How to Get to Reichenbach Falls

(Last Updated On: September 22, 2023)

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Reichenbach Falls is a beautiful waterfall near the town of Meiringen and Interlaken. It is one of the most famous waterfalls in Switzerland, not only because of its natural beauty but also because it was featured in Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Final Problem. In this article, we will discuss how to get to Reichenbach Falls.

Image of Reichenbach Falls by TouringSwitzerland.com

For those who want to visit Reichenbach Falls, it is inevitable that logistical concerns will arise. Those who wish to travel by train in Switzerland need to know several specifics before doing so. In this article, we will explore the train journey to get to Reichenbach Falls.

How do you get to Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland? Let’s find out.

Overview: Navigating Swiss Transport

You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.

If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card (1-month validity) is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.

Using the Swiss Pass, you get unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat in Switzerland. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.

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Getting tickets from RailEurope is a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. Having been in operation since the 1930s, RailEurope‘s extensive history, user-friendly website and mobile apps, flexible currency payment options, commitment to customer satisfaction, and strategic partnerships with leading rail operators, collectively establish it as a reliable and trustworthy platform for booking European train travel.

You can obtain from RailEurope the following travel passes:

  • Swiss Travel Pass – choose between continuous or flexible Swiss train passes for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days. The perks? unlimited use in over 90 Swiss cities, free admission to more than 500 museums, and discounts on mountain railways and cable cars. You also get discounts on high-speed Lyria trains between France and Switzerland as well as Nightjet trains that go through Switzerland. See RailEurope for more information.
  • Eurail Global Pass – unlimited train travel to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for non-EU residents
  • Interrail Global Pass – access to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for citizens and permanent residents of the EU

How To Get From Meiringen to Reichenbach Falls

Image of Reichenbach Falls by TouringSwitzerland.com

To get to Reichenbach Falls, you need to get to Willigen (Reichenbachfallbahn) in Schattenhalb to catch the funicular that will bring you up to Reichenbach Falls. in just seven minutes, the legendary funicular will bring you to the place where Sherlock Holmes supposedly met his end.

How To Get From Meiringen to Reichenbach Falls by Bus

  1. In Meiringen, take Bus 174 (Direction: Geissholz, Dorf).
  2. Alight at Willigen, Klinik Reichenbach. This will stop in front of the Reichenbachfallbahn.
  3. Take the funicular to Reichenbach Falls.

How To Get From Meiringen to Reichenbach Falls by Train

  1. In Meiringen, take the Regio 71 train to Innertkirchen Kraftwerk (Bahn) or Innertkirchen Grimseltor.
  2. Alight at Meiringen Alpbach.
  3. From Meiringen, Alpbach, you will have to walk 7 minutes to Willigen (Reichenbachfallbahn).
  4. Take the funicular to Reichenbach Falls.

How To Get From Meiringen to Reichenbach Falls on Foot

  • From Meiringen village, it is an easy 10-minute walk to get from the village center to Willigen (Reichenbachfallbahn).
  • From Meiringen train station, you can expect to walk around 20 minutes.
  • Take the funicular to Reichenbach Falls.

How To Get From Interlaken to Reichenbach Falls

How To Get From Interlaken to Reichenbach Falls by Train and Bus

  1. From Interlaken Ost, take the GoldenPass train to Meiringen.
  2. In Meiringen, take Bus 174 (Direction: Geissholz, Dorf).
  3. Alight at Willigen, Klinik Reichenbach. This will stop in front of the Reichenbachfallbahn.
  4. Take the funicular to Reichenbach Falls.

How To Get From Interlaken to Reichenbach Falls by Train

  1. From Interlaken Ost, take the GoldenPass train to Meiringen.
  2. In Meiringen, take the Regio 71 train to Innertkirchen Kraftwerk (Bahn) or Innertkirchen Grimseltor.
  3. Alight at Meiringen Alpbach.
  4. From Meiringen, Alpbach, you will have to walk 7 minutes to Willigen (Reichenbachfallbahn).
  5. Take the funicular to Reichenbach Falls.

Alternatively, you may also walk from Meiringen to Willigen (Reichenbachfallbahn) as described above.


How To Get From Zurich to Reichenbach Falls

Zurich Train Station
Image of Zurich Train Station by TouringSwitzerland.com
  1. From Zurich, take the train to Interlaken Ost.
  2. In Interlaken Ost, take the GoldenPass train to Meiringen.
  3. In Meiringen, take Bus 174 (Direction: Geissholz, Dorf).
  4. Alight at Willigen, Klinik Reichenbach. This will stop in front of the Reichenbachfallbahn.
  5. Take the funicular to Reichenbach Falls.

How Long Does the Journey to Reichenbach Falls Take?

RouteMode of TransportDuration (Fastest Connection, Approximate)
Meiringen – Willigen, Klinik ReichenbachBus7 minutes
Meiringen – Meiringen AlpbachTrain1 minute
Interlaken Ost – Meiringen – Willigen, Klinik ReichenbachTrains + Bus43 minutes
Interlaken Ost – Meiringen – Meiringen AlpbachTrains49 minutes
Zurich – Interlaken Ost – Meiringen – Willigen, Klinik ReichenbachTrains + Bus2 hours 45 minutes

How Much Will the Ticket to Reichenbach Falls Valley Station Cost?

Image of the Reichenbachfallbahn in Willigen by TouringSwitzerland.com

As of the time of publishing the article, a single journey ticket to get to the Valley Station of Reichenbach Falls costs the following:

Route to Reichenbach Falls Valley StationMode of TransportFull Fare (CHF)Half Fare (CHF)
Meiringen – Willigen, Klinik ReichenbachBus4.402.20
Meiringen – Meiringen AlpbachTrain4.402.20
Interlaken Ost – Meiringen – Willigen, Klinik ReichenbachTrains + Bus16.608.30
Interlaken Ost – Meiringen – Meiringen AlpbachTrains16.608.30
Zurich – Interlaken Ost – Meiringen – Willigen, Klinik ReichenbachTrains + Bus81.6040.80

NOTE: The costs above only cover the price to get to the Valley Station of the Reichenbach Falls. If you wish to ride the funicular instead of hiking, you will have to pay separately for that too. As of September 2023, round-trip tickets from Willigen to Reichenbach Falls cost CHF 12 per adult, and CHF 8 per child (6-15 years of age). Discounts are available for those carrying guest cards. Please see the official website for more information: Grimselwelt.ch.

TIP: If you are interested in visiting the Sherlock Holmes Museum in Meiringen, you can buy a combination ticket together with your Reichenbach Fall Ticket for a mere CHF 13 per adult and CHF 8 per child (6-16 years of age).


Can you drive into Reichenbach Falls?

Yes, you can take your car directly to the Reichenbach Falls Parking Lot. You will have to go to Reichenbach Road in Schattenhalb and find a parking spot there. Please note that there are only a few parking spaces available and it does tend to fill up quickly.

As an alternative, you can find parking spots in the public car park in Alpbach, Meiringen, which is around 5 to 10 minutes away from the Valley station.


Am I allowed to travel to Reichenbach Falls?

Yes, Reichenbach Falls is currently open to visitors. There are no restrictions.


Can you recommend Sherlock Holmes Experiences near Reichenbach Falls?

Yes, there are several Sherlock Holmes experiences in this region. These include the following:


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Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. She is based in the Lake Zurich region in Switzerland and has a second home in Grisons. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.

Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.