Grindelwald sits directly beneath the north face of the Eiger, which is the reason most people go. It is the largest village in the Jungfrau region, it is reachable by road — unlike its neighbours Wengen and Mürren — and it is the base for the railway up to the Jungfraujoch.
Getting there from Zurich Airport
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | 2 h 07 | CHF 644 E-Class · CHF 720 V-Class | Door to door, fixed, equipment included |
| Train | 2 h 51 | Per person | One to four changes depending on the departure |
| Hire car | ~2 h 07 | Rate + fuel + parking | Village parking is limited in season |
Full grid for the 151 km: CHF 644 E-Class, CHF 720 V-Class, CHF 871 S-Class, CHF 1147 Sprinter. Per vehicle, 10 % off a return booked together.
Check the number of changes before choosing the train. Some departures reach Grindelwald with a single change; others need four. On a good connection the railway is a fine option, and the approach through the Bernese Oberland is one of the better rail journeys in the country. On a bad one it is three-quarters of an hour slower with your luggage handled four times.
The skiing
Grindelwald anchors the Jungfrau Ski Region, which combines the terrain above Grindelwald and Wengen — Kleine Scheidegg, Männlichen, First — with Mürren-Schilthorn on one pass.
The Eiger Express, a tricable gondola from near Grindelwald Terminal, cut the journey to Kleine Scheidegg substantially and changed how the area works: what used to be a slow start to the day is now quick.
First, above the village on the opposite side, is the sunny, family-friendly area and the one that stays busy in summer.
The Lauberhorn
Each January, Wengen hosts the Lauberhorn — the longest downhill on the World Cup circuit, run partly on the same slopes visible from Grindelwald. That week fills accommodation across the whole valley and makes transfers considerably harder to book at short notice.
If you are travelling to the Jungfrau region in mid-January, check the race dates before assuming anything is available.
Summer
This valley is busier in summer than in winter, which is unusual for the Alps. The Jungfraujoch railway — the highest station in Europe — runs year-round from Kleine Scheidegg, and the hiking network above Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen is among the most heavily used in Switzerland. The transfer price is identical and the road is faster.
Practical notes
Unlike its neighbours
Wengen and Mürren are car-free. Grindelwald is not — a transfer reaches the hotel door.
Check the summit
The Jungfraujoch in cloud is an expensive tunnel. Webcams before tickets.
Lauberhorn week
The valley fills. Book transfers and rooms far ahead or avoid the dates.
Not winter
July and August are the busiest months here, the opposite of most Alpine valleys.
Where to go next
Adelboden →The other Bernese Oberland classic, CHF 796.
All ski destinations →Every resort compared by road and by rail.
All fixed prices →The full grid with real road distances.
Zurich Airport to Grindelwald — FAQ
How far is Grindelwald from Zurich Airport?
151 km by road, about two hours and five minutes in normal conditions.
How much is a transfer from Zurich Airport to Grindelwald?
CHF 644 in an E-Class, CHF 720 in a V-Class for up to seven, CHF 871 in an S-Class and CHF 1147 in a Sprinter. Per vehicle and fixed in advance.
Can a car reach Grindelwald?
Yes. Unlike Wengen and Mürren in the same valley, which are car-free, Grindelwald is road-accessible and a transfer reaches the hotel door.
How long is the train from Zurich Airport to Grindelwald?
About two hours fifty at best, but the number of changes varies from one to four depending on the departure. Check that before choosing the train over the road.
What is the Eiger Express?
A tricable gondola from near Grindelwald Terminal that substantially shortened the journey up to Kleine Scheidegg, changing what used to be a slow start to the skiing day.
When is the Lauberhorn race?
Mid-January, at neighbouring Wengen — the longest downhill on the World Cup circuit. It fills accommodation across the whole valley, so check the dates before booking anything that week.