In this guide
Trains run every 30 minutes throughout the day. In the current 2026 timetable, services from Interlaken Ost start at around 06:04 and continue into the evening. Always check SBB or Jungfrau Railways for your exact travel date.
It is direct, does not require a seat reservation and takes you from Interlaken into one of Switzerland’s most dramatic valleys. As the journey progresses, the landscape changes from open fields and forests to steep cliffs and waterfalls.
I have taken this route several times, usually during summer. It is one of the easiest train journeys in the Jungfrau Region, but there are still a few things worth knowing—especially the difference between Interlaken Ost and West and how the train divides at Zweilütschinen.
This guide covers the route, tickets, passes, the best side for views and onward connections to Wengen, Mürren and Grindelwald.
Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen train: quick answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Departure station | Interlaken Ost |
| Arrival station | Lauterbrunnen |
| Travel time | Approximately 20 minutes |
| Direct train | Yes |
| Typical frequency | Every 30 minutes |
| Seat reservation required | No |
| Train operator | Berner Oberland-Bahn |
| Best side for views | Right-hand side when leaving Interlaken |
| Swiss Travel Pass | Valid on the standard train journey |
| Car required | No |
| Main onward connections | Wengen, Mürren and Schilthorn |
| Advance booking required | No, although you still need a valid ticket or pass |
Which Interlaken station goes to Lauterbrunnen?
Direct trains to Lauterbrunnen depart from Interlaken Ost.
They do not depart directly from Interlaken West. If you are staying near West, you can begin there, but your journey planner will normally route you to Interlaken Ost first.
Do not confuse the two stations when booking accommodation or planning an early departure.
- Interlaken Ost: direct trains to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald
- Interlaken West: useful for western Interlaken, Unterseen and Lake Thun boats
- Lauterbrunnen: your arrival station for the village, Wengen and connections towards Mürren
My Interlaken West versus Interlaken Ost guide explains which station you need for every major excursion.
If your long-distance train stops at Interlaken West before continuing to Ost, remain on board until Ost. Getting off too early only creates an unnecessary local transfer.
Travelling to Grindelwald with bags is usually easy, but packing light makes the final walk to your accommodation much simpler. See my Switzerland by train with luggage guide for more practical advice.
Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen route
The journey is operated by the Berner Oberland-Bahn and follows this route:
Interlaken Ost → Wilderswil → Zweilütschinen → Lauterbrunnen
The train leaves Interlaken and passes through open countryside before reaching Wilderswil. From there, it follows the Lütschine river towards Zweilütschinen.
At Zweilütschinen, the railway divides:
- One branch continues to Lauterbrunnen.
- The other branch continues towards Grindelwald.
The Berner Oberland-Bahn often runs the two sections as one coupled train from Interlaken Ost. At Zweilütschinen, the train separates and each section continues into a different valley.
That sounds more confusing than it feels in practice. Screens and announcements show the destination, and the carriages are marked. Still, check that you are sitting in the section for Lauterbrunnen, not Grindelwald.
If you are unsure, ask a member of staff before departure or check the displays inside the train.
How long is the train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen?
The direct journey normally takes approximately 20 minutes.
That makes Lauterbrunnen one of the easiest mountain day trips from Interlaken. You can leave after breakfast and arrive in the valley before the busiest part of the day.
The exact journey time may vary slightly between services. Always check the current SBB or Jungfrau Railways timetable for your travel date, particularly during maintenance periods.
Although the ride is short, allow a little extra time at Interlaken Ost. The station is not enormous, but finding the correct platform and train section is less stressful when you are not arriving at the final minute.
How often do trains run?
Trains between Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen typically run every 30 minutes.
Services operate from early morning until late evening, although the precise first and final departures vary.
The frequent timetable gives you flexibility. For an ordinary day trip, you do not need to organise the entire day around one specific train.
I would still check the timetable when:
- Catching one of the first morning services
- Returning late in the evening
- Connecting to Mürren, Wengen or Schilthorn
- Travelling during maintenance work
- Visiting outside the main season
- Making a fixed onward connection
Missing one daytime train usually means waiting around half an hour rather than losing the entire day.
Do you need to book the train in advance?
No.
This is a regional train, and seat reservations are neither necessary nor normally available in the way they are on some international trains.
You can buy a ticket shortly before departure and take the next suitable service.
Advance booking does not guarantee you a particular seat. During busy summer mornings, the train can become crowded, so arrive slightly early if sitting together is important.
You need either:
- A regular point-to-point ticket
- A return ticket
- A valid Swiss Travel Pass
- A valid regional or national pass covering the route
Buying online can save time at the station, but it is not required.
Where can you buy tickets?
The easiest options are:
- The SBB Mobile app
- The SBB website
- Ticket machines at Interlaken Ost
- The staffed ticket office, when open
Search for:
From: Interlaken Ost
To: Lauterbrunnen
If you are travelling back to Interlaken later that day, compare a return ticket with any regional pass you are considering.
Do not buy only to Lauterbrunnen if your actual destination is Wengen, Mürren or Schilthorn without first checking the complete fare. Searching for your final destination shows all the included stages and helps prevent buying overlapping tickets.
How much does the train cost?
A standard second-class ticket from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen costs around CHF 7.80 one way at full fare. With a Half Fare Card, you generally pay half the standard fare. Check SBB before travelling, as fares can change.
The fare depends on:
- First or second class
- One-way or return travel
- Swiss Half Fare Card
- Swiss Travel Pass
- Saver fares or day passes
- Your complete final destination
Swiss transport prices can change, so check the current amount in the SBB app rather than relying on an old figure from a travel blog.
Enter your discount card correctly before purchasing. Otherwise, the app may display a half-fare price that you are not entitled to use—or charge the full fare when you qualify for a reduction.
Is the train included in the Swiss Travel Pass?
The standard train journey between Interlaken Ost and Lauterbrunnen is included with a valid Swiss Travel Pass.
You do not need to purchase another ticket for this section, but you must carry the active pass and any identification required for inspection.
If you continue higher into the mountains, do not assume every cable car and mountain railway has identical coverage. Check the complete route to Wengen, Mürren or Schilthorn separately.
The Swiss Half Fare Card normally gives a 50% reduction on eligible public transport, including this railway journey.
Pass rules can change, so confirm current coverage before travelling.
Do you need a seat reservation?
No.
You board the train and sit in any available seat in the correct class.
Even without reservations, I recommend arriving a little earlier during:
- July and August
- Sunny weekends
- The morning rush towards the mountains
- Major local events
- Peak travel periods around Jungfraujoch departures
The train may be busy, but the short travel time makes standing manageable if necessary.
Is the Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen train scenic?
Yes.
The journey begins relatively gently, passing green fields, rivers and traditional houses. After Zweilütschinen, the route turns into the Lauterbrunnen Valley and the scenery becomes more dramatic.
You can expect:
- Green meadows
- Forested slopes
- Traditional Swiss buildings
- Views of the Lütschine river
- Steep mountain walls
- Waterfalls near Lauterbrunnen
It is not a long panoramic railway like the Glacier Express. It is a normal regional train that happens to enter an extraordinary valley.
The final section is the highlight. The cliffs close around the train, and Lauterbrunnen begins to appear beneath the waterfalls.
Which side of the train has the best views?
Sit on the right-hand side when travelling from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen.
This generally gives you the better angle as you approach the village and its waterfalls. Staubbach Falls lies on the right side of the valley as the train enters Lauterbrunnen.
However, the journey is short and both sides have scenery. I would not delay boarding or separate from your group solely to secure the “correct” side.
For the return journey to Interlaken, sit on the left if you want a similar perspective.
What happens when you arrive in Lauterbrunnen?
Lauterbrunnen station is compact and easy to navigate.
Once you leave the station, you can:
- Walk into Lauterbrunnen village
- Continue towards Staubbach Falls
- Begin walking through the valley
- Take the train to Wengen
- Travel towards Mürren
- Connect towards Schilthorn
- Take a bus deeper into the valley
The village centre begins almost immediately outside the station. Staubbach Falls is approximately a 10–15-minute walk away, depending on your pace and where you stop for photographs.
Lauterbrunnen is very popular, so the area immediately around the station can feel busy during the middle of the day. Walk farther into the valley and the crowds generally begin to spread out.
How to continue from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen
Use the mountain railway from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen.
Wengen is a car-free village above the opposite side of the valley. The journey is short but climbs significantly, giving you increasingly wide views as the train leaves Lauterbrunnen.
You do not return to Interlaken Ost first. Follow the signs at Lauterbrunnen station for the Wengen train.
Read my complete Interlaken to Wengen train guide if Wengen is your final destination.
How to continue from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren
Mürren lies high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley and cannot be reached by car.
There are different public-transport routes into the Mürren area. One common option begins close to Lauterbrunnen station and travels via Grütschalp, while another approaches from Stechelberg on the opposite side of the valley.
Which route is best depends on what you want to do next and which services are operating.
My Interlaken to Mürren guide explains the complete journey and transfer options.
If you enjoy hiking, one excellent day is to travel up to Mürren and walk via Gimmelwald back into the Lauterbrunnen Valley. I completed that descent in around three hours before continuing through the valley.
Can you visit Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald in one day?
Yes, but you need to make deliberate choices.
Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald lie on separate railway branches. To travel between them, return from Lauterbrunnen to Zweilütschinen and change for Grindelwald.
My preferred combined day is:
- Travel from Interlaken to Mürren.
- Hike via Gimmelwald into the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
- Travel from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald.
- Spend the late afternoon walking through Grindelwald, browsing shops and stopping at a terrace.
- Return to Interlaken in the evening.
That gives you a genuine landscape experience around Lauterbrunnen and a relaxed introduction to Grindelwald.
If you want Grindelwald First instead, keep Lauterbrunnen shorter and skip the Mürren hike.
Read my complete guide to visiting Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald in one day before attempting to combine them.
Lauterbrunnen as a half-day or full-day trip
Lauterbrunnen village alone can be visited in half a day.
A simple half-day includes:
- Train from Interlaken
- Walk through the village
- Staubbach Falls
- A short section of the valley path
- Return to Interlaken
Choose a full day if you also want to visit:
- Mürren
- Gimmelwald
- Wengen
- Trümmelbach Falls
- Schilthorn
- A longer valley hike
The most common mistake is assuming that “visiting Lauterbrunnen” means only seeing the village beside the station. The wider valley and mountain villages are the real reason to spend more time here.
Train versus car
For most visitors staying in Interlaken, the train is the easier option.
Advantages of the train
- Direct journey from Interlaken Ost
- No parking concerns
- Frequent services
- Scenic route
- Convenient arrival in the village
- Easy onward connections
Advantages of driving
- More flexibility for stops outside the railway route
- Useful if staying away from Interlaken’s stations
- Easier when carrying specialised equipment
Lauterbrunnen parking can become busy, and cars cannot continue to Wengen or Mürren. Even with a car, you will eventually need mountain transport for many of the area’s main destinations.
Luggage on the train
You can take ordinary luggage onto the train.
There are storage spaces, but they may fill during busy periods. Keep smaller bags with you and avoid blocking doors or aisles.
If you are changing hotels rather than making a day trip, check whether your accommodation is within walking distance of Lauterbrunnen station. Some properties are farther into the valley, where a bus or taxi may be more convenient with suitcases.
For help deciding where to base yourself, read my guide to staying in Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald.
Do you need a reserved seat?: You normally do not need to reserve a seat for this journey. My Swiss train seat reservation guide explains when reservations are useful and when they are actually required.
Common mistakes to avoid
Going to Interlaken West for the direct train
The Lauterbrunnen service begins at Interlaken Ost. From West, travel to Ost first.
Sitting in the wrong train section
The coupled train may divide at Zweilütschinen. Check that your carriage is travelling to Lauterbrunnen rather than Grindelwald.
Buying a ticket only to Lauterbrunnen
If your real destination is Wengen or Mürren, search for the complete journey before purchasing.
Assuming reservations are required
This is a regional train. You need a valid ticket, but not a reserved seat.
Planning only the village
Lauterbrunnen is beautiful, but the valley, waterfalls and mountain villages deserve more time than the station area.
Arriving at the final minute
The station is easy to navigate, but identifying the correct carriage is more comfortable when you have a few minutes.
Is the train from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen worth it?
Yes.
It is the easiest way to reach Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken and forms part of the experience rather than merely transporting you there.
In around 20 minutes, you move from a busy regional base into a narrow Alpine valley surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls. No car, reservation or complicated planning is required.
Start at Interlaken Ost, check the destination shown on your carriage and sit on the right if you want the best chance of seeing Staubbach Falls as you arrive.
After that, the only real decision is how far beyond Lauterbrunnen village you want to explore.
Frequently asked questions
