The Best Things To Do In Lauterbrunnen On A Budget | Land Of Travels (2024)

Lauterbrunnen is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. A visit to this picturesque village is a memorable experience regardless of whether you decide to visit Lauterbrunnen on a day trip or stay in the village itself. Here’s a list of the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen on a budget that can help you plan your visit to this slice of heaven in Switzerland.

The region surrounding the Lauterbrunnen Valley is a hiker’s paradise. Lauterbrunnen is also one of the main transportation hubs for those planning on visiting Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch, and Kleine Scheidegg.

Its scenic hiking trails, cable car rides, blooming meadows, towering cliffs, and 72 tumbling waterfalls are sights to behold. So, it is easy to understand how Lauterbrunnen Valley has inspired many poets, artists, and writers. Remember the valley of Rivendell in Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of The Rings’? That too was inspired by this stunning valley cradled in the Bernese Alps.

During our visit to Switzerland, we spent two days in Lauterbrunnen. In general, the weather in the region can be quite unpredictable. On a sunny day, people often head out to Jungfraujoch or to Schilthorn Piz Gloria. While these are amazing experiences for a clear day, they are also quite expensive.

I am guessing that if you reading this post, you are probably considering a visit to this Swiss village. So, here’s a photo-essay and a travel guide on the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen on a budget. This post also lists the details of how to reach Lauterbrunnen by train and a walking tour of nearby Interlaken.

The train journey from Zermatt to Lauterbrunnen

After spending two amazing days in Zermatt, we headed to Lauterbrunnen via train. We took the train from Zermatt and arrived in Spiez (via Visp) in just a little over two hours.

The views of Lake Thun and Spiez castle in the distance as the train approaches Spiez are mesmerizing. Following a brief stop at Spiez, we boarded the train to Interlaken OST. This short (24 mins) and scenic train journey takes its passengers through the valley along the shores of Lake Thun towards Interlaken. If you plan on heading to Lauterbrunnen, and if your train stops at both stations of Interlaken, then be sure to disembark from the train at the OST station and not at Interlaken West station.

The train journey from Interlaken OST to Lauterbrunnen is not covered by the Eurail Global Pass. This information was also posted on boards at the platforms. So we purchased tickets for this final leg of the journey at the Interlaken OST train station. The 20 min train ride from Interlaken OST to Lauterbrunnen took us along the gushing river, deep into this quieter valley located south of Interlaken.

Upon exiting the train station at Lauterbrunnen, we turned left and started walking along the main road in the direction of Staubbach Falls. Located along this main road was the hotel we stayed at – Hotel Staubbach. For more details regarding the train journey, timetables, and for purchasing train tickets, check the SBB site.

The best things to do in Lauterbrunnen on a budget:

Lauterbrunnen Valley offers plenty to do depending on your budget and interests. It’s extremely popular for adventure sports that include paragliding, base jumping (for experienced skydivers) and even a thrilling walk along Via Ferrata.

Taking the scenic cable car rides to Schilthorn and the train to Jungfraujoch are high on the bucket lists of many visiting the region. Whenever visiting Lauterbrunnen valley, be sure to check with the TI or hotel staff regarding the weather prediction and plan your hikes or cable car rides in the region accordingly.

The scenic rides are expensive and after taking several cable car rides in Zermatt, we decided to hike around Lauterbrunnen Valley instead. We had an amazing time during our visit to Lauterbrunnen as we explored the best things to do in Lauterbrunnen on a budget.

1. Explore the Lauterbrunnen Village

In the middle of Lauterbrunnen Valley lies the picturesque village of Lauterbrunnen. The name Lauterbrunnen itself reflects the magnificence of the region – Lauterbrunnen meaning ‘many springs’. This dreamy Alpine village has plenty of chalets, lush green meadows and a stunning view of snowcapped mountains and towering cliffs on each side of the valley.

One of the most prominent sights in Lauterbrunnen is that of the cascading Staubbach Falls. Hotels, cafes, souvenir shops and even a bike rental shop line up the single, busy road that runs through the middle of this village. There is also a convenient launderette located near Valley Hostel along this main road.

A leisurely stroll around the village takes visitors past typical Swiss chalets, a prominent church, the Friedhof (cemetery), meadows, tennis courts, and camping grounds. The crisp mountain air and the peaceful feel of the village can easily help visitors unwind and look forward to the adventures to come in the region.

Bikes can also be rented from the Imboden Bike store located along the main street. It’s a delight to explore the valley and some of the nearby villages by bike. The gondola to Murren also takes the bikes up to the village of Murren. From there one can head off along popular biking trails via Winteregg and Isenfluh.

2. Hike up to the viewing platform behind the Staubbach Falls

One of the most unique experiences in Lauterbrunnen is to hike up to the Stabbauch Falls and enjoy the view of the valley from the viewing platform located behind the waterfall.

To reach this viewing platform, visitors have to walk through a tunnel located near the base of the falls. Steps located at the end of this tunnel lead visitors up to a viewing platform located behind the falls. The steps are definitely slippery as they are constantly drenched by the spray from the falls. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes with a good grip when hiking to this viewing platform. The hike up to this viewing platform takes 10-15 mins but it is closed during the winter months.

The cascading Staubbach Falls are without a doubt the most impressive sight in the town of Lauterbrunnen. Falling 974 ft from the ridge above, this waterfall is considered to be the second-highest waterfall in Switzerland.

It’s interesting to learn that a major portion of these falls is actually lost in the form of spray while it falls down this great distance. A walk along the valley in the evening is a delight as these falls are often beautifully illuminated at night.

3. Visit Talmuseum Lauterbrunnen

The Lauterbrunnen Valley Folk Museum located just behind the church is a small and interesting museum. A visit to this museum gives one a chance to learn more about the history and culture of the village. Over 100+ years of artifacts including woven baskets, lacework, various types of skis and cowbells help visitors gain a historic perspective of the region.

4. Enjoy walking along the Lauterbrunnen Valley trail

One of the most relaxing and easy trails in the region is the pleasant walk along the Lauterbrunnen Valley. This family-friendly trail starts from Lauterbrunnen and ends at Stechelberd. The trail takes hikers past Alpine meadows, along the river and occasionally along the somewhat busy road all the way to Stechelberg. It’s always possible to hike just a section of the trail and cover the other portion by taking the regional bus. This hike from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg can easily be completed in under two hours. A hike along this trail also brings one to the popular Trummelbach Falls midway.

Walking along the Lauterbrunnen Valley trail, one gets to see the striking view of Breithorn at the end of the valley and several nearby waterfalls. After all, Lauterbrunnen Valley is known as the valley of 72 waterfalls. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll along this trail – the stunning scenery and the distant sound of cowbells added to the magic of this picturesque Alpine setting.

5. Get ready to be awed by the stunning Trümmelbach Falls

Trümmelbach Falls are the most powerful waterfalls in the region. What’s unique about these falls is that they are located inside a mountain.

The melting glacial waters of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau feed these roaring falls.

A steep elevator ride, walkways, and viewing platforms offer visitors a chance to witness these majestic falls. Illuminated pathways and ten viewing points inside the mountain lead visitors to vantage points that help one see how these falls have carved their way down the mountain.

The roaring sound of the water inside the cavernous tunnels give visitors a sense of the raw power of these falls. The walkways can be slippery, so be careful as you explore Trümmelbach.

6. Relax and take in the majestic views of the valley in Stechelberg

The sleepy village of Stechelberg nestled in the corner of the valley is the perfect stop for a meal after hiking the Lauterbrunnen Valley Trail. The cable car station near Stechelberg shuttles visitors up to the cable car station of the charming village of Gimmelwald. There are a few hotels in Stechelberg but they do get booked out pretty quickly. If you prefer to stay in Stechelberg during your visit to Lauterbrunnen valley, then be sure to book ahead.

7. Head off for an amazing hiking adventure in the region

Lauterbrunnen Valley is a hiker’s paradise. There are several hiking trails along the cliffs on either side of the valley that offer an economical way of exploring the beauty of the region.

We loved hiking along the North Face Trail starting from Allmedbhubel to Murren. We further continued this hiking adventure from Murren to Stechelberg via Gimmelwald. Our hike that day took us through 17 miles of spectacular Alpine scenery. This hike truly helped us experience the Switzerland of our dreams and I would highly recommend it to those visiting the region.

Other popular hiking trails in the region include the demanding hike from Schynige Platte to First and from Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. In general, mountain hiking trails can be slippery in places so be sure to wear sturdy shoes, pack plenty of snacks, water and get ready to enjoy the most scenic views of the Bernese Alps.

Hiking gear can also be rented from Alpia Sport store which is located along the main street of Lauterbrunnen. Additionally, I found the Jungfrau website very helpful for finding the timings for cable cars and planning our hiking path accordingly.

8. Explore the villages of Wengen, Murren, and Gimmelwald

The beautiful villages of Wengen, Murren and Gimmelwald are a must-see when one visits Lauterbrunnen. A train from the Lauterbrunnen train station takes passengers to Wengen. Alternatively, one can choose to hike the short but steep trail from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen. The views of the valley and the Staubbach Falls from Wengen are breathtaking.

Murren and Gimmelwald are located on top of the ridge from where Staubbach Falls cascade. These delightful, off the beaten path Alpine villages, are a joy to explore. There are hotels located in Murren and hostels and pension in Gimmelwald that are popular with tourists visiting the region.

9. Enjoy delicious traditional Swiss food

We stopped by restaurant Weidstübli in Lauterbrunnen as the hotel we were staying at had recommended it. This restaurant is loved by locals and tourists alike and it is best to make reservations ahead of time before visiting the restaurant. It is located just near the entrance of the camping grounds, past the Staubbach Falls in Lauterbrunnen.

The food and service were great and the price was quite reasonable as well. We had ordered cheese fondue and Rosti and loved it.

10. Visit the nearby town of Interlaken on a half-day trip

We preferred staying in the quieter Lauterbrunnen rather than the busier, nearby town of Interlaken. However, when visiting the Lauterbrunnen valley, be sure to explore the nearby Interlaken as well.

Interlaken is very popular with tourists. It’s no wonder that there are plenty of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops catering to the tourists in Interlaken. Interlaken serves as the perfect springboard for those wishing to explore nearby Grindelwald, Schilthorn, Jungfraujoch and Harderkulm.

Frequent trains run daily between Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken Ost. We decided to explore Interlaken by following the excellent walking tour listed in Rick Steves Switzerland guidebook.

Our walking tour of Interlaken

For an easy walking tour of Interlaken, start the walk from the west train station towards Bahnhofstrasse. A plethora of fine shops, boutiques and souvenir shops line this famous, shopping street of Interlaken. We thoroughly enjoyed indulging in some delicious Swiss chocolate at Läderach.

After walking along Bahnhofstrasse, it was fun to relax in Höhematte Park while watching paragliders land in its expansive meadow. This park is located in the heart of Interlaken and is surrounded by some of the fanciest hotels in the region.

Continuing the walk past the Höhematte Park, one comes across Casino Kursaal and its well-tended gardens. After exploring the gardens, we walked towards the Aare River that connects Lake Brienz with Lake Thun. While crossing the river via a pedestrian bridge, I just couldn’t get over the beautiful turquoise hues of this river.

Unterseen – the historic town located north of Aare Rive

This peaceful riverside walk in Interlaken took us away from the more touristy part of Interlaken towards Unterseen – the historic town located north of Aare River.

It was fun to walk along the charming medieval alleys of Unterseen and shop at its grocery stores. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Restaurant Shanthi in Unterseen before heading back to Lauterbrunnen.

If you plan on heading towards Switzerland, consider a visit to Lauterbrunnen. The stunning scenery, hiking trails, and quaint nearby villages are a must-see in this region of Bernese Oberland. While Switzerland can be quite expensive, it is definitely possible to experience some of the best things in Lauterbrunnen on a budget.

Lauterbrunnen valley is truly one of the most scenic places in Switzerland! It offers a wide range of outdoor activities that one can indulge in depending on their interests and budget. I think I left my heart back in Lauterbrunnen Valley and long to return to the region to explore it some.

Until next time ….. Adieu dear Lauterbrunnen!

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