From the plane to the valley
No car needed. Switzerland's rail network drops you in the valley with your bags. Here's the run from all three main airports, Zürich, Basel and Geneva, and the one app that makes it effortless.
The routes at a glance
All routes funnel through Interlaken Ost, where you change to the branch line up into the valley. Times are typical door-to-valley; check live times on SBB.
The most popular gateway, with direct flights from US East Coast hubs and across Europe. The train station is right under the airport. Direct trains run to Interlaken Ost roughly every two hours (or change once at Bern), then it is the 20-minute branch line up to Lauterbrunnen. Total door-to-valley time is about 2.5 to 3 hours, no car required.
A quick bus takes you from the airport to Basel train station in about 15 minutes, from where direct trains run to Interlaken Ost five times a day (with more options changing at Bern or Spiez). From Interlaken Ost, the same 20-minute climb into the valley. Total time is around 2.5 to 3 hours, similar to Zürich.
A little further out, but a beautiful run along Lake Geneva. There is no direct service, you change at Bern and again at Interlaken Ost. Allow about 3.5 hours in total. The lakeside-to-mountain scenery makes the extra time worthwhile, and the connections are well timed.
Whichever airport you start from, you arrive at Interlaken Ost and change to the regional Berner Oberland Bahn for the final 20-minute climb. One thing to know: this little train splits at Zweilütschinen, half continues to Lauterbrunnen and half branches to Grindelwald, so check the illuminated sign on your carriage door. The Staubbach Falls greet you as you step off the platform.
The one tool to download
If you do one thing before you travel, download the free SBB Mobile app (Swiss Federal Railways). It is the single most useful tool for getting around Switzerland, and it makes the whole journey from the airport effortless:
Announcements on the trains are in German, French and English, and staff are used to helping visitors, but the app removes nearly all the guesswork. Get it before you fly.
You won't need a car. The valley and the whole Jungfrau region run on an integrated network of trains, cog railways and cable cars, up to Wengen and Mürren for skiing and hiking, and out to Interlaken, Grindelwald and the lakes. A regional pass covers most of it (see the pass calculator to work out which). Lauterbrunnen has paid parking if you do drive, but the car-free villages above can only be reached by mountain railway.
Common questions
No. Switzerland's rail network reaches the valley directly, and the car-free villages above (Wengen, Mürren) can only be reached by mountain railway anyway. The train is faster, cheaper and far less stressful than driving, and the scenery is part of the trip.
Zurich and Basel are the most convenient, with the shortest rail journeys (about 2.5 to 3 hours) and direct trains to Interlaken Ost. Geneva works too but is a bit further, around 3.5 hours with a change at Bern. Pick whichever has the best flight for you, all three connect by train.
Around 2.5 to 3 hours in total, with one change at Interlaken Ost (sometimes also at Bern or Lucerne depending on the route). The final leg from Interlaken Ost up to Lauterbrunnen takes about 20 minutes.
Not necessarily, Swiss trains run frequently and don't sell out, so you can buy on the day. But advance Supersaver fares are cheaper, and a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card can save money over several journeys. Use the SBB app to compare.
An apartment and two studios in the valley, steps from the trailheads, with the Staubbach Falls in view. The Apartment has its own private wood-fired hot tub.