Stechelberg - Murren Cable Car

I don’t think there is much difference, it can sometimes be packed so you are not guaranteed a great position, but there are views in each direction.

Neither up or down make any difference since you look out of the side in a cable car. Same view either way.

What will make a difference is where you stand in the cable car. If it is really busy and you happen to be in the middle you will see almost nothing at all. Try to be right against the window if you can. When facing the valley you will have wonderful valley and mountain views, when facing the mountain you will see the rock face and waterfall very close-up.

I was just going to say, if you're packed in the middle, you won't be able to see much of anything. It is really unbelievable the amount of people they cram in there.

I just returned from a trip that included Lauterbrunnen Valley and I am not a fan for those cable cars.

For great views, and a more comfortable ride, take the train from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen and sit on the right side.

Do you expect it to be crowded at end of October. Do you just roll your luggage onto the cable car

Just get in with your luggage and go! The scenery is gorgeous either way. Sometimes it’s packed. Sometimes not. I came down recently and it was just myself and a Rick Steve’s’ guide from Schilthorn to Murren early in the morning. It was after our tour was over and we’d gone back to the alps on our own. He’d just taken his group up there and they were then on their own for when they wanted to come down. I then took Murren to Stechelberg and it was just me. But most of the time it was full in both directions. Just get in and stand where you can. Sometimes that’s a window and sometimes it’s in the middle. There’s people with luggage, there’s people with their huge paraglider backpacks, hunters, you name it! We saw it all! You’re going to love Murren!

I was there in late October and sometimes it was crowded, sometimes not. I rode it several times and it was never a problem, just wheel on (minding your belongings for manners) and enjoy the views. If there is one thing the Swiss are masters at, it’s transport!

I always do my best to be near a window. If all window areas are already full I stand by the door, a bit to the side so that others can get in, and then when the doors close for departure I stand right in front of them to look out.

October will certainly be less busy than the summer months. Early morning is also not as busy, and if there is a gondola running at a time that does not directly connect with the bus, it also will be less busy. I have took one like that this summer and then just spent a bit of time at the river in Stechelberg until it was time for the bus to depart. My gondola down was only about 1/4 full and the following one was packed!