trip. Switzerland offers a wide range of dining options, from casual mountain huts to gourmet restaurants.

On-mountain dining options are available at most ski resorts, offering a convenient way to refuel and take in the stunning alpine views. However, it’s important to note that dining on the slopes can be quite expensive. Prices for a typical lunch at a mountain restaurant or hut range from CHF 20 to CHF 40 per person, depending on the location and the type of meal you choose.

If you’re looking to save money, consider packing a lunch or snacks with you. Many resorts have designated picnic areas where you can enjoy your own prepared meals. This can be a budget-friendly and enjoyable option, especially when the weather is pleasant.

Off the slopes, dining in the nearby villages or towns can offer a wider range of options. From traditional Swiss cuisine to international fare, you’ll find an array of restaurants catering to different tastes and budgets.

For a budget-friendly meal, look for smaller family-owned restaurants, cafes, or bistros. These establishments often offer more affordable menus compared to upscale restaurants. A typical dinner at a mid-range restaurant can cost anywhere from CHF 40 to CHF 60 per person.

It’s also worth considering self-catering accommodation options, such as holiday apartments or chalets. Having access to a kitchen allows you to prepare your meals and save money on dining out for every meal. Swiss supermarkets offer a wide range of fresh ingredients, local cheeses, and meats, allowing you to explore Swiss flavors in the comfort of your own accommodation.

When it comes to beverages, alcoholic drinks tend to be quite expensive in Switzerland. If you’re looking to enjoy a drink après-ski, consider checking out happy hour specials or local bars that offer deals. Non-alcoholic drinks like coffee, tea, and soft drinks are generally more reasonably priced.

Lastly, don’t forget to budget for the occasional treat such as Swiss chocolates or fondue. These indulgences are part of the Swiss experience and can add a delightful touch to your ski trip.

Transportation Expenses

Getting to and around ski resorts in Switzerland involves various transportation expenses. Depending on your location, the mode of transportation and associated costs may vary.

If you’re traveling by air, the nearest airport to your chosen ski resort will likely be your initial point of arrival. From there, you’ll need to consider the cost of transferring to your destination. Some ski resorts have their own airport shuttle services, while others may require public transportation, such as trains or buses.

Trains are a convenient and efficient mode of transportation in Switzerland. The Swiss public transportation system is known for its punctuality and reliability. Many ski resorts are easily accessible by train, offering breathtaking scenic views along the way. Train tickets can be purchased online or at the train stations, with prices varying based on the distance and class of travel.

If your ski resort is not within walking distance from the train station, you might need to arrange additional transportation, such as a taxi or shuttle service. These costs should be factored into your overall transportation budget.

Renting a car is another option for getting around Switzerland, especially if you plan to explore multiple ski resorts or want the flexibility of having your own transportation. Car rental costs can vary depending on the type of vehicle, duration of rental, and any additional services or insurance coverage.

Keep in mind that Swiss road tolls and vignettes may apply when using highways. Additionally, parking fees in ski resort areas can be costly, so be sure to inquire about parking options and fees in advance.

Once you’ve arrived at your ski resort, it’s important to consider the cost of local transportation within the area. Some ski resorts provide complimentary shuttle services, allowing you to easily access the slopes and nearby amenities. Others may require the use of public buses or taxis. Familiarize yourself with the local transportation options and determine whether any additional fees apply.

If you plan on exploring multiple ski areas or nearby attractions, consider purchasing a regional or national transportation pass. These passes offer unlimited travel within a specific area or throughout Switzerland and can provide cost savings if you plan on using public transportation frequently.

Lastly, if you’re staying at a ski resort that offers ski-in/ski-out accommodations, you may be able to minimize transportation costs within the resort itself. Being situated right on the slopes allows for easy access to the lifts, eliminating the need for additional transportation.

Additional Activity Charges

Skiing is undoubtedly the highlight of a winter trip to Switzerland, but it’s worth considering any additional activities you may want to partake in during your stay. These activities can add to your overall ski trip experience but may come with their own costs.

One popular extra activity to consider is snowboarding. If you’re interested in trying your hand at snowboarding, keep in mind that rental fees for snowboards and boots are similar to ski equipment rental costs. Additionally, lessons with a qualified instructor can be beneficial for beginners and will come at an additional cost.

Another activity to consider is taking part in après-ski events. After a day on the slopes, many ski resorts offer lively après-ski parties and events, ranging from casual gatherings to live music performances. While entrance to these events is often free, be prepared to spend money on food, drinks, and any additional entertainment options you may choose.

For those seeking a break from skiing, spa and wellness facilities are commonly found in ski resorts. Indulge in a relaxing massage or rejuvenate in a sauna or hot tub. Spa treatments typically come with a price tag, so be sure to budget accordingly if you plan on pampering yourself during your trip.

If you’re traveling with children, ski resorts usually have kids’ clubs or supervised activities available. These clubs offer entertainment, games, and sometimes even ski lessons for children of various ages. While fees may apply, they can provide a great opportunity for children to have fun and make new friends while you enjoy your time on the slopes.

Lastly, don’t forget about the cost of ski insurance. It’s always recommended to have insurance coverage in case of accidents or equipment damages. Most ski resorts offer insurance options that can be added to your lift pass or equipment rental, providing you with peace of mind during your ski trip.

When planning for these additional activities, it’s essential to research and budget accordingly. Look for any special offers or package deals that include multiple activities, as this can often provide better value for your money. Remember to factor these costs into your overall ski trip budget to avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Tips to Save Money

While skiing in Switzerland can be a thrilling experience, it’s also important to be mindful of your budget. Here are some tips to help you save money during your ski trip:

• Plan Ahead: Booking your ski trip well in advance can help you secure better deals on accommodations, lift passes, and flights. Keep an eye out for early bird promotions and package deals that offer discounts on multiple components of your trip.
• Travel during Off-Peak Times: Consider visiting ski resorts during non-peak periods. Prices for accommodations, lift passes, and even flights tend to be lower during these times. Plus, you’ll likely encounter fewer crowds on the slopes.
• Choose Accommodations Wisely: Look for budget-friendly accommodations such as guesthouses, hostels, or self-catering apartments. These options can provide significant savings compared to high-end hotels or chalets. Additionally, self-catering accommodations allow you to prepare your meals, reducing dining out expenses.
• Consider Shared Accommodations: If you’re traveling with a group or family, consider sharing accommodations with fellow skiers. Renting a larger holiday apartment or chalet and splitting the cost can be a cost-effective option.
• Pack Your Lunch: On-mountain dining can be expensive, so pack your lunch or snacks instead. Many ski resorts have designated picnic areas where you can enjoy your own prepared meals while taking in the beautiful surroundings.
• Opt for Multi-Day Lift Passes: If you plan on skiing for multiple days, purchasing a multi-day or weekly lift pass is usually more cost-effective than buying individual daily passes. Look for any discounts or promotions available for longer-duration passes.
• Take Advantage of Resort Packages: Ski resorts often offer package deals that include accommodations, lift passes, and sometimes even equipment rental or lessons. These packages can provide significant savings compared to booking each component separately.
• Check for Discounted Tickets: Look for discounted lift passes, equipment rentals, or ski lessons for children, teenagers, or seniors. Many resorts offer special rates for these age groups. Additionally, some resorts participate in the “Magic Pass” program, which provides access to multiple resorts at a discounted price.
• Save on Transportation: Compare different transportation options and consider using public transportation such as trains or buses instead of renting a car. Regional or national transportation passes can offer unlimited travel within a specified area or throughout Switzerland at a discounted price.
• Shop for Groceries: Stock up on snacks and essentials at local supermarkets rather than purchasing them at resort convenience stores. This can help you save money on small items that tend to be more expensive at tourist hotspots.

By implementing these tips and being mindful of your spending, you can enjoy a fantastic ski vacation in Switzerland without breaking the bank.

As you can see, there are various costs to consider when planning a ski trip to Switzerland. From lift passes and equipment rentals to accommodation, dining, transportation, and additional activities, it’s important to budget and make informed decisions to ensure a memorable and affordable experience.

By researching and comparing prices, booking in advance, and taking advantage of package deals and discounts, you can save money on several aspects of your trip. Choosing budget-friendly accommodations, packing your own meals, and opting for multi-day lift passes are just a few ways to stretch your budget without compromising on the enjoyment of your ski vacation.

Remember to plan strategically, especially during off-peak periods, to take advantage of lower prices and fewer crowds. Consider utilizing public transportation and exploring self-catering options to further reduce expenses. And don’t forget to check for any available discounts or promotions, such as discounted lift passes for children or regional transportation passes.

Ultimately, the costs associated with skiing in Switzerland are a worthwhile investment for the breathtaking mountain scenery, top-notch ski slopes, and the unforgettable experience of skiing in one of the world’s premier destinations. With careful planning and smart budgeting, you can make the most of your ski trip while enjoying the beauty and adventure that Switzerland has to offer.

So, start planning your ski trip to Switzerland, embrace the pristine slopes, and create memories that will last a lifetime!

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Where to Stay in the Swiss Alps: A Complete Guide to the Top 7 Towns & Villages

If you’re planning a trip to the Swiss Alps and wondering where to stay, then this is the post for you!

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From mountain views to charming Swiss villages to modern conveniences, every traveler wants something different from their home base. So answering the question “ Where should I stay in the Swiss Alps? ” can be really tricky.

After spending more than 6 months traveling the Jungfrau Region, we have a lot of thoughts on where you could stay, but we’re not going to spell out the 5 best places to stay near Interlaken or the top 10 places to avoid near Lauterbrunnen .

Instead, we’re gonna equip you with the most helpful information so you can pick the best town or village to make your home base. 

We’ve narrowed the home base options down to 7 towns and villages worth considering, and we’ve ranked why you may or may not want to stay there based on a few criteria, such as proximity to popular sights, conveniences, the charm level, and average Airbnb costs.

• Grindelwald
• Lauterbrunnen Valley

Download the FREE cheat sheet: How To Pick A Home Base in the Swiss Alps!

So, if you’re ready to scout out these 7 Swiss villages and towns, let’s get started!

Note: We pulled the average Airbnb cost data from our free spreadsheet about when to visit the Swiss Alps Month-by-Month. Gain access to the free spreadsheet here .

1 | INTERLAKEN

Interlaken, Switzerland is the gateway to the Lauterbrunnen Valley and Jungfrau Region. It means “between the lakes” because it is nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Of all the places we mention in this video, Interlaken is the closest to the big cities and Swiss airports.

In fact, the first time we spent 1 whole month in this area , we chose to stay in Interlaken. That’s because we didn’t really know where we were going to adventure during our month, so it was the most central location. 

Proximity to Sightseeing: 1st

Interlaken really is the best location if you’re looking to enjoy a variety of activities. It’s a great base for excursions along the lakes (such as Giessbach Falls on Lake Brienz or the Castles on Lake Thun), or even further outside of the Jungfrau region to Bern or Lucerne .

Why? Because nothing is very far!

But don’t be surprised to find that it takes an hour to get basically everywhere, especially if your destination includes riding a mountain lift.

So if you’re only going to explore a smaller area in the mountains, another one of these locations might provide even better proximity to your planned adventures.

But overall, Interlaken ranks #1 as a sightseeing hub, meaning less time on trains and more time enjoying the beautiful Swiss landscapes !

Convenience: 1st

As a tourist hub, Interlaken has all the amenities.

For real, there are 2 train stations, loads of bus routes with frequent stops, lots of restaurants with international cuisine, large grocery stores, pharmacies, and the list goes on.

Staying here also means that you’re closer to the airport or wherever else you’ll be visiting in Switzerland.

All of this means that Interlaken is also the #1 best home base if you’re looking for convenience.

Charm/Authenticity: 7th

But for what it has in convenience and location, we definitely think it lacks charm. Honestly, the town itself feels like it was made for tourists. You can’t walk down the street without seeing shops selling chocolate, watches, and cuckoo clocks galore.

Thankfully Unterseen is way more authentic, but overall, Interlaken still ranks dead last for this category.

For airbnb rentals , Interlaken, Switzerland sits right in the middle of the pack. But there are a number of reasons why it might be a good choice if you’re traveling Switzerland on a budget.

Obviously it’s a larger town so there are just more options in terms of lodging, from hotels to airbnbs to hostels too.

If you book a rental with a kitchen, you will save tons of money vs eating out all the time. I’m not kidding when I say you could easily spend as much on food during your trip as you do on lodging if you’re not careful. Plus, Interlaken has big grocery stores like Migros and Coop, which offer lots of store brand products to further stretch your budget.

And because of its location, you could enjoy endless adventures without breaking the bank on transportation costs . Which brings me to a few other factors to consider before choosing Interlaken as your home base.

Other Factors to Consider: 5th

When you stay in the Interlaken area, you get the Interlaken guest card, which provides free local travel and scores you discounts on certain activities. That means trains between Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, and from Interlaken Ost to Wilderswil, plus buses within Interlaken and Wilderswil, the bus to Iseltwald, and buses part of the way toward Thun are totally free!

This is incredibly handy if you’re traveling without a train pass (which we just about never recommend) or with nothing but a half fare card (which we recommend surprisingly often).

But it also means that if you have the Berner Oberland Pass, you’ll get no additional benefit from the Guest Card since those routes are already covered.

Already confused about Swiss train passes? We’ve got you covered! Check out our Ultimate Guide to Swiss Rail Passes + free checklist download!

Another benefit of staying in Interlaken is it’s usually warmer and sunnier than other places on this list. But that’s also a trade-off. It’s the “gateway” to the mountains which means you’re not actually IN the mountains, so hitting a trail or enjoying that sweet smell of cow poo right from your doorstep is pretty unlikely.

But you can watch the sunset from just about anywhere in town ( Harder Kulm is fantastic!), and gaze at the Jungfrau from Hohematte and Unterseen, so Interlaken ranks 5th in this “other factors” category.

Where we would stay

If we wanted Interlaken to be our home base, we would stay within a 10-minute walk of the Interlaken Ost station:

The first area to consider is near the Gymnasium bus stop, just a short ride from Lake Brienz, the Interlaken Ost train station, and all the amenities near Interlaken West. But you can also walk to the Ost station in about 8 minutes.

We stayed in this area last year and loved it. We felt like we were so close to everything, while tucked away in a quieter neighborhood surrounded by locals. And as a bonus, we were just a short walk or bus ride from Jana’s favorite grocery store, Aldi!

Another good spot would be somewhere directly between the West and Ost stations , which is where you’ll find most of the hotels.

There are frequent buses, and you’re no more than a 10-minute walk from either train station. So if you value convenience, it’s hard to beat this are. Though charming and quiet are not at all the words I’d use to describe it!

Keep in mind that the West station gives you all the amenities, but it also adds an extra bus or train ride to every journey you take toward the mountains. So make sure you really value the shopping, restaurants, and other conveniences if you choose to stay here.

Visiting Interlaken with a Car

It’s very doable to drive to Interlaken, although you will probably have to pay to park for all mountain lifts. It may also be difficult to find parking in the center of Interlaken during peak tourism season.

Staying in Interlaken

We think that Interlaken, Switzerland can be a great place to stay in the Swiss Alps if:

• You’re a family who wants convenience and options.
• You’re looking for the best nightlife in the area.
• You plan to take day trips outside of the mountain region.
• You’re visiting for a longer trip, especially 1 week or longer.

2 | WILDERSWIL

Wilderswil, Switzerland is just one train stop from Interlaken toward the mountains, and is often overlooked as just a point along the way to bigger and better things. But we’d like to throw it into the mix as a possible home base and specifically as an alternative to staying in Interlaken.

It’s no secret that we’re kinda partial to this little village. We spent 3 months living here this year, and loved pretty much everything about it! Especially once we discovered a local cheese shop, a village bakery , our favorite walking trails, and the ease of transportation connections.

Proximity to Sightseeing: 2nd

There’s one train station in Wilderswil with departures every 30 minutes to Interlaken, and every 30 minutes in the direction of Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen .

It takes 1 hour and 31 minutes to reach Jungfraujoch from here, which is only 6-8 minutes longer than from Wengen or Grindelwald, meaning you’re closer to the high mountains than you might think.

And as a bonus, the cogwheel train up to Schynige Platte leaves directly from the Wilderswil train station.

For sightseeing, it’s basically as good as Interlaken, because you’re 5 minutes closer to the mountains. But because you’ll often need to ride one more bus or train to reach the lakes compared to staying in Interlaken, Wilderswil ranks 2nd on our list for proximity to sightseeing.

Convenience: 3rd

There are a handful of restaurants and hotels, as well as two small grocery stores right near the train station, but there is not a pharmacy in town. So you’ll be able to find most of what you need, just not extensive options like in Interlaken. Even when we lived here for 3 months in 2022, we rarely had to visit a bigger town to find what we needed.

We also like that it sits right along the route for bus 105. A 10-minute ride brings you to Interlaken West and its shopping center, larger grocery stores, restaurants , and connections to locations outside the valley.

You can reach Interlaken by train in 5 minutes, Lauterbrunnen in 15, and Grindelwald in 25 minutes, meaning you’re never too far if you need anything.

For these reasons, Wilderswil ranks 3rd for convenience.

Charm/Authenticity: 2nd

But honestly, we think Wilderswil, Switzerland is one of the most charming and authentic villages that’s still central enough to be a good tourist home base.

You’ll find lots of locals living on these streets and walking around here. There are beautiful old houses with plentiful gardens. There are farms all around Wilderswil ( with great farm fridges , we might add!) and an awesome playground on the edge of village where we often meet local families.

Nothing is really screaming for your attention, unlike the touristy stuff in other villages. So Wilderswil is hard to beat for its authentic feel, ranking 2nd in this category.

I know, if this is oozing with charm and doesn’t rank #1, which village does? Keep reading and we will show you soon!

But how does Wilderswil perform on cost? Well, according to average Airbnb prices, it’s the cheapest of all the places we’ve reviewed in this list. Charming and affordable, Wilderswil is hard to beat!

And similar to Interlaken, it has a few other factors that you might not know about.

Other Factors to Consider: 4th

A huge plus is you’ll still get the Interlaken Guest Card if you stay here in Wilderswil.

That’ll cover the train or bus into Interlaken, meaning you can stay in this more local village while still having all the amenities within reach for no additional cost—well, just the cost of tourist tax which you have to pay no matter where you stay.

There are beautiful walks in the hills surrounding the village or through the fields between here and Interlaken. So you can wander so much farther and enjoy way more solitude than walking around Interlaken.

There are also some unique food spots we absolutely love. (Check out Interlaken food video if you’re curious to see those places!)

But while you’ll enjoy great Jungfrau views on a clear day, and even the ability to see all the way to Lake Brienz, keep in mind that you’re not actually in the mountains here. Though you’re likely to enjoy that sweet sound of cowbells and sheep bells clanging, especially in the spring or Fall.

If we chose Wilderswil as a home base—which we usually do :)—, we’d want to be a little ways from the train station and main road for more peace and quiet.

We like the area that’s within a 10-minute walk from the train station and near the bus stops, but not directly on the main road. An added benefit is when you’re going to Interlaken, you can jump on bus 105 one stop before it picks up lots more travelers at the Wilderswil train station, giving you time to snag a seat because it can get crowded.

But we also think the older area of Wilderswil near the river is really pretty, close to the train station, and only a short walk from the beautiful village of Gsteigwiler.

Visit Wilderswil with a Car

Since most hotels and Airbnbs have parking available, driving to Wilderswil is not a problem. Although, like Interlaken, you will still have to pay for parking in most places near cable cars and funiculars.

3 | GRINDELWALD

It’s probably true that Grindelwald — the village, not the Harry Potter character — needs no introduction, but we’re giving you one anyway. Nestled in a large, bowl-shaped valley at the base of the mighty Eiger, Grindelwald enjoys some of the most stunning scenery on the planet.

We stayed here for the first time this Fall. We weren’t sure if we were going to like the town because, well, we’ll tell you why in a minute, but we fell in love with the small neighborhood streets and never-ending alpine vistas. Not gonna lie, after staying in Grindelwald, Jana hopped online and started looking at houses for sale 🙂 

Proximity to Sightseeing: 4th

If your sightseeing plans focus on Jungfraujoch , Grindelwald First , Männlichen , or Pfingstegg , then you could easily enjoy 3 or 4 days here without ever leaving the valley, making Grindelwald a great home base for a short trip focused on a small area. 

But if your travel plans will take you to Lauterbrunnen , Murren , Interlaken , or to the lakes and beyond, Grindelwald is a little less central. You’ll have to make your way out of this valley every time you want to leave, which is why Grindelwald is 4th in proximity to sightseeing within the whole Jungfrau Region.

Convenience: 2nd

But for convenience, you’ll find Grindelwald has everything you need and then some. There’s a huge Coop near the main station as well as a smaller Migros in the center of town, and way more restaurant options than you’ll ever need.

You’ll find lots of hotels and plenty of Airbnbs, and if you desire luxury—this is probably the best place to find it.

There are three train stations:

• Grindelwald Terminal, with connections to Mannlichen and Eigergletscher
• Grindelwald Grund, which heads up along the base of the Eiger to Kleine Scheidegg
• The main Grindelwald station, which is directly in the village

Most of you will likely use the main train station as your hub to connect to the other stations when you need to.

There are also quite a few bus routes running through the village and beyond, so you’ll have plenty of options for nearby adventures.

Because of this, Grindelwald ranks a close 2nd to Interlaken in terms of overall convenience.

Charm/Authenticity: 5th

But now for a controversial subject. We have a love-hate relationship with Grindelwald.

Dorfstrasse, the main street through the village, is over-crowded, way too tourist-focused, and honestly just not that charming in our opinion.

There are high-rise hotels, plenty of mediocre restaurants, and very little about the place that feels like an authentic Swiss village.

When it comes to this main area of Grindelwald, we’d probably consider Interlaken more charming, which is saying a lot.

BUT, if you’re willing to stay just a little bit away from the action, there are parts of Grindelwald that feel the exact opposite. We might really dislike the touristy center of the village, but just outside of that? Wow, we could live there ! More on that in a moment.

All in all, it’s hard to rank Grindelwald on charm and authenticity because it will greatly depend on where you stay and spend your time. So because of that, we rank it 5th in this category.

As perhaps the most famous place to stay in the Swiss Alps, costs follow suit, and it ranks 5th on this list for average Airbnb costs.

You can always find budget options, but they’re fewer and farther between here. And because of the location, you’re probably going to want a train pass like the Berner Oberland Pass or Top of Europe Pass to save money and control costs on your transportation.

By the way in case you missed it, we’re pulling this Airbnb cost data from one of our free spreadshe et . Discover more Airbnb stats, weather data, and train pass info in the handy free download!

Other Factors to Consider: 3rd

We clearly have a lot to say about Grindelwald, Switzerland, because here are a few more factors to consider.

A benefit of staying in Grindelwald is that you’ll receive the local guest card. In our opinion, this one isn’t as valuable as the Interlaken Guest Card, but it gives you free transport on some of the local bus lines.

That means you can find a cheaper Airbnb in a more charming area of the village along one of the bus routes without having to worry about the cost of the additional transportation.

The Top of Europe Pass, for example, doesn’t cover any of the buses, so the Guest Pass could come in handy. Yet the Berner Oberland Pass covers the local buses as well as the mountain lines.

Another great thing about Grindelwald is sunshine! Because it’s a big, open valley running east to west, it gets plenty of light throughout the day. And the village itself is perched on a hill facing South, which only increases the amount of sun you’ll enjoy. According to Jana, sunshine is like medicine for the soul, so she’s a happy traveler when we’re in Grindelwald.

On top of that, the setting is absolutely stunning with epic views of Eiger, Schreckhorn, Wetterhorn, and absolutely endless walking trails and hiking options through the hills and farms surrounding the village.

Where we would stay in Grindelwald, Switzerland

So where would we look for lodging in Grindelwald? Well, definitely not on Dorfrstrasse, as convenient as that may be!

We really like this area just one street above the village (which has one of Brett’s favorite cafes in the whole region!), and the far edge of the village just past the church.

Both areas are serviced by bus lines, plus are way more peaceful, quiet, and charming with lots more locals.

Visiting Grindelwald with a Car

Personally, we would not bring a car here. There is one road into and out of the village, so you can imagine how much traffic there is! Plus, once you’re in Grindelwald, you can walk or use the buses (with the free Guest Card) to reach everywhere you want to go.

Keep in mind that every mountain surrounding Grindelwald is not accessible by car, so you will have to use the cable cars and trains.

4 | LAUTERBRUNNEN

While Grindelwald sits in a valley, it’s probably not the most famous valley in the Jungfrau Region. That well-deserved title belongs to Lauterbrunnen instead.

This iconic valley has been on the tourist map for centuries because, well, just look at how beautiful it is! It sits in a deep glacial valley with cliffs that tower more than 600 meters above.

We first came here on our honeymoon and were blown away by the beauty. Even though we’ve been here dozens of times since, we’re still in awe of this glorious place, especially when it’s brimming with waterfalls in the spring!

Proximity to Sightseeing: 3rd

Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland is perfectly situated for exploring Wengen and Jungfraujoch on one side, and Gimmelwald, Murren & the Schilthorn on the other.

In fact, like Grindelwald, you could easily stay in Lauterbrunnen for a few days with endless sightseeing options without really ever having to leave the immediate area.

It’s also just a 20 minute train ride from Interlaken and the lakes.

For these reasons, Lauterbrunnen ranks 3rd for proximity to sightseeing, providing the best home base on this list for quickly finding yourself either up on a mountain or out on the lake.

Convenience: 4th

This sightseeing convenience isn’t as well matched by amenities though. There’s a small convenience store at the train station and a Coop grocery store nearby, but they’re mostly limited to the basics.

But two trains, a bus line, and a cable car all leave from the main station and literally take you in every direction.

In fact, the bus line runs all the way through the valley, taking you to Trummelbach Falls, and the lift that goes from Stechelberg up to Gimmelwald, Murren , and the Schilthorn .

If you’re coming with a car, there are plenty of places to park including two big garages. But they can fill up quickly during peak season. On top of that, there’s one road leading into and out of the valley, so on weekends traffic will be bumper to bumper.

You’ll find a handful of restaurants, and a variety of tourist shops, but nothing we’ve found there has been super memorable.

For these reasons, Lauterbrunnen Valley ranks 4th for convenience.

Charm/Authenticity: 4th

Like Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen feels like it was once the most authentic little village tucked into a deep valley, but now it’s flooded with tourists year round.

Outside of the village, however, you’re in the land of farmers and locals. And lots of cows, of course.

So make sure you take a stroll all the way to the back of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. You’ll enjoy the same views that inspired Tolkien and numerous other writers, plus you can stop at some of our favorite farm fridges along the way!

But because we’re ranking Swiss villages, we’ve gotta say that the village of Lauterbrunnen isn’t the most charming or authentic, and we’ve ranked it 4th.

However, Lauterbrunnen can be a surprisingly budget-friendly option, ranking 3rd for average Airbnb prices. 

But further down the valley, you’ll find cheaper lodging options and campgrounds as well. So if you’re willing to forego a little convenience, you might find a killer deal as well as a more peaceful setting. And you’ll never be too far from the bus line either.

Other Factors to Consider: 6th

Okay, here are a few additional factors to consider before you pick to stay in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

You’ll receive a local guest card for staying here, but we don’t think it’s worth choosing Lauterbrunnen for that alone, even though it does get you a small discount to Trummelbach Falls.

There are no local transportation benefits that we’re aware of, which means that if you’re staying further into the valley, the Berner Oberland Pass or Swiss Travel Pass could be your friend, since they’re the only passes that cover the bus line.

Another consideration is sunlight. Lauterbrunnen sits in a deep, narrow valley that runs north-south. So if you crave lots of natural light like Jana does, daylight hours will be limited. And with lots of shade comes cooler temperatures , which you’ll either welcome gladly or greet with extra layers depending on the time of year.

But holy cow, what can we say about the beautiful views you can get from this place? In the Spring when snow melt is plunging from the cliffs everywhere you look, this really does feel like a fantasy world.

And that’s why Lauterbrunnen ranks 6 out of 7 for these other factors.

Where we would stay in Lauterbrunnen Valley

I honestly don’t think we would choose to stay in Lauterbrunnen because of how much Jana craves natural sunlight. But if we did…

I think we’d stay further down toward Stechelberg, maybe even on a farm or in a Bed & Breakfast. As long as it’s near a bus stop, it wouldn’t take too long to get to the village, and we’d be really close to the lift to Gimmelwald and Murren .

But to us the hard thing with Lauterbrunnen is that it’s so close to the mountains, we’d wanna be further UP into them. So that’s where we’re taking you next.

Why choose to stay in Lauterbrunnen

We can’t deny the Lauterbrunnen is a fantastic spot for a romantic, relaxed trip. Although you couldn’t fill more than just 1 day with things to do in the valley, there are plenty of nearby places to visit.

Want to know more about where to stay in these areas? Our guides are full of information about where to stay, what to do, and what kind of pass you might need for travel.

Now we’ve arrived at the alpine villages! Where mountain views, scenic hikes, and the sound of cowbells promise to fill your days. And for lots of travelers, Wengen will be near the top of the list.

Although we haven’t personally stayed here, we’ve been in and through Wengen many many times. And we’ve talked to a handful of our viewers like you who have stayed in Wengen and loved it.

Proximity to Sightseeing: 5th

Wengen sits on the train line toward Jungfraujoch in one direction, and down to Lauterbrunnen in the other direction.

This makes it seem pretty close to a lot of adventures in the region. But the reality according to train time tables is a little different. Jungfraujoch, as close as it is, takes 1hour and 25 minutes, and reaching Grindelwald, Murren , or Interlaken —even though it seems you could reach out and touch them—will require multiple train connections.

But there’s a cable car to Mannlichen —and some of the best views around—that leaves from right there in the village. And it’s only a 13-minute train ride to Lauterbrunnen.

So throwing together the good and the bad, Wengen ranks 5th in sightseeing proximity for the region.

Convenience: 5th

Like Lauterbrunnen Valley, there’s a convenience store at the train station and a small Coop grocery store across the street. But we find prices in these little stores to be higher than the big ones because there are less budget options.

There are lots of tourist shops and activities , and quite a few restaurants for a small village. And we think that it’s really nice that Wengen can be reached by train, which isn’t the case for the next two spots on the list.

Wengen is a car-free village, so you can’t drive here. But there is a parking garage at the Lauterbrunnen train station, and trains run until late at night.

So for convenience, Wengen ranks 5th

Charm/Authenticity: 6th

For most of you looking for Swiss charm, I think you’ll find a lot to like in Wengen. The architecture is beautiful, with plenty of those half-timbered buildings with flower boxes on the windows. But it also caters a bit too much to tourism for our liking, and in ways that feel similar to Grindelwald.

Basically, imagine an authentic-looking Swiss village that has been expanded for tourism. The hotels are taller, the shops are geared for tourists, and there are amenities like spas and playgrounds and mini golf too.

If you’re looking for more of a resort feel, you’ll like it here. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not ugly, but if you’re wanting something that feels more authentic, Wengen probably isn’t the place, coming in 6th on our list.

Another reason to consider looking elsewhere is the cost, with average Airbnb rentals being higher in Wengen than any other place on our list. Translation: It’s expensive!

And because of its location, transportation and parking costs could easily get out of control unless you choose a good train pass . Here are a few other things to consider.

Other Factors to Consider: 7th

Like Lauterbrunnen, there’s a Wengen guest card with a few discounts, but we don’t think this will offer much value to most travelers.

But compared to Lauterbrunnen, you should see a lot more sunlight because of its higher elevation and somewhat south-facing slopes. Plus, you’re actually in the mountains when you’re here!

Some of the best views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Murren , and Schilthorn can be enjoyed here, and you can do plenty of hiking as well. Though you’ll pretty much have to hike steeply up or down regardless of which direction you choose!

So for these intangibles, we rank Wengen 7th

Where we would stay in Wengen

Like Lauterbrunnen, Wengen is another place we probably wouldn’t choose to stay. There’s a lot to like, but it just doesn’t really suit our style. There are good but not great hikes from the village (in our opinion), and we really like to be able to walk out the door and have numerous trail options.

And on top of that, if we’re in the mountains, we want a little more peace and quiet to enjoy the natural beauty. Wengen is a little too much of a pass-through place for day-trippers to be that.

But if we were to choose a place to stay here, we’d probably look for something across the train tracks, or just outside of the village in the opposite direction.

As you gaze from Wengen across to the other side of the Lauterbrunnen Valley, you’ll find Mürren , Switzerland, the next spot on our list.

And full disclosure—we honeymooned here in 2012—but we promise to be as impartial as we can! 

Proximity to Sightseeing: 7th

And to live up to that promise, we’ll start by telling you that Mürren comes in dead last on our list for proximity to sights all around the Jungfrau Region.

It’s just not easy to get up or down from here, requiring a cable car and a bus ride or a train and cable car just to reach Lauterbrunnen.

While Mürren is not a very central location in the region, there’s a lot you can see and do from right here on this side of the valley. In our opinion, you could easily enjoy a weekend up here without the need to go down to Lauterbrunnen.

Convenience: 6th

There’s just one small Coop grocery store, and like in Wengen, the prices can be a little higher here, although they supply plenty of groceries and produce.

And while restaurant options aren’t plentiful, there are more than enough to keep you busy even for a week, and we think the food is generally better here than in Wengen or Lauterbrunnen.

Maybe the best part of staying up here, though, is that you can truly hike from your doorstep, and these hikes include some of our favorites in the area, for just about every ability level.

Something to keep in mind is that this end of Mürren is connected by the Mürren BLM, which only runs until around 8pm. So if you’re planning to return to Mürren later in the evening, you’ll have to use the Schilthornbahn on the other side of the village.

It’s only about a 10-minute walk between the two, but choose your lodging location wisely if that’s important to you.

And don’t forget that the section of the Schilthornbahn from Stechelberg to Mürren is only fully covered by the Berner Oberland and Swiss Travel Passes.

On top of that, it’s also a car-free village. So if you drive into the valley, you’ll have to leave it in Lauterbrunnen below.

For these reasons, Mürren doesn’t rank too highly for convenience, coming in 6th.

Charm/Authenticity: 3rd

But for a charming alpine village with the necessary amenities, Mürren is tough to beat. It feels so much more quaint than Wengen, though it sees plenty of tourists too.

While it’s one of the most popular ski areas around, it’s still managed to stay somewhat traditional.

But while it oozes with charm, it’s honestly not as authentic as we’d like because so many tourists come and less locals seem to stick around. But it feels incredibly authentic once you’re hiking in the mountains outside the village, just you and the cows.

It’s really hard to be approachable for tourists and authentic at the same time. So while it’s far from perfect, we think Mürren is one of the more romantic spots and absolutely amazing if you really just want to soak in the Jungfrau region , hike , and take your time.

For these reasons, it comes in 3rd for charm and authenticity. I know, I know, you’re still waiting to see the #1 most charming village on our list. It’s coming up next, so we’re almost there!

Overall, Mürren comes in 6th on the list for the cost of an average Airbnb.

Cost varies widely, depending on the time of year. During peak ski season rentals can be sky high, while you can find deals during the summer season.

Like the cost of a rental, your budget is going to change drastically based on how you travel. If you shop at the grocery store and cook some meals, you’ll save a ton. 

The same thing goes for transportation. Choose a good train pass to cap your expenses, because you’ll be riding a cable car anytime you want to leave.

Other Factors to Consider: 1st

Alright, there are a few more helpful things to know about Mürren.

Mürren is another spot that offers a guest card that unfortunately isn’t really helpful. Though you can use it for a free guided tour to the Sprutz Waterfall! (Psst—if you already own our Mürren Guide , we show you how to get there!)

Of all the spots on this list, Mürren is the highest, sitting at 1650m of elevation. So here you’re more in the mountains than anywhere else. And it’s probably going to be colder than the others as well.

Compared to Wengen, you won’t see quite as much sun. And when it rains, you’re likely to be in a misty fog.

But absolutely no other spot offers views of the Big 3—the Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau—like Mürren does. And when you’re here, you’ll feel like you can reach out and touch them.

There are waterfalls, alpine pastures, and mountain huts you can reach with no transportation necessary other than your legs.

That’s why we rank these factors as 1st on our list.

Where we would stay in Mürren, Switzerland

If you can’t tell, we would definitely stay in Mürren again!

We don’t think there’s really a bad spot to stay in Mürren. Although we’d choose somewhere that isn’t directly on the main street between the stations just for more peace and quiet.

The road running down toward Gimmelwald, or the one going slightly uphill from the train station would be good options.

But if you really want to be away from it all, there are numerous huts peppering the hills surrounding Murren, and it’s possible there’s no more peaceful place on earth!!

Plan your trip to Mürren !

Mürren is absolutely worth a visit, so we’ve made it easy for you with this comprehensive done-for-you 1 Day Itinerary Bundle!

7 | GIMMELWALD

Much of what applies to Mürren applies here. However, you can’t dial up the charm and authenticity any higher than this alpine village. To be fair, we haven’t actually stayed here yet but so many of our YouTube viewers stayed here this summer and loved it, and we’ve spent plenty of our days enjoying it as well!

Proximity to Sightseeing: 6th

From the village, you can quickly get onto hiking trails where you’ll hardly see anyone else. So if that’s why you’re coming to Gimmelwald, you won’t be disappointed.

Beyond that, it’s not very well connected, similar to Mürren. But since it sits one station lower on the Schilthornbahn, you’ll save a few minutes. And so it ranks 6th for proximity to sightseeing.

Convenience: 7th

Like Mürren and Wengen, Gimmelwald is also a car-free Swiss village. If you stay in Gimmelwald, we highly recommend the Berner Oberland Pass or the Swiss Travel Pass because they cover transportation on this section of the Schilthornbahn which is the only way in or out of town — unless you wanna walk!

There is no grocery store here so you’ll have to do your shopping in Mürren or Lauterbrunnen, although you will find a handful of farm fridges and restaurants. We often stop at Pension Gimmelwald for drinks or buy local ice cream from Esther’s Guesthouse. 

Because of those factors, this charming village ranks last for convenience.

Charm/Authenticity: 1st

But let’s be real, you can’t get much more authentic than Gimmelwald. It’s still a working village with active locals, farmers, and villagers. The buildings are beyond charming, the gardens are lush, and it’s a lot of fun to see the animals on the nearby farms. 

You’ll see precisely stacked wood piles everywhere, reminding you that wood is still the primary heating source many homes. 

And here you’re 100% in the mountains, tucked further back into the valley than anywhere else on this list.

So all that earns Gimmelwald 1st place on our list for the most charming alpine Swiss village.

It’s not hard to find affordable lodging in Gimmelwald, but keep in mind that there aren’t a whole lot of options. So for what’s available, it ranks 2nd in terms of cost.

But it’s going to take a little more planning and effort to cook at home if you’re staying here, so food could quickly break your budget if you’re not careful.

Other Factors to Consider: 2nd

Here are a few more things to keep in mind. Like Mürren, a guest card is included in your stay, but it probably doesn’t have much to entice you.

Weather and sunlight will be pretty similar as well, but Gimmelwald is about 300m lower, so you’ll probably find temperatures a few degrees warmer.

But seriously—walk just a little bit out of town in most directions and you’ll find hiking trails and scenic spots that hardly anyone but the locals will ever see. These landscapes in the hills surrounding Gimmelwald are unspoiled, majestic nature at its finest.

Where we would stay in Gimmelwald, Switzerland

There’s really not a bad location in Gimmelwald. But we’ve observed that so many people who visit the village walk from the cable car station partway down the main road, and then turn around and head back.

So if we wanted to have a peaceful spot to myself, we’d probably look for something that’s not in that section right there. But really, compared to Mürren and especially Wengen, you’ll feel like you’re getting the mountains all to yourself here!

Why you could choose Gimmelwald

If you’re searching for the best place to stay in Switzerland for a romantic or slower-paced holiday, then Gimmelwald is the Swiss village for you!

It’s amazing for the views and hiking. But even if you want to be active, there are plenty of things to do without feeling the need to go see everything in the area.

Pick your home base with confidence!

Obviously there are a lot of details to consider when you’re planning a trip to the Swiss Alps. Beyond these tips on where to stay, we crafted a whole guide about when to visit month-by-month , including a free spreadsheet download of weather facts, airbnb stats, and train pass data.

Read that next and we’ll see you in Switzerland!

Think you might need an hotel in any of these areas? Check out the Hotel Card! You can score up to a 50% discount on hotel rooms.

Other guides we mentioned in this article:

• Jungfraujoch
• Grindelwald First
• Mürren & Gimmelwald
• Farm fridges
• Foods to try

Jana is an SEO copywriter and content editor plus travel YouTuber. She loves all things gelato, sunshine, and words. Her perfect day? Tossing on sunglasses to read a book and catch some rays, then dinner with her husband and friends. In her free time, Jana disciples teen girls and cooks from scratch (like homemade pasta). Jana lives in Switzerland with her husband, Brett.

2 thoughts on “ Where to Stay in the Swiss Alps: A Complete Guide to the Top 7 Towns & Villages ”

You all have really outdone yourselves with this blog and accompanying video. While I enjoyed my experience of arriving at the same conclusions through extensive research and then travel there not many that get such a kick out of that process and are scared to venture out on their own without some guidance. Your work gives great input, is spot on and inspires confidence. Thanks for providing such an invaluable tool to those who wish to visit this bit of heaven on earth. We are blessed to have had these experiences.

Wow, thank you so much Laura! You’re so correct that we’re blessed to have these experiences. We’re like you and find the research to be a fun and rewarding part of the process 🙂 But for those who don’t feel that way, it’s so fulfilling to be able to help them have similar experiences. Thanks for your encouragement!

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1 Week (7 Days) Bernese Oberland Itinerary: Swiss Alps Itinerary for Hikers and Non-Hikers

Thinking about spending 5 days to 7 days in the bernese oberland in switzerland want to visit the famous lauterbrunnen valley and hike in the swiss alps this 1 week switzerland itinerary focuses on the best of bernese oberland in the swiss alps..

Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the Bernese Oberland region offers some of the most breathtaking views and picturesque landscapes in Europe.

With its snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and charming alpine villages, it’s no wonder that the region is a popular destination for visitors looking for that iconic Swiss experience.

In this one week Bernese Oberland itinerary, you can visit some of Swiss Alp’s most stunning destinations, including the iconic mountain peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger, and Mönch, the charming villages of Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, and beautiful lake of Oeschinensee.

If you are a seasoned hiker you would love all the hiking trails in the Swiss alps. But even if you don’t plan on hiking, you can still enjoy the beautiful of the Swiss Alps and the many fun activities and day trips.

In this Swiss Alps itinerary I will also share recommendations for the best things to see and do, as well as practical information on transportation and accommodations options.

This blog contains occasional affiliate links, where I receive a small commission on sales of the products/hotels that are linked at no additional cost to you. In addition, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases .

Who This 7 day Bernese Oberland Itinerary is For

This itinerary is perfect for someone who only has up to 7 days in Switzerland and wants to see the most beautiful part of the country aka the Swiss Alps. This is based on my experience visiting during the summer. If you are visiting in the winter you will need to modify this itinerary and skip the hikes.

If you are a nature lover then you would love this Switzerland itinerary because the places I cover are extremely scenic and beautiful.

This itinerary is also meant for people who can hike (~3 hours a day). If you are not planning to hike, you will need to modify the itinerary and can potentially make it shorter.

This 1 week Switzerland itinerary focuses mostly on outdoor activities in Bernese Oberland (the Jungfrau region). I will NOT be covering places like Zurich, Lucerne, and Geneva as I genuinely think Switzerland’s beauty lies in its mountains and nature.

Where is Bernese Oberland?

Now that we’ve established that this 7 day Switzerland itinerary is mainly for Bernese Oberland, I’ll give you some background on where Bernese Oberland is and why it’s famous.

You probably have heard of the Swiss Alps , Bernese Oberland is exactly that, part of the Swiss Alps.

Located in the Canon of Bern, Bernese Oberland covers an area of approximately 2600 square kilometers. Bernese Oberland (or Bernese Highlands) has 3 of the most famous Swiss mountains, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau .

This itinerary will be focused on the Jungfrau Region. Some of the major towns in the Jungfrau Region include Interlaken, Grindelwald, Wengen, Lauterbrunnen, Mürren and one of the most famous attractions in the Jungfrau Region is Jungfraujoch, known as the Top of Europe.

Interlaken is the largest town in the region and serves as the gateway to the surrounding mountains. It is situated between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Grindelwald, on the other hand, is a popular ski resort known for its extensive network of ski runs, while Wengen is a picturesque village that can only be reached by train.

Lauterbrunnen is a charming Swiss village located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley of the Bernese Oberland. It is surrounded by steep cliffs, 72 waterfalls, and lush green meadows.

The most famous of these waterfalls is the Staubbach Falls , which drops from a height of 297 meters and can be seen from the village.

What’s the best time to visit Bernese Highlands

Bernese Oberland in Switzerland is popular to visit in both summer and winter.

In the winter the Jungfrau area is an expansive ski resort region with 100km of winter hiking trails and cross country ski trails.

In the summer the Jungfrau region is open for hiking and biking trails. However the summer in Lauterbrunnen valley is often rainy and wet and not very hot (high of 70sF/ 21C) with the most precipitation in June and July.

I visited Lauterbrunnen the third/fourth week of September and the weather was perfect (high 70 low 45F with week long sunny days). Keep in mind that weather changes every year so you may still run into rainy days even in September.

How to Get to Bernese Oberland/ Jungfrau Region?

It is very easy to get to Bernese Highlands whether you are traveling within Switzerland or internationally. The region is accessible by plane, train and car.

Traveling to Bernese Oberland by Plane

The closest airport to Bernese Highlands is the city Bern (BRN) followed by Zurich Airport (ZRH).

Bern is located about 45 minutes away from the region and there are mostly European flights going into Bern.

If you are traveling internationally, most likely you will be flying into Zurich Airport (ZRH), which is the largest airport in Switzerland. Zurich is located about 150 km away, it takes about 2-3 hours from Zurich to Bernese Highlands depending on whether you are traveling by train or by car.

Visiting Jungfrau Region by Train

Train travel is extremely convenient in Switzerland and is actually my recommended way to travel to Bernese Oberland within Switzerland.

The closest city (and train transit) is in the city of Interlaken, many trains to the towns of Bernese Oberland (such as Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen) go through Interlaken or Bern.

For example, it takes 20 minutes on the train from Interlaken OST to Lauterbrunnen and 2.5 hours by train from Zurich with transfers at Bern and Interlaken.

Visiting Bernese Oberland by Car

Bernese Oberland can be reached by car but keep in mind that most likely you will need to park your car in the town of Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen as many villages in Bernese Oberland can only be accessible by train or cable car.

We drove over from Milan after visiting the Dolomites since taking a train from Milan to Lauterbrunnen would require too many transfers. Looking back, I wish we had just taken trains around Switzerland instead since we basically parked our car in Lauterbrunnen for almost a week.

If you are driving in Switzerland, you need to buy a Swiss motorway vignette if you plan to drive on the motorway.

You can buy it online or at a gas station (we did at a gas station near the Italian border). You don’t need it if you are renting a car from Switzerland, but since we rented the car in Italy and drove over, we had to buy it ourselves.

How to get around Bernese Highlands?

The best way to get around Bernese Oberland and Jungfrau region is by train and cable car. There is an amazing network of trains, cable cars and buses connecting the various towns and attractions in Bernese Oberland.

You can see the current status of all the train and cable car lines on the official Jungfrau website and see the map below.

Trains in Bernese Oberland in the Jungfrau Region:

• Jungfraubahn: Kleine Scheidegg -> Eigergletscher -> Jungfraujoch
• Wengernalpbahn: Lauterbrunnen -> Wengen -> Allmend -> Wengernalp -< Kleine Scheidegg
• Berner Oberland-Bahn: Interlaken OST -> Zweilütschinen -> Lauterbrunnen
• Berner Oberland-Bahn: Interlaken OST -> Zweilütschinen -> Grindelwald
• Wengernalpbanh: Grindelwald -> Grund -> Brandegg – Alpiglen -> Kleine Scheidegg
• Lauterbrunnen Murren: Lauterbrunnen -> Grütschalp -> Winteregg -> Murren
• Schynige Platte-Bahn: Wilderswil -> Schynige Platte

Funicular in Bernese Oberland in the Jungfrau Region:

• Harderbahn: Interlaken -> Harder Kulm

Cable Cars in Bernese Oberland in the Jungfrau Region:

• Firstbahn: Grindelwald -> Bort -> Schreckfeld -> First
• Grindelwald-Mannlichen Bahn: Grindelwald Grund -> Holenstein -> Mannlichen
• Eiger Express: Grindelwald -> Eigergletscher

Train Passes To Save Money in Bernese Highlands

Switzerland is not a cheap country to travel in in terms of everything except groceries. Transportation is especially expensive in Switzerland.

You will need to take a lot of trains and cable cars to travel around Bernese Oberland. As you can imagine, these train tickets do add up to a significant amount of money.

There are several different kinds of travel passes available for you when traveling through Bernese Highlands. Some of the passes are only limited to the Jungfrau region whereas other train passes can be used in the entire Switzerland.

You can choose the best travel pass based on how many days you will be spending in Switzerland or just in the Jungfrau Region.

Jungfrau Travel Pass (3 – 8 days)

The Jungfrau Travel Pass is only available between April 7, 2023 to November 5, 2023.

You will not be able to use this pass during the winter.

The Jungfrau Travel Pass includes most train routes, cable car routes in the Jungfrau region and discounted prices to Jungfraujoch.

You can find out everything that’s included in the link above.

Unlimited Jungfrau Summer Pass

The Jungfrau Unlimited Summer Pass is only available between April 7, 2023 to November 5, 2023.

Unlike the Jungfrau Travel Pass which has limitations on the number of days, with the unlimited pass you can stay and travel for as long as you want as long as it’s between April 7 and November 5th. This is great if you are planning to spend a long time in the Bernese Oberland region.

In addition, you can get unlimited rides to the Jungfraujoch with this unlimited Jungfrau summer pass.

There are so many other train passes that you can purchase, a few of the popular ones include:

• Berner Oberland Pass (April 1 to Oct 31, 2023 only. It covers the entire Bernese Oberland region (bigger than just the Jungfrau region)
• Swiss Half Fare Card (available for 1 month)
• Swiss Travel Pass (it includes museum entry and panoramic trains, available for 3, 4, 6, 8 or 15 consecutive days)
• Swiss Travel Pass Flex (available for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days in 1 month)

You can buy these travel passes at any manned train station office or online. I personally had difficulty buying them online because the official website keeps rejecting my credit cards and only AMEX seemed to work.

Make sure you have a valid pass or train ticket whenever you ride the train in Switzerland.

If you are caught not having a valid train ticket with you, you have to pay a hefty fine (example: the fine for not having a valid ticket on the short train ride from Lauterbrunnen to Kleine Scheidegg is CHF 90+).

You can easily buy train tickets the same day from vending machines at the train stations (or go inside the office if you want). The credit cards work fine at the ticket machine.

1 Week in the Swiss Alps: Itinerary in Detail

The first few days of this Bernese Oberland itinerary covers the Jungfrau region.

At the end I also added 2 days outside of Bernese Oberland to show you some of the other best things around the area, including Oeschinensee and Zermatt!

If you only want to visit the Bernese Highlands then feel free to skip the last 2 days of this Swiss Alps itinerary.

Day 0 : Arrive in Lauterbrunnen (or Grindelwald) Day 1 : Jungfraujoch day trip to the Top of Europe Day 2 : Hiking around Mannlichen Day 3 : First, Bachalpsee, and Trottibike Day 4 : Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Schilthorn or Via Ferrata Day 5 : Interlaken & Harder Kulm Day 6 : Oeschinensee Day 7 : Zermatt & the Matterhorn

Day 1 in Bernese Oberland – Jungfraujoch day trip to the Top of Europe

Assuming you have arrived in Lauterbrunnen valley the night before, the next 3 days will be the “core” itinerary in the Jungfrau region. Feel free to change up the order of this itinerary between Day 1 to Day 4 based on the weather forecast.

Jungfraujoch is known as the “ Top of Europe ” not because it’s the highest mountain in Europe but because it is the highest train station in Europe.

Located at the altitude of 11,371 feet (3466m) in the Swiss Alps, Jungfraujoch connects the two 4000m+ peaks of Jungfrau and Mönch.

One thing to note is that Jungfraujoch is different from Jungfrau. Jungfrau is the mountain and the region is named after Jungfrau. Jungfraujoch is the saddle below Jungfrau (the mountain) and it’s the highest train station in Europe.

Jungfraujoch is one of the most famous attractions and day trip destinations in the Lauterbrunnen Valley/ Jungfrau region given its unique attraction and family friendly activities. It’s something you simply have to do if you are in the area.

It’s not cheap to visit Jungfraujoch, in fact it is very expensive to visit Jungfraujoch from Lauterbrunnen round trip without the Jungfrau Pas (about CHF 227.6 or 254 USD). So make sure you are visiting Jungfraujoch on the most clear day.

There is a webcam at Jungfraujoch that allows you to see what it looks like on top live. If you are trying to plan ahead I also suggest this weather forecast website since it shows 48 hours of cloud coverage forecast (under details) and I’ve used it in New Zealand before.

Alternatively you can just look up at the sky the morning before you visit to check for weather conditions.

Since weather can be unpredictable or bad, I would not recommend booking tickets to Jungfraujoch ahead of time since the tickets are non-refundable.

There are a number of things you can do at Jungfraujoch, including a visit to The Sphinx observation deck, walking the trail to Mönchsjochhütte hut , taking a photo with the Swiss Flag, visit the Ice Palace , and do snow activities (snow tubing, etc) just to name a few.

You will most likely spend at least half a day at Jungfraujoch plus a couple of hours at least for travel time since it does take a while to get up to the highest train station in Europe!

For a complete list of things to do at Jungfraujoch, check out my comprehensive Jungfraujoch Day Trip Guide .

Best places to stay when visiting Jungfraujoch

Since Jungfraujoch is pretty far, I would recommend you stay either in Wengen or Grindelwald when visiting Jungfraujoch.

If you are wondering how to get to Jungfraujoch, use the official Jungfrau website to check train time and route (the trains in Switzerland are always on time).

Day 2 in the Swiss Alps: Hiking From Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg

One great thing about the Lauterbrunnen Valley is that it is well connected to a lot of different villages and mountains along the cliffs by trains and cable cars.

Mannlichen is a mountain that sits above the Lauterbrunnen Valley and is connected to Wengen (the town above Lauterbrunnen) by a cable car.

The Wengen-Mannlichen aerial cableway operates every 20 min (check the website for detailed timetable as it varies by season).

There is also a gondola cable car between Grindelwald and Mannlichen and the entire journey only takes 19 minutes.

So what’s special about Mannlichen?

Mannlichen is the starting point of a couple of fantastic (and easy) day hikes in Jungfrau and we will be doing two hikes from Mannlichen: The Royal Walk and the Panorama Trail to Kleine Scheidegg.

There is a webcam at Mannlichen if you want to check the condition before you go.

The cable car from Wengen to Mannlichen is covered in the Jungfrau Pass but if you want to do the “royal experience” and stay on top of the cable car in an open air seat you have to pay extra.

The Royal Walk

Length: 1km each way Time: 20 min each way Elevation: 120m Difficulty: Easy (Short but steep)

The Royal Walk is a short 40 minute round trip hike from the Mannlichen cable car station to the Mannlichen summit.

The Mannlichen summit has a platform shaped like a crown with panoramic views of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks as well as the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Once you are back from the Mannlichen summit, it’s time to hike the other way on a longer hike to Kleine Scheidegg, the Panorama Trail (Panoramaweg) .

You may be familiar with Kleine Scheidegg , as it is where you board the train to Jungfraujoch if you are coming from Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald (unless you take the cable car).

In case you are not familiar with this name, all the trains from Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Grindelwald have to stop at Kleine Scheidegg for passengers to transfer to Jungfraujoch.

Besides being a train station, Kleine Scheidegg actually is great for day hikes in the Lauterbrunnen region.

The Panorama Trail

Length: 4.5km Time: 1.5 hours Elevation Gain: 160m descend Difficulty: Easy

Most people hike from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg as you have a view of the Jungfrau mountain the entire time and it’s pretty much flat/downhill the entire way on a wide dirt path.

However you can also do the hike in reverse (which is what I did). But either way the view along the hike is stunning and the Panorama Trail is suitable for the entire family.

If you are looking for more challenging or longer hikes in the Kleine Scheidegg area, consider the Eiger Trail , the Lauberhorn Trail , Trail to Grindelwald , etc.

Day 3: Grindelwald, First, Bachalpsee, and Trottibike

One of the most popular areas for adventure activities and hiking is First .

First is a summit on the slopes of the Schwarzhorn in the Bernese Oberland but it’s more famously known for its cable car station high above Grindelwald.

Some of the most popular family friendly attractions at First include the Cliff Walk (free) , First Flyer , First Glider , Mountain Cart and Trottibike Scooter (from Bort, 2 cable car stations down from First).

Hiking is popular at First as well, with the most famous hiking trail to Bachalpsee (an alpine lake) and Schynige Platt to First Hike . I personally only did the Bachalpsee hike and didn’t have time to do the Schynige Platt hike.

How to get to First

First is accessible by cable car from Grindelwald.

If you see the map at the beginning of this blog, Grindelwald is rather far from Lauterbrunnen/ Wengen (towards the west), so you will need to take a train to Grindelwald first if you are not staying there.

From Grindelwald cable car station (10 minute walk from the Grindelwald train station), the cable car takes about 25 minutes to First, which is the last station. There are several stations before First that you can get off at, but I suggest you go directly to First as early as possible.

First Cliff Walk

Once you get off the cable car, you will see the First cliff walk right there.

This is one attraction that is free and often crowded with Chinese and Korean bus tours. When I was there there was a long line to take photos at the end of the Cliff Walk so we decided to skip.

First to Bachalpsee (Lake) Hike

Bachalpsee is one of the most famous lakes in Bernese Oberland because it gives you that perfect reflection of Schreckhorn.

The hike from First to Bachalpsee is a relatively easy one. It takes about an hour on a wide and relatively flat path (there were some uphills the first 20-25 minutes).

The Bachalpsee lake is huge and is split by a natural dam. There is reflection all day as long as the water is calm. When I was there around noon, there was a 3 minute window where the perfect reflection came out.

There were also a good amount of people at the lake around noon but it wasn’t too bad since the lake is big.

From Bachalpsee, you have the option to continue hiking another 2.5 hours up a steep slope to Faulhorn , the highest point with a restaurant and panoramic view that allows you to see as far as Interlaken.

Or you can hike back to First cable car station the same way you came.

The third option is to hike downhill from Bachalpsee towards Bort, the cable car station that’s two stops down from First where you can do Trottibike Scooter all the way down to Grindelwald. This is what I did and it was a very nice walk.

Bachalpsee to Waldspitz to Bort Hike

Length: 8km Time: 2.5 hours Difficulty: Easy, mostly downhill View: Amazing

When you first go to First via Cable car and at the First Cliff Walk, you are facing the massif of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

The hike from First to Waldspitz to Bort actually gives you that view almost the entire way (up until Waldspitz) and the difference is that you will have the entire place and view to yourself.

The hike is easy with almost all downhill. Some parts of the hike have a wide dirt path whereas other parts of the hike are mostly stone/rocky paths.

The hike is broken into 2 parts, the first part is the wide downhill portion from Bachalpsee to Waldspitz with the amazing view (~ 2 hours). The second part of the hike is a steep downhill through the forest from Waldspitz to Bort cable car station (~40 min).

Once you reach the Bort cable car station, fuel up with some food at the restaurant (restaurant was really good and reasonably priced by NYC standard) and get ready for your Trottibike Scooter adventure.

Trottibike From Bort to Grindelwald

Trottibike is essentially a scooter you stand on and go all the way downhill to Grindelwald. It takes about 30 min to an hour based on your speed (there are brakes on the Scooter) and you can stop to enjoy the view and take photos anytime.

The Trottibike is a family friendly activity but I did see two people fumble and fall while going down the hill. There were also other people who were going super fast so go at your own comfort level.

Once you reach the outskirts of Grindelwald you will start seeing cars coming down the same road. Eventually the path will flatten out and that’s pretty much when you need to push the bike back to the Grindelwald Cable car station to return the Trottibike.

The cable car ride between Grindelwald and First (and the other cable car stations along the way) are covered in the Jungfrau pass , but you need to pay extra for the adventure activities such as the Trottibike, First Flyer, First Glider, etc.

After you are done with your Trottibike adventure, take some time to explore the down of Grindelwald.

The best place to stay to visit First is actually in Grindelwald, since you can just hop on the cable car as soon as it opens.

Day 4: Lauterbrunnen, Mürren and Schilthorn

After two days of hiking, plan a chill day where you can explore the different villages in Bernese Oberland. I’ll give you a few options around the village of Mürren based on your interest and fitness level for today’s itinerary.

Lauterbrunnen

Start your day in Lauterbrunnen if you haven’t already explored this town.

Lauterbrunnen’s numerous waterfalls and dramatic cliffs have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to use Lauterbrunnen as inspiration for Rivendell.

Lauterbrunnen is surrounded by 72 waterfalls and the biggest and most famous fall is Staubbach Falls . Standing at 279m, Staubbach plunges from the cliffs next to Lauterbrunnen and it’s in every single photo of Lauterbrunnen. You can actually use the walkway to walk up behind Staubbach.

Spend some time walking through the town (shouldn’t take that long). One of the best photo spots in Lauterbrunnen is the walk to the church from the train station to get that classic Lauterbrunnen view. Another great view of Lauterbrunnen is from the Wengen to Lauterbrunnen train (sit on the left side if you are coming down from Wengen).

You can also visit the famous Trümmelbach Falls waterfall from Lauterbrunnen although it’s a 40 minute walk from town. There are buses you can take to reach the fall, but it’s nice to walk through the meadow and take in the view of the valley.

Once you are done exploring Lauterbrunnen, walk back to the train station and take the cable car to Mürren (it’s one cable car + one train ride, covered in the Jungfrau Pass).

The train ride itself is a treat as you get an amazing view of the mountain and valley (remember to sit on the left side of the train).

Once you get to Mürren, walk through the village and you will see a nice photo spot of the valley on the left hand side.

Mürren to Schilthorn Cable Car

From Mürren, you can take the cableway to the peak of the Schilthorn at 2971 m via Birg. The cable airway between Birg and Schilthorn is the longest and the most challenging airway to build.

Schilthorn is famous for being the setting where the 007 movie, ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’. The panoramic revolving restaurant at the summit,  Piz Gloria was featured in the film ,  so you bet it’s a big tourist attraction.

There is a livecam at Schilthorn so you can check the condition before you go.

If it’s your birthday, then you are in luck because the birthday person can ride the cable way to Schilthorn for free, otherwise it costs CHF 85.60 to visit and it’s not covered in the Jungfrau Pass (it’s covered in the Swiss Travel Pass). At the summit, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Alternative Day 4 Option

If you are not into the family friendly sightseeing in Lauterbrunnen or Schilthorn but are looking for something way more exciting/ adventurous, then consider the adrenaline pumping via Ferrata at Mürren.

Mürren Via Ferrata

If you are not familiar with Via Ferrata, it’s basically a protected path along the cliffs with a cable running through (and secured on rocks). The climber will have a kit that helps secure themselves to the cables to avoid falls. Via Ferrata allows you to walk on cliff surfaces and allows dangerous routes to be taken with safety measures.

Via Ferrata was originally created in the Italian Dolomites to aid the Italian troops to move through mountains while avoiding Mines during World War I. But in recent years Via Ferrata gained popularity as a tourist attraction and more have been built.

While most Via Ferratas are going up the mountain, the Mürren Via Ferrata actually goes down 2000m in altitude from Mürren to Gimmewald (there is also a regular hike from Mürren to Gimmewald just FYI).

The Mürren Via Ferrata takes about 3 hours and after watching a YouTube video of it I decided to never do it. But hey if you are interested, check out the booking website as well as this incredible YouTube video. The Murren to Gimmewald Via Ferrata is only open from June 1 to the end of October.

Day 5: Visit Interlaken & Harder Kulm

After you’ve spent the last 4 days in the heart of the Swiss Alps in Bernese Oberland, day 5 to day 7 of your 1 week In Switzerland will be spent exploring other areas.

Interlaken is one of the largest cities in Bernese Oberland and many visitors choose to stay in Interlaken because it’s cheaper and trains connect Interlaken with Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.

Cruise on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun

Interlaken is between two lakes, Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. If you are looking for a relaxed family friendly activity, then definitely don’t miss cruising on the lakes. If you want to explore Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, then be sure to check out this tour .

Kayak on Lake Brienz

If cruising is boring to you but you still want to be on the lake, then why not try kayaking on Lake Brienz ? The tour will take 3 hours and let you see towering cliffs and forested hillsides.

Visit Harder Kulm

Harder Kulm is one of the most popular things to do in Interlaken.

High above the town of Interlaken with the view of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and the majestic Mönch, Jungfrau and Eiger in the distance, Harder Kulm is easily reachable by a Funicular.

Be warned though since Harder Kulm is easy to reach, you will inevitably see a lot of tourists and bus tours unless you go when it just opens in the morning

St. Beatus Caves at Lake Thun

St. Beatus Caves is a fun place to visit with plenty of activities, including hiking, waterfall, museum, a panoramic restaurant and views overlooking Lake Thun.

Legend has it that there used to be a vicious dragon living in the cave. St Beatus, an Irish monk, slayed the dragon and now the cave is named after him. St. Beatus’s grace is between the cave entrance and the monastery.

Other adventurous activities at Interlaken include paragliding , Canyon Swing (in Grindelwald), and Tandem Paragliding if you dare.

Best place to stay : Stay in Interlaken or Kandersteg for faster access to Oeschinensee Lake the next day.

Day 6: Oeschinensee Lake

Oeschinensee is an alpine lake sitting at 1578m (5177 ft) in the foot of the Blüemlisalp. It is technically not in Bernese Oberland but since it’s pretty close there are many people that visit Oeschinensee when they are in the region.

Oeschinensee is only an hour drive away from Lauterbrunnen (closer if you are driving from Interlaken). You can also take the train from Interlaken to Kandersteg (the town the lake is in).

For more details on how to get to Oeschinensee, check out my post on the best things to do at Oeschinensee for a day .

The deep blue color of the lake and the perfect reflection of the mountain is what drew me to the lake in the first place. In all honesty I also thought the lake was similar to Moraine Lake in Banff except smaller and I was not disappointed when I visited. There is a webcam at Oeschinensee for you to see the condition before going.

Once you are in the town of Kandersteg , you can either hike up to Oeschinensee or take a gondola up. There is a huge parking lot at the gondola station which costs 5 CHF and the round trip gondola ticket costs 30 CHF.

After getting off the gondola, you can either walk 25 minutes to the lake front or take an electric bus which costs 8 CHF one way.

There are also a number of hiking trails around Oeschinensee Lake up the hills. The easiest one is no. 5 which leads you to a restaurant and a viewpoint above the lake. The harder Panorama Trail takes either 3 hours or 6 hours to go to different huts and has an even higher vantage point of the lake.

If hiking is not your thing don’t worry, you can row a boat on the lake. But on a nice day boat rentals get booked up so you may have to wait for someone to return the boat.

You cannot get too close to the cliff walls for safety reasons and when you return the boat you have to dock the boat yourself, nobody will help you with that. Life vest is not required on the boat.

Best place to stay for the night : Kandersteg or Interlaken, it’s on the way to your next and final destination: Zermatt.

Day 7: Zermatt & the Matterhorn

Zermatt is the home of Matterhorn and it is also one of the most touristy towns on this Swiss Alps itinerary.

Zermatt is a cute car- free town that’s easy to get to either by train or by car.

There are trains from all over Switzerland to Zermatt. If you have a car like I did, you have to first drive to Täsch (1.5 hours from Kandersteg) then take a shuttle train into Zermatt (every 20 minutes, cost CHF 16.4 for round trip).

From the town of Zermatt you can already see Matterhorn on a clear day. But if you want to get up close to the Matterhorn, you will have to either hike or take the train to one of the 3 popular observation decks/ tourist attractions: Gornergrat , Matterhorn Glacier Paradise (Klein Matterhorn), or Rothorn Paradise .

Gornergrat vs. Klein Matterhorn

The most popular attractions are Gornergrat or Klein Matterhorn .

I did Gornergrat and the main reason is because the train to Gornergrat has several stops.

The second to last stop Rotenboden is a 10 minute walk to the famous lake, Riffelsee . Riffelsee is often seen on postcards for its perfect reflection of the majestic Matterhorn on a breeze-less day (if it’s windy you can’t see the reflection).

In addition, although Klein Matterhorn is higher and closer to Matterhorn, the view is actually better from Gornergrat. In addition to the Matterhorn, you can also see Monte Rosa (the highest peak in Switzerland) as well as Gorner Glacier, the second largest glacier in the Swiss Alps.

Klein Matterhorn on the other hand, is reached by a series of cable cars. There is an ice paradise at Klein Matterhorn at an additional cost (similar to the one in Jungfraujoch but smaller).

You can get a sense of what the area looks like during ski season as the cable car goes above some ski slopes. You may feel the altitude at Klein Matterhorn since it’s higher than Gornergrat.

It cost about CHF 126 for round trip tickets from Zermatt to Gornergrat and the ride takes about 40 minutes. You can get off and back on at any of the stops , just make sure you have your tickets with you. Sit on the right side of the train when you go up to Gornergrat for a nice view of Matterhorn.

After you finish your day in Zermatt, take the train back to Zurich to fly out.

Budget for 7 days in Bernese Oberland and the Swiss Alps

So how expensive is Switzerland really? In this section I will provide you with the general range of prices for the most important things: Transportation, Food, and Lodging.

Transportation Cost in Bernese Oberland

Train travel is the most common form of transportation in Switzerland but it is not cheap. It’s especially expensive if you take cable cars or trains that go through mountain tunnels like Jungfraujoch.

A one way train ticket in the Jungfrau region in this Switzerland itinerary costs between CHF 8 to CHF 35 one way , depending on distance and how “scenic” the route is.

For example, the train ride from Kleine Scheidegg to Grindelwald is considered “scenic”, so the train ticket is CHF 32 one way (2nd Class, so no seat reservation); but if you take the train from Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen directly, it’s cheaper (only CHF 9) because it’s a different route and it’s not scenic at all.

If you plan to visit Jungfraujoch, that’s crazy expensive without the travel pass. During the high summer season a round trip ticket costs CHF 225+ (slightly cheaper during winter), with the Jungfrau Travel Pass, the ticket comes down to CHF 75.

The travel passes themselves are generally 3 day minimum and using the example of Jungfrau Pass, a 3 day pass costs CHF190 and the 5 day pass is CHF250 . If you plan to take the trains around a lot and visit Jungfraujoch then the pass is well worth it.

To check for time table, routes, and cost for train travels in the Jungfrau region use the official website (Don’t use Google Maps).

Cost of Food in the Swiss Alps

Food is notoriously expensive in Switzerland. When you eat at restaurants in Switzerland (at least in Bernese Oberland), a pasta dish can cost anywhere between CHF 18-35 and a burger can cost about CHF 23-35 also, depending on where you go. A soft drink at a restaurant costs about CHF 4-6 and beer is actually cheaper.

Groceries in Switzerland are much more reasonable and I would suggest you get groceries instead of eating out. While I was there fruits costed between CHF 3-5 a kilo and snacks and frozen food were between CHF 3-7.

A lot of Asian tourists buy the Korean instant noodles in a bowl, which cost about CHF 3. I guess labor is extremely expensive in Switzerland instead of the raw material which is why restaurants are ridiculously expensive.

Cost of Accommodation in Switzerland

There are hostels in Lauterbrunnen which are reasonable priced for a shared room at CHF 30. Hotels in any of the big touristy towns cost between CHF 60 to CHF 300 depending on the level of luxury.

The good thing about hotels is that they pretty much all provide breakfast and the breakfast usually consists of different types of bread, jam, Nutella, fresh juice, fresh fruits, cereals, etc. Some hotels also have sausage, bacon and eggs like the hotel I stayed at in Wengen, Hotel Barren .

You can do Switzerland cheaply if you eat grocery food, hike everywhere instead of taking the trains and stay at hostels. But if you want a relatively comfortable vacation then it won’t be cheap.

Where to stay in Lauterbrunnen Valley/ Bernese Oberland

There are many towns and villages in the Jungfrau region so it can be a little confusing on how to pick the best area to stay in the Jungfrau region.

Most of the time visitors consider staying in one of the following 4 towns. Of course there are more villages but I’ll just list the main 4 and why you should/ shouldn’t stay there.

Lauterbrunnen is often the town everyone’s heard of and wants to visit because of its social media fame. Everyday buses of tourists come to Lauterbrunnen so it may be tempting to stay in this famous town.

Personally I don’t recommend staying in Lauterbrunnen unless you arrived really late or need to leave for other cities early in the morning or just visiting the area for one day.

I don’t recommend it because Lauterbrunnen is pretty small and most places close by 6. I found it really dead after 5 and it’s not necessarily close to any main attractions except the waterfalls or if you want to visit the village of Mürren (you can visit Mürren from Grindelwald too).

However if you just need a place to crash for the night, check out the Valley Hostel . They have shared rooms at very reasonable prices.

Interlaken is the big city near Lauterbrunnen that many people decide to be based in. One reason that people stay in Interlaken is because it’s cheaper to stay there than to stay in any of the villages.

There are a good amount of things to do if you are not into hiking and trains connect Interlaken to other major Swiss cities.

I find Interlaken to be even further than Lauterbrunnen from most of the attractions in the Jungfrau region because you often need to commute to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald first to go anywhere. For example if you go to Jungfraujoch from Interlaken it can take you 2 hours.

If you are thinking of staying in Interlaken, check out Hotel Tell or the Loft Interlaken .

Wengen is a village located above Lauterbrunnen sitting high on the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It’s a 15 min train ride from Lauterbrunnen and the last train is around 10pm.

I stayed in Wengen and liked that it’s away from most tourists (people only go to Wengen to stay there or change trains and not to tour Wengen).

Wengen is also car free so it’s very peaceful and quiet and you get the view of the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

Another reason I liked Wengen is because it’s one cable car away from Mannlichen and it’s on the way to Jungfraujoch (takes about an hour instead of 2 hours from Interlaken).

I stayed at Hotel Barren with a balcony room and loved it.

Grindelwald

Grindelwald is one of the biggest towns in the Jungfrau region and many people stay there.

Grindelwald is one cable car away from First. It is also easy to get to Mürren from Grindelwald and there are many hikes near Grindelwald. It’s also faster to get to Jungfraujoch from Grindelwald compared to from Wengen because of the newly opened cable car.

The reason we didn’t stay in Grindelwald is due to its crowdedness. All the tour buses stop in Grindelwald so there are a million tourists. It’s not as quaint and peaceful and cute as Wengen but there are definitely more restaurants, hotels and shops in Grindelwald.

If you are staying in Grindelwald, check out Derby Swiss Quality Hotel , located right next to the train station.

Additional Readings To Plan Your Switzerland Trip

First to Bachalpsee to Bort Hike : https://serenaslenses.net/first-to-bachalpsee-lake-to-waldpitz-to-bort-hike-in-the-swiss-alps/

What to do at Oeschinensee for a day : https://serenaslenses.net/what-to-do-at-oeschinensee-for-a-day-lake-oeschinen-day-trip/

Jungfraujoch Day Trip : https://serenaslenses.net/day-trip-to-jungfraujoch-from-lauterbrunnen-grindelwald-is-it-worth-it/

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How Much Does Skiing in Switzerland Cost?

Skiing in Switzerland is undoubtedly expensive. Like, Dear-God-when-I-pay-my-credit-card-next-week-I’m-going-to-sob  expensive. While the lift tickets are cheap compared to the U.S., just about everything else: food, accommodation, transportation, costs more.

While I enjoyed skiing in Switzerland immensely, my eight days in Switzerland were by far the most expensive of my entire world trip . So I wanted to lay out exactly how much a Swiss ski holiday will set you back.

Table of Contents

How much do lift tickets cost?

Well, let’s start with the good news! Lift tickets in Switzerland are relatively inexpensive . I paid 110 CHF ($110 USD) for a two-day lift pass in Gstaad, which comes out to about $60 USD a day . Comparatively, you would pay around $160 a day in Aspen or Vail.

But a one-way gondola ride will set you back about 30 CHF ($30 USD) . Ouch.

How much does ski equipment cost?

While I was lucky enough to have my skis comped by a friend, I paid 30 CHF ($30 USD) for snow boots (note- not ski boots) and 20 CHF ($20 CHF) for a sled .

I rented all of my gear from Intersport and was very happy with the service, prices, and rentals.

How much does budget accommodation cost?

In Switzerland you will pay around 50 CHF ($50 USD) for a hostel bunk that you will have to make yourself. Luckily, every hostel I stayed in was clean and provided a complimentary breakfast.

Though I did notice that many of the “youth hostels” were filled with families and elderly people. The hostel where I stayed in Grindelwald, The Grindelwald Youth Hostel  was inhabited almost entirely by young families! While that would be fine for older guests, I was looking for a twenty-something scene and felt a bit lonely.

How much does food cost on the mountain? And is it good?

The food on the mountain in Switzerland is gourmet.  I loved sampling traditional Swiss specialties, from the richest chocolate cake of my life to rolled-up  Bergkäse (mountain cheese).

But like ski resorts in the U.S., the food on the mountain is pricey . The soup above cost me 12 CHF ($12 USD)!

Tip- bring chocolate and cheese and munch on them throughout the day to save on food. Plus, how Swiss is that?

How much does alcohol cost?

While beer is on par with American prices, liquor costs a pretty penny. This “snow bunny” cocktail (Schneehäsli) set me back (or rather, the Swiss man who bought it for me, ha) 8 CHF ($8 USD) . And this was an outdoor bar!

Also, is there anything better than tasting a light, crisp local pils while watching clouds slowly drift over the Alps?

What other winter sports are available besides skiing?

Snow-shoeing.

Um, I’m just going to go out on a limb and tell you NOT to go snow-shoeing. Because plodding down the mountain while sledders whizz past is maddening. Especially when it costs you $90 a day.

On the other hand, sledding in Switzerland is an absolute blast.  It’s nothing like sledding in the U.S.

With Swiss sledding, you take an old-fashioned sled, strap on your snow boots and careen down the mountain at perilously high speeds. Love.

This type of sledding would never be legal in the U.S. for liability reasons – you could fly right off the mountain! Which is obviously  why it’s so exhilarating.

It’s important to use sturdy snow boots- the snow-boarding boots I had made it hard to stop as they are so soft and round.

Paragliding

Another high-octane winter activity in Switzerland? Paragliding! While the experience costs around 170-200 CHF ($170-200 USD), the alpine views and adrenaline rush make it worth every franc. Full post here !

Overall, is skiing in Switzerland worth the expense?

Well, I’m not sure. While the alpine ambiance is lovely, I think you could have a similar but cheaper experience in France or Austria.

One huge advantage to skiing in Switzerland over the states is the lack of lines. I waited only a minute or two for each lift- a far cry from the 20-30 minute waits at Deer Valley! Plus, the views of the alpine villages from the slopes is hard to beat.

P.S. You might also like:

• High Above the Alps: Paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland
• The Real Cost of a European Road Trip
• Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream: Skiing in Switzerland

Essential travel info: I spent eight days in Switzerland: two days in Interlaken, three days in Grindelwald, and three days in Gstaad. Interlaken is great for paragliding, but if you want to ski, head to Grindelwald or Gstaad. I traveled via train between cities which was somewhat expensive but convenient. You can book trains in Switzerland online at sbb.ch . Here’s a full guide to train travel in Switzerland . I traveled solo to Switzerland, which I wouldn’t recommend – I was lonely for much of my trip. If you’re splashing out for a ski vacation in Switzerland, bring someone to share it with. In Grindelwald, I stayed at the Youth Hostel Grindelwald . It had incredible views and a delicious free breakfast. If you have more money to spend, check out  hotels in Grindelwald here . Balmers Hostel was my favorite hostel in Interlaken. It was cute, clean, and centrally located. Make sure to purchase travel insurance before your trip to Switzerland (especially if you’re skiing!). I’ve used World Nomads for years and highly recommend it.

Would you want to ski in Switzerland?

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About Ashley Fleckenstein

Ashley is a travel and lifestyle blogger who lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since college she has au paired in Paris, backpacked the world solo, and lived in Uganda. Her work has been featured by Buzzfeed, Forbes, TripAdvisor, and Glamour Magazine.

10 thoughts on “How Much Does Skiing in Switzerland Cost?”

$50 for one night in a hostel…eek! But it sure looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing these practical tips!

I would love to! I’ve honestly only been skiing once in my life (and it was ten years ago, ha) but this looks and sounds too incredible to not do at least once in your life time!

wow i’ve been in India too long. Those are so scary prices! I don’t think I could afford to do it anytime soon. I skied and boarded for almost 15 years, but when I went a couple winters ago after a 2 year break I got bored a little quick, so I don’t think I would do an expensive ski trip soon. Maybe I’d go just for the food… it looks amazing!! Like pure comfort food.

You certainly pay for your surroundings in Switzerland. I always recommend people bring a suitcase full of food and drink if traveling from a nearby country like Germany. However, sledding in Switzerland is still one of my all-time favorite experiences!

http://www.speaking-denglish.com/2013/01/sledding-mt-pilatus-in-lucerne-switzerland/

OK, that sounds insanely expensive. But it is the Swiss Alps we’re talking about so I’m not really that shocked. The one thing that does surprise me is that tickets are cheaper than in the US. I usually board in Tahoe and tickets to Heavenly cost around $100 for one day! I would have assumed tickets would be far more in Switzerland…

This is a lovely post Ashley and yes, I would love to go skiing in Switzerland but the prices? The prices?! Gulp!

I normally go skiing in the Czech Republic and the prices are insane! Cheapy cheap. A day pass in the lower mountain region of Rokynitze de Jizeriou, is just €5.00 per day!

I LOVE this blog. Do you travel on your own? Or with other people? :)

Thanks so much, Jasmin! I do a bit of both actually. My time in Switzerland was solo for five days and staying with a family friend for four.

Great Blog, Ash. I want to go in January for my 40th Birthday. I’ve skied all over the states (literally, almost everywhere) but have never skied Europe. My question is: for someone going primarily for the skiing and scenery, is Switzerland the way to go? I’ve read good things about Gstaad.

Hi John, Switzerland definitely has amazing skiing, scenery, and ambiance! I skied Gstaad and loved it :)

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The Ultimate 2 Week Road Trip Itinerary in the Alps

The mystery and beauty of the Alps has long captivated travelers with its snow-capped peaks, aquamarine lakes and charming hamlets. If there was ever a perfect road trip destination, I think it would be the Alps. The Alps are one of the ultimate European travel experiences! Even now that I live in Germany , it still feels like a dream to be in the Alps. You never get sick of this magical place.

There are several countries that span the Alps, including Austria, France and Germany, but the most famous of the Alpine countries is of course Switzerland. It goes without saying that Switzerland is stunning and one of my favorite destinations in Europe, but, there are plenty of places to explore in the Alps outside of Switzerland that surprised me (and saved me some Euros!) during our 2 week road trip in the Alps.

While you can’t see all of the Alps in just 2 weeks, you’ll be able to see a lot of these beautiful mountains. In this blog post, I help you plan the perfect 14 day roadtrip through the Alps, making sure that you make the most of this incredible part of Europe. You’ll hardly be disappointed by the places you miss because the places you will go to are going to blow your mind. The Alps are truly stunning and you really can’t go wrong with any destinations in these European mountains! 

What You'll Find In This Post

How to Spend 2 Weeks in the Alps

Overview of this road trip itinerary.

This 2 week road trip itinerary in the Alps will be a circuit route starting and ending in Munich. This road trip includes stops in 4 different countries -- Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany. In total, there will be about 19 hours of driving split across 10 days. The longest stretch of driving is approximately 4.5 hours, but an average of 2 hours per day. 

By starting and ending at the same point (Munich), you can reduce the cost of your rental car by about 200 euros, and it makes the logistics of the arrival and departure less stressful since you can book a round trip flight. If you preferred to book one-way flights, you could easily modify this itinerary to start in Munich and end in Zurich or Geneva by moving up the last three days to the middle of the itinerary. 

Day 1 + 2: Salzburg

For the first day of your Alps road trip, a short two hour drive from Munich to Salzburg is a calming way to warm up your driving skills and get comfortable on the European highways. This drive is straightforward and the terrain is easy, plus you’ll get an impression of the immaculate road conditions on the German autobahn. Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Salzburg offers a great blend of history, culture and of course, Sound of Music fame. My mom is obsessed with this movie, so I knew I couldn’t pass up a stop here. I dive into all the nitty gritty details about planning two days in Salzburg .

The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its famous landmarks like the birthplace of Mozart, the Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the well-preserved baroque architecture. Salzburg is compact and easy to explore by foot, so make sure to book a hotel with easy parking options. I recommend staying for at least 1 night, because many visitors only come as a day trip. The city has a completely different vibe at night. We did two nights in Salzburg and felt like it was just right! 

Day 3 + 4: Innsbruck

Famous for its mountain panoramas and alpine adventure activities, Innsbruck is a great place to stay for a few days while traveling in the Alps, thanks to its advantageous location in the center of the Tyrol region of Austria. You can easily use it as a jumping off point for mountain biking, skiing or other mountain adventures, or you could simply enjoy 48 hours exploring all the great things the city of Innsbruck has to offer.

The quaint old town of Innsbruck is easily walkable in an hour or two if you are interested in sightseeing, with options to see the Golden Roof , the Baroque facade of the Heblinghaus or the stunning interior of the Cathedral of St James . The city has a long history with the Olympics, so make sure to take a visit up to the towering Bergisel Ski Jump which overlooks the city. Inside, you can enjoy coffee or lunch with a view! For more stunning views, take your elevation even higher with a ride to the top of Nordkette Mountain . Sometimes called the Jewel of the Alps, you can ride a funicular and cable car up to Hafelekar Station for mind-blowing views of the Alps.

I was on the fence about visiting the Swarovski Kristalwelten Museum (Crystal World) outside of Innsbruck, but it turned out to be such a great museum and I would 100% recommend going. Similar to other experiential museums that have popped up in recent years, the Swarovski Kristalwelten features a series of rooms created by different artists. I had no idea the caliber of artists that would be featured here--Alexander McQueen, Yayoi Kusama, and Manish Arora to name a few!

Each room captures the artist's interpretation of Swarovski crystal as an artistic medium, and there are some incredible installations! It seems that most people who visit Swarovski Kristalwelten go straight to the gift shop, so when we visited the museum, we had it completely alone! Don’t miss the mind-blowing beautiful crystal clouds out in the garden. 

Innsbruck wasn’t my favorite of the culinary destinations we visited on our tour of the Alps, but it is a good place to sample some traditional Austrian food. Stiftskeller has a good local vibe with a nice selection of beer and yummy (and filling) pub food. The stylish Ottoburg is another good option with a charming Alpine interior and friendly staff. One thing you don’t want to miss before leaving Austria is strudel, and Innsbruck has some delicious options! Kröll Strudel Cafe offers a wide assortment of delicious strudel flavors to eat in or take away.

Day 5: Luxury Alp Hotel

While in the Alps, it would be a shame not to splurge on at least one luxury experience -- this is basically the region of the world where luxury hotels were invented! There are copious amounts of stunning Alpine hotels offering a range of luxury experiences in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. Spa and wellness resorts are popular in this region of Europe, making for a relaxing and restorative experience on your 2 week itinerary in the Alps. 

If you happen to be visiting during a slower season or book a hotel in the middle of the week, you might be surprised by some of the deals you can find. We were traveling in the Alps around my 30th birthday, and I planned for our splurge day on my birthday as a present to myself, using up nearly all of my rewards points to book a room at the picturesque Nidum Casual Luxury Hotel outside of Innsbruck. It was the perfect way to ring in a new decade of life and felt totally luxurious! For more luxury alpine options, Pretty Hotels has a lovely list of mountain getaways many of which are in the Alps as well as Design Hotels round up of the most design-forward hotels in Austria. 

Day 6: St Moritz (or Zermatt)

Driving into Switzerland offers some mind blowing scenery. From the tunnels through the mountain to crystalline lakes, this morning's drive will wow you. I could easily spend one week in Switzerland , but your budget might now allow you to stay too long. With this roadtrip, we're keeping the time in Switzerland fairly brief. When you picture a luxury Swiss Alps scene, you are basically picturing St. Moritz. This glamorous mountain town has been hosting the winter holidays of European elites for decades, and this place just oozes wealth. In a rich country like Switzerland, that's saying something.

If hanging out with Europe's wealthiest isn’t your vibe, I totally understand. You could easily go to Zermatt instead. Zermatt is home to the famous Matterhorn mountain, and it is a quieter more relaxed destination in Switzerland. The city itself doesn't allow cars, so you'll need to park outside the city and take the train in. I've written several posts about visiting Zermatt, including where to find the best restaurants in Zermatt .  

But let's continue with the St. Mortiz plan. Never one to turn down a good sauna and spa day, the Ovaverva public pool and bathhouse is an ideal way to spend a morning in St. Moritz. This sleek and modern spa has everything -- saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, outdoor heated pool -- all with stunning Alpine views. Like many other saunas and spa in this region, no bathing suits are allowed in the mixed-gender saunas so be prepared. 

Similar to Innsbruck, St. Moritz has been a host of the Winter Olympics making it a prime snow-sports city with plenty of opportunities to go skiing or snowshoeing in the winter, or hiking and mountain-biking in the summer. The unique thing you can do here in the winter is go for a bobsled ride ! This adrenaline pumping activity will set you back about 300 Swiss francs a piece, but it is likely to be an experience you’ll never forget -- if you can survive the ride! For a less adventurous take, consider a hike on a glacier. 

St. Moritz is also an excellent place for some shopping (if you can afford it!). Don’t miss a peek into the delightfully stylish Faoro which doubles as a shop and a cafe. Cashmere is the name of the game at Lamm , which has both modern and traditional sweater designs for men and women. 

To save yourself (a little) cash, make a DIY cheese plate at Pur Alps who also supply amazing jams and crackers. For a more sophisticated snack, pop into the Kulm Country Club which has incredible interior design, mixing vintage and modern aesthetics impeccably. If you want to sample my favorite swiss chocolate brand, sample and buy one of the many barks or truffles at Läderach .

Day 7 + 8: Jungfrau (Interlakken) Region

The Jungfrau region is one of the prettiest in all of the Alps, home to gorgeous alpine lakes, majestic mountains, and high-altitude waterfalls. If you take the slightly longer 4 hour drive (vs 3.25 hrs) from St Moritz to Interlakken via route 13 and route 2, you will be treated to some of the most incredible Swiss Alps scenery imaginable. Through tunnels and small mountain towns, you’ll have vista after mind-blowing vista. It is well worth the extra 45 minutes in the car! 

Interlakken, which literally means in between two lakes, is a centrally located stop for exploring central Switzerland for a few days. I would say the city itself leaves a lot to be desired, but it makes for a great jumping off point for exploring the Jungfrau region. There are some tasty restaurants in the town, as well as a nice riverfront, but not much else. If you prefer to have a more quaint Alp stay, you might want to consider nearby Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen . 

There are SO many ways to get amazing views in the Jungfrau region. One of the most famous things to do in this region of Switzerland is to visit one of the high mountain peaks, either Jungfraujoch (the top of Europe) or Schilthorn Observation Deck (James Bond fame). The views from both are of course spectacular, but the high price point means that you’ll probably want to select just one of them. We opted to do the Schilthorn peak. Unfortunately it was completely overcast and cloudy the day we went, so we decided not to ride up because there would be almost no opportunity to view anything. 

On our way back from Schilthorn station to Interlakken, we stopped in the charming small town of Lauterbrunnen. Increasingly famous on Instagram, Lauterbrunnen is a quintessential Swiss town with one defining feature -- a waterfall shooting off a rock face into a sheer free fall. It’s very beautiful and you can see it from the town center. We also stopped at Trummelbach Falls , a tucked away waterfall gorge that is well worth the hour-long visit. You can get very close to the waterfalls, and the thunderous noise inside the gorge is cool to experience.

Prefer to see the Alps and lakes from the air? Interlakken is THE place to go paragliding in Switzerland, and there are almost daily departures for people looking to paraglide. My parents did this back in 2016 and had a fantastic experience! You might also consider a visit to the Two Lakes Bridge for a great perspective on Interlakken’s unique alpine position. Another option for pristine Alp viewing is the First Cliff Walk , which you can start in Grindelwald. Eat and Travel with Us has a great write up about how to do this! 

Day 9 + 10: Lucerne

Given the mountain views that you’ve just come from, I would recommend spending your two days in Lucerne simply enjoying this beautiful city. The views from Mount Pilatus are popular, but not nearly as lovely as the stops in Interlakken and St. Moritz. 

I genuinely loved my time in Lucerne because it is a scenic and quaint city that feels perfectly Swiss to me. The most iconic attraction in Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge , a 1300’s wooden bridge with painted interior panels telling the history and lore of Switzerland. The old town has been well-preserved and it is nice to window-shop while taking in the beautiful architecture. Next, walk along the old city walls and climb the watch towers for nice views of the city and lake Lucerne. I really enjoyed walking along the waterfront at night, when all the churches and old buildings are lit up. 

Lucerne is also a much more foodie city than some of the other stops on this list, so take advantage! We had a very nice (and moderately priced) lunch at Restaurant Mill’Feuille along the river in Old Town. For sunset drinks, it is hard to beat the rooftop terrace at the Montana Hotel . If there was one meal on this itinerary that I would recommend making a reservation for, it would be at Zur Werkstatt in Lucerne . We were lucky enough to sneak in as the last table that night without a reservation, but normally they are booked days ahead of time. Our dinner at Zur Werkstatt was a fun, creative and DELICIOUS meal during our 2 week trip through the Alps which we still remember fondly! 

Day 11: Vaduz, Liechtenstein

As one of the tiny micronations countries in Europe, Liechtenstein isn’t on most people’s “must-see” lists of Europe, but I wanted to add it to my Alps itinerary to cross off country number 54 for me. What Liechtenstein might not have in size, it makes up for in beauty with its stunning location nestled in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. Plus, the numbers of visitors to Liechtenstein versus its neighbors is minimal, and you’ll feel a nice reprieve from tourist crowds. 

You can easily see the major highlights of Vaduz in 24 hours, but there are ski resorts and mountain towns nearby if you wanted to spend an extra night or two. Park your car near the center of Vaduz, as you’ll be spending most of your day walking around. Start with a quick walk through the city center, where you can pop into a few museums such as the Stamp Museum or the Liechtenstein museum . At the end of the main street, keep walking towards the picturesque Red House .  

Have you ever wanted to sample wine made by a royal family? In Liechtenstein you can at the Hofkellerei des Fürsten von Liechtenstein (and they are surprisingly good)! A wine tasting will set you back about 15 CHF, but you could also pair it with lunch for a slight discount.

Castles are your final stop for your 24 hours in Liechtenstein. Drive up to the Vaduz Castle , which is still owned and inhabited by members of the royal family. You can’t go inside, but the photo op and view is nice. More picturesque in my opinion is the Gutenberg Castle , about 15 minutes away from Vaduz in Balzers. Perched precariously on top of a rocky outcropping in the middle of the city, Gutenberg Castle dates about to the 1200s!    

For dinner, enjoy the rustic ambiance at Adler Restaurant where you can sample a refined Käsknöpfle, the national dish of Liechtenstein. Similar to a cheese spaetzle or macaroni and cheese, this pasta dish mixes cheese and fried onions with a side of applesauce. If you want something fancier, Restaurant Marée is an experimental Michelin-starred restaurant with stunning views from its mountainside dining room.

Day 12 + 13: Bavaria 

As you round out your 2 week road trip in the Alps, you’ll start heading back towards Germany. If you aren't ready for this road trip to end yet, consider adding on a few extra days as you enter back into Germany. Bavaria is one of the most popular places to travel in Germany, thanks to it's well known culture and beautiful attractions. I live in Germany now, and you can find tons of my Germany-specific travel suggestions on my other blog, Ausländer. 

Thankfully you don't need extra days to enjoy some of Bavaria's most famous attractions. Such as Neuschwanstein Castle! Famous for its princess-like exterior, Neuschwanstein is rumored to have inspired Walt Disney’s interpretation of the Sleeping Beauty castle. Considered to be one of the most picturesque castles in all of Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle is well-trod by millions of tourists annually. A visit here is an organized experience. You’ll need to book your tickets several days or weeks in advance with a very specific time slot for your visit. Germans have no tolerance for tardiness so you’ll need to plan your arrival time accordingly.

You’ll have the option to book a ticket just for Neuschwanstein or to Hohenschwangau Castle as well. The price difference is marginal, and I actually liked the tour of Hohenschwangau Castle even better, so I would recommend doing the combined tour.  In total, the visit between the two castles will take about 4 hours. Neuschwanstein is located at the top of a small mountain which can be accessed on foot via steep paved walking trail, by horse-drawn carriage or by shuttle bus. The bus doesn't run in adverse weather and the hike takes about 25 minutes.

The absolutely heart-warming and adorable town of Mittenwald is one of my favorite small towns in Germany . I would absolutely recommend booking a hotel here for a night or two as you explore the Alpine region of Bavaria. It literally feels like you have walked onto a fairytale movie set with its painted facade buildings and hobbit-like hovels. There isn't necessarily anything "to do" in Mittenwald other than simply enjoying the cute streets and appreciating the Alpine scenery. It's a good home base for exploring this corner of Bavaria on your last few days of this epic 2 week roadtrip through the Alps. 

For a small town, Mittenwald has some surprisingly great restaurants. Try some local Bavarian cuisine at Gaststaette am Kurpark restaurant and wash it down with beer from Brauereigaststätte Postkeller . You should also get the pretzel soup there because it is fucking delightful. If you’re looking for something a little fancier, the tiny town of Mittenwald is even home to Michelin star eatery -- Das Marktrestaurant . 

Day 14: Return to Munich

If you find yourself with a few extra hours before heading back home (or onto other destinations) I would strongly recommend a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp museum and memorial. It is only about 20 minutes from the MUC airport, and of all the Jewish remembrance sites I’ve been to thus far (I haven’t been to Auschwitz), it is the most informative and powerful. I understand that dark tourism this isn’t the most cheerful experience to end your time in the Alps, but it is a very important part of German history and in my opinion, a must-visit place. 

What to Know About Driving in the Alps

When is the best time to go.

The Alps are a year-round destination with lovely things to offer in all four seasons, so you’ll want to determine which time is best for you depending on what type of activities you’re looking to do. If you’re a skier, then winter is obviously the ideal time. If you’re more into hiking, then summer would be better. If you want to enjoy fall colors, then autumn is best. We went in the middle of spring (last week of April and first week of May) and found the weather to be almost perfect with cool temperatures and low crowd numbers. 

What Type of Car is Best?

We managed to do the drive in a regular sedan without all-wheel drive. Although we were safe and overall it went fine, I think a four-wheel drive car would have been preferable. We got snow one day on our drive to Neuschwanstein and it was a little dicey. Plus, a little more horsepower would have made some of the mountain passes a bit easier. A few of the hills and highways get steep and our car felt like it was at max capacity. This advice is especially true if you are driving the Alps in the winter. You’ll need something that can handle slick or snowy conditions with ease. 

Road Conditions

Compared to what you are used to from the United States, the highway conditions in the Alps are spotless and immaculate. We were SO impressed but I guess it makes sense when you have people driving fancy sports cars at 100+ miles per hour. You need your roads to be in tip-top shape to prevent accidents! The signs along the highways here are easy to understand, and we had cell-reception for directions nearly the whole time.

One thing that you need to keep an eye on is your rear view mirror, especially in Germany. The German autobahn infamously does not have a speed limit in Bavaria, and cars will come whizzing by at 120-140 miles per hour. You could look in your mirror one second and see a car several hundred yards away, and a few seconds later, they are flashing their headlights at you on your bumper. Germans are especially fastidious about only using the left lane for passing, so it is best to stick to the right lane unless you are actively passing another car. If you don’t abide this rule, you can expect some honks, nasty looks and flashing headlights. 

Toll Roads & Highway Passes

Even though all of the countries on this itinerary are in the Schengen area, there are different laws about tolls and highway passes in each country. If you follow this itinerary, you don’t need to worry about anything in Germany since you’ll have a German car, but you will need to purchase a Vignette (highway toll sticker) for Austria and Switzerland. 

This is basically a prepaid toll sticker that gets scanned via RFID at various locations around the country. You need to adhere it to your front windshield in a specific place, which you can find instructions for on the sticker. You can buy these stickers at almost any gas station, especially near the highway, and they range in price and length of validity depending on the country. Some rental car companies will provide the Vignette for an upcharge, so ask about it when you pick up your rental car. 

All of the freeways (autobahn), federal highways (Bundesstraße) and expressways (Schnellstraßen) are cashless so this sticker is the only way you’ll be able to clear the toll booths. You can also get a pricey ticket from a police officer for not having one, so it is strongly advised to buy them before crossing any borders. 

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Day trip to Swiss Alps from Zürich

• November 2, 2019
• Visit Switzerland
• Day trip to Swiss Alps from Zürich , furka pass , gotthard pass , grimsel pass , grindelwald , Mount Pilatus Switzerland , mountain passes , Oberalp pass , oeschinensee , visit switzerland , zermatt

If you live in Zürich or just landed there, let’s explore the day trip to Swiss Alps from Zürich possibilities. Here I would like to recommend you my top 5 destinations which are very easily reachable by train or car from Zürich and you are going to have tons of fun!

Ok, so let’s jump in to my recommendations.

Table of Contents

No. 1 Ultimate Swiss mountain passes trip

It is very doable in one day, but for this ultimate adventure, I recommend to rent a car, but believe me, it’s going to be worth it.

Why car? With public transport you would need two days to make it in not a crazy pace and if you want to enjoy each mountain pass a bit. With buses you would just go by to the next one, to the next one, no time to relax, jump out, explore.

Ok, so for this day trip I really recommend renting a car in the Zürich airport or Zürich city. You can rent a car from 60 CHF in the airport (without insurance), so that would be even cheaper than all train and bus tickets.

When to do this adventure? I recommend summer time. You can do it in late Spring and early/mid Fall, but it can get risky as some mountain passes can be closed or in a bad condition.

When you get out from the airport/city, go straight to Grimsel Pass (put it on your GPS). It is about 133 kilometers and you should cover it in 2 hours, but don’t go just straight up to the top, visit the Grimsel Pass Hospiz which is a very very cool hotel on the big Swiss Alps lake and huge dam. It’s a perfect place for you Swiss Alps photoshoot: #LoveSwissAlps 🙂

Once you are on the top, have a coffee, relax, enjoy the lakes, mountains, views.

After you experienced Grimsel Pass it is time to continue and go down the mountain to Gletsch and then back up to Furka pass . This is maybe the most famous Swiss mountain pass. Why you ask? Because James Bond kicked ass in there 🙂 It was filmed in one of James Bond’s movies.

While you are driving to the top, don’t just rush to the top: stop by the Belvedere Hotel – it has a crazy beautiful location. There’s parking lot next to it, so you can have a bit longer stop. As well, there’s entrance to Rhone Glacier via souvenir shop, use the opportunity to see the real glacier: #ClimateChange.

As you go up from the Belvedere Hotel, another valley unravels and you reach the top of this mountain pass. From there, it is very easy to continue your trip to the mountain pass No. 3 – Gotthard Pass .

Gotthard Pass is just 27 kilometres from Furka pass, so it’s a fast drive. In Gotthard pass as well are couple of restaurants, hotels and even a museum, which I recommend to visit.

I think now in Gotthard Pass is a perfect time for you to have dinner, eat a fondue and relax a bit, you’ve already visited 3 mountain passes and saw so much. I hope that at this point you are really loving this one day trip from Zürich.

Now, let’s head to the last mountain pass: Oberalp Pass . It is again just 24 kilometres from Gotthard Pass and you are going to cross one of the most popular skiing resorts: Andermatt . It’s a very nice mountain village with a lot to offer: hiking, skiing, restaurants, hotels and other attractions.

In Oberalp Pass you can even find a lighthouse and a very big chance to see many many Swiss cows. Time to take pictures of these beauties. If it’s still not too late, you can hike a bit or even hike to Tomasee – the source of Rhein river (the biggest in Switzerland).

It’s a long, but very mountainous adventure in the Swiss Alps.

Some statistics for you:

All distance: Zürich – All mountain passes – Zürich – 332 kilometres.

Time spent: depending on how much you stop, eat, hike, shop – 6-8 hours.

Costs: 60-80 CHF car rent, gas costs 35 CHF, food for each – 20 CHF, in total: around 135 CHF .

Experience: you can not put a price tag on that, it will be with you forever 🙂

No. 2 Trip to Mount Pilatus from Zürich

Let’s have a look at our second option. Now, to Mount Pilatus you can easily go by train. It is a very popular destination in Switzerland and you get to ride a cable car or a cogwheel train up there.

You can go there with a car if you wish to be more flexible, but then you will have to park it by cable cars in Kriens or cogwheel train in Aplnachstad .

You can get tickets to Mount Pilatus right in Zürich, but you will have to change trains a few times, but don’t worry, Swiss trains work like a swiss clock – very good.

Now, to check all the time schedules and the latest prices, I recommend checking the official website: Swiss train connections . In the second window put PILATUS KULM and as it stands now, the price from Zürich to Mount Pilatus and back should cost around 136 CHF.

You can as well do a detour to Lucerne if you wish and enjoy that beautiful city which has many attractions, very beautiful lake promenade, medieval bridges over the lake and very well maintained cosy old town.

Mount Pilatus sits at 2,128 m, so it’s a very beautiful location and you can go there all year round, but I think in summer it’s the most beautiful: many many beautiful views from up there. Mount Pilatus has restaurants, shops and a hotel, so all you need is up there.

To get to Mount Pilatus is possible with a cable car and a cogwheel train: both options are stunning, so you can choose, but if you come with a train from Zürich, you will go up with cogwheel train, as cable car station is reachable just by bus from Lucerne. I go into more detail how to get there in my other blog post: How to get to Mount Pilatus .

Ok, so some statistic of this day trip from Zürich.

Time: back and forth from Zürich, depending on how much time you will spend there: around 6-7 hours. I suggest even to prolong it and do a detour to Lucerne, so it will be 8-9 hours.

Costs: train costs would be 136 CHF plus whatever you spend for souvenirs, food and other stuff. If you are a bigger group of 3-4 people , I would then suggest to rent a car and then just pay the 72 CHF fee of cable cars or cogwheel train to get to the top.

Memories: will be with you forever 🙂

No. 3 Trip from Zürich to Grindelwald

Grindelwald is a very cute Swiss village literally in the middle of the Swiss Alps. It has huge mountains all around it: Eiger, Jungfrau, Männlichen and has a lot to offer.

One thought: Grindelwald is maybe the best location to take Swiss cows in their huge mountainous meadows 🙂

Ok, so how to get there: easiest way – by train or car. Grindelwald is very well connected, so no worries there.

Just check the latest Swiss train connections and prices. As it stands now, the ticket price would be 162 CHF back and forth, SO if you are a bigger party, rent a car, you will save tons of money.

Grindelwald has many parking lots, but to save money once again, park in GRUND (it’s a village below Grindelwald, but they are connected, you won’t even feel the difference).

Once you are in Grindelwald: just walk around it, enjoy the nature, architecture, fondue smell from the restaurants 🙂

I can suggest you to do two things in Grindelwald: hike or go to Jungfraujoch.

What is Jungfraujoch ? It’s a huge mountain base sitting at 3,466 m – it is winter there all year round. It is reachable only by train from Grindelwald train station which goes in pretty fascinating places. Once it reaches Kleine Scheidegg (another mountain pass, mountain train station), it goes up into the mountain and you drive in the mountain for quite some time. Once you are in Jungfraujoch, it has the highest chocolate shop in Europe, the highest watch shop in Europe and many other things. It’s a really amazing place. What is the downside? It costs 164 CHF to go up there by train. I did it once, I don’t regret it, but it is a pricey attraction. To check all the schedules and prices go here: Jungfraujoch train .

If you wish to save up some money and still have a great time, you can hike around Grindelwald and it has many many hiking trails. I have written an article my 4 favourite hikes and each of them leads to great destinations, check it out: Best Grindelwald hikes .

Ok, so the statistic of No.3 day trip from Zürich.

Time: the train trip back and forth would take you around 5 hours and it really depends how much time you want to spend there. If you go to Jungfraujoch, add at least 3 more hours. The same applies to the hikes. So I would guess that the whole trip is 8-9 hours.

Costs: the train ticket is 162 CHF, so if you are not alone, better rent a car for that 60-80 CHF and save some money. Grindelwald is very easily reachable by car. If you wish to visit Jungfraujoch, add another 164 CHF for each.

Memories: make pictures of Swiss cows, Swiss mountains, Eiger mountain, Grindelwald village 🙂

No.4 Trip from Zürich to Zermatt

If Grindelwald is not the most famous Swiss village, Zermatt is.

It’s a small Swiss village next on the border to Italy and it has maybe the most famous mountain in the world after Mount Everest: Matterhorn. Haven’t heard about it? What about Toblerone chocolate? Yes, it is that mountain on the package.

Zermatt is a very special village and very much loved and preserved by Swiss people. It is only possible to drive there with electric cars. And you won’t be even able to go there with your Tesla. In that village, only the local services use their mini electric cars.

Ok, so how to reach Zermatt? By train or by car.

If you go by car, you will have to leave it in Täsch. It’s a village next to Zermatt and the last destination you can reach by car. You will have to park there and go from there by train OR hike. Once I did a hike from Täsch to Zermatt, it is very easy and beautiful. Have a look at my article about it: hiking from Täsch to Zermatt .

As always, check all the latest connections and prices of trains to Zermatt. The price can be a bit steep: back and forth it can go up to a whopping 250 CHF, so I would suggest renting a car, go to Täsch and go from there by train. Back and forth ticket is under 20 CHF.

Once you get to Zermatt you can as well explore the village, hike or go to the Matterhorn glacier paradise which is the highest cable car station in Europe: at 3,883 m. Once I was there, I fell that I am missing oxygen, it is that high.

If you choose to do this attraction, I really suggest to get out at each station and explore what is there: some places have beautiful old houses, lakes and maybe Swiss Alps sheep running around, you never know.

The price of the service to the top and back is 87 CHF, but please always check the latest prices here: Zermatt cable service.

As for hiking: it’s free. There is the Zermatt hiking map: Zermatt hiking routes. My suggestion: hike to Schwarzsee. It is amazingly beautiful up there.

Ok, so some statistic of this adventure:

Time: Zermatt is pretty far and the roads to it are not all just highways, so the total trip would be around 6 hours (back and forth with car or train), and then, if you choose hiking or cable cars, add 3-5 more hours.

Prices: If you go by car, you will save money. Then it would come to around 120 CHF for car rent and gas expenses. Add 10-15 CHF for parking, then train tickets from Täsch – 16CHF and you get to 150 CHF. You can hike from Täsch and save that 16 CHF. Cable cars would cost you 87 CHF. Hiking – free.

Memories: if it’s not cloudy, make as many pictures of Matterhorn as you can, it’s really beautiful and very well seen from Zermatt.

No. 5 From Zürich to Oeschinensee

I am not going to lie, I think Oeschinensee is the most beautiful Swiss Alps lake. Some are coming close, like Tomasee, but Oeschinensee is one of a kind.

Oeschinensee is very close to Kandersteg, and it is just a couple of hours from Zürich.

You can easily reach it by train, but from Kandersteg, I really recommend to take a hike to Oeschinensee.

Oeschinensee is just 5 kilometres from Kandersteg and the hike is very beautiful and not that hard: you will have to gain 500 meters in elevation. So if you go easy, no problem. I have done it once, have a look here: Oeschinensee hike .

The hike should take you 1h30 min if you take it easy.

You will be astonished by the end of your hike how beautiful the location and the lake is. It has some kind of strange colours, which are unusual to the eyes, it’s really cool. And as I was there: it was full of cows there. So picture time!

You can even do more hikes around the lake as it has big mountains all around or just enjoy your lunch by the lake. As well there is a restaurant, so no worries about the food.

Ok, so some statistics about this day trip from Zürich.

Time: if you go by car or train, back and forth would take you around 5 hours. The hike: another 3 hours. You can get there by train as well, but I would really suggest enjoying nature this time. So the total time of this adventure: 8-9 hours.

Costs: once again, I would suggest renting a car, so then it comes to 120 CHF total price.

Memories: if you are lucky and the cows are there: take pictures of them. It’s a really bizzare place to find them up there:)

These would be my 5 TOP suggestion for a day trip from Zürich. Of course, there are many more: you can go to Gantrisch Nature Park , Adelboden or Mount Rigi and so on and so forth. Switzerland has a looooooot to offer to everyone.

If you are a bigger group of friends or a family, I would suggest renting a car: then you are more flexible and you will even save some money. The prices for car rents I put is for the cheapest car, so if you wish to have a bigger car: prices can get to 100-150 CHF per day plus insurance, so be aware of that.

If you are in Switzerland just for a day, I would really suggest then to take the full package: take the cable cars, get up high in the mountains, see the white peaks, touch them, take pictures, it’s once in a lifetime opportunity to do so. If you are living in Switzerland, then take it easy, hike there, it’s really worth spending more time in those amazing places.

If you have any more questions about day trips from Zürich, please let me know, I will do my best to help you.

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Hi there! I’m Aurimas, a man behind Go Look Explore. I’m passionate about hiking, exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, and everything outdoors related. Let’s connect .

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Trip Report    

Global adventure - trek the swiss alps in the jungfrau region.

A successful 12 day hut-to-hut trek in the heart of the Swiss Alps – the Jungfrau Region. Challenging terrain, gorgeous views, and meaningful Mountaineers camaraderie added up to an amazing, bucket-list trip.

• Dates: Sun, Aug 11, 2024 — Sun, Aug 25, 2024
• Activity: Global Adventure - Trek the Swiss Alps in the Jungfrau Region
• Route/Place: Trek the Swiss Alps in the Jungfrau Region
• Activity Type: Backpacking & Global Adventures
• Trip Result: Successful
• Road Conditions: Road suitable for all vehicles

Exceptionally well-maintained and well-marked trails, with zero blowdowns and zero consequential water crossings.  Trek included sections of rocky terrain; narrow, moderate-consequence stretches on rock featuring chain or rope handholds; stairs; and ladders.

9 intrepid Mountaineers spent a glorious 12 days trekking hut-to-hut in Switzerland's Jungfrau region.  Before the start of our 12-day trek, we spent 2 nights in Interlaken so that we could acclimate to the time zone, rest, let any lost luggage catch up (we had none), and accommodate any flight delays (we had none).

"Rest" day in Interlaken: Hardergrat Trail 9.5 miles, 2800' gain, 5300' loss

Our "rest" day didn't include much resting: we all opted to have a day hike on the Hardergrat trail above Interlaken.  This ridge-line trail offered lots of views and elevation gain.  We knew that thunderstorms were forecast for the afternoon, so we descended after summiting Suggiturm and then caught a train back to Interlaken.  We arrived at our hotel just as the fierce thunderstorms arrived.

Day 1: Schynige Platte to Berggasthaus First 12.1 miles, 3600' gain, 3000' loss

Our official trek started with a bus + cog railway ride from Interlaken to Schynige Platte.  This touristy destination had nice views but was swamped with tourists, so we quickly got on trail and made our way to the Daube lookout and then the summit of Oberberghorn.

After a long but beautiful approach, we summited Faulhorn, home to the oldest mountain hotel in Switzerland:

We then made our way down to the gorgeous Bachalpsee before the final push to Berggasthaus First.

Day 2: Berggasthaus First to Glecksteinhütte 8.1 miles, 3000' gain, 2500' loss

Our day started with gorgeous views across the Grindelwald valley, with the Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn towering in the distance.  Much to our astonishment, we noticed a teensy-tiny dot on the mountainside across from us: Glecksteinhütte, our day's destination.  Seeing our destination so far away, and so high off the valley floor, drove home the point that this was going to be a long, challenging day.

We didn't need any more motivation, but the weather forecast provided it: thunderstorms arriving at 1:30pm.  On a day where we're ascending well above treeline.  So we remained focused, tried to be efficient with our breaks and our photo stops, and basically hauled ass.  Ascending the steep slopes of the gorge carved out by the Upper Grindelwald glacier, we passed through meadows, squeezed behind waterfalls, and admired the hanging glaciers above us.  All while keeping our eyes on the clouds.

We arrived at Glecksteinhütte at 1pm, just as it started to rain.  But as luck would have it, the thunderstorms never arrived and we soon had sunny skies.  We took advantage of our early arrival and the clear skies to have a lazy afternoon out on the patio.  In the end, Glecksteinhütte was our favorite hut of the entire trip.

Day 3: Glecksteinhütte to Berghaus Bäregg 8.2 miles, 2650' gain, 4450' loss

After an overnight stay full of laughter, fruit tarts, and glacier views, it was time for us to descend the Upper Grindelwald Glacier gorge, return to the Grindelwald Valley floor, and then ascend the Lower Grindelwald Glacier gorge.  A nice cool morning gave us ample time to soak in the gorge which we had hustled through the previous day, and we were treated to 2 base jumpers in wing suits flying by as they descended from the summit of Wetterhorn.

Back on the valley floor, we headed downhill, trekking past the car-accessible Hotel Wetterhorn and the gondola-accessible Pfingstegg.  Both were very busy with tourists, but we took advantage of the restaurant deck in Pfingstegg to take a break.

We finished the day by leaving the valley floor, just as we had the day before, but this time we ascended the Lower Grindelwald Glacier gorge.  And this time we had hot, sunny weather instead of the threat of thunderstorms.  And of course there were more meadows, waterfalls, and spectacular glaciers to absorb.

Day 4: Berghaus Bäregg to Berghaus Alpiglen 7.5 miles, 2600' gain, 3100' loss

Another day, another nice cool morning to descend a glacier-carved gorge (this time the Lower Grindelwald Glacier gorge) to the valley floor.  As with our descent of the Upper Grindelwald Glacier gorge on day 3, it was nice to see the gorge from a different perspective and with different lighting.

From the valley floor, we were able to see the thundering proglacial river flowing from the Lower Grindelwald Glacier:

We then followed the Eiger Trail during peak afternoon heat as we gradually ascended into Alpiglen.

Our timing was excellent, as rain arrived later in the evening.

Day 5: Berghaus Alpiglen to Kleine Scheidegg 0 miles, 0' gain, 0' loss

Our original plan was to make the short hike from Berghaus Alpiglen to Kleine Scheidegg and then have an optional (and pricey) train ride up to see the views at Jungfraujoch.  But the rain from the previous evening strengthened overnight and continued as we made our day 5 plans.  So we decided to make it a city day, exploring the cute but touristy village of Grindelwald, which was a short train ride away.

After a few hours of exploring, shopping, and eating in Grindelwald, we took the train up to Kleine Scheidegg and checked into our accommodations.

Day 6: Kleine Scheidegg to Mürren 8.7 miles, 900' gain, 4950' loss

Day 6 was a big descent day for us - almost 5000' of descent to be precise.  It was also the day where we'd transition from the Grindelwald Valley to the Lauterbrunen Valley.  Thankfully the prior day's rain had passed, but we unfortunately did have very cloudy skies.  As luck would have it, many of the day's highlights didn't rely on crystal clear skies.

We saw empty trains going up to (fogged in) Jungfraujoch:

We saw our first-ever hikers' jacuzzi:

We had some nice territorial views:

And we had a blast descending the crest of the Eiger Glacier's lateral moraine:

We were in awe while crossing the thundering crest of Trümmelbach Falls:

Switchback after switchback, we eventually arrived at the floor of the Lauterbrunen Valley.  A short walk and bus ride brought us to our first gondola ride of the trip: from Stechelberg to Mürren.  Rain returned just as the gondola was ascending, but thankfully we had a short walk from the Mürren gondola station to our hotel.

Day 7: "Rest" day in Mürren

We had a free day in Mürren to do as we pleased.  Even though Mürren was completely fogged in, the Jungfraujoch webcams showed good visibility.  So a few folks made the 4+ hour RT train ride to Jungfraujoch to get some spectacular views.  Others did the via ferrata between Mürren and Gimmelwald.  Others took the gondola up the Schilthorn.  Others relaxed or explored Mürren.

3 of us hiked up the Schilthorn, visiting the Stutz waterfall along the way (6.6 miles, 4850' gain, 550' loss).  We figured we wouldn't see anything, but we'd at least get a good workout.  We were in for a surprise!!!

Day 8: Mürren to Obersteinberg -- the long way 12.2 miles, 4650' gain, 4200' loss

After three days of clouds and rain, we were thrilled to wake up to clear, sunny skies.  It was time to trade the relative hustle and bustle of Mürren for the remote, rugged, absolutely gorgeous head of the Lauterbrunnen Valley.  From Mürren, we descended to Gimmelwald, the small mountainside village that triggered the trip leader's obsession with the Jungfrau region over a decade ago.  We continued past Gimmelwald to the valley floor and then trekked alongside Weisse Lütschine, eventually entering the UNESCO World Heritage site.  We explored the head of the Lauterbrunnen Valley clockwise, hiking up rock, through meadows, and above waterfalls.  The mountains and glaciers at the head of the valley loomed larger with every step.

We eventually dropped our packs and ascended a moraine ridge to reach the small, primitive Schmadrihütte.

We then continued around the head of the valley to the emerald-colored Oberhornsee...

...and then downstream...

...to Berghotel Obersteinberg, where we had no showers, no electricity, but a magical dinner by candlelight.

Day 9: Obersteinberg to Rotstock-Hütte 7 miles, 3700' gain, 3150' loss

Today we exited the Lauterbrunnen Valley, our home for the past 2+ days, and entered the Sefinental Valley.  While we were disappointed to leave the Lauterbrunnen Valley, we were looking forward to getting one last overview of the valley from the spectacular Tanbödeli viewpoint.

Things initially looked promising...

...but fog arrived as we made our ascent from Obersteinberg...

...and the views from the spectacular Tanbödeli viewpoint were, well...

...not spectacular.  Life in the backcountry.

And of course, things cleared up just after we descended from  Tanbödeli viewpoint and started making our way around the bend into the Sefinental Valley:

We also had great views of Gimmelwald...

...as well as a lovely, distant view of the Stutz waterfall, which the Schilthorn dayhikers had hiked behind two days prior:

After a steep descent to the floor of the Sefinental Valley, we began hiking upstream, parallel to Sefinen-Lütschine.

We then turned uphill, away from the river, making a steep ascent...

...to Rotstock-Hütte.

Day 10: Rotstock-Hütte to Berghaus Bundalp 9.3 miles, 2850' gain, 4000' loss

Today was our first day on the Via Alpina.  Our ascent started immediately upon leaving Rotstock-Hütte as we made our way up to Sefinenfurgge, the pass between Hundshore and Bütlasse.

Our original plan was to follow the Via Alpina down from the pass, all the way to Berghaus Bundalp:

That plan quickly changed when - at the summit - we noticed a high route leading back into the UNESCO site.  Looking at our maps, we saw that this high route also led to Berghaus Bundalp, but indirectly and in the shadow of multiple peaks and a glacier.  We had a group discussion and all agreed that we should take this high route.

We LOVED it - the route was remote, offering interesting and challenging terrain:

and unobstructed views of Gamchigletscher:

Critically, this route allowed us to take a break for drinks and fruitcake at Gspaltenhornhütte:

We were all smitten with this hut, and to be honest we wished that we had stayed here instead of Berghaus Bundalp.

This revised route turned out to be our favorite section of the entire trip!

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Savvy travelers seek ‘dupes’ to beat the crowds at popular destinations

Imagine strolling through serene streets, enjoying breathtaking views, and savoring local delicacies – all without the hustle and bustle of crowded tourist hotspots. This dream is becoming a reality for savvy travelers turning to lesser-known “dupe” destinations.

A recent study in the American Express Travel Global Travel Trends Report shows 89% of travelers crave new and unique experiences, leading them to uncover hidden gems that match the beauty and excitement of popular spots minus the overwhelming crowds and high costs.

Our favorite dupe travel destinations

Instead of Paris, with its bustling streets and long lines at the Eiffel Tower, travelers find solace in the serene beauty of Lyon. Known for its exquisite cuisine and vibrant cultural scene, Lyon offers a more relaxed pace while still delivering the quintessential French experience.

Frequent traveler Alicia Richards bypassed Paris, sharing, “I love France, but the crowds in the summer made our family choose Belgium instead. It has similar landscapes and amazing cities, just far less touristy.”

Reykjavik is emerging as a viable Copenhagen alternative. While both cities offer Nordic charm, Reykjavik’s otherworldly landscapes, geothermal springs, and Northern Lights sightings stand out. It’s a dream destination for those seeking both urban and natural wonders.

Fans of the Amalfi Coast are discovering Puglia’s unspoiled coastline. This southern Italian region boasts stunning beaches, historic towns, and a rich culinary heritage without the Amalfi Coast’s peak season tourist crowds.

The ancient city of Kanazawa challenges Kyoto, Japan’s historical allure. The Ishikawa Prefecture capital offers well-preserved samurai and geisha districts, beautiful gardens, and traditional crafts while maintaining a more laid-back atmosphere than tourist-heavy Kyoto.

Tourists in South America replace the bustling streets of Rio de Janeiro with the equally vibrant yet less crowded city of Salvador. Known for its colonial architecture and stunning coastal views, Salvador provides a rich cultural experience at a fraction of the cost.

Adventure seekers, usually drawn to the rugged landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island, set their sights on Tasmania, Australia. Tasmania’s wild terrain varies from pristine beaches to dense rainforests and offers ample opportunities for hiking, wildlife spotting, and exploring geological formations.

Similarly, the Swiss Alps have a worthy counterpart in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. This lesser-known region provides stunning mountain vistas, excellent skiing, and charming alpine villages without the Swiss Alps’ high prices and crowds. Next month, I’ll explore the Julian Alps for two weeks. By booking Slovenia over Switzerland, I can take a trip nearly three times longer for the same price.

Other dupes worth considering

Instead of Sydney’s Blue Mountains, consider Adelaide Hills. This charming wine region is only a three-hour flight from Sydney and promises unique charm, delicious food and wine, and incredible scenery.

Intimidated by Istanbul? Try Bodrum instead. While Istanbul is one of my favorite cities, it can be overwhelming and chaotic for a casual traveler. Bodrum offers similar experiences on a smaller scale.

Often referred to as “Little Istanbul,” this charming city of 50,000 boasts bustling bazaars, fresh seafood, a lively nightlife, and stunning beaches along the sparkling blue Aegean Sea.

The US Virgin Islands are gorgeous and easily accessed but can have a hefty price tag. Those seeking an affordable beach vacation will fall in love with St. Kitts and Nevis, a two-island nation known for its sparkling seas, friendly locals, and history that elevates any sun-soaked getaway.

St. Kitts is busier and more developed, while Nevis’ appeal is its lush nature and laid-back vibe. Both islands are perfect for “limin’,” the local term for sipping tropical rum concoctions and hanging out.

Domestic dupes can help those hoping to stay close to home. With its striking red rock landscapes and vibrant art scene, Sedona has long been a favorite vacation spot in the American Southwest.

Santa Fe, New Mexico, is just a state away and uniquely blends culture, history, and natural beauty.

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Fe offers a wealth of experiences for those seeking inspiration and adventure.

Visiting popular locations off-season: another way to beat the crowds

Daria Bachmann of Explore Baja California offers her strategy for avoiding crowds. “I love Europe in summer, but many popular destinations in the Mediterranean are crowded and expensive during this time of the year, so I decided to visit Costa Rica in June, which is part of the ‘green season.’ Although it can rain, the precipitation is usually sporadic and happens in the afternoon. Since June is the beginning of the low season in Costa Rica, you can get great deals on tours, hotels, and car rentals.”

I recently returned from a visit to Scotland and Yorkshire in the United Kingdom during the off-season. While it did rain a few days during my trip, my premium accommodations, popular tours, and airfare cost $600 less than they would during the busy season.

Travel dupes relieve overtourism pressures

Aside from helping travelers’ budgets, exploring new travel destinations can help relieve congestion and overtourism in places now too popular for their own good.

Smaller Greek Isles such as Naxos offer excellent opportunities to explore Greece without the packed streets of Santorini

Many once charming places, such as Santorini or Venice, and even US national parks like Glacier and Yellowstone, feel the effects of overtourism, placing limits on tourists and issuing fees.

Smaller Greek Isles such as Naxos offer excellent opportunities to explore Greece without the packed streets of Santorini, whereas Treviso is a superb dupe for Venice.

For National Parks, I recommend lesser-visited parks such as Kobuck Valley to witness the incredible Caribou migration, or North Cascades – my favorite – for jaw-dropping mountain views and the most glaciers in the continental US.

As the world becomes more accessible, the desire for unique and less crowded travel experiences grows. These “dupe” destinations provide respite from the typical tourist traps and offer a chance to discover new cultures, cuisines, and landscapes. The rewards are plentiful and unforgettable for travelers willing to venture off the well-worn path.

With alternative destinations like these, the thrill of discovery is just a flight away, proving that sometimes, the best adventures lie in the unexpected. [Wealth of Geeks/AP]

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NYC seniors are skydiving, hiking the Alps and traveling the world — all while warding off dementia — with VR

O n a summer afternoon when most New Yorkers were chaining themselves to the nearest air conditioner, the residents of the New Jewish Home on West 106th Street were enjoying a very active day.

There was the trip to Broadway, a cuddle with puppies, a diving adventure on the high seas and skydiving above the Swiss Alps — and all without breaking a sweat.

For Walter Delascasas, 77, the highlight of the day’s adventures was a nostalgic visit to the street in Havana where he grew up.

It was all still there — he was even able to “recognize the trees” from when he was a kid.

Delascasas and his neighbors were able to effortlessly travel the world — and still be home in time for dinner — with a little help from virtual reality company Mynd Immersive, which believes that the technology assumed to rot younger generations’ minds can boost the brains of the elderly.

And pixels aren’t just for kids: New Jewish is one of 60 nursing facilities in New York and New Jersey where the “Great American Elderverse,” as Mynd bills it, will fully roll out in the coming months as part of an initiative to improve senior citizens’ cognition and quality of life.

Seniors, with the help of caregivers, can slip on one of Mynd’s futuristic headsets and they’re plopped into a realistic panoramic environment — even places personal or nostalgic to the user — that can benefit mental health.

Through Google Earth and other tech, Mynd has created more than 200 “senior-friendly” games, immersive videos and virtual vacations that allow residents to “travel the world” without leaving the nursing home.

For most at this age, it offers them an experience they wouldn’t dream of in real life.

Brooklynite Elizabeth Albedia, 60, who engaged in a “Planet Earth”-style underwater diving simulation, said she felt she was “right there with the sharks” — but without the risk of getting chomped by the deep-sea predators.

“I never experienced that before,” Albedia told The Post.

Lorrie James avoided a jaunt with “Jaws” and instead opted for a virtual visit to the Great White Way to take in a performance of — and a behind-the-scenes peek at — the long-running Broadway hit “The Lion King.”

“The lion came actually onstage with the performers, and we were able to see what was going on backstage,” the 53-year-old told The Post. “You forget where you’re at at the present moment; [it’s] a thousand times better than using your imagination.”

And widower Cecilia Ferreiro, 65, from Ecuador, choked up while recounting how she digitally retraced a vacation to Spain that she’d taken with her husband 30 years ago.

“It looked a little different but the same atmosphere,” said Ferreiro. “I loved it.” In the future, she hopes to travel to virtual versions of Africa and Asia.

“The four walls [of nursing home rooms] become sometimes bland, sometimes depressing,” Chris Brickler, Mynd Immersive’s CEO and co-founder, told The Post, explaining that the company is “taking somebody that might be agitated about the state that they’re in, allowing them to go to a beach or a mountain or a lake.”

Along with lessening feelings of loneliness , virtual reality games have been shown to enhance memory by improving players’ ability to differentiate between old and new environments, according to research .

These VR adventures are part of a treatment known as reminiscence therapy, which typically involves showing seniors photos and other reminders of their youth to cultivate joy. A 2022 study found that VR reminiscence improved “anxiety, apathy and cognitive function immediately after intervention in individuals at elderly care facilities.”

According to a recent Stanford University study conducted in collaboration with Mynd, 79% of older adults said they felt more positive after using the technology and more than half felt less isolated.

Plus, these “Avatar”-esque adventures, Brickler said, “allow folks that are less mobile and sometimes cognitively on the decline to feel like they have some agency.”

And it’s working at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale by RiverSpring Living, which started with several headsets from Rendever in 2021.

The residential care home now has around 50 headsets for daily group immersion sessions, ranging from virtual vacations to spinning classes.

David Siegelman, Hebrew Home’s senior vice president of quality and corporate compliance, said he’s noticed a positive effect on residents.

The communal setup of the Rendever VR sessions helps seniors bond, explaining how he’s seen users “increase the size of their social networks” and even participate in more community events outside of the virtual world.

While Siegelman said it’s “just one tool in our toolbelt for dementia,” one person with advanced dementia was able to reconnect with his musical background as an opera singer thanks to VR.

“[The staff] would bring in an iPad or an iPod with opera. He would smile and he’d like it,” he said. “We couldn’t find opera on the VR, but we found a whole philharmonic performance.”

“We put the headset on him and we played it, and we just sat back and we let him watch it,” Spiegelman recalled. “It came to an end, and as we’re taking off the headset, he starts breaking out an operatic song.

“You could see how it was comforting to him.”