How to Get to Gimmelwald: The Ultimate Cable Car & Train Guide (2026)
Figuring out how to get to Gimmelwald is the part most travel guides get wrong. They show you the cable car and leave out the parking, the 2026 line closure, and why two routes exist. This guide gives you the correct version. I got this wrong on my first trip.
Quick Info
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Fastest route from Interlaken | Train to Lauterbrunnen, then Stechelberg bus, then cable car |
| Cable car from Stechelberg | 4 minutes to Gimmelwald |
| Stechelberg parking cost | CHF 11/day (up to 8 hours CHF 7, weekly CHF 50) |
| Swiss Travel Pass | Valid to Gimmelwald (Stechelberg route) |
| Berner Oberland Pass | 100% free on all routes including Schilthorn |
| Grütschalp line closure | 13 April to 10 July 2026. Stechelberg only during this period |
| Car rental | Compare options here |
| eSIM | Airalo Switzerland eSIM |
| Guided day tour from Zurich | Mürren, Lauterbrunnen & Grindelwald Private Tour |
| Day trip with train and hidden gems | Zürich: Jungfrau Region Day Trip |
How to Get from Lauterbrunnen to Gimmelwald Cable Car
Most journeys to Gimmelwald start in Lauterbrunnen. The train from Interlaken Ost reaches Lauterbrunnen in about 20 minutes. From there, a PostBus runs to Stechelberg, where the Schilthornbahn cable car departs for Gimmelwald.
The Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg Bus
The PostBus 141 connects Lauterbrunnen train station to Stechelberg valley station. Journey time is about 20 minutes. Buses run roughly every 30 minutes. The Swiss Travel Pass covers this bus route at no extra cost.
One important detail: the Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp cable car line, the northern alternative route to reach Mürren and Gimmelwald, is completely closed from 13 April to 10 July 2026 for modernisation. A new 135-person cabin arrived in May 2026. The autonomous system restarts on 11 July 2026. During the closure, the Stechelberg route is the only way in. Plan accordingly.
What to Expect at Lauterbrunnen Station
Lauterbrunnen station is small. The PostBus stop is just outside the main entrance. Buy your bus ticket at the ticket machine or use your travel pass. If you are driving, the multi-storey car park sits directly beneath the station. Parking costs CHF 18 per day and online reservation is recommended in summer.
Taking the Stechelberg to Gimmelwald Cable Car
The Stechelberg cable car station is the direct route into Gimmelwald. This is the southern access point. The Schilthornbahn continues up through Mürren, Birg, and to Schilthorn summit at 2,970 metres.
The Cable Car Ride
From Stechelberg, the gondola reaches Gimmelwald in 4 minutes. It stops here before continuing to Mürren. Get off at Gimmelwald. It is the first stop. The ride is steep enough that first-timers go quiet for a few seconds.
I arrived with a full backpack and a small rolling bag I had not thought through at all. The gondola is not large. Other passengers were polite about it. I made a note to pack differently next time, and I did.
Services run daily. Check the Schilthornbahn website for current timetables, as times vary by season. The last gondola down from Gimmelwald leaves in the early evening. Missing it means staying the night, which is not the worst outcome.
Stechelberg Parking
The Stechelberg car park has space for around 900 vehicles. Fees in 2026: CHF 7 for up to 8 hours, CHF 11 per day and CHF 50 per week. EV charging is available. Reservations are not possible. Arrive early in peak season. The car park fills by mid-morning on busy days in July and August.
How to Get to Gimmelwald from Interlaken by Train
From Interlaken to Gimmelwald by public transport takes around 60 to 75 minutes.
Step-by-Step Route from Interlaken
Board the BOB train at Interlaken Ost for Lauterbrunnen, around 20 minutes. From the station, walk to the PostBus stop and take the 141 bus toward Stechelberg. Get off at the Schilthornbahn valley station. Buy your cable car ticket or validate your travel pass. Take the gondola to Gimmelwald, first stop, 4 minutes.
Total time from Interlaken Ost to Gimmelwald: approximately 60 minutes with good connections.
The Swiss Travel Pass covers the Interlaken-Lauterbrunnen train, the PostBus to Stechelberg, and the cable car to Gimmelwald at no extra cost. It does not cover Mürren to Schilthorn. A CHF 45.70 return supplement applies at 50% discount. The Berner Oberland Pass covers everything including Schilthorn at 100% with no supplement.
Alternative: Guided Tour from Zurich or Interlaken
Not keen on managing connections yourself? A guided tour is a practical option. The Mürren, Lauterbrunnen & Grindelwald Private Tour from Zurich picks you up from your Zurich hotel and includes the cable car ride to Mürren with a walk down to Gimmelwald and a raclette lunch on the way. Eight hours total.
For a larger-group option that combines Gimmelwald with Grindelwald First and Bachalpsee Lake, the Zürich: Jungfrau Region Day Trip with Train and Hidden Gems covers the full region in one day from Zurich.
Gimmelwald to Mürren Cable Car Cost & Ticket Prices
Once in Gimmelwald, getting to Mürren is straightforward. The cable car continues one stop uphill.
Ticket Prices and Travel Pass Coverage
Single ticket from Gimmelwald to Mürren: around CHF 5 to CHF 7 by season. The Swiss Travel Pass covers this section at no additional cost. Berner Oberland Pass covers it fully. The Jungfrau Travel Pass covers the Grütschalp-Mürren train. It does not cover the Stechelberg cable car section. If travelling with a Jungfrau Pass via Stechelberg, a CHF 23.60 return supplement applies.
The full Schilthornbahn 20XX upgrade project reached its final phase in 2026. Three cable stages replace the old four. Total travel time from Stechelberg to Schilthorn drops from 32 to 22 minutes. The final section, Birg to Schilthorn with the expanded Piz Gloria summit restaurant, opens fully on 31 July 2026.
Practical Tips
Arrive at Stechelberg early. The car park fills fast in July and August. By 9 am on a sunny weekend, it can be full. No reservations are possible, so early arrival is the only option.
Check the Grütschalp closure dates. The northern route via Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp is closed from 13 April to 10 July 2026. If your trip falls in this window, Stechelberg is your only route. The new system reopens on 11 July 2026.
Know your travel pass. Swiss Travel Pass covers Stechelberg to Gimmelwald and Mürren. Jungfrau Travel Pass does not cover the Stechelberg cable car. Berner Oberland Pass covers everything. Check before you buy.
Driving to the valley. No road reaches Gimmelwald. Drive to Stechelberg and park. Compare car rental options here if you are coming from Zurich, Bern, or Geneva. The drive to Stechelberg from Interlaken takes around 30 minutes.
Stay connected. Signal in the valley and on the gondola can be patchy. Activate an Airalo eSIM before leaving home. It works from the moment you land in Switzerland.
FAQ
How do you get to Gimmelwald? Train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen (20 min), PostBus 141 to Stechelberg (20 min), then cable car to Gimmelwald (4 min). Total journey time from Interlaken is around 60 minutes. There is no road access. Gimmelwald is car-free.
Is there a gimmelwald train station? No. Gimmelwald has no train station. The nearest stations are Lauterbrunnen in the valley and Mürren on the mountain, reached by a separate route from Grütschalp. Access to Gimmelwald is by cable car from Stechelberg only.
Can you drive to Gimmelwald? No. The village is car-free. Drive to Stechelberg and use the cable car. The Stechelberg car park costs CHF 11 per day and has around 900 spaces. No reservation is possible. In peak season, arrive before 9 am. If you are renting a car, book ahead options fill fast in summer.
Travel Passes and Costs
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover Gimmelwald? Yes. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the full Stechelberg-to-Gimmelwald cable car journey at no extra cost. It also covers the Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp cable car and the mountain train to Mürren. The section from Mürren to Schilthorn summit requires a CHF 45.70 return supplement.
What is the cheapest way to get to Gimmelwald? With a Swiss Travel Pass or Berner Oberland Pass, the journey is fully covered. Without a pass: Interlaken-Lauterbrunnen around CHF 5, PostBus around CHF 4, Stechelberg cable car around CHF 10 to CHF 12 one way. For a village comparison before you decide on a base, Gimmelwald vs Mürren vs Grindelwald: Which Alpine Village is Best? covers every option. The full accommodation guide is in Where to Stay in Gimmelwald: Best Alpine Lodges & Boutique Stays.
Is the Lauterbrunnen-Grütschalp route available in 2026? Not until 11 July 2026. The line is closed from 13 April to 10 July 2026 for modernisation. After 11 July, the new autonomous 135-person cabin system reopens. Until then, use Stechelberg. For planning your time in the area once you arrive, Is Gimmelwald Worth Visiting? Things to Do in One Day and Mürren to Gimmelwald Hike: Trail Map & Walking Guide cover what to do next.
