Lauterbrunnen Day Trip from Interlaken: Our Private Tour Review
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Our 5-day Switzerland itinerary took us from Lucerne to Interlaken, with plenty of mountain scenery and day trips along the way. We arrived in Switzerland after spending eight days exploring Europe on a Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, and you can also follow our day-by-day Rhine River cruise itinerary to see how the two trips fit together.
One of the most memorable days of our Switzerland trip was a guided Lauterbrunnen day trip from Interlaken. We spent the day exploring Lauterbrunnen Valley, Trümmelbach Falls, Mürren, glacier viewpoints, and Grindelwald.
With seven adults in our group, we decided to book a private tour rather than navigate Swiss trains, buses, gondolas, and tickets on our own.
Here’s what the experience was like, what we loved, what we didn’t, and whether I think a private Lauterbrunnen tour is worth the cost.
Is Lauterbrunnen Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
The Lauterbrunnen Valley is filled with dramatic cliffs, towering mountains, and waterfalls cascading down both sides of the valley. It’s often called the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls” because of the number of waterfalls found throughout the region.
But there’s more to Lauterbrunnen than Staubbach Falls.
You can explore the valley floor, visit the dramatic Trümmelbach Falls inside the mountain, take a cable car up to the car-free village of Mürren, and combine your visit with other nearby destinations such as Grindelwald.
And because Lauterbrunnen is so close to Interlaken, it’s an easy day trip from Interlaken.
This ended up being one of the most beautiful days of our entire trip to Switzerland, which is saying something in a country known for incredible scenery.
Our Lauterbrunnen Day Trip at a Glance
Starting point: Interlaken
Length: Approximately 8 hours
Transportation: Private vehicle + cable car/gondola
Stops: Staubbach Falls → Trümmelbach Falls → Mürren → glacier viewpoint → Grindelwald
Best for: Large groups, multigenerational travelers, and anyone who values convenience
Budget: Major splurge
How Much Does the Lauterbrunnen Private Tour Cost?
This is where the price gets a little tricky.
We booked our private Lauterbrunnen tour about six months before our trip and paid around $330 per person for our group of seven. When I checked the tour again recently, the listed price was $586 per person.
That’s a pretty significant increase, so I wouldn’t use the price we paid as a guide for what you’ll pay today. The tour is relatively new, and the pricing appears to have changed as the tour has become established.
What we paid: $330 per person
Current listed price: $586 per person
Our group: 7 adults
At $330 per person, we felt the private transportation, flexibility, and convenience were worth the splurge for our group. At $586 per person, I’d have a much harder time recommending it unless you really value having private transportation and a customized day.
If you’re considering this tour, check the current price before booking. Prices can change, and the amount we paid is no longer representative of the current cost.
How to Visit Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken
Lauterbrunnen is easy to reach from Interlaken by train or car, and guided tours are another option.
We opted for a private tour because we were traveling with seven adults, including some people with limited mobility. Lauterbrunnen was high on my Switzerland bucket list, and I wanted to spend the day enjoying the scenery and taking photos rather than managing everyone’s tickets, transportation, and parking.
If you’re planning a longer trip through Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen is an easy addition to an Interlaken stay.
For the full route we followed, including Lucerne, Stoos Ridge, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Zurich, check out my 5 Days in Switzerland itinerary.
Why We Chose a Guided Lauterbrunnen Tour
After planning so many of our Switzerland travel days myself, you might be wondering why I opted for a guided tour to Lauterbrunnen.
The short answer? There were seven of us.
With a group that size, transportation logistics get more complicated. I would have needed to coordinate train schedules, tickets, buses, cable cars, and entrance fees while also keeping track of everyone’s activity levels.
I also wanted to enjoy the day rather than spend it watching the clock.
For us, a private Lauterbrunnen day tour made sense. Having a driver and guide handle the transportation meant I could relax, take photos, and actually enjoy the scenery.
We weren’t paying someone to show us Lauterbrunnen.
We were paying to make getting seven people around a popular area of Switzerland easier.
This is the private Lauterbrunnen day tour we took.
Our Lauterbrunnen Day Tour from Interlaken
Our private tour included hotel pickup in Interlaken and transportation throughout the day. We visited several of the most scenic places in the region, including Staubbach Falls, Trümmelbach Falls, Mürren, glacier viewpoints, and Grindelwald.
Here’s what our day looked like.
Staubbach Falls: Lauterbrunnen’s Iconic Waterfall
Our tour started with pickup at our hotel, where we were also given cold water bottles for the day. From there, we headed into the Lauterbrunnen Valley on the scenic drive from Interlaken.
Lauterbrunnen is known as the “Valley of 72 Waterfalls,” and Staubbach Falls is probably the most recognizable. The waterfall cascades down the cliffside and is visible from throughout the valley. It apparently even inspired Tolkien’s Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings. Every photo looks like it belongs in a fairy tale.
We had time to admire the falls from below, and those who wanted a little more adventure could hike up behind the waterfall. The walk took us about 20 minutes and included uneven terrain and steep, wet stairs.
I was wearing platform sandals for our activities that day and managed the walk just fine, but I would recommend shoes with good traction if you’re visiting. The conditions can be slippery.
Trümmelbach Falls: The Stop That Surprised Me
From Staubbach Falls, we made the short drive to Trümmelbach Falls, which ended up being one of my favorite stops of the day.
These are not your typical waterfalls. Ten glacial waterfalls have carved their way through the inside of the mountain, and you can walk through the gorge to see the rushing water up close.
Our entire group took the elevator up and then walked up to waterfall #7. From there, we explored the falls and viewpoints inside the mountain.
One thing that was particularly helpful for our multigenerational group was that people could choose how much walking they wanted to do. The less-mobile members of our group were able to take the elevator back down while the rest of us continued exploring.
The option to take the elevator down isn’t especially obvious, so ask if you’re unsure.
The waterfalls were absolutely roaring when we visited, and the combination of the rock formations, rushing water, and narrow passageways made this stop feel almost otherworldly.
If you’ve ever visited Antelope Canyon, imagine something similar — but with glacial water rushing through the mountain.
Mürren: A Car-Free Mountain Village
Next, we headed up from the valley toward Mürren, a charming car-free mountain village high above Lauterbrunnen.
Our route included a cable car ride, and while the Schilthorn cables continue on toward Piz Gloria, famous for its connection to the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, our tour focused on Mürren.
I was happy we had time to explore rather than simply rushing through.
We had lunch at Hotel Alpenruh at our guide’s recommendation and it was perfect. We enjoyed a tasty lunch and dessert with mountain views before wandering through the village.
I spent some of our free time taking photos of the surrounding glaciers and dramatic mountain peaks.
The gondola ride itself was beautiful, although I’ll admit the ride back down made me a little nervous. You can definitely feel the gondola sway as it travels along the steeper sections of the route.
Glacier Views in the Lauterbrunnen Valley
After Mürren, our guide drove us to another area of the Lauterbrunnen Valley for views of the glaciers and Alps.
The turquoise-gray Lütschine River rushes through the valley, and our guide took us on a short walk to a bridge with beautiful mountain and glacier views.
This was another spot where having a private guide worked well for our group. Some members of our group stayed on a bench near the stream while others of us walked farther toward the bridge to take photos.
This wasn’t necessarily a must-see Lauterbrunnen attraction. It was simply a beautiful place our guide knew about, and I appreciated getting to experience a quieter part of the valley.
Grindelwald: A Relaxing End to the Day
Our final stop was Grindelwald, another picturesque mountain village in the Jungfrau region.
My husband and I wandered through town and took photos while the rest of our group found a cute café and enjoyed drinks on a patio overlooking the village.
By this point, we’d had a full day of sightseeing, so I liked that Grindelwald was more relaxed. We could explore, sit, have a drink, or simply enjoy the views before heading back to Interlaken.
What Was Included in Our Lauterbrunnen Tour?
Our full-day private tour included:
| Included | Our Experience |
| Hotel pickup | Interlaken hotel |
| Private transportation | Driver throughout the day |
| Guide | Full day |
| Staubbach Falls | Time to hike behind falls |
| Trümmelbach Falls | Admission included |
| Mürren | Cable car transportation, lunch recommendation, and free time |
| Glacier viewpoints | Short guided walk |
| Grindelwald | Free time |
Tour length: Approximately 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Starting point: Interlaken
Group size: 7 adults
See the private Lauterbrunnen tour we booked.
What We Liked About the Lauterbrunnen Tour
We Didn’t Have to Worry About Transportation
Navigating public transportation for seven adults does take some work.
And because Lauterbrunnen is such a popular destination, driving ourselves would have meant dealing with parking as well.
Having someone else handle the transportation was one of the biggest benefits of the tour for me.
I could look out the window, take photos, and enjoy the scenery instead of figuring out how to get everyone to the next stop.
The Private Tour Gave Us Flexibility
This private tour was definitely a splurge.
If you’re traveling as a couple or small group and are comfortable navigating Swiss trains, buses, gondolas, and entrance tickets on your own, you can visit Lauterbrunnen and many of these attractions independently for considerably less.
But that’s not really what we were paying for.
With seven people, coordinating transportation and tickets would have added another layer of planning to an already busy Switzerland itinerary.
Instead of watching the clock and figuring out how to get seven people from one attraction to the next, I could relax and enjoy the day.
We Could Accommodate Different Activity Levels
I also appreciated the flexibility of having a private driver.
Our group had different activity levels, so we didn’t all have to spend the same amount of time at every stop.
Some people could sit and enjoy the views while others walked farther or explored more. Our driver also gave us suggestions for how each person could spend their time at each stop based on their activity level.
For a multigenerational group, that flexibility made a big difference.
We Saw a Lot in One Day
The tour lasted roughly eight hours, giving us enough time to see several different parts of the region without feeling like we were constantly rushing to catch the next train.
We covered a lot of ground, but because we weren’t responsible for the logistics, the day felt more enjoyable than exhausting.
What We Didn’t Love About the Tour
The biggest downside was the price.
There’s no getting around it: this is a major splurge.
My husband and I are budget-conscious travelers, and I wouldn’t want to give the impression that you need a private tour to experience Lauterbrunnen. Independent travelers can do much of this on their own for considerably less.
Because we were trying to see so much in one day, some stops also felt more like introductions than places where we could linger.
There was another thing I think is important to understand before booking: this felt more like a private driver with some guiding than a traditional fully guided tour.
Our driver gave us information and suggestions throughout the day, but not at the level I might expect from a dedicated tour guide who accompanies you at every attraction.
At Trümmelbach Falls, for example, our guide walked us to the entrance and explained how to approach the falls, but he wasn’t able to accompany us inside.
For us, this wasn’t necessarily a negative. It gave us plenty of time to explore independently and also allowed our family to chat and enjoy the day together. But if you’re specifically looking for an in-depth guided history or cultural tour, it’s something I’d consider before booking.
Is a Private Lauterbrunnen Tour Worth the Cost?
Worth it for: large groups, multigenerational travelers, convenience, photographers
Probably not worth it for: budget travelers, independent travelers, and people comfortable with Swiss public transportation
For us, yes at the price we paid. At the current price, I’d have a harder time recommending it universally.
We were paying for convenience, flexibility, and the ability to maximize our sightseeing time without having to coordinate seven people.
I’d consider this tour worth the splurge if convenience and flexibility are more important to you than keeping your Lauterbrunnen day trip as inexpensive as possible.
Who Should Book a Guided Lauterbrunnen Tour?
A private guided tour isn’t necessary for everyone.
In fact, if you’re an independent traveler who enjoys figuring out Swiss public transportation, I’d probably recommend doing Lauterbrunnen on your own.
A Private Tour May Be Worth It If You:
- Are traveling with a large group
- Have travelers with different mobility levels
- Want hotel pickup and drop-off
- Don’t want to manage Swiss transportation
- Want to combine several attractions in one day
- Are visiting Switzerland for the first time
- Want more flexibility than a group tour provides
- Don’t mind paying a premium for convenience
You May Be Better Off Visiting Lauterbrunnen Independently If You:
- Are traveling as a couple or small group
- Enjoy planning your own transportation
- Are traveling on a tighter budget
- Want to spend a full day in one village or attraction
For our multigenerational group, this was one of the better decisions I made during our Switzerland itinerary.
Having a private driver meant everyone could enjoy the day at their own pace, and I didn’t have to spend the entire day worrying about logistics.
Lauterbrunnen Day Trip FAQs
Yes. Lauterbrunnen is close enough to Interlaken to make an easy day trip. With some planning, you can visit the main waterfalls and villages in the valley in one day.
You can travel from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen by car or train. A private guided tour is another option if you prefer to have someone else handle the transportation.
Absolutely. The Lauterbrunnen Valley combines dramatic waterfalls, towering mountains, glacial scenery, and charming Swiss villages. There is more than enough to fill a day.
I’d plan a full day if you want to see several of the valley’s highlights rather than simply stop to photograph Staubbach Falls.
A private tour can be worth the extra cost if convenience and flexibility are important to you, particularly if you’re traveling with a larger or multigenerational group.
If you’re comfortable using Swiss public transportation and are watching your budget, visiting independently will likely be the better choice.
The valley floor can be warmer than the mountain villages, so layers are helpful. If you plan to walk near the waterfalls, wear shoes with good traction because the paths and stairs can be wet and slippery.
I climbed behind Staubbach Falls in platform sandals and managed just fine, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend following my example!
Trümmelbach Falls can also be chilly inside, even in summer, so bring an extra layer.
Would We Do This Lauterbrunnen Tour Again?
Would we do it again? At $330 per person, absolutely. At $586 per person? I’m not sure.
I wouldn’t necessarily say a guided tour is the best way to visit Lauterbrunnen for every traveler, but it was the right choice for our group at the price we paid.
If you’re looking for the cheapest way to see Lauterbrunnen, this isn’t it.
If you’re looking for an easy way to combine Lauterbrunnen, Trümmelbach Falls, Mürren, glacier views, and Grindelwald in one full day from Interlaken, however, the convenience was worth the extra cost for us.
Looking back, I wouldn’t recommend this tour to everyone. But for our group of seven, it was one of the best splurges of our Switzerland trip.
For our trip, the ability to hand over the logistics and simply enjoy one of Switzerland’s most beautiful regions was exactly what I wanted.
Check out the private Lauterbrunnen tour we took.
Read More
Planning a trip to Switzerland?
See how we put it all together in my 5 Days in Switzerland Itinerary, including Lucerne, Stoos Ridge, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Zurich.
→ Read the full Switzerland itinerary
Planning Your Trip? Read Next: ✈️
- 5 Days in Switzerland – a first-timer’s itinerary
- Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus – Our scenic mountain day from Lucerne
- Stoos Ridge Hike – Our hike to spectacular Swiss Alps views
- Viking Rhine River Cruise Review – Our experience cruising from Amsterdam to Basel
- Viking Rhine River Cruise Itinerary – Our day-by-day journey along the Rhine
