Interlaken to Mürren: Train, Cable Car Route, Time & Tickets

Mürren looks remote—and that is part of its appeal.

The car-free village sits on a mountain terrace high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. You cannot drive there, and there is no direct train from Interlaken. Instead, the journey combines regular trains with a cable car and mountain railway.

That may sound complicated, but it is one of the smoothest public-transport journeys in the Jungfrau Region.

For most visitors, the best route is:

Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen → Grütschalp → Mürren

You take the train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, cross to the cable-car station, travel up to Grütschalp and finish with a small mountain train to Mürren.

I have taken this route myself and later hiked from Mürren through Gimmelwald into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The journey up was easy to follow, while the final mountain train provided some of the best views of the entire day.

This guide explains both routes to Mürren, journey times, tickets, passes and how to turn the trip into a complete day hike.

Interlaken to Mürren: quick answer

Question	Answer
Best route	Interlaken Ost–Lauterbrunnen–Grütschalp–Mürren
Alternative route	Interlaken Ost–Lauterbrunnen–Stechelberg–Mürren
Total journey time	Usually approximately 50–70 minutes
Direct train	No
Starting station	Interlaken Ost
Car required	No
Seat reservation required	No
Best route for first-time visitors	Via Grütschalp
Best route for Gimmelwald or Schilthorn	Via Stechelberg
Best scenic section	Grütschalp to Mürren mountain railway
Swiss Travel Pass	Standard journey to Mürren is generally included
Can you make a circular route?	Yes; arrive via Grütschalp and return via Gimmelwald and Stechelberg

What is the best route from Interlaken to Mürren?

For a first visit, I recommend:

1. Train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
2. Cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp
3. Mountain train from Grütschalp to Mürren

This route is simple, scenic and well coordinated.

The cable-car station for Grütschalp is directly across from Lauterbrunnen railway station. At Grütschalp, the mountain train waits close to the cable-car arrival point. You do not need to navigate a large station or walk through an unfamiliar town during either transfer.

Step	Route	Transport	Approximate time
1	Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen	Train	20 minutes
2	Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp	Cable car	A few minutes
3	Grütschalp to Mürren	Mountain train	Around 15 minutes

Waiting and transfer times bring the complete journey to approximately one hour.

The mountain railway between Grütschalp and Mürren is the highlight. It follows the mountainside above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, with views towards the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

Which Interlaken station do you need?

Start at Interlaken Ost.

Direct trains into the Lauterbrunnen Valley leave from Ost, not Interlaken West. If your accommodation is near West, begin there only if your journey planner includes the short connection to Ost.

My Interlaken West versus Interlaken Ost guide explains the difference between the stations in more detail.

A useful rule is:

• Use Interlaken Ost for Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren.
• Use Interlaken West for western Interlaken, Unterseen and Lake Thun boats.

If your long-distance train stops at Interlaken West before continuing to Ost, remain on board until Ost rather than creating an unnecessary transfer.

Step 1: Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen

Take the Berner Oberland-Bahn from Interlaken Ost towards Lauterbrunnen.

The journey takes around 20 minutes and normally runs every 30 minutes. Trains sometimes leave Interlaken as coupled units before separating at Zweilütschinen, with one part continuing to Lauterbrunnen and another towards Grindelwald.

Check that you are sitting in the section marked Lauterbrunnen.

The final part of the journey enters the narrow Lauterbrunnen Valley, where cliffs and waterfalls begin appearing around the train.

My complete Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen train guide covers tickets, platforms, frequency and the best side for views.

Step 2: Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp

After arriving in Lauterbrunnen, follow the signs for Grütschalp and Mürren.

The Grütschalp cable-car station stands directly across from the main railway station. The transfer is short and clearly marked.

The cable car quickly climbs out of the valley. Because Lauterbrunnen lies far below Mürren, this is the stage where you gain most of the elevation.

If you are uncomfortable with cable cars, this section may feel steep, but the ride is brief. An alternative exists via Stechelberg, but that route also requires mountain cable cars.

Large suitcases and hiking equipment can generally be transported, although space may feel limited during busy periods. Keep your belongings together and follow any instructions from staff.

Step 3: Grütschalp to Mürren

At Grütschalp, transfer to the small mountain train for Mürren.

This is the most scenic part of the journey.

The train follows the mountainside above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, passing forest, meadows and the area around Winteregg. Across the valley, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau dominate the view when visibility is clear.

Sit on the valley-facing side if seats are available. However, the carriage is small and the journey short, so I would not worry excessively about securing one particular place.

The train arrives at Mürren’s railway station on the northern side of the village.

Is there a direct train from Interlaken to Mürren?

No.

Mürren is not connected to Interlaken by a conventional direct railway. The normal route involves:

• One regular train
• One cable car
• One mountain train

The entire journey can still appear as one connection in SBB. Search from Interlaken Ost to Mürren BLM and the journey planner should display each stage.

“BLM” refers to the mountain railway route via Grütschalp. This helps distinguish the railway station from other stops in the Mürren area.

The alternative route via Stechelberg

The second route is:

1. Train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen
2. Bus from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg
3. Cable car from Stechelberg towards Mürren

This route travels along the valley floor before climbing via the Schilthorn cableway system.

Step	Route	Transport
1	Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen	Train
2	Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg	Bus
3	Stechelberg via Gimmelwald to Mürren	Cable car

Use this route if:

• You want to stop in Gimmelwald
• You are continuing towards Birg or Schilthorn
• Your accommodation is closer to the Schilthornbahn station in Mürren
• You want to create a circular journey
• The Grütschalp route is temporarily unavailable

The Stechelberg approach is not difficult, but it involves a bus ride deeper into the valley. For a simple first visit to Mürren, I still prefer the Grütschalp route because the transfers are compact and the final mountain train is so scenic.

Check the current official Mürren arrival information before travelling, as operating routes and transfer details can change.

Which Mürren station do you need?

Mürren has different transport points at opposite ends of the village.

Mürren BLM

This is the mountain railway station used by trains from Grütschalp.

Choose Mürren BLM if:

• You are arriving via Lauterbrunnen and Grütschalp
• Your hotel is nearer the northern side of Mürren
• You want the scenic mountain-train route

Mürren Schilthornbahn

This is associated with the cable-car route from Stechelberg and Gimmelwald and the onward journey towards Birg and Schilthorn.

Choose this side if:

• You are arriving via Stechelberg
• You are continuing to Birg or Schilthorn
• Your accommodation is closer to the southern side of Mürren
• You want to begin walking towards Gimmelwald

The village is walkable, so arriving at one end rather than the other is not a disaster. But checking your hotel or onward route can save you from carrying luggage across Mürren.

How long does it take to get from Interlaken to Mürren?

Allow approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes for the route via Lauterbrunnen and Grütschalp.

A typical breakdown is:

• Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen: around 20 minutes
• Transfer at Lauterbrunnen: several minutes
• Cable car to Grütschalp: a few minutes
• Transfer at Grütschalp: several minutes
• Mountain train to Mürren: around 15 minutes

The connections are designed to work together, so waiting times are usually limited. However, exact travel time depends on the departure you choose and any temporary changes.

The Stechelberg route can take slightly longer because it includes a bus journey through the valley.

How often do the connections run?

Connections usually operate frequently throughout the day, often around every 30 minutes.

The precise pattern varies between:

• Interlaken–Lauterbrunnen trains
• Grütschalp cable cars
• Grütschalp–Mürren mountain trains
• Lauterbrunnen–Stechelberg buses
• Schilthornbahn cable cars

For an ordinary daytime journey, you rarely need to plan around one unique departure. Still, check the complete connection when:

• Starting very early
• Returning late
• Travelling outside the main season
• Connecting to Schilthorn
• Visiting during maintenance periods
• Following a tight itinerary

Search for the complete journey rather than checking each stage independently. That shows whether the transfers connect properly.

Do you need to reserve tickets or seats?

No seat reservation is required for the standard journey from Interlaken to Mürren.

The route is designed for walk-on public transport. You need a valid ticket or pass, but you do not reserve an individual seat.

During busy summer mornings, carriages and cable cars can become crowded. Arriving a little earlier may help you board comfortably, but it does not reserve a place.

Separate reservations or tickets may apply to onward attractions, special experiences or particular sections beyond Mürren. Check current requirements if you plan to continue to Schilthorn.

How do you buy tickets?

The easiest options are:

• SBB Mobile
• The SBB website
• Ticket machines at Interlaken Ost
• The staffed ticket office

Search for your complete journey:

Interlaken Ost → Mürren BLM

For the route via Stechelberg, the journey planner may show the bus and Schilthornbahn connections instead.

Buying one ticket to your final destination is simpler than purchasing the train, cable car and mountain railway separately.

If you plan to arrive via Grütschalp and return via Stechelberg, check whether your selected ticket or pass covers both routes before travelling.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass valid to Mürren?

The standard public-transport journey from Interlaken to Mürren is generally included with a valid Swiss Travel Pass.

That normally covers the train to Lauterbrunnen and public-transport connections to Mürren. You do not need to buy separate tickets for each ordinary stage when the route is included.

Coverage changes once you continue towards higher mountain attractions such as Birg and Schilthorn. Those sections may have different discounts or inclusions.

Always check the current validity map for your travel date. Do not assume that reaching Mürren and reaching Schilthorn are treated identically.

The Swiss Half Fare Card normally provides a discount on eligible sections rather than free travel.

Can you take luggage to Mürren?

Yes.

Mürren is car-free, but visitors regularly travel there with suitcases. Trains and cable cars can carry normal travel luggage.

Before choosing a route, check which side of the village is closest to your accommodation:

• Hotels near Mürren BLM are easiest via Grütschalp.
• Hotels near the Schilthornbahn may be easier via Stechelberg.
• Central accommodation may be manageable from either direction.

Mürren is not large, but its paths are not completely flat. Pulling a heavy suitcase across the entire village is possible, though not especially enjoyable.

Is the route scenic?

Yes—the journey is one of the reasons to visit Mürren.

Each stage shows a different version of the landscape:

• The Interlaken train enters the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
• The Grütschalp cable car rises above the valley floor.
• The mountain railway travels across the upper slope.
• Mürren opens towards the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.

For the best views, choose the route via Grütschalp during daylight.

Clouds may hide the high mountains even when conditions in Interlaken look clear. Check a Mürren webcam before travelling if the panorama is your main reason for going.

What is Mürren like?

Mürren is car-free, compact and easy to explore on foot.

The village feels quieter than Grindelwald and more traditionally Alpine than Interlaken. Wooden chalets, hotels and restaurants follow the mountainside, while the major peaks remain visible across the valley in clear weather.

You can spend a few hours:

• Walking through the village
• Finding viewpoints over the Lauterbrunnen Valley
• Having lunch on a terrace
• Continuing to Allmendhubel
• Hiking towards Gimmelwald
• Travelling onwards to Birg or Schilthorn

The transport stations lie at opposite ends of the village, making it easy to arrive one way, walk through Mürren and leave by another route.

My recommended Mürren day trip from Interlaken

My favourite way to use this journey is:

1. Travel from Interlaken to Mürren via Grütschalp.
2. Walk through Mürren.
3. Hike from Mürren to Gimmelwald.
4. Continue into the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
5. Return from Lauterbrunnen to Interlaken.

I walked from Mürren via Gimmelwald to Lauterbrunnen in approximately three hours.

The regular hiking route is technically straightforward in normal summer conditions. It is manageable for beginners with reasonable fitness and easy for experienced hikers, although the prolonged descent can become tiring for your knees.

This itinerary works especially well because you do not retrace the same journey. You arrive high above the valley, experience Mürren and Gimmelwald on foot, then finish beneath the waterfalls.

My complete Mürren to Lauterbrunnen hike guide covers the walking route in more detail.

Can you combine Mürren and Grindelwald?

Yes, but only with a full day and an early start.

My recommended combined itinerary is:

1. Travel from Interlaken to Mürren.
2. Hike via Gimmelwald into the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
3. Travel from Lauterbrunnen via Zweilütschinen to Grindelwald.
4. Spend the late afternoon walking through Grindelwald.
5. Browse the shops or stop at a terrace.
6. Return to Interlaken in the evening.

I would not add Grindelwald First or Bachalpsee after the three-hour hike. That would turn a varied day into a rushed sequence of cable cars and deadlines.

Read my complete itinerary for Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald in one day if you want to combine the two areas.

Grütschalp or Stechelberg: which route is better?

Situation	Best route
First visit to Mürren	Grütschalp
Most scenic public-transport journey	Grütschalp
Simplest transfers	Grütschalp
Visiting Gimmelwald first	Stechelberg
Continuing to Schilthorn	Stechelberg
Hiking from Mürren via Gimmelwald	Arrive via Grütschalp
Creating a circular trip	Up via Grütschalp, down via Stechelberg
Hotel near Mürren BLM	Grütschalp
Hotel near Schilthornbahn	Stechelberg

For most visitors, go up via Grütschalp.

For the best overall day, arrive via Grütschalp and return via Gimmelwald and Stechelberg—either using the hiking route or cable cars.

Can you visit Mürren as a half-day trip?

Yes, but a full day is better.

A half-day allows enough time to:

• Travel from Interlaken
• Walk through Mürren
• Stop for a drink or lunch
• Enjoy the viewpoints
• Return by public transport

Choose a full day if you want to:

• Hike to Gimmelwald
• Continue to Schilthorn
• Visit Allmendhubel
• Walk deeper into the mountains
• Combine different arrival and return routes

The journey is too scenic to treat only as transport. Allowing a full day gives you time to enjoy Mürren without constantly checking the next departure.

Best time to travel

Travel in the morning if Mürren is your main day trip.

An early start offers:

• More time in the village
• Cooler hiking conditions
• Quieter trains and paths
• Greater flexibility if connections change
• A better chance of completing a longer route

Morning does not guarantee clear mountain views, but cloud often develops as the day progresses.

Summer and early autumn provide the most reliable conditions for hiking. Outside the main season, check trail status and mountain-transport operations carefully.

Common mistakes to avoid

Starting at Interlaken West

Direct trains to Lauterbrunnen begin at Interlaken Ost. Travel to Ost first if your accommodation is near West.

Searching only for “Mürren”

Check whether your journey ends at Mürren BLM or uses the Stechelberg cable-car route. The best arrival point depends on your plans.

Assuming it is a train-only journey

The classic route includes a regular train, cable car and mountain railway.

Buying separate tickets unnecessarily

Search for the complete journey from Interlaken Ost to Mürren before purchasing individual stages.

Confusing Mürren with Wengen

Wengen is reached by mountain train from Lauterbrunnen. Mürren lies on the opposite side of the valley and requires the Grütschalp or Stechelberg route.

Arriving at the wrong end with heavy luggage

Check the location of your accommodation before selecting Mürren BLM or the Schilthornbahn route.

Assuming every higher mountain section is included

Pass coverage to Mürren does not automatically mean identical coverage towards Birg or Schilthorn.

Confusing the hiking trail with the via ferrata

The normal walk from Mürren towards Gimmelwald does not require climbing equipment. The separate Mürren–Gimmelwald via ferrata is an exposed protected climbing route and should not be attempted without the necessary experience and equipment.

Is Mürren worth visiting from Interlaken?

Yes.

The journey is simple enough for a day trip but scenic enough to feel like part of the destination. In around one hour, you travel from Interlaken into the Lauterbrunnen Valley, rise above the cliffs and arrive in a car-free village facing some of the region’s most famous peaks.

For the easiest first visit, travel via Lauterbrunnen and Grütschalp.

For the best complete day, go up via Grütschalp, walk through Mürren and descend towards Gimmelwald and the Lauterbrunnen Valley.

That route shows you far more than travelling to Mürren and immediately returning the same way.