Interlaken to Grindelwald Train: Route, Time & Tickets

Quick answer

The train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald usually takes around 35 minutes and is one of the easiest ways to reach the village without a car. Most travellers should start at Interlaken Ost, not Interlaken West. From Grindelwald station, you can walk into the village, continue to Grindelwald Terminal for connections towards Jungfraujoch, or head to the Grindelwald First cable car for the Bachalpsee hike.

Question	Answer
Departure station	Interlaken Ost
Arrival station	Grindelwald
Travel time	About 35 minutes
Direct train?	Usually yes
Reservation needed?	No
Best for	Grindelwald village, First, Bachalpsee, Eiger views
Car needed?	No

The Interlaken to Grindelwald train is a simple regional mountain connection through the Jungfrau Region. It is useful for day trips, hikes, photography, Grindelwald First, Bachalpsee and onward travel towards the Eiger and Jungfraujoch area.

I have taken this route several times, and it is one of the easiest mountain train journeys to plan from Interlaken. This guide explains which station to use, how long the train takes, whether you need tickets or reservations, and what to do once you arrive in Grindelwald.

Overview of the Interlaken to Grindelwald train route

The train between Interlaken and Grindelwald is operated by the Berner Oberland Bahn and departs from Interlaken Ost, the main gateway station for the Jungfrau Region.

The route is straightforward and usually direct, which makes it especially convenient if you are arriving in Interlaken from Zurich, Bern, Lucerne or another part of Switzerland.

This connection is used by hikers, photographers, day-trippers and people continuing deeper into the mountains. Even though it is a popular route, it rarely feels difficult to use. Swiss regional trains are designed for steady flows of travellers, and this journey is a good example of how smoothly public transport works in the Bernese Oberland.

In short, you can expect:

• a simple train connection from Interlaken Ost
• no seat reservations
• frequent departures during the day
• easy onward travel once you arrive in Grindelwald
• direct access to one of the most dramatic mountain villages in the region

If you are travelling without a car, this is probably the easiest way to visit Grindelwald from Interlaken.

How long is the train from Interlaken to Grindelwald?

The train ride from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald usually takes around 35 minutes.

Travel times are generally consistent, and delays are uncommon, although you should always check the current timetable before you travel. Mountain railways and regional train routes can sometimes be affected by maintenance, weather, seasonal schedules or connection changes.

For most visitors, though, this is a very easy journey. It is short enough for a half-day visit, but useful enough for a full day of hiking, cable cars or photography around Grindelwald.

In practical terms:

• travel time is about 35 minutes
• the route starts at Interlaken Ost
• the journey ends at Grindelwald station
• no car is needed
• it works well as a day trip from Interlaken

How often do trains run?

Trains between Interlaken Ost and Grindelwald run frequently throughout the day.

You usually do not need to plan this route far in advance. In most cases, you can arrive at Interlaken Ost, check the next departure and board the next suitable train.

That said, I would still check the timetable if you are planning a specific hike, catching a mountain cable car, or trying to return late in the evening. For relaxed daytime travel, the route is very easy to fit into your itinerary.

This flexibility is one of the reasons Grindelwald works so well as a day trip from Interlaken. You are not locked into one awkward departure time, and you can adjust your day depending on the weather.

Which Interlaken station do you need?

For this route, you should plan to depart from Interlaken Ost.

This is one of the most important details for first-time visitors. Interlaken has two main railway stations: Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost. They are not the same, and for mountain routes into the Jungfrau Region, Interlaken Ost is usually the station you need.

Interlaken West is useful if your hotel is nearby or if you are arriving from certain mainline routes, but the direct mountain train towards Grindelwald departs from Interlaken Ost.

If you are staying in Interlaken, check where your accommodation is. If you are near Interlaken West, you can first travel or walk to Interlaken Ost before continuing to Grindelwald.

👉 Read: Interlaken West vs Interlaken Ost

Do you need to buy tickets in advance?

You usually do not need to buy tickets far in advance for the Interlaken to Grindelwald train.

This is a regional train route rather than a long-distance reserved service. Most travellers simply buy a ticket, use a travel pass, or check in through their preferred Swiss transport app before boarding.

Because ticket prices and pass validity can change, I would always check the current fare before travelling. This is especially important if you are using a Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, Interrail, Eurail or a regional travel pass.

For most visitors, the process is simple:

1. Go to Interlaken Ost.
2. Check the next train to Grindelwald.
3. Buy or validate the correct ticket.
4. Board the train.
5. Sit in any available seat in your ticket class.

You do not need to reserve a specific seat.

If you are heading to Lauterbrunnen with luggage, see my Switzerland train luggage guide for practical tips on bags, short transfers and stations.

Do you need seat reservations?

No, seat reservations are not required on the Interlaken to Grindelwald train.

This applies for normal regional travel, including during the main hiking season. You can board the train and sit in any available seat in your ticket class.

Second class is perfectly comfortable for this journey and is what most people use. The ride is short, the trains are clean, and the windows are large enough to enjoy the scenery.

First class can be quieter and offer a little more space, but for a journey of around 35 minutes, it is more of a bonus than a necessity.

In practice:

• reservations are not needed
• second class is enough for most travellers
• first class is nice if included in your pass
• window seats are better than worrying about travel class

Is the train from Interlaken to Grindelwald scenic?

Yes, the train from Interlaken to Grindelwald is scenic, especially as you get closer to Grindelwald.

The route starts gently as the train leaves Interlaken Ost. You pass through green meadows, small villages and classic Swiss countryside. As the journey continues, the valley becomes more dramatic and the mountains start to feel much closer.

The final part of the ride is the best. Grindelwald sits in a wide mountain bowl, and the scenery opens up with views towards steep slopes, alpine houses and the surrounding peaks.

It is not a long panoramic train ride in the same sense as the Glacier Express or Bernina Express, but for a short regional connection, it is beautiful. If this is your first time heading into the Jungfrau Region, the ride can feel like a proper introduction to the Alps.

Which side should you sit on?

For the best views, I would usually try to sit on the right-hand side when leaving Interlaken Ost towards Grindelwald.

That said, both sides of the train have good scenery. The route is short, and the views change quickly, so it is not worth stressing about the perfect seat.

If the train is quiet, choose a window seat. If it is busy, just take any available place. The scenery becomes more impressive as you approach Grindelwald, and you will still get a good sense of the landscape from either side.

Arriving in Grindelwald

Grindelwald station is small, central and easy to navigate.

When you step off the train, you are already close to the village centre. From here, you can walk to hotels, restaurants, shops and viewpoints around Grindelwald. The village is very visitor-friendly and clearly signposted.

From Grindelwald station, you can:

• walk into the village centre
• continue towards the Grindelwald First cable car
• connect towards Grindelwald Terminal
• start or finish nearby hiking routes
• explore the village before returning to Interlaken

If your goal is simply to visit Grindelwald village, this is the station you want.

Grindelwald station vs Grindelwald Terminal

One thing that can be confusing is the difference between Grindelwald station and Grindelwald Terminal.

Grindelwald station is the main village station. This is where you arrive if you are visiting Grindelwald itself, walking around the village, staying in town, or heading towards the Grindelwald First cable car.

Grindelwald Terminal is a separate transport hub just before the village. It is mainly useful if you are continuing towards the Eiger Express, Männlichen or Jungfraujoch connections.

For most first-time visitors doing a simple Interlaken to Grindelwald day trip, Grindelwald station is the easiest stop. If your plan is Jungfraujoch or the Eiger Express, check whether Grindelwald Terminal makes more sense for your route.

A simple way to think about it:

Stop	Best for
Grindelwald station	Village, First cable car, general day trip
Grindelwald Terminal	Eiger Express, Männlichen, Jungfraujoch connections

If you are unsure, check your exact route before boarding.

How to continue to Grindelwald First

If you are going to Grindelwald First, arrive at Grindelwald station and walk through the village to the First cable car station.

The walk is straightforward and gives you a chance to see the village before heading up into the mountains. From the First cable car station, you can take the cable car up towards First, where you will find viewpoints, hiking routes and the First Cliff Walk.

Grindelwald First is one of the most popular mountain excursions in the area, especially for first-time visitors. It gives you easy access to high mountain views without needing a difficult approach.

If the weather is clear and you only have one day in Grindelwald, First is one of the most obvious choices.

How to continue to Bachalpsee

Bachalpsee is usually reached from Grindelwald First.

The most common route is:

1. Take the train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald.
2. Walk from Grindelwald station to the First cable car.
3. Take the cable car up to First.
4. Hike from First to Bachalpsee.

Bachalpsee is one of the most famous hikes near Grindelwald. The trail is popular, but it is popular for a reason: the views are open, the route is relatively accessible, and the lake is one of the classic photo spots in the region.

Always check whether the trail is open before you go, especially early or late in the season. Snow can remain higher up even when Interlaken and Grindelwald village feel mild.

👉 Read: Bachalpsee Hike from Grindelwald First

Is Grindelwald a good day trip from Interlaken?

Yes, Grindelwald is one of the easiest day trips from Interlaken.

The train ride is short, the route is simple, and you do not need a car. You can leave Interlaken in the morning, spend several hours in Grindelwald, and return later the same day.

A simple day trip could look like this:

1. Take the train from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald.
2. Walk through Grindelwald village.
3. Continue to the Grindelwald First cable car.
4. Hike to Bachalpsee if the weather is good.
5. Return to Grindelwald and take the train back to Interlaken.

This makes Grindelwald a very practical choice if you are staying in Interlaken but want a proper mountain day.

👉 Read: Grindelwald Travel Guide

Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen: which is better from Interlaken?

Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are both easy to visit from Interlaken, but they feel very different.

Grindelwald is better for big mountain views, hiking access, Grindelwald First, Bachalpsee and Eiger scenery. It feels open, dramatic and activity-focused.

Lauterbrunnen is better for waterfalls, valley atmosphere, photography and that classic Swiss village feeling between steep cliffs. It feels more magical and enclosed.

My simple recommendation:

• choose Grindelwald for mountain activities and First/Bachalpsee
• choose Lauterbrunnen for waterfalls and atmosphere
• choose Interlaken as a base if you want to visit both

👉 Read: Lauterbrunnen vs Grindelwald

Common mistakes to avoid

The biggest mistake is starting at the wrong Interlaken station. For Grindelwald, plan around Interlaken Ost.

Another mistake is confusing Grindelwald station with Grindelwald Terminal. If you are visiting the village or going to First, Grindelwald station is usually the simplest stop. If you are heading towards Jungfraujoch or the Eiger Express, Grindelwald Terminal may be more useful.

Do not assume that every mountain trail is open just because the weather looks good in Interlaken. Conditions can be different higher up.

Also, do not try to squeeze too much into one short visit. Grindelwald village, First, Bachalpsee, the Eiger Trail and Jungfraujoch are not all one relaxed day. Pick one main mountain plan and build your day around that.

Practical tips for taking the train

Use Interlaken Ost as your starting point. This is the key station for Grindelwald.

Check the current timetable before you travel, especially if you are starting early, returning late or connecting to a cable car.

Sit by the window if you can. The route is short, but the scenery is part of the experience.

Do not worry about seat reservations. They are not needed on this route.

Give yourself extra time if you are continuing to Grindelwald First, Bachalpsee or Jungfraujoch. Mountain transport adds extra layers to the journey.

Check the weather before paying for mountain transport. Grindelwald is still worth visiting in mixed weather, but First and Bachalpsee are much better with clear views.

Final thoughts

The train from Interlaken to Grindelwald is one of the easiest and most useful mountain connections in the Jungfrau Region.

It is short, scenic and simple to use. From Interlaken Ost, you can reach Grindelwald in around 35 minutes, then continue to the village, Grindelwald First, Bachalpsee, Grindelwald Terminal or other mountain routes.

For a first visit, I think this route works best as part of a full day from Interlaken. Go early, keep the plan simple, and choose one main activity: Grindelwald First, Bachalpsee, the Eiger Trail or simply exploring the village.

Grindelwald is not hidden or quiet, but the setting is genuinely impressive. If you want big mountain views without needing a car, this train journey is one of the easiest ways to get there.

>> where to stay in Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald