From Zurich
Interlaken and Grindelwald
Three hundred and five kilometres. Leaving early is not an option, it is the condition.
Loop
305 km
Driving time only
4 h 32
Suggested hire
12 h
From
1200 CHF
Interlaken stretches between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and Grindelwald sits at the foot of the Eiger north face. It is the most spectacular alpine region within reach of Zurich, and the longest to get to.
The loop runs 305 kilometres and four and a half hours of driving. We offer it over twelve hours because over eight it makes no sense: three and a half hours would remain on the ground for two stops that each deserve more.
We drive and we wait. Lifts, meals and admissions are settled on site.
The itinerary
Le Brünig
The outbound run goes through the Lopper tunnel and over the Brünig road, open year-round. It is shorter than via Bern, and a great deal finer.
Interlaken
The town stretches between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, which is where its name comes from. It is the base camp for the Jungfrau region, and the place where you decide the rest of the day.
Grindelwald
The climb from the valley to the foot of the Eiger north face. The village is the starting point for the lifts towards the Jungfrau. From December to March the last section is under snow: it is mountain road, not motorway.
Le retour, et la vraie question
Four and a half hours of driving there and back for 305 kilometres. It is the longest day on the whole list, and the only one where we frankly suggest considering a night there rather than a day return.
km included : 300 km
The kilometres below are measured from the airport. Starting from a hotel in town, or from another town, changes the loop and therefore the count: the quote is adjusted to your actual pickup point.
What we actually advise
If your stay allows it, a night there beats a day return. We say so even though it means selling one day instead of two: twelve hours of hire with four and a half in the car is a compromise, and you should know that before choosing it.
The Brünig, all year
The outbound run goes via the Lopper and the Brünig, a maintained road open in winter. The route via Bern is fifty kilometres longer: we take it only if conditions require.
The departure time is not negotiable
Over twelve hours with four and a half of driving, an hour lost at the start is paid for at the far end. We set the pickup against the first stop, not against your morning comfort, and we say so at booking.
Frequently asked questions
From 1200 CHF in an E-Class for twelve hours of hire, 1680 CHF in an S-Class and 1560 CHF in a V-Class. The loop runs 305 kilometres against 300 included: no supplement.
Yes, over twelve hours, of which four and a half are driving for 305 kilometres. It is the longest day on our list. If your stay allows it, a night there is better, and we say so.
Through the Lopper tunnel and over the Brünig, open year-round. That is fifty kilometres less than via Bern, and a good deal finer. We take the other route only if conditions require it.
Because over eight hours, three and a half would remain on the ground for two stops that each deserve more. We would rather quote twelve than sell eight and make you rush.
Yes, with an equipped vehicle and a chauffeur used to it. The final climb is under snow from December to March: it is a maintained mountain road, not a motorway, and the chauffeur adjusts the timing to the day's conditions.
No. We drive and we wait; tickets are bought on site and we have no affiliation with the operators. Count the time as well: adding a mountain railway to this day makes it very tight.