Zurich Day Trip: Grindelwald, Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen
Zurich Day Trip Prices & Availability
Real-time availability from GetYourGuide. Reserve now, pay later, cancel free up to 24 hours before. Meeting point is the Zurich Sihlquai Bus Station near Zurich HB; arrive at least 15 minutes before with photo ID and the QR code on your voucher. Tour runs year-round.
Should you do the Zurich day trip to Jungfrau? If your trip base is Zurich and you want to see the Bernese Oberland in one organised long day without arranging trains, transfers and stops yourself — yes, this is the most-booked option in the category for a reason. For $120 over 12 hours, Best of Switzerland Tours coach you from Zurich Sihlquai over the Brünig Pass through Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, with free time at each village and a multilingual guide along the way. 4.6 across 8,271 reviews — the highest review count of any Bernese Oberland tour. Honest flags: the coach can be a full 76 people on a double-decker, guides do push paid upgrades for cable cars and mountain activities, and food and most "extras" (cable cars, train, restaurant) aren't included — budget at least CHF 50-100 more if you want to make the most of your free time at each stop.
What You'll See
- Scenic coach ride from Zurich through the Brünig Pass to the Bernese Oberland
- Interlaken — orientation stop between Lakes Thun and Brienz
- Grindelwald — the "Glacier Village" with Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau views
- Lauterbrunnen — Staubbach Falls and the valley of 72 waterfalls
- Optional add-ons: First Cliff Walk, Bachalpsee hike, mountain restaurants
Good to Know
- Big group: up to 76 passengers on a double-decker coach — not a small-group tour
- Itinerary may run in reverse order (Lauterbrunnen first) without prior notice
- Cable cars, mountain trains, food and restaurant meals are NOT included
- Guide pitches paid upgrades during the ride — say no politely if not interested
- Some shops in all 3 villages are closed on Sundays — plan meals accordingly
The Zurich → Bernese Oberland Day Loop
A long figure-eight: out from Zurich over the Brünig Pass to the three alpine villages, then back along the same scenic route. Note that the order at the three stops can flip without notice.
Depart Zurich Sihlquai (Around 7 am)
Meet at the Best of Switzerland Tours counter at Zurich Sihlquai Bus Station near Zurich HB. Check in 15 minutes before departure with photo ID and your QR code. The double-decker coach can carry up to 76 passengers; arrive early if you want upper-deck window seats.
Coach Through the Brünig Pass
About 2 hours from Zurich to the Bernese Oberland, with multilingual narration about the regions you pass. Order can flip on the day: some tours visit Lauterbrunnen first, then Grindelwald, then Interlaken — your guide confirms on board.
3 Village Stops (with free time)
Interlaken (~45 min orientation, lakeside town), Grindelwald (~2-3 hours, biggest free-time block, optional Mt. First cable car), Lauterbrunnen (~1 hour with guided walk to Staubbach Falls and optional tunnel walk inside). Each village has 30-90 min of independent exploration time.
Return to Zurich (Around 7 pm)
Scenic return route through the same valley. Most travellers nap or chat. You're back at Zurich Sihlquai around 7 pm, with the Zurich HB station a short walk away for evening trains across Switzerland.
Zurich Day Trip Photos
What's Included in the Zurich Day Trip
The $120 covers the basics — coach + guide + carbon offset. Most "extras" — cable cars, mountain trains, food — are separate and add up if you say yes to everything.
Coach Transport Included
Comfortable air-conditioned double-decker coach from Zurich Sihlquai to all three alpine villages and back. Wi-Fi and on-board restroom on most coaches. Upper deck has the best views.
Multilingual Guide Included
Professional onboard guide commenting on the regions, history and Swiss culture during the drive. Languages confirmed at booking — usually English plus Spanish, often German, French, Italian, Chinese.
Carbon-Balanced Operations Included
The full 12-hour coach trip's CO₂ footprint is calculated and offset through myclimate. Doesn't make the trip carbon-free, but makes it carbon-neutral on paper.
Food & Drinks Not Included
No food, no drinks, no eating on the coach. Bring snacks/water for the road; lunch is at one of the villages on free time. Plenty of cafés in Grindelwald and Interlaken; smaller selection in Lauterbrunnen.
Cable Cars & Mountain Trains Optional · Pay on Day
Mt. First cable car (~CHF 64 round trip), First Cliff Walk access, scenic train Grindelwald-Lauterbrunnen, Pfingstegg gondola, Mount Titlis side trips — all optional. Add up budget in advance if you want them.
Restaurant Stops Not Included
No lunch stop is built in; you eat where and when you want during free time. Mountain restaurants at Mt. First are pricey (CHF 25-40 mains); village cafés in Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen run CHF 15-30.
Optional Add-Ons Worth Knowing
The base price gets you to the villages. The good stuff at each village — cable cars, mountain views, the famous Cliff Walk — costs extra. Budget for it in advance so you don't get caught short on the day.
Mt. First Cable Car + Cliff Walk ~CHF 64 round trip
Grindelwald's best add-on. The cable car takes you up to 2,168 m, where the Tissot Cliff Walk extends 40 m out over the valley. Stunning Eiger views. Worth it if weather is clear — verify the forecast before paying.
Bachalpsee Hike Free (after First cable car)
6 km round trip from Mt. First to the famous reflecting lake. 1.5-2 hours, moderate incline. If you have a clear day and reasonable shoes, this is one of the most photographed hikes in Switzerland.
Staubbach Falls Tunnel Walk Free entry
In Lauterbrunnen, a short walking path leads behind the 297 m Staubbach Falls into a tunnel where you can stand inside the cascade. Free, takes 20-30 min, weather permitting. Bring waterproof layers if heavy mist.
Glacier Canyon Grindelwald ~CHF 19
Quieter alternative to Mt. First. Walk through carved gorges where the Lower Grindelwald Glacier once flowed. About 1 hour total. Best for travellers who've seen too many cable cars and want something different.
Train Grindelwald → Lauterbrunnen ~CHF 14
Optional segment between two of the stops — the coach can take you directly, but the train ride through the Lauterbrunnen valley is scenic. Some tours sell this as an upgrade; verify pricing on the coach.
Lunch (Mountain Restaurant) CHF 25-50
If you want a "proper" Swiss lunch with a view, mountain restaurants at Mt. First or back in Grindelwald village run CHF 25-50 for mains. Cheaper grab-and-go (rösti boxes, sandwiches, pastries) at café kiosks runs CHF 8-20.
How the 12 Hours Unfold
- Depart ZurichDouble-decker coach, morning start.
- Into the Bernese OberlandThe scenic approach does half the selling.
- Grindelwald stopFirst of the three alpine villages.
- Interlaken stopFree time between the two lakes.
- Lauterbrunnen & homeStaubbach Falls, then the evening run back — 12 hours.
Other Ways to Reach the Jungfrau Region
Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe by Train
If you'd rather go to the top instead of touring the valleys — same Bernese Oberland, different ambition. 7 hours from Interlaken to the 3,454 m Jungfraujoch saddle.
Grindelwald First & Bachalpsee
Skip the bus tour entirely if Grindelwald is what you want. Pre-book the cable car + Cliff Walk + optional Bachalpsee hike directly.
Lake Thun & Brienz Boat Pass
If you'd rather move slowly across the Bernese Oberland lakes than rush through three villages — $51 for unlimited hop-on hop-off rides on both lakes for a day.
Is the Zurich Jungfrau Day Trip Worth It?
For travellers based in Zurich who want to see the Bernese Oberland highlights in one organised long day — yes, this is the practical choice. $120 for 12 hours including coach, guide and carbon offset is competitively priced versus DIY trains (the Swiss Travel Pass equivalent for one day is around CHF 75 plus you organise everything; this tour replaces the planning). 4.6 across 8,271 reviews is the highest review count of any Bernese Oberland tour we cover — the social proof is overwhelming. Reviewers from June 2026 are still calling it "phenomenal" (Kareema, USA) and "well worth it" (Krystal, Australia). Sub-scores are healthy: Guide 4.7, Transport 4.7, Value 4.4.
The honest flag is the group size. Reviewer Avichay (Israel, June 21, 2026) explicitly notes: "better for next time to get 2 busses for 76 people and not 1 bus with 2 floors." The double-decker coach format means you're sharing your day with up to 76 strangers, with the upper-deck window seats being scarce. The second flag is the upselling. Reviewer Milica (UAE, June 18, 2026): "one of the more expensive tour options was constantly promoted, while the other two available options were not mentioned at all." Guides earn commission on Mt. First and other cable car upgrades, so the pitch is real and persistent — say no politely if you've already decided.
Practical flags. Itinerary may reverse on the day — some tours visit Lauterbrunnen first, then Grindelwald, then Interlaken last. Doesn't change quality, but if you've planned activities around a specific stop order, ask before booking. The base price doesn't include cable cars, which is the actual mountain experience most people associate with the Bernese Oberland. Budget at least CHF 50-80 extra for Mt. First and lunch. And arrive early at Zurich Sihlquai (15 min before, not on the dot) — the check-in process with 70+ people takes a while, and upper-deck seats are first-come.
For Zurich-based travellers wanting to see Grindelwald, Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen in one day without arranging multiple trains, yes — 4.6 across 8,271 reviews is the highest social proof in the category. $120 covers the coach, guide and carbon offset. Budget extra for cable cars and food (CHF 50-80 typical).
Up to 76 people on a double-decker coach. This is not a small-group tour. The upper deck has the best views; arrive at Zurich Sihlquai at least 15 minutes before departure for first-come seating. Reviewer feedback consistently notes this is a large-group experience.
Food and drinks, cable cars (Mt. First, Pfingstegg, etc.), mountain trains, restaurant meals, and any optional excursion upgrades. Budget CHF 50-80 extra if you want to do the Mt. First cable car (~CHF 64) plus a basic lunch (~CHF 15-25). More if you go for a sit-down mountain restaurant meal.
Yes — reviewer Milica (UAE, June 2026) explicitly noted that "one of the more expensive tour options was constantly promoted, while the other two available options were not mentioned at all." Guides earn commission on add-ons. Decide what you want before you board, and say no politely to the rest. The non-upsell parts of the tour are excellent.
Zurich Sihlquai Bus Station near Zurich HB. From track 18 (the last track on street level), follow the road for 50 metres until it turns right — the Sihlquai Coach Parking is across from Starbucks. Look for the "Best of Switzerland Tours" counter and arrive at least 15 minutes before departure with photo ID and your QR voucher.
Yes — the Grindelwald stop has clear viewpoints of all three peaks from village level, and even clearer views from Mt. First if you pay for the cable car. Note that on cloudy or stormy days, the upper peaks may be obscured; the tour runs rain or shine regardless.
Yes — the tour runs year-round. Winter routes (Dec-Mar) often have fewer optional activities open (Mt. First operates, but some cable cars and the Cliff Walk may close for maintenance in November). Snow on the valleys looks magical but reduces hiking options. Verify availability of specific add-ons in the booking widget for your date.
No — the tour explicitly notes it "may be conducted with reverse itinerary without prior notice, visiting Lauterbrunnen first, followed by Grindelwald and Interlaken in the afternoon." Doesn't affect quality but may matter if you've planned activities around a specific stop time.
The operator explicitly states it's "not suitable for wheelchair users." The coach loading process, village walks, and lack of specific accessible facilities at all stops make it impractical. Assistance dogs are allowed; no other pets.
Standard 24-hour free cancellation — cancel more than 24 hours before for a full refund. Reserve-now-pay-later is also available, so you can hold a booking without paying. Useful for weather-dependent decisions: if forecasts look bad, cancel the day before.
Ready for the Day Loop?
Reserve now, pay later. The most-booked Bernese Oberland tour from Zurich — 4.6 across 8,271 reviews. Runs year-round; book early in your Zurich stay for the date you want.
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