Lauterbrunnen Travel Guide
Lauterbrunnen is one of the best destinations in Switzerland! It’s the gateway to the Jungfrau Region and it is also referred to as “The Valley Of 72 Waterfalls”.
We visited Lauterbrunnen in the summer of 2018. We recommend spending around 2-3 days here to make the most out of your visit.
Lauterbrunnen Switzerland is so insanely beautiful that you’ll feel like you are standing in a real-life postcard!
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know including how to get there, where to stay, top things to do, where to eat, the best time to visit, and more!
Best time to visit
The best time to visit depends on what you plan to do. If you are planning on cycling or hiking then you’ll want to time your visit during summer.
We personally prefer the spring and summer months in Switzerland which is April through to September when temperatures are warm and the landscapes are vividly green.
If you don’t mind the cold, visiting in winter between December and March is absolutely magical because the mountains are completely covered in glistening white snow. Visiting in winter also means you can go skiing in the Swiss Alps.
Where is Lauterbrunnen?
Lauterbrunnen is located in the center of Switzerland in the Jungfrau Region among the Swiss Alps, with 5 mountains in the same area!
How to get to Lauterbrunnen
There are many transportation options available when searching for how to get here and it all depends on where you are traveling from within Switzerland.
We went by train from Lucerne so we focus on that below, but will have a blog post featuring travel from other areas soon.
When planning a trip to Switzerland, one of the best and most popular ways to get around the country is by using the all-in-one Swiss Travel Pass which includes the majority of trains, buses, and boats throughout the whole of Switzerland.
Once you have purchased the Swiss Travel Pass online, you’ll receive an email with your tickets that you will have to print and keep with you at all times.
Buy your Swiss Travel Pass below.
To get from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen offers you the choice of taking the train, catching the bus, or driving. All routes offer spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
BY TRAIN:
The train from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen takes around two and a half hours and involves a change at Interlaken for the last twenty minutes of your travel. The journey will cost you around $30 / £22 in total or you could use your Swiss Travel Pass
BY CAR:
Lauterbrunnen is only a 1-hour car ride away from Lucerne, through the mountains and along the lakeside, this is an enjoyable and beautiful way to travel from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen.
BY BUS:
Getting to Lauterbrunnen from Lucerne follows the same road route as if travelling by car, however, there is a stop in Interlaken and the journey takes about an hour longer due to the stop and the slower traveling speed of the bus.
This is a cheap and easy journey from Lucerne to Lauterbrunnen costing around $8 / £6
Things To Do
Visit Staubbach Falls
Staubbach Falls is the iconic backdrop of Lauterbrunnen. Visible from virtually everywhere, Staubbach seems to tower over the town. Water falls from a height of almost 300 meters above the bottom of the valley and turns into a misty cloud as it descends.
There is a short hike that is free and open to the public that takes visitors into the cliff face so they can get a view of the waterfall from behind. If the wind is blowing, the trajectory of the falling water can swing away from you and the view from the end of the hike may not be the best of the falls. It’s still highly recommended at any time because it provides a great vantage point for viewing the the town of Lauterbrunnen and the whole valley.
Trümmelbach Falls
Trümmelbach Falls is a series of waterfalls that carve through the side of the rocky cliff face to make their way to the valley below. The naturally formed chasms in the rock with over 20,000 litres of water flowing through per second is an impressive sight to all who come.
When you arrive at Trümmelbach Falls via PostBus from Lauterbrunnen, there is a building where tickets are purchased. The entrance fee is CHF 11 / £9 / $12 .- for adults and CHF 4 / £3.50 / $4 – for children. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted because the slick rock and long drops into the gushing water below could be a safety hazard for them.
Tickets are cash only, but there is a cash machine nearby that you can withdraw Swiss Francs from if you don’t have any on hand.
Once inside, tourists have the option to ride an elevator up through several hundred feet of rock for free, or hike up along the mountain path to the view of the falls. The elevator goes halfway up and brings you close to the entrance of the cave that gives you the view of the falls.
Inside the caves the water roars and sprays up at you. Be prepared to get wet! It gets pretty chilly inside as well. This excursion is perfect for a rainy day because the best parts of the waterfall are inside the caves, and you’ll get wet no matter if you’re inside or out.
After seeing the spectacle of Trümmelbach Falls, you may get back on the Post Bus like the one that took you there from Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg, or you can follow the path of the river coming from the falls back to Lauterbrunnen on a relatively flat hike that will take you about 35-50 minutes.
Link to map.
Mount Schilthorn
Schilthorn is an attraction that brings awesome spy movies and 360° views together into one package. Cable cars take tourists 2,970 meters up to the summit of the Schilthorn where the attractions include:
Restaurant Piz Gloria. A rotating restaurant that allows you to see all of the over 200 peaks around the Schilthorn all while eating a warm meal. Click here for more information on the menu, pricing, and how to book a reservation.
Bond World. A nod to the James Bond movie that was filmed here in the late 1960s, Bond World is an interactive experience that shows you behind the scenes of the movie.
Panoramic View. There are multiple places that allow you to venture out onto the snow-covered peak and enjoy the view.
On the way to the top, Birg is a mid-station where visitors may take a detour and get their adrenaline pumping. Walk along the sheer cliff face, standing on glass walkways, climbing through tubes made of metal chains, and balancing on slim cables.
Or perhaps venture to the Skyline Walk which takes you onto a glass platform hanging over the edge of a precipice. For those who don’t like heights, you might want to bring an extra change of underwear if you decide to venture out onto these thrilling walks.
Tickets to Schilthorn are CHF 105 / £83 / $112 – for adults and CHF 52.50 / £41 / $55 for children from 6-15.
Note: Using the Swiss Travel Pass, you can ride the gondola all the way up to the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant for free.
Link to map.
Paragliding
If you are a thrill-seeker looking for the ultimate experience and the best views of the valley then this activity is one of the best things to do.
Flying over the U-Valley, you can book an all-inclusive tandem paragliding experience. Flying tandem with an instructor allows you to focus purely on the flight, the experience takes care of all other logistics offering pick up from your hotel to the launch site and even a post-flight drink included.
Full safety equipment and an experienced pilot are part of this must-do activity on your list of things to do.
The experience will cost you around $190 / £140 and can be booked online in advance. The experience lasts for around 1 hour and 30 minutes where you can expect to take in all of the aerial views.
Jungfraujoch “Top of Europe”
Click here to read our in-depth guide to Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is a tourist attraction situated in between Mönch and Jungfrau, two of the tallest peaks in the Jungfrau Region. It involves a scenic train ride through the mountains and into a long 7.2 kilometer long tunnel.
At the top, the Sphinx Observatory sits overlooking Lauterbrunnen and the gigantic Aletsch Glacier. Inside Jungfraujoch, walk through the Ice Palace and stand in wonder at the intricate ice sculptures that greet you there.
Out on the snow, you can take photos of the towering Jungfrau mountain and also go sledding, tubing, and zip-lining.
Jungfraujoch is an attraction that is not to be missed. It takes about half a day, and tickets are a bit pricey, but the excursion is worth the money.
Link to map.
Mürren and Gimmelwald
The best part about these two villages are the views. Mürren and Gimmelwald sit on the cliffs surrounding the Lauterbrunnen valley, so they provide astounding views of green pastures below and the snowy mountain peaks above. There are ample places to sit and find a view of these as well, ranging from a cafe hanging over the edge of the cliff, to the secluded covered benches by the cliffside tennis courts.
The Mürren Loop takes mountain bikers just uphill of Mürren, then down a moderately difficult trail that is mostly paved. Riders can take their bikes up in the cable cars so the ride is a calm downhill cruise without too much peddling.
Mountain bikes can be rented in Lauterbrunnen for 2 hours, 4 hours or for the whole day. Those who want to explore the Jungfrau Region by bike should start in Lauterbrunnen, ride the cable car up to Grütschalp, and then bike down the route through Mürren and back to Lauterbrunnen.
From Mürren, a paved hike takes tourists to Gimmelwald. The hike is mostly downhill, and along the way you will pass cows, waterfalls, and even more indescribable views.
Gimmelwald is much less touristy and much slower pace. You can see how people enjoyed life hundreds of years ago in this car free town as you stroll through the quiet streets and hear the ringing of cowbells off in the distance.
One of the charming things that sets Gimmelwald apart from other villages are the honesty shops. These are shops or kiosks without anyone in the storefront; no cashier, no security, nothing. Here, customers grab what they want, and it is on their honour to leave the correct amount of cash in the box on the way out of the store. It is very unique and definitely worth a visit while you’re visiting Gimmelwald.
Both Mürren and Gimmelwald are must-see locations while staying in the Jungfrau Region.
Link to map.
Book Tours and Purchase Tickets
Where to stay
The majority of people visiting choose to stay in Interlaken, a small city located just twenty minutes drive or twenty minutes on the train from Lauterbrunnen.
There are hundreds of accommodation options to choose from, so we have narrowed it down to a few our l favourite places to stay to fit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travellers, and everyone in between.
Luxury: Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
This 5-star hotel is centrally located in between two beautiful lakes in the picturesque town of Interlaken. Victoria Jungfrau Hotel features a spa, swimming pool, sauna, and steam room. The spacious rooms have elegant interiors and marble bathrooms, boasting views of the snowcapped mountains in the Jungfrau region. Wifi is free and breakfast is included.
Mid Range: Hotel Interlaken
Hotel Interlaken is where I based myself for one night because it is conveniently located just five minutes’ walk from Interlaken East Train Station and a twenty-minute train ride to the valley. Hotel Interlaken is the perfect accommodation for couples, families, solo travellers, and friends. Featuring large rooms, mountain views, and a delicious buffet breakfast.
Budget: Valley Hostel
If you are traveling solo the Valley Hostel is your best option for cheap accommodation. Located in the heart of the valley. This hostel is within walking distance of nearby waterfalls, retail shops, restaurants, and the main train station. Valley Hostel offers dorms and private rooms for every sort of traveller!
Where to Eat
There is a wide selection of cafes and restaurants offering a choice of different style cuisines for everyone’s tastebuds.
See below for the Best Lauterbrunnen Restaurants and Cafes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks!
AIRTIME CAFÉ
Set right in the heart of the valley, this European-style café is highly rated as one of the best restaurants. The perfect place to stop when looking to have lunch, coffees, and light bites.
→ Click here for the pin location on Google Maps
Airtime is warm and friendly and has comfortable seating areas for you to relax and enjoy the free Wifi on offer while enjoying the lovely menu on offer.
Catering to vegetarians, vegans, and any following a gluten-free diet, this restaurant has a selection to suit everyone from sandwiches, pasta, pies, and soups and a vast drinks menu of hot chocolates, coffees, mulled wines, and cocktails.
Open daily from 9 am – 6 pm.
Price: ££
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cafeairtime
HOTEL HORNERPUB
This traditional Swiss pub located right in the center of the valley is a perfect stop at any time of the day when looking for where to eat.
→ Click here for the pin location on Google Maps
This cozy wood-filled pub not only has a wide selection of local beers on offer but the menu also offers a high quality of choices from a traditionally Swiss menu. Don’t miss Hotel Hornerpub on your list of restaurants to try!
Open daily from 9 am – 12.30 am.
Price: ££
Website: www.hornerpub.ch
MARY’S CAFÉ
Set on-piste in Wengen Village, this is one of the top restaurants to check out whilst out exploring the slopes on your skis or board. Mary’s Cafe is also accessible from the hiking trails.
→ Click here for the pin location on Google Maps
This cute café serves breakfast and lunch as well as a range of hot and cold drinks as well as beer and wine. The menu offers traditional Swiss meals all set around a cozy open fire set against the beautiful backdrop of the Alps.
Open daily from 9 am – 5.30 pm.
Price: £
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MarysCafe
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Final thoughts
Of all the places we have visited in Switzerland, we personally rate Lauterbrunnen as one of the best locations that simply offers it all. From the thrill-seeking adventures to unbelievably beautiful scenery and everything in between!
Other Switzerland Related Guides
Be sure to check out our other exciting guides related to Switzerland:
We love Lauterbrunnen! Absolute gem! Make sure it’s on your list.
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