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Grindelwald is a famous mountain village located in the Bernese Oberland at the foot of the Eiger (3,970 meters) and Wetterhorn (3,701 meters). Grindelwald is one of the top tourist spots in Bernese Oberland. Planning a visit to Grindelwald from Zurich? This article has got you covered with everything you need to know to get from Zurich to Grindelwald.
There’s a lot to do in and around Grindelwald. A few highlights of the region include the following sights:
- Grindelwald First
- Männlichen
- Bachalpsee Lake
- Pfingstegg
- Grosse Scheidegg
- Schynige Platte
- Grindelwald Glaciers and the Eiger Glacier
- Jungfraujoch
From Grindelwald, you can take the Eiger Express to Eiger Glacier. You can go to Jungfraujoch from Eiger Glacier.
Logistical concerns come up inevitably. Particularly for those who want to travel by rail in Switzerland, there are several specifics concerning train travel.
In this article, we will discuss the train journey from Zurich to Grindelwald. How do you get from Zurich to Grindelwald? Can you drive in your car to Grindelwald? Find out more.
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.
>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 Zurich to Grindelwald
As soon as you reach the Zurich Train Station (Zurich HB), check the big blue display boards in the middle. You can find the train number and platform number on the station signs. Furthermore, the trains will be marked on the front and the sides with which route they are traveling.
There are two main stops in Grindelwald – Grindelwald Train Station and Grindelwald Terminal. Essentially, you will need to get off at Grindelwald Terminal to get the connecting cable cars to Männlichen and Eiger Express. If you want to head over to Grindelwald First, you will need to get off in Grindelwald. Find out which stop is most suitable for you.
How To Get From Zurich Train Station to Grindelwald
In order to get to Grindelwald from Zurich Train Station, you’ll have to take the following trains:
- First, take the Intercity train from Zurich to Bern
- In Bern, take the Intercity train to Interlaken Ost
- In Interlaken Ost, take the regional train to Grindelwald
If the direct train from Zurich to Interlaken Ost is available, you can take it.
How To Get From Zurich to Grindelwald Terminal
In order to get to Grindelwald Terminal from Zurich, you’ll have to take the following trains:
- First, take the Intercity train from Zurich to Bern
- In Bern, take the Intercity train to Interlaken Ost
- In Interlaken Ost, take the regional train to Grindelwald Terminal.
Note: Grindelwald Terminal is one stop before Grindelwald itself. Please make sure to exit at the correct stop.
If the direct train from Zurich to Interlaken Ost is available, you can take it.
How To Get From Zurich Airport to Grindelwald
If you are coming from the Zurich Airport, take one of the next trains to the Zurich main station (Zurich HB). Several trains come every hour and stop in Zurich so just hop on the next train after buying a ticket from the ticketing office or one of the ticket machines.
And then follow the steps outlined above to get from Zurich to Grindelwald or Grindelwald Terminal.
How do I get from Grindelwald to Zurich Airport?
To go from Grindelwald or Grindelwald Terminal to Zurich Airport, you will have to take the following trains:
- From Grindelwald or Grindelwald Terminal, take the regional train to Interlaken Ost
- In Interlaken Ost, take the Intercity train to Bern
- In Bern, take the Intercity train to Zurich
- In Zurich, take the next train to Zurich Airport (Zurich Flughafen)
If the direct train from Interlaken Ost to Zurich is available, you can take it.
How long does the train from Zurich to Grindelwald take?
Despite the numerous train changes, it takes less than 3 hours to travel by train from Zurich Airport to Grindelwald. Here are estimated travel times by train between Zurich and Grindelwald (updated December 2022):
| Route | Estimated Travel Time (Fastest Connection) |
|---|---|
| Zurich – Grindelwald | 2 hours 37 minutes |
| Zurich – Grindelwald Terminal | 2 hours 32 minutes |
| Zurich Airport – Grindelwald | 2 hours 51 minutes |
| Zurich Airport – Grindelwald Terminal | 2 hours 46 minutes |
Is there a direct train from Zurich to Grindelwald?
No. There are no direct trains from Zurich to Grindelwald. You’ll have to change in Interlaken Ost before you get to Grindelwald. In the event that your train does not go directly to Interlaken Ost, you will also have to change in Bern.
Is the Train From Zurich to Grindelwald Scenic?
No, not really. The trains from Zurich and Bern are fast, commuter trains that want you to get from one place to another as quickly as possible.
If you want a more scenic route, consider taking the GoldenPass from Lucerne to Interlaken before heading to Grindelwald. This means that you will take the train from Zurich to Lucerne first. From Lucerne, the train takes you past five lakes, waterfalls, and the Brünig mountain pass before reaching Interlaken. From Interlaken, you can then take the train to Grindelwald.
Other Scenic Trains
In case you would like to check out other scenic trains, then there are more scenic trains recommended below. These are the Golden Pass Line, the Glacier Express, and the Bernina Express. Another interesting train is the Historical Train that goes from Davos to Filisur.
Your other options in detail are the following:
- Golden Pass – The Golden Pass departs from Lucerne. You would take a train from Zurich to Lucerne, then change to Interlaken. This is sometimes referred to as the east end of this route. The Golden Pass has panorama coaches and is scenic.
- Glacier Express – Glacier Express is a long journey that starts from Zermatt, home of Matterhorn. It then traverses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels before stopping in St. Moritz. Both Zermatt and St. Moritz are beautiful mountain resorts worthy of a longer stay. The Glacier Express passes by several idyllic mountain villages.
- Bernina Express – Bernina Express is another train route that begins in Chur. Chur is the oldest alpine city in Switzerland and definitely worth visiting. This train route spans 196 bridges. It goes through 55 tunnels and passes 20 beautiful villages in Switzerland.
- Historical Train Davos to Filisur – May through October, vintage carriages are pulled by the century-old crocodile locomotive from Davos Platz to Filisur. The train line covers a total length of 4,200 meters through 14 tunnels and 28 bridges. Its scenic highlights include the Wiesen Viaduct and the Zügen Gorge.
How Much Will the Train Ticket From Zurich to Grindelwald Cost?
As of the time of publishing the article (updated December 2022), a single journey ticket costs the following:
| Route | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich – Grindelwald | 81.20 | 40.60 |
| Zurich – Grindelwald Terminal | 80.40 | 40.20 |
| Zurich Airport – Grindelwald | 85.20 | 42.60 |
| Zurich Airport – Grindelwald Terminal | 84.40 | 42.20 |
Do You Need a Seat Reservation on the Train?
No, there is no need to reserve a spot on the train. But you can always add this option if that is your wish.
Am I allowed to travel from Zürich to Grindelwald?
Yes, there are currently no restrictions for traveling from Zurich to Grindelwald.
Does Grindelwald have a train station?
Yes, there is a train station in Grindelwald. From Grindelwald, there are connections to Kleine Scheidegg, Grindelwald Grund, and Interlaken Ost.
Grindelwald Train Station
The Grindelwald Train Station has the following services:
- Registration timeframe for flight luggage (Zurich Airport): daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Luggage retrieval: daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Ticket office: daily from 7:40 AM to 6:20 PM
For more details and relevant information, check out the official website www.sbb.ch.
Grindelwald Terminal Station
There’s also a new Grindelwald Terminal, which connects trains to the Eiger Express and the Männlichen cable cars.
The Grindelwald Terminal has some shops such as Top of Europe Shop, Lindt, Coop, Kirchhofer Switzerland, Intersport, and Dr. Portmann.
Is Grindelwald car-free?
No, Grindelwald is not car-free. You can park your car at the Grindelwald Terminal or Grindelwald Grund. There are numerous other parking spaces within Grindelwald.
There are charging stations on the fourth level of Grindelwald Terminal for electric cars.
If you would like to find the best car rental deals in Switzerland, check out Rentalcars.com. Reviews and comments help you find the right car in the right place for the right price. Also, it’s the world’s leading car rental app. You can compare cars and get the best deal by going to Rentalcars.com.
Related Posts
- Geneva to Grindelwald Train: All You Need To Know
- Lucerne to Grindelwald Train: All You Need To Know
- Where Is Eiger Express? Here Is an Overview
- Grosse Scheidegg and How to Get There
- How to Get From Interlaken to Jungfraujoch: Your Options
- First Cliff Walk – One of Grindelwald’s Most Beautiful Viewpoints
- Bernina Express Route: Chur to Tirano Train
- Glacier Express Route: From Zermatt to St. Moritz
Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. 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.