3-Day Jungfrau Itinerary from Interlaken, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen

Three days are perfect for exploring the Jungfrau Region. This itinerary covers all the best things to do in the area, from a base in Interlaken, Grindelwald, or Lauterbrunnen.

The Jungfrau Region is the most dramatic part of the Bernese Oberland, an area of the Swiss Alps stretching from Bern to Lucerne.

Tucked into this UNESCO-listed region is the highest railway station in Europe, a rotating restaurant on a mountaintop used by James Bond, and a dramatic walk clinging to the cliffs.

The views are exceptional, with turquoise glacial lakes, sheer-sided valleys and cute villages all backed by the “Big Three” snowcapped mountains of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Paul and I have been many times and these views never fail to impress.

Jungfrau can get very busy, but with good reason. An interconnected network of trains and cable cars makes even the most incredible viewpoints accessible to everyone.  

So, it’s important to have a clear plan for visiting the area so that you can see the best sights at the right time while avoiding the crowds.

This 3-day Jungfrau itinerary covers what to do in the area with a day-by-day breakdown.

We’ve also added a few all-important tips for saving money and recommendations for staying in Interlaken, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen.

If you have more or less time, we have suggested amendments for 1, 2, 4 and 7-day itineraries.

WHERE IS THE JUNGFRAU REGION?

The Jungfrau Region is the most dramatic part of the Bernese Oberland, an area of the Swiss Alps that stretches from Bern to Lucerne.

The region consists of three areas:

• Interlaken
• Grindelwald Valley
• Lauterbrunnen Valley

Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau Region. This town is the adventure capital of Switzerland and is well-served by trains from all directions.

Two valleys stretch north of Interlaken toward the “Big Three” mountains of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.

Grindelwald Valley is inthe northwest, where the charming village of Grindelwald sits on idyllic grassy slopes.

To the northeast, the 400-meter-high rocky walls of the Lauterbrunnen Valley dwarf the town of the same name.

JUNGFRAU ITINERARY OVERVIEW

We suggest spending three full days in the Jungfrau region and have designed an itinerary that covers all the best attractions.

• Day 1 explores the Grindelwald Valley and the mountains above it.
• Day 2 explores the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the villages perched on its walls.
• Day 3 explores the area around Interlaken with an optional day trip to Oeschinen Lake.

We have written this itinerary assuming you are staying in Interlaken.

However, the excellent network of trains and cable cars means you can easily complete the itinerary from Interlaken, Grindelwald, or Lauterbrunnen.

We have stayed in all three, and each has its charms.

At the end of this guide, we discuss the pros and cons of each and suggest amendments to extend your time in Jungfrau for up to five days.  

MAP OF JUNGFRAU REGION

Below is a map of the Jungfrau region provided by Jungfrau.ch.

The Eiger Express, a new cable car from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher, is not shown. But we’ve been on it, so we assure you it is there!

DAY 1: JUNGFRAU ITINERARY

Day 1 of this itinerary explores the Grindelwald Valley and the mountains above it. It visits two of the region’s highlights, Jungfraujoch and First.

JUNGFRAUJOCH

We suggest starting today by heading to the top of the Jungfraujoch.

The Jungfraujoch railway station is in the saddle between the Mönch and Jungfrau mountains. It is 3,454m high and is reached by a cog train that tunnels behind the face of the Eiger Mountain.

From the railway station, a lift whisks you up another 100 metres to the Sphinx Observation Deck.

Known as the “Top of Europe,” the views are staggering. The highlight is the Aletsch Glacier, a river of ice that grinds its way between 4,000-meter-high mountains and is the longest glacier in the Alps.

In the other direction, on a clear day, you can see as far as the Black Forest in Germany.

The Jungfraujoch complex has shops, a café, and an Ice Palace with several ice sculptures and a brief multimedia experience of the Jungfrau Panorama.

GETTING TO AND FROM THE JUNGFRAUJOCH

There are two ways to get to the Jungfraujoch: by train, or by a combination of train and a new tri-cable gondola called the Eiger Express.

To get the best variety of views, we suggest you do both.  

Depending on where you are staying, you can take the train via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. In peak season, we suggest reserving tickets in advance for the cog train section from Eigergletscher or Kleine Scheidegg to Jungfraujoch.

On the way back, take the train from Jungfraujoch to Eigergletscher and then the Eiger Express to Grindelwald Terminal.

When you change at Eigergletscher, we suggest you get out and take in the views of tongues of ice clinging to the mountainside before continuing.

GRINDELWALD

From Grindelwald Terminal, it is a thirty-minute walk to the Firstbahn Cable Car Station at the other end of the village.

This is an excellent opportunity to explore Grindelwald and gaze at the towering mountains around you.

Mount Eiger, which is 3,967 meters high and has a vertical drop of 1,800 meters, dominates the scene. Its north face is a mecca for climbers.

FIRST

Take the six-seater gondola that runs through Bort and Sckreckfeld to First. It is one of the longest cable car rides we have ever taken, lasting 25 minutes.

There are plenty of things to do at First, just make sure you check the time of the last cable car. It’s a long walk if you miss it!

We suggest taking the First Cliff Walk, a 300-metre metal walkway suspended on the side of a cliff under the cable car station. It ends at an excellent viewing platform perched over Grindelwald Valley.

If you have time (which we did), you could also hike from First to Bachalpsee.

This 5.5-kilometre round trip takes between 90 minutes and 2.5 hours, depending on how quickly you walk and how long you stop for photos. The views over the lake and up to Wetterhorn are excellent.

You can find a map and instructions on our best hikes near Interlaken post.

Finally, you can choose from various activities on the way down.

• First Flyer is a zipline down to Schreckfeld Cable Car Station.
• First Glider drags you backwards from Schreckfeld and then glides you back down at 83 kilometres per hour.
• First Mountain Cars are 3-wheel carts you can ride between Schreckfeld and Bort.
• First Trottibike is a scooter run between Bort and Grindelwald.

End the day with dinner in Grindelwald before heading home to Interlaken or wherever you are staying.

DAY 2: JUNGFRAU ITINERARY

Day 2 of this itinerary explores the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the villages perched on its valley walls, and the Schilthorn.

We have packed a lot into this day, so you will need to start early otherwise, you might need to skip one of the options. Read through and decide before setting off.

MÜRREN

Start the day by taking the train to Lauterbrunnen and then the funicular to Grütschalp (it opens at 6 a.m. in summer).

From Grütschalp, hop on the train to Mürren. We recommend getting a seat on the left side for the best views.

Mürren is a beautiful, car-free village perched on the precipitous rocky walls of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Its wooden chalets offer excellent views across the Jungfrau region, and the town has a cute mix of boutiques and cafes.

Grab an early morning coffee and watch the world go by.

SCHILTHORN

For some of the best views in the Jungfrau Region, take the cable car up to Schilthorn (opens at 08:10 am in summer).

The 2,970-meter summit is crowned by Piz Gloria, a rotating restaurant featured in James Bond’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (OHMSS)—the one with George Lazenby.

The restaurant serves a pricy brunch until 2 pm, which you can enjoy while it completes its 45-minute rotation. We didn’t do this; we had coffee in Mürren to save both money and time on this busy day. But I’m sure it would be a great experience.

Next door, Bond World has memorabilia from a range of films, and a cinema plays the highlight of OHMSS.

Outside, the Skyline Viewing platform offers sweeping 360-degree views, an excellent contrast to the narrow view of snow and ice from the Jungfraujoch.

On the return cable car to Mürren, stop at Birg, where you can take the “Birg Thrill Walk.”

This activity involves walking on a tightrope, crawling through a mesh tunnel, and standing on a glass floor clinging to the cliffs. (It is partly closed until 2026 for redevelopment.)

LAUTERBRUNNEN VALLEY

From Mürren, take the cable car down to Gimmelwald.

This tiny village is no more than a collection of wooden huts. Exploring its rustic charm may only take a few minutes, but it’s a spot worth savouring.

Next, take the cable car down to Stechelberg, situated at the southern end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. This valley is one of the most dramatic in Europe. Its walls reach up to 400metre high, and when it rains, up to 72 waterfalls plunge to the valley floor,

Two waterfalls are worth visiting: the Trümmelbach Falls and Staubbach Falls.

The Trümmelbach Falls (April to November, 9 am to 5 pm) are Europe’s largest subterranean waterfalls. Carved by glacial meltwater from the Mönch, Eiger, & Jungfrau mountains, up to 20,000 litres per second crash through the tunnels.

Deep inside the valley walls, the 10 roaring falls are accessible by a series of lifts, tunnels, and platforms.

The bus from Stechelberg to the falls takes 10 minutes (every 20-30 minutes), and it takes about 1 hour to hike the metal walkways and explore the subterranean complex.

Next, take the bus (13 minutes) or walk (45 minutes) to Lauterbrunnen train station. The Staubbach Falls are just outside the village. You can take a short walk to them, but the best views (in our opinion) are from the train to Wengen.

So, hop on the train and sit on the right-hand side facing backwards, taking photos as you go.

MÄNNLICHEN

If you started early and moved pretty quickly, you should have enough time to take the cable car from Wengen to Männlichen.

The view from the summit, overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley, is one of our favourites in the Alps.

Return to Wengen and head back to Interlaken or wherever you are staying for a well-earned rest.

DAY 3: JUNGFRAU ITINERARY

Day 3 of this Jungrau Itinerary explores the area closest to Interlaken. You have a few choices:

• Option 1 – Take the cog train to Shynige Platte in the morning and join a lake cruise or an adventure activity in the afternoon.
• Option 2 – Take an all-day trip to Oeschinen Lake.

SHYNIGE PLATTE

Shynige Platte is one of the few places where you can see both the Big Three mountains—Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau—and the shimmering blue lakes of Thun and Brienze.

Take the train from Interlaken to Wilderswil and then change onto the cogwheel train to Schynige Platte. 

Built in 1892, the vintage train with wooden carriages climbs 1,420 metres over 7.3 kilometres. Winding in and out of the trees, glimpses of 4,000-metre mountains flicker through the windows.

From Schynige Platte train station, several well-signed Panorama Trails range from 50 minutes to just over 2 hours.

We recommend the longest hike, the Panoramaweg Loucherhorn, which is 5.6 kilometres long and takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

This hike has only 150 metres of ascent and descent, so it’s not too difficult. The section of the ridge walk that goes past Oberberghorn towards Loucherhorn is easy and wonderful. 

Another good option is the Panoramweg Oberberghorn, which takes 1.5 hours.

LAKE CRUISE OR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY

Next, head to Interlaken and either slow down by joining an afternoon lake cruise or dial it up by taking an adventure activity.

There are two lakes to choose from.

Lake Thun offers excellent views of the “Big Three” in the distance and striking towns with castles dot its shores.

Lake Brienze is more turquoise in colour and resembles a Norwegian Fjord. Villages surround the edges, but the high, snow-capped mountains are hidden behind Shynige Platte.

Lake Thun Cruises leaves from the western end of Interlaken, whereas Lake Brienze leaves from the eastern end. Check the timetables and make your choice. Paul and I still can’t decide which we prefer.

If you fancy an adventure, there are many to choose from.

• Paraglide from Beatenberg
• Kayak on Lake Brienz
• Skydiving
• Canyoning just outside Interlaken
• Whitewater Rafting on the Lütschine River

Depending on the timing, you may move the cruise and/or adventure activity to the morning and Shynige Platte to the afternoon. 

OESCHINEN LAKE

The other option for Day 3 of this Itinerary in Interlaken is to take the train to Kandersteg and explore Oeschinen Lake.

Although this lake is not in the Jungfrau Region, it is a beautiful part of the wider Bernese Oberland area.

The turquoise glacial lake sits in a cauldron of mountains and is one of the most dramatically set in the Alps. You can swim or row on the lake and grab a great lunch from one of the huts overlooking it.

We hiked the Panoramaweg, which winds high above its shores. It’s one of the best hikes in Switzerland, and we highly recommend it.

Our Oeschinen Lake Guide provides all the instructions. 

HARDER KULM

Whichever of the above options you choose, spend the evening at Harder Kulm.

The Harder Kulm funicular in Interlaken opens much later than most other cable cars in the region. The views are also stunning so it’s the perfect destination for sunset.

A viewing platform perched on the end of the mountain offers sweeping views over Interlaken, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienze.

Behind the viewing platform is a bar and restaurant, so grab a beer or a glass of wine and wind away the hours as the sun drops over the horizon. Or the rain comes down, as it did for us!

Once you have had your heart’s content, head back to where you are staying, ensuring you have not missed the last train.

HOW MANY DAYS IN THE JUNGFRAU REGION

We suggest spending three days in the Jungfrau Region. This, we think, is the perfect balance between seeing the region’s sights and leaving time to explore other parts of Switzerland.

However, here are some amendments to our itinerary if you have more or less time:

One Day – If you only have one day, we suggest you complete day 1 by visiting the Jungraujoch and First and ending the day with sunset on Harder Kullm.

Two Days – If you have two full days, complete the first two days of this itinerary and add the sunset view at Harder Kulm when possible.

Four Days – If you have four days, you can do Shynige Platte on day 3 and Oeschinen Lake on day 4.

One Week – If you are an avid hiker, you may want to spend up to a week. There are many great trails to complete that we have not mentioned in this post. Here are just a few:

• Faulhornweg – All day hike from Shynige Platte to First 7 hours
• Eiger Trail – Half-day hike under the mighty north face of the Eiger
• Hardnergrat – Hair-raising all-day hike along a very narrow ridge.

You can find instructions and maps on our best hikes near Interlaken post.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE JUNGFRAU REGION

There are three good places to stay in the Jungfrau Region: Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen. We have stayed in all three. Each has good transport links, but they have different charms.

INTERLAKEN

PROS

The gateway to the Jungfrau, you need to pass through Interlaken to reach all the main sights. It is a decent-sized town with good facilities and lots of restaurants.

Set on a river between Lakes Thun and Brienze, it is a great base for lake cruises. As Switzerland’s adventure capital, it is also excellent for activities.

The excellent transport links make it the most convenient base for exploring the Jungfrau region and the rest of the Bernese Oberland. It’s also very easy to do a day trip to the beautiful Oeschinen Lake.

There are also direct trains to Bern or another great Alpine destination, Lucerne.

CONS

Interlaken is a larger base, so it doesn’t have that cute Alpine feel. Also, the 4,000m high snow-capped peaks are only visible through a small gap in the lower surrounding mountains.

While the transport network is good, the two main train stations are a 20-minute walk apart.

GRINDELWALD

PROS

Set on sweeping green slopes surrounded by towering peaks, Grindelwald is the place to stay if you want to truly feel like you are in the mountains.

Snow-covered peaks are visible in all directions, with the mighty north face of the Eiger dominating the scene.

The meadows are dotted with tiny wooden chalets bedecked with flowers, and there are excellent cable car links to First, Männlichen and Jungfraujoch.

It’s a charming town with stunning, expansive scenery.

CONS

Grindelwald can feel hectic during peak season and restaurants often need to be booked in advance.

You also need to make your way to Interlaken to visit other sights in the Bernese Oberland, such as Oeschinen, Bern, and Lucerne.

LAUTERBRUNNEN

PROS

Lauterbrunnen is beautifully set between the sheer walls of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. After rain, up to 72 waterfalls cascade over the valley walls, making it magical.

It is smaller than Grindelwald and has more of a village atmosphere. When the crowds go in the evening, there are many great hikes near Lauterbrunnen to try.

Transport links to Jungfraujoch, Murren, and Schilthorn leave directly from the village.

CONS

During the day, the village atmosphere can be overwhelmed as visitors from Grindelwald and Interlaken pile in.

As with Grindelwald, you need to travel via Interlaken to reach other sights in the Bernese Oberland, such as Oeschinen, Bern, and Lucerne.

SWISS TRAVEL PASSES

The costs of cable cars and trains quickly add up. Fortunately, the region offers a series of passes that help to reduce costs.

JUNGFRAU PASS

The Jungfrau Pass offers free travel throughout the Jungfrau Region, except for the cog train from Eigergletscher to Jungfraujoch (but there is a discount on this journey).

This pass can be purchased for 3 to 8 days and covers everything on this itinerary except the optional day trip to Oeschinen Lake.

BERNESE OBERLAND PASS

The Bernese Oberland Pass offers free travel throughout the wider Bernese Oberland area, except for the cog train from Eigergletscher to Jungfraujoch (but there is a discount on this journey also).

The pass can be purchased for three, four, six, eight, or ten days and covers everything on this itinerary. You can also use it to travel to Bern, Lucerne, and other destinations in the Bernese Oberland.

Both of the above passes are worth getting if you plan on completing all the journeys on this itinerary.

SWITZERLAND PASSES

If you spend more time in Switzerland, one of the country-wide passes might make sense.

 The most popular are:

• Swiss Travel Pass – Free travel on trains, buses and boats in Switzerland
• Swiss Half Card Pass – Half-price travel on trains, buses and boats in Switzerland

These passes do not cover cable cars and cog trains, but they offer a discount (usually about 25 to 30%) on purchasing the regional passes.

Whenever we travel to Switzerland which is usually for 10 days to 2 weeks, we find a combination of the Swiss Half Card with regional cards, the most cost-effective way to visit.

MORE SWITZERLAND GUIDES

• Try one of these amazing hikes near Lauterbrunnen.
• See the beautiful Oeschinen Lake on the most scenic hike in the area.
• These hikes near Interlaken range from Easy to Challenging.
• Ready for a city break? We loved medieval Bern.
• Here are the best things to do in Lucerne.
• Looking for more? Read about our favourite places to visit in Switzerland.
• These are our 12 favourite hikes in Switzerland.