15 Tourist Mistakes To Avoid in Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen | What To Know Before You Go

Summary

This video script is a travel guide to the Jungfrau Region in Switzerland, advising against common tourist pitfalls. It emphasizes the allure of Jungfraujoch, the 'Top of Europe', while suggesting it shouldn't overshadow other local attractions. The script offers tips on dressing for the climate, navigating train systems, and utilizing the MeteoSwiss app for weather accuracy. It also covers the importance of planning, understanding trail difficulty levels, and the benefits of a Swiss train pass for hassle-free travel in the region.

Takeaways

• 🗺️ Avoid being unprepared like Jana by planning ahead and avoiding common tourist mistakes in Interlaken.
• ❄️ Jungfraujoch is a popular but expensive destination; prioritize other experiences if short on time and consider the weather.
• 🧥 Dress appropriately for the cold and variable weather at Jungfraujoch, even in summer, and consider layers for changing conditions.
• 🕗 Visit Jungfraujoch early in the morning and avoid weekends to dodge crowds and enhance the experience.
• 📱 Rely on MeteoSwiss for more accurate weather forecasts in the Swiss Alps rather than phone apps.
• 🚂 Understand the train station names and their locations in Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Mürren to avoid confusion.
• 🚫 Check cable car and railway operating schedules to ensure attractions are open during your visit, especially during shoulder seasons.
• 📝 Plan your itinerary to avoid last-minute decisions and ensure you have enough time for travel between destinations.
• 🛤️ Familiarize yourself with trail signs and difficulty levels when hiking in Switzerland to stay safe and enjoy the experience.
• 🌤️ Pack for a range of weather conditions as the Alps can experience rapid changes in temperature and weather throughout the day.
• 🎢 Arrive early for adventure activities at Grindelwald First to minimize wait times and prioritize the most important activities first.
• 🚶‍♂️ Explore beyond just the village in Lauterbrunnen to experience the full beauty of the valley, including its many waterfalls.

Q & A

Why should tourists avoid being like Jana in the script?

Jana is portrayed as unprepared for her trip to Interlaken, which suggests that tourists should be well-prepared to avoid common mistakes and to make the most of their visit.

What is the Top of Europe, and why might it not be the top priority for travelers?

The Top of Europe refers to Jungfraujoch, a popular tourist destination. It should not be the top priority because it is the most expensive place to visit near Interlaken, takes a significant portion of the day, and while it offers good views, there are better ones elsewhere.

Why is it not recommended to visit Jungfraujoch if you have less than three days in the Jungfrau region?

With less than three days, there are many other incredible experiences in the Jungfrau region that should not be missed, and a visit to Jungfraujoch alone could detract from experiencing the full range of activities available.

What should tourists do to avoid looking like a rookie at Jungfraujoch?

Tourists should dress appropriately for the cold temperatures, wear layers, and avoid wearing just a heavy coat. They should also visit early in the morning and avoid weekends to beat the crowds.

Why is MeteoSwiss a better source for weather forecasts in the Swiss Alps than phone weather apps?

MeteoSwiss provides more accurate weather forecasts, including minute-by-minute expectations of sunshine or precipitation, which is crucial for planning mountain adventures in a region with variable weather.

What is the confusion regarding train stations in Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Mürren, and how can it be resolved?

Interlaken has two train stations with the same name but different locations, and Grindelwald has three. Mürren is serviced by different routes. Tourists should familiarize themselves with the maps available at train stations and understand which station is closest to their destination.

Why is it important to check cable car and railway operating schedules before visiting the Jungfrau region?

The region has distinct summer and winter seasons, and a 'shoulder season' where many attractions close for maintenance. Checking schedules ensures that visitors can plan their trip around what is open and avoid disappointment.

What is the significance of the color-coded trail signs in Switzerland, and how should they guide a hiker's preparation?

Yellow trails are the easiest, red trails involve more elevation changes and are for hikers, and blue trails are for experienced hikers with proper equipment. Knowing these codes helps hikers choose appropriate trails and gear.

Why is it a mistake to rely solely on Instagram or movie scenes for trip planning in the Jungfrau region?

Focusing on replicating specific scenes can lead to an unrealistic expectation and a rushed trip. It's important to have a balanced plan that includes various attractions and allows for flexibility.

Why might tourists experience long wait times at the Adventure Activities in Grindelwald First, and how can they be avoided?

Popularity and limited capacity can lead to long wait times. Tourists should go early in the morning, choose their most important activity first, and consider the trottibike last to avoid long lines.

Why is it not advisable to drive to certain locations in the Jungfrau region, and what is a better alternative?

Many locations like Wengen, Mürren, and Harder Kulm are not accessible by car. Using public transportation and obtaining a train pass is more practical and cost-effective for exploring the region.

What is the Birg Thrill Walk, and how does it enhance the experience at Schilthorn?

The Birg Thrill Walk is an adventure activity involving walking along cliff faces and crossing a tightrope, offering a thrilling experience complementing the panoramic views from Schilthorn's revolving restaurant.

Outlines

00:00

🗻 Avoiding Common Tourist Mistakes in Interlaken

The video script introduces Jana's misadventures in Interlaken and offers advice on avoiding common tourist pitfalls. It addresses the overhyped Jungfraujoch, suggesting it's not the only worthwhile destination. The script recommends not prioritizing it over other attractions, considering its high cost and time investment. It also advises on appropriate attire for the cold climate, avoiding weekends and early morning visits to dodge crowds, and using MeteoSwiss for more accurate weather forecasts. The importance of understanding train station names and connections in Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Mürren is emphasized, along with the suggestion to check cable car and railway operating schedules to avoid disappointment.

05:01

🛤️ Navigating Train Stations and Hiking Trails in the Alps

This paragraph delves into the complexities of train travel in the Jungfrau region, highlighting the multiple stations in Grindelwald and Mürren, and the confusion that can arise from trains splitting routes. It also discusses the importance of knowing the correct train lines to take, especially to Harder Kulm, and the availability of maps at train stations. The script warns against the frustration of discovering attractions closed due to seasonal schedules and the 'shoulder season', urging travelers to plan ahead. It also touches on the importance of not relying solely on Instagram for trip planning, but to use resources like the Switzerland itineraries for the Jungfrau Region to avoid common travel mistakes.

10:06

🏞️ Understanding Hiking Trails and Preparing for Alpine Weather

The script provides a guide to hiking in Switzerland, explaining the color-coded trail system, which includes yellow for easy paved or wide gravel paths, red for more challenging hiking trails with elevation changes, and blue for experienced hikers with potential need for equipment due to exposure and risk of falls. It also emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the unpredictable alpine weather, suggesting layers, rain jackets, and sun protection. The paragraph also mentions the need to be aware of one's destination and the main waypoints along the route, recommending the use of trail maps available at train stations.

15:09

⛰️ Exploring Lauterbrunnen Valley and Maximizing Adventure Activities

This section of the script encourages visitors to explore beyond the village of Lauterbrunnen to experience the full beauty of the valley, suggesting a walk along the paved path to see local farms, waterfalls, and cliff faces. It also discusses transportation options, such as buses and bike rentals. The script highlights the Schilthorn's revolving restaurant and the Birg Thrill Walk for a James Bond-inspired experience. It advises against the need for a rental car in the Jungfrau Region due to the extensive public transportation network and the inaccessibility of certain locations by car. Lastly, it stresses the value of purchasing a Swiss train pass to save money and provides a resource for choosing the right pass for different trips.

Keywords

💡Interlaken

Interlaken is a town in the Bernese Highlands of Switzerland, known for its picturesque location between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. In the video's context, it serves as a base for exploring the Jungfrau region, highlighting the importance of being prepared and avoiding common tourist mistakes when visiting.

💡Jungfraujoch

Jungfraujoch, often referred to as the 'Top of Europe,' is the highest railway station in Europe and a popular tourist destination in the Swiss Alps. The video discusses the pros and cons of visiting Jungfraujoch, emphasizing that while it is a well-marketed spot, it should not be the sole priority of a trip to the region.

💡Swiss Alps

The Swiss Alps form a vast mountain range in Switzerland and are renowned for their beauty and outdoor activities. The video script mentions the unpredictability of the weather in the Swiss Alps, underscoring the importance of checking reliable weather forecasts before planning mountain adventures.

💡MeteoSwiss

MeteoSwiss is the Swiss federal service for meteorology and climatology, providing weather forecasts and services. In the video, it is recommended as a reliable source for weather predictions in the Swiss Alps, which is crucial for tourists planning their activities and avoiding disappointment due to weather-related closures.

💡Grindelwald

Grindelwald is a village in the Bernese Alps and a gateway to various mountain excursions. The script mentions the complexity of train travel in the area, particularly the confusion that can arise from multiple stations with the same name, such as the three train stations in Grindelwald.

💡Train Pass

A train pass in the context of the video refers to a ticket that allows unlimited travel on certain routes or within a specific region. The video emphasizes the importance of having a Swiss train pass to save money and efficiently navigate the public transportation system in the Jungfrau region.

💡Hiking Trails

Hiking trails in the video are categorized by color and difficulty. The script explains the significance of understanding trail signs and the types of trails, ranging from easy yellow trails to more challenging blue alpine trails, to ensure a safe and enjoyable hiking experience in the Swiss Alps.

💡Adventure Activities

Adventure Activities mentioned in the script refer to thrilling experiences such as the glider, the flier, and mountain carts at Grindelwald First. The video advises going early to avoid long wait times and suggests a strategic approach to maximize the enjoyment of these activities.

💡Weather App

A weather app in the context of the video is a mobile application that provides weather forecasts. The script points out the unreliability of phone weather apps for predicting conditions in the Swiss Alps, advocating for MeteoSwiss as a more accurate alternative.

💡Shoulder Season

The shoulder season refers to the transitional periods between the main tourist seasons of summer and winter. The video warns that during the shoulder season, many attractions may be closed for maintenance, and visitors should check operating schedules to avoid disappointment.

💡Public Transportation

Public transportation in the video pertains to the train and cable car systems in the Jungfrau region. It is highlighted as the primary mode of travel for accessing mountain villages and attractions, with the script noting that a rental car is not necessary and sometimes impractical for reaching certain destinations.

Highlights

Jana's unpreparedness for her trip to Interlaken serves as a cautionary tale for tourists.

Avoiding common tourist mistakes is crucial for a successful trip to the Jungfrau region.

Jungfraujoch, while heavily marketed, should not be prioritized over other attractions.

Jungfraujoch is the most expensive and time-consuming attraction near Interlaken.

Jungfraujoch offers unique experiences like snow exposure and glacier hiking for first-timers.

A visit to Jungfraujoch is not recommended for those with less than three days in the region.

Day trips to Jungfraujoch from Zurich or Geneva are discouraged for first-time visitors.

Proper attire, including layers and accessories, is essential for the cold climate of Jungfraujoch.

Visiting Jungfraujoch early in the morning on weekdays can help avoid crowds.

MeteoSwiss provides more accurate weather forecasts for the Swiss Alps than phone apps.

Interlaken and Grindelwald's multiple train stations can lead to confusion for travelers.

Understanding the train schedules and station names is vital for smooth travel in the Jungfrau region.

Checking cable car and railway operating schedules prevents disappointment from closures.

A 'wing it' approach can lead to missed opportunities and poor planning in the Jungfrau region.

Hiking in Switzerland requires understanding trail signs and being prepared with appropriate gear.

Weather in the Alps can change rapidly, necessitating a pack for various conditions.

Waiting times for adventure activities in Grindelwald can be long, and early arrival is recommended.

Renting a car may not be necessary in the Jungfrau Region due to extensive public transportation.

Swiss train passes are a cost-effective way to explore the region and should be considered.

Transcripts

This is Jana. Jana is going to Interlaken,  

but she's never been and is about to show up  completely unprepared. Don't be like Jana.  

Avoid these 15 tourist mistakes so you  don't look and feel like a total noob.

“Okay. Here's the plan. If we leave  Zurich at 5:19 tomorrow morning,  

we can go see Jungfraujoch and still  make it back to Zurich before dinner!”

Okay, let's start with something a bit  controversial. Jungfraujoch is without a  

doubt the most well marketed spot in the area.  There are thousands of Swiss francs deployed  

every single year to convince travelers like  you that your trip to the region would not be  

complete without a visit to the Top of Europe.  Now, we've been there a few times and we filmed  

a video there last year, and I think if you  watch it, you'll see that we had loads of fun.

But so many travelers have asked us if  Jungfraujoch is worth it. It's not a  

mistake to go there. If you know you want to  go, then just do it! But we do think it's a  

mistake to prioritize it over everything else.  The reality is that Jungfraujoch is the most  

expensive place to visit near Interlaken,  a trip there takes a big chunk of a day,  

and there are good views, but we think  there are better views elsewhere.

But if you've never seen snow, then this is  a great chance to experience that. And if  

you want to see or even hike across a glacier,  then you won't want to miss this. In fact, you  

enjoy Jungfraujoch guilt free if you know you  want to go. But we don't recommend going there  

if you have less than three days in the Jungfrau  region. That's because there are just so many  

other incredible experiences to enjoy and most  of them will be covered by a train pass. Oh,  

also don't take a day trip from Zurich  or Geneva just to visit Jungfraujoch,  

especially if you've never been  to the Jungfrau Region before.

“You're going to Jungfraujoch  looking like that?!…Yeah.”

If you do decide to go to Jungfraujoch, avoid  looking like a rookie by following these tips.  

The average high temperature, even during the  summer months, barely gets above freezing. So  

make sure to dress appropriately. That means  wearing layers. And you might even want gloves  

and a hat. But don't overdo it by wearing  just a heavy coat with no other layers.

When the sun is out and shining during the  summer, it can feel much warmer than the  

actual temperature suggests. And the coldest  part of the entire Jungfraujoch Tour might  

just be the Ice Palace, which is kept at  27 degrees Fahrenheit the entire year.

As for other tips, try to avoid a weekend visit  if possible and go early in the morning. Following  

both of these suggestions will put you ahead of  the crowds and give you a much better experience.  

Finally, it would be a mistake to go to the Top of  Europe without watching our Ultimate Guide video,  

where we tell you everything you need  to know like how to hike on a glacier,  

where to pose with the Swiss flag in the snow,  

how to mail a letter from the highest mailbox  in Switzerland, and lots of other things.

“Babe, it looks like it's going to  rain every day during our trip!”

There's no way to be nice about it. The phone  weather apps suck when it comes to predicting  

what the weather will be like in the Swiss  Alps. There are plenty of days here when we're  

outside enjoying the beautiful sunshine and our  phone app literally tells us that it's raining.

So if you were to believe your unreliable  phone weather app, then you would miss out on  

some incredible days here in the mountains. So do  yourself a favor and get familiar with MeteoSwiss.  

There is a phone app, but we actually just  find the website to be way more user friendly.  

MeteoSwiss seems to deliver the most accurate  weather forecast, and one of our favorite  

features is the ability to see the expected  minute of sunshine or precipitation per hour.

This is so helpful for when you want to  prioritize the clearest part of the day  

for a mountain adventure. And be sure to check  the weather in a few different places like the  

mountains and the lakes. Because often it can be  cloudy in one but sunny in another. So don't visit  

Interlaken or Grindelwald or really anywhere in  Switzerland without making MeteoSwiss your friend.

“Made it to Grindelwald!”

The trains can already feel complicated, but  Grindelwald, Interlaken and Mürren make your  

train travel extra confusing by having multiple  stations with the same name. Interlaken has 2  

train stations: Interlaken Ost, which means  East, and Interlaken West, which means West.

Interlaken West has more hotels, restaurants, and  amenities. But Interlaken Ost is the beginning of  

the train line heading into the mountains.  You can connect between the two by train or  

by walking approximately 15 minutes. Or you can  ride a bus from Interlaken West to Wilderswil,  

where you can then catch the  train to go to the mountains.

There are actually 3 train stations in  Grindelwald, and you need to know which  

one is closest to your hotel and which is  best for your other sightseeing excursions.

When you travel toward Grindelwald,  the first station you'll come to is  

Grindelwald Terminal. This is where you  get off to board the Eiger Express to  

Eigergletscher and then head to Jungfraujoch  or to take the cable car to Männlichen.

One station past Terminal is the Grindelwald  Bahnhof train station. This is the main village  

where nearly all the lodging is. And you'll also  find the Grindelwald First and Pfingstegg cable  

cars about a 10 to 15 minute walk or a short bus  ride from here. Finally, there's Grindelwald Grund  

sitting just below the main village. You have  to switch trains in Grindelwald to go here,  

and less of you are likely to use this  station. But it might be convenient if  

your Airbnb sits below the village or if you  want to ride the train to Kleine Scheidegg.

And then there's Mürren. This  delightful Alpine village is  

serviced by the BLM from the  Lauterbrunnen train station  

and by the Schilthorn cable car from  Stechelberg at the back of the Valley.

So, yeah, maps are very helpful  here. Nearly every train station  

has giant maps on the walls and all of  them have paper maps inside as well.

And while we're on the topic  of being in the wrong place,  

make sure you pick the correct  line when you visit Harder Kulm.

The left side is for people who already have  a ticket or pass in. Their right side is for  

people who need to purchase a ticket,  and that line is often a lot longer. But  

there's no excuse to have to wait in that  line. Both of the regional train passes,  

the Berner Oberland Pass and the Jungfrau Travel  Pass fully cover the route to Harder Kulm.

And if you don't have one of those train passes,  

you can easily buy a ticket on the SBB mobile  app or even online there. Thanks to this video,  

now the line for people with tickets  is going to be the longer line.

“Wait, this one's closed. This one too?”

Few things are worse than traveling all the  way to the Jungfrau region just to find out  

the things you're most excited to do are closed.  So avoid this mistake by looking up the cable car  

and railway operating schedules before your visit.  There are distinct summer and winter seasons here,  

and many of the major mountain excursions are open  during both. But in between, “shoulder season”  

is a real thing, with plenty of places closed  for maintenance for up to six weeks at a time.

And keep in mind that sightseeing favorites  such as Harder Kulm or Schynige Platte are  

only open during the summer season. Now,  no matter what time of year you visit,  

you'll be able to enjoy the villages of  Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald,  

and Wengen. But while mountain villages like  Mürren and Gimmelwald are accessible year round,  

they often have limited restaurant and lodging  availability during the shoulder seasons.

But there are definitely periods of time  throughout the year that are more likely to  

delight or disappoint your expectations. So  be sure to check out our best time to visit  

Interlaken video where we give you month-by-month  details to aid you in your planning.

“Hey, what should we do today?” “I don't  know. Know of any hikes around here?” “Oh,  

I know! We can go to one of those  spots I found on Instagram!”

While unexpected cable car closings and  poor weather forecasts can ruin your trip,  

so can a “wing it” approach. We've seen so  many people come here and pack a ton of stuff  

into just like 2 or 3 days without realizing how  long it takes to get from one place to another,  

or just assuming that the cable cars run super  late into the evening, even when they don't.

But we sadly watch so many people come  to this region and single mindedly focus  

on replicating that perfect Instagram  photo or that dreamy movie scene. Now,  

there's no reason why you can't come here  and experience the best the region has  

to offer in just a few short days.  But you're going to need some help.

And that's why we created our Switzerland  itineraries for the Jungfrau Region. They  

help solve all these problems and prevent you from  making so many of the mistakes that we mention in  

this video. So be sure to check them out later—but  not before finishing the rest of these tips.

“I'm pretty sure blue means  beginner. So let's do this trail!”

It's easy to be lulled into complacency while  hiking in Switzerland. The nature is stunning.  

Cable cars and trains will take you just  about anywhere you want to go. And trails  

are so well-marked it's nearly impossible  to get lost. But that doesn't mean that you  

should hike unprepared. So get familiar  with the trail signs and what they mean.

Yellow trails are the easiest and usually suggest  a paved path or a wide gravel trail suitable for  

walkers of almost all ability levels. Generally,  tennis shoes should be just fine for these paths.

Red trails are hiking trails and usually include  more elevation gain or loss. Narrow trails with  

rocks and roots on the path and sometimes  a little bit of exposure too. You're better  

off with at least a trail running or light hiking  shoe as opposed to tennis shoes on these trails.

And then you have the blue trails. I  hesitate to even mention these because  

only those with lots of experience and  proper equipment should even venture onto  

these trails. They're considered alpine  trails and often require fixed ropes or  

other equipment to navigate areas with lots  of exposure and significant threat of falls.

In addition to these color markings,  you'll see a few places listed along  

with time estimates to reach them at an average  but Swiss-centric hiking pace. Keep in mind that  

your end destination might not be listed on  these signs from the beginning of your hike,  

so you're probably going to need to know some of  the main waypoints along your route. If you're  

unsure, just remember that you can pick up  a trail map in most of the train stations.

“What happened?” “I forgot my rain jacket…”

You're in the Alps. A typical day  could include crisp, clear morning,  

clouds rolling in by noon, an afternoon rain  shower followed by a hot, muggy evening,  

and then after the sunset it cools  off more quickly than you might think.

Then you can mix in altitude changes when  you're out sightseeing. And basically—there  

is no typical day in the Alps. So you need  to pack for a little bit of everything.

We usually wear a tee shirt and pants when  we head into the mountains during the summer.  

And we always, always, always bring our  rain jackets. But if we're going above  

2000 meters, we'll probably bring  along a sweatshirt for warmth as well.

When the sun is out, it can feel hot,  even if it's only like 60 degrees. But  

if the clouds roll in or the winds pick  up, it can start to feel even colder,  

more like 40 degrees. So just be prepared  for all kinds of temperatures. Oh, and don't  

forget your sunscreen, too. Or at least wear  something stylish for sun protection like Brett.

“Oh my gosh. I've been waiting  in this line for like 2 hours.”

Many of you are excited for the Adventure  Activities at Grindelwald First. And not  

to rain in your parade, but we've  pretty much always seen wait times  

of 90 to 120 minutes for these activities  by mid-morning. So to avoid wasting a day  

in the Swiss Alps standing in line for these  activities, we suggest the following strategy.

Go first thing in the morning. The gondolas  begin running between 8 and 9 am, depending  

on the time of year. And once again you'll beat  the crowds by going early. Choose one of these  

three activities that's most important to you:  the glider, the flier, or the mountain carts.  

And do that right away. Ride up to Schreckfeld  if you want to do the glider or mountain carts,  

or all the way up to First for the flier. Once  you get your most important adventure activity  

out of the way, you can decide whether or not  you want to do another based on the wait times.

But you'll notice we didn’t list the  trottibike. That's because for whatever  

reason, it almost never has a long wait  time. So it's actually pretty strategic  

to save this for the end and ride the  trottibike all the way back to Grindelwald.

Just like with Harder Kulm, both  of the regional train passes fully  

cover the gondolas to First or  you can buy tickets on the SBB  

app or online so there's no reason to  be standing in line to purchase them.

And you can even buy tickets online  for the Adventure Activities too,  

though we suggest caution here. We'd hate  to see you load up on tickets only to spend  

all day in line waiting to  complete these activities.

“Grindelwald, here I come!”

Whether you're traveling to Grindelwald or  Lauterbrunnen, you board from this same platform  

and the Interlaken Ost and Wilderswil train  stations. If you're going to Lauterbrunnen,  

you want to sit on the front half of the  train, and if you're going to Grindelwald,  

you want to board the back half of the train.  That's because this one train takes passengers  

all the way to Zweilütschinen, and then it  splits in two: the front half of the train  

gets allowed to Lauterbrunnen and the back  half of the train continues to Grindelwald.

Now, there are super clear signs in both  Interlaken Ost and Wilderswil train stations  

to help you with this, but we still see  a lot of tourists making this mistake.

“Well, I guess that's all  to see in Lauterbrunnen.”

You don't have to be J.R.R. Tolkien or  an Instagram influencer to recognize that  

Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the most stunning  places on earth. So a visit here is a must. But if  

you only visit the village and Staubach waterfall,  you'll be missing the best part. So take your time  

and wander the paved path that goes past all that  falls and continues toward the back of the valley.

Along the way, you'll pass local  farms, wander beside the river,  

and have the chance to visit some farm fridges.  But you'll also give yourself a sore neck as you  

continually gaze at the endless waterfalls and  sheer cliff faces. It's about 5 kilometers from  

the Lauterbrunnen train station to the Stechelberg  Schilthornbahn near the back of the valley.

But at many points along the way, you could  cross the river and hop on a bus if you'd  

rather cut the walk short. Or if you want  to enjoy the valley at your own pace while  

saving your walking legs, consider renting  a bike from Imboden Bike in Lauterbrunnen.

“Hey, how was the Schilthorn?” “It was so cool!”  “What did you think about the Birg Thrill Walks?”  

“The what??”

Schilthorn is iconic with its revolving  restaurant offering up some of the most  

killer views in the region. And the  fact that it was a filming location  

for James Bond On Her Majesty's Secret  Service is just icing on the cake. But  

why visit the location inspired by James  Bond without pretending to be James Bond?

Do your best Bond impersonation by stopping by  the Birg cable car station for the Birg Thrill  

Walk. You'll walk along cliff faces, cross  a tightrope, and cross through a tunnel,  

all while safely suspended by the magnificence  of Swiss engineering. There are ways to  

bypass each of the scarier elements, but  unless you're deathly afraid of heights,  

there isn't really anything super  scary or dangerous about this.

And in our opinion, we like the Birg Thrill Walk  better than we like the Grindelwald Cliff Walk,  

although that’s fun too. The Thrill Walk is free  

and you can stop at the Birg station on  your way up or down from the Schilthorn.

“Hey, Siri, navigate driving directions  

to Harder Kulm.” “I'm sorry, but  you cannot drive to Harder Kulm.”

You really don't need a rental car in the Jungfrau  Region. Of course you can drive to Interlaken,  

Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen. But here's an  incomplete list of places you can't reach by car:  

Wengen, Mürren, Gimmelwald, Grindelwald First,  Harder Kulm, Männlichen, Schynige Platte — and  

the list goes on! There are times when  it makes sense to drive in this area.

For example, if you're traveling with a large  group or you've already rented a car to visit  

other European destinations. But even if you drive  to the Jungfrau Region, you're still going to have  

to ride public transportation to go into the  mountains. It's still going to cost quite a  

bit of money. And you're probably still going  to be better off with some type of train pass.

“What are you doing?!?”

Not buying a Swiss train pass is like  throwing your money in the garbage.  

But there are so many different passes to  choose from, and knowing which routes are  

and are not covered can be very confusing.  Now, you could just buy this Swiss Travel  

Pass and hope it works out. Or you can check  out our Ultimate Guide to Swiss Train Passes!

In both the video and the free download, we  give specific recommendations for trips to  

the Jungfrau Region, Zermatt, Lucerne. and  beyond to help you pick your train pass and  

travel Switzerland with confidence. So check  that out next and we'll see you in Switzerland!