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Covering Jungrfrau and Murren in 1 day - Staying at Biel

Couple staying in Biel-Bienne and starting early. The itinerary does not fit the philosophy to rush, but it's a shame we only planned 1 day and already bought Jungfraujoch, hence trying to accommodate the Lauterbrunnen in the best way possible. Don't want to skip the panorama views from Murren

Although we'll be starting early we'll try to take a nap in the morning Interlaken train. Additionally, will rest during the descent from Jungfraujoch in the cogwheel train. Have factored 4 hrs time at Jungfraujoch as well, which should help if needed to take things slowly at the top so that we conserve energy.

Is it stupid to plan this way ?

Biel-Bienne to Interlaken - 6:30 - 8:30 AM
Interlaken to Jungfraujoch - 9:00 - 10:40 AM - via eiger express
Stay at Jungfraujoch – 4 hrs
Take cogwheel via Kleine Scheidegg and reach Lauterbrunnen – 5 PM

Explore Lauterbrunnen – 5 - 6 PM
Take bus till Stechelberg and Cable car till Murren - 6 - 7 PM
Explore Murren - 7- 9 PM

Return journey from Murren to Biel-Bienne - 9 - 11:30 PM. The last train from Interlaken towards Bern is at 11:00 PM

Posted by
7064 posts

What season is this? I wouldn't recommend such a day.
And if it rains or the mountains are just socked in with clouds/fog?
I don't think you'll need four hours at the top of the peak .
Cogwheel trains don't offer a very smooth ride nor seat, so I doubt you'll be napping. Plus the views......
If all this works, pls don't plan a busy day following this. You'll be beyond exhausted.
Good luck!

Posted by
1403 posts

You really don't need 4 hours up at Jungfraujoch and if you want to visit Murren as well then limit your time up there to 2 hours, which is plenty of time to see the main viewpoints and walk through the ice palace. Also skip time in Lauterbrunnen. All that is there are some tourist souvenir shops and restaurants and you need the time to accomplish other more important parts of the day. The scenic part of Lauterbrunnen is the valley, which you'll see from the bus ride.

I'm assuming you're trying to give rough times, but when trying to fit all this in the times need to be precise to see what's possible. Did you purchase a reservation for the 10:41 arrival to Jungfraujoch? If so, then your times should look something like this....

7:22 - Train Biel/Bienne > Interlaken Ost via Bern (arriving 8:59)
9:04 - Train/Cable Car Interlaken Ost > Jungfraujoch via Eiger Express (arriving 10:41)
12:45 - Train Jungfraujoch > Kleine Scheidegg (arriving 1:24)
1:30 - Lunch in Kleine Scheidegg
2:44 - Train Kleine Schedeigg > Lauterbrunnen (via Wengen)
3:40 - Bus Lauterbrunnen > Stechelberg
4:21 - Cable Car Stechelberg > Murren
4:25 - Explore Murren
6:00 - Easy, scenic walk down to Gimmelwald (30 minutes + exploration) - or cable car if you can't walk
7:00 - Dinner (Reservation for fixed menu @ Pension Gimmelwald or wood fired pizza @ the Hostel)
8:58 - Return to Biel/Bienne via cable car to Stechelberg > Bus to Lauterbrunnen > Trains to Interlaken > Bern > Biel/Bienne (return at 11:35)

Posted by
449 posts

Biel-Bienne to Interlaken - 6:30 - 8:30 AM

When looking at the train schedules, take a look at what other options you have around the time you want to leave. I don’t see a 6:30 departure time, perhaps you were looking at 6:24 via Belp? If you leave at 6:22 it only takes 1h 37min, not two hours.

Interlaken to Jungfraujoch - 9:00 - 10:40 AM - via eiger express

Do you want half an hour in Interlaken?

Use sbb.ch or the SBB app for routes and times. Enter Biel (which is always written Biel/Bienne because Biel is bilingual German/French, but I just use the German - this is perfectly fine) with your destination being Jungfraujoch.

Biel - Jungfraujoch
7:22 departure gets you at Jungfraujoch at 10:41. Choose an earlier departure only if you want to have extra time somewhere along the way.

As far as your reservation to descend Jungfraujoch, you can get on any train going down that has room, so if you are ready to go earlier you can see if there is free space on the train and head down to Wengen.

I personally do not think you need to plan each subsequent step to the minute, it is enough to know what train you want to take back to Biel and keep an eye on things so that you can catch that train. The absolute latest you can leave Mürren is 21:51, but your plan is to leave before then and that is a good choice, it gives you a little in reserve just in case.

I also would skip Lauterbrunnen and go directly to Mürren. I would not walk to Gimmelwald and definitely not make a dinner reservation. You already have a very full day and to add on an exact location and time that you need to be at for dinner makes no sense to me. You can grab something at any of a number of places in Mürren or get a grocery store supper/take away/and even eat on the train if needed.

Keeping things planned where you need to - train to Jungfraujoch - is important, but keeping the rest of the day very loose so that you can adapt to the weather, your mood/energy level, what looks interesting at the time, etc. seems like a much more enjoyable way to spend the day, at least this is what I usually do with day trips and it has, for me, been the best way to see a lot while still having a non-stressful time.

Posted by
8 posts

thank you Pat, swissNomad and Wanderweg.

Yes i have seen the timings on the SBB; however, I have intentionally kept a buffer if needed to buy something at the station. From what I have understood, Key would be to leave early from Biel, complete Jungfraujoch by 2 pm and reach Lauterbrunnen by 4-5 pm at max.

The suggestion to skip Lauterbrunnen makes sense and will directly head to Murren.

One final ask – since this is planned around the 3rd week of June 26, will I have daylight to enjoy views in Murren around 7-9 pm ? if i get lucky with the weather and rain ?

Posted by
36795 posts

the views and colours across the valley to the mountains from Mürren at and after sunset are spectacular. Mürren will be dark and the tips of the mountains still in full flame.

In a way it is sad that you will be heading down the valley and the long journey back to Biel at peak beauty at or near the longest day.

I've witnessed those views in the evening but only from the balcony on my hotel. Reach out and tough the mountains stuff - the magic of Mürren.

I hope you love the day.