Traveling from Zurich Airport to the village of Murren
As people will be traveling from different parts of the world, these are general directions to Murren. First, I'll give the information for rail travel; arrival by car is at the bottom of this page. I think most folks will land at the Zurich airport; if not, I'll add that information later.
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Cash Machine: This will be the best place to get your first batch of swiss francs. There are many ATM's located throughout the airport.
Food: There are actually grocery stores in the airport!!! I suggest buying food for the train trip to Murren; water, sandwiches, and chocolate!!! There are also bakeries, a caviar shop, and numerous take away options.
Food: There are actually grocery stores in the airport!!! I suggest buying food for the train trip to Murren; water, sandwiches, and chocolate!!! There are also bakeries, a caviar shop, and numerous take away options.
The SBB departs directly from the Zurich airport (“Flughafen”) and is located below the Airport Center in the Check-in 3 area. The ticket counters are open from 06:15 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. There are escalators from the main hall, just as you leave the baggage and customs area. Simply follow the “Bahn” signs to get to the station downstairs.
This is where you'll get your Swiss Rail pass validated. I highly recommend determining what first & last travel dates are and confirming that with the agent BEFORE they write it on the pass.
The agent will let you know when the next & most convenient train leaves. The trip will take 3 - 4 hours and involve at least 3 different trains. The changes can involve many steps, thus my recommendation to check your luggage. Ask for a printed timetable for your trip to Mürren. Trains connecting to Mürren leave at least once an hour. You don’t need reservations as the trains departing from the airport are usually pretty empty. They pick up lots of passengers along on the way, many at the main train station (“Hauptbahnhof”) which is your first stop.
This is where you'll get your Swiss Rail pass validated. I highly recommend determining what first & last travel dates are and confirming that with the agent BEFORE they write it on the pass.
The agent will let you know when the next & most convenient train leaves. The trip will take 3 - 4 hours and involve at least 3 different trains. The changes can involve many steps, thus my recommendation to check your luggage. Ask for a printed timetable for your trip to Mürren. Trains connecting to Mürren leave at least once an hour. You don’t need reservations as the trains departing from the airport are usually pretty empty. They pick up lots of passengers along on the way, many at the main train station (“Hauptbahnhof”) which is your first stop.
Luggage Transport: Check-in at the airport, pick up at the Murren rail station
At the rail station in the Zurich airport you can check your suitcase through to Murren, making traveling easier and more enjoyable. Currently it is 22 CHF (~$25) per item; depending upon your arrival time in Zurich your bag will reach Murren either later that day or early the next. That's why I suggested packing for your 1st overnight needs, in your carry on bag. Another alternative is to pack those items where they are easily removable from your checked bag just before you check it on the train.
At the rail station in the Zurich airport you can check your suitcase through to Murren, making traveling easier and more enjoyable. Currently it is 22 CHF (~$25) per item; depending upon your arrival time in Zurich your bag will reach Murren either later that day or early the next. That's why I suggested packing for your 1st overnight needs, in your carry on bag. Another alternative is to pack those items where they are easily removable from your checked bag just before you check it on the train.
The trip from Zurich to Murren involves the following segments:
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Lunch Option - If going to arrive in Murren quite early in the day, and want to have a bit of lunch or a snack:
On segment 5, there will be a stop at Winteregg. This is a fabulous place to sit outside and just breathe in the amazing views all around you. The food isn't bad either! |
The train journey to Mürren takes three to four hours (depending on routing) and is beautiful, particularly the last hour when you travel right by the lakes (it’s amazing how close the tracks are to the water, sometimes it looks like you’re floating!) and then up into the mountains.
There are a couple of spots that are a bit tricky. The first tricky spot is Interlaken, where there are two stops – Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost (East). Stay on the train until you get to Ost, which is the last stop for the SBB. There you will change to the BOB train bound for Lauterbrunnen. This is the second tricky spot as the same train is also bound for Grindelwald; it stops and splits in a little place called Zweilütschinen (“Two Rivers”). One half of the train proceeds to Lauterbrunnen, where you want to go, and the other half goes to Grindelwald, where you don’t. So, in Interlaken (OST) you need to make sure you get on the correct end of the train; it will have the name Lauterbrunnen displayed on the side of the car.
From Lauterbrunnen you board the cable car to Grütschalp and change into the train to Mürren (latest departure cable car at 8.31 pm). From Lauterbrunnen you may also take the yellow postbus to Stechelberg, where you board the Schilthornbahn cable way to Mürren (latest cable car at 11.45 pm). Each train from and to Mürren has connections with the train from and to Lauterbrunnen. Time table of all trains and post buses you will find on www.sbb.ch
The reliable Swiss railway system offers you a luggage transfer from the airport, flyrail and special arrangements for tickets like the Swiss pass or the Swiss transfer ticket. More information you find on www.swisstravelsystem.ch.
Once you arrive in Murren, provided it's at the train station, be sure to stop and ask if your luggage has arrived. It probably won't be there, but it's worth a try. It's also a good idea to ask what time they're open for you to check bag.
There are a couple of spots that are a bit tricky. The first tricky spot is Interlaken, where there are two stops – Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost (East). Stay on the train until you get to Ost, which is the last stop for the SBB. There you will change to the BOB train bound for Lauterbrunnen. This is the second tricky spot as the same train is also bound for Grindelwald; it stops and splits in a little place called Zweilütschinen (“Two Rivers”). One half of the train proceeds to Lauterbrunnen, where you want to go, and the other half goes to Grindelwald, where you don’t. So, in Interlaken (OST) you need to make sure you get on the correct end of the train; it will have the name Lauterbrunnen displayed on the side of the car.
From Lauterbrunnen you board the cable car to Grütschalp and change into the train to Mürren (latest departure cable car at 8.31 pm). From Lauterbrunnen you may also take the yellow postbus to Stechelberg, where you board the Schilthornbahn cable way to Mürren (latest cable car at 11.45 pm). Each train from and to Mürren has connections with the train from and to Lauterbrunnen. Time table of all trains and post buses you will find on www.sbb.ch
The reliable Swiss railway system offers you a luggage transfer from the airport, flyrail and special arrangements for tickets like the Swiss pass or the Swiss transfer ticket. More information you find on www.swisstravelsystem.ch.
Once you arrive in Murren, provided it's at the train station, be sure to stop and ask if your luggage has arrived. It probably won't be there, but it's worth a try. It's also a good idea to ask what time they're open for you to check bag.
By road:
Take the motorway to Interlaken. Stay on the Autobahn A8 that goes around Interlaken. Do not enter the town. Exit the Autobahn at the "Wilderswil, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen" exit. Follow the signposts to Wilderswil, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen. Drive through the village of Wilderswil, continue straight on up the valley past Lauterbrunnen, to Stechelberg where ample parking space is available. Take the Schilthorn Cable Car to the 2nd stop, for Murren. It's just a short walk from the station. |