Swiss Alps Day Trip from Zurich: Interlaken & Grindelwald

Ride into the Bernese Oberland and walk through two Alpine villages in a single day

This 11.5-hour coach tour departs Zurich for Interlaken and Grindelwald, two villages in the heart of the Swiss Alps, with a live guide in English or German and scenic routes through the Bernese Oberland. You have leisure time to explore each village on your own. A cable car ride to Mt. First (2,168 m) is optional in summer months. The tour includes WiFi and air conditioning on board and returns to Zurich in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Alpine day trip from Zurich

• Check in at Gray Line trailer
• Coach tour to Interlaken
• Leisure time in Interlaken
• Explore Grindelwald independently
• Optional cable car to Mt. First
• Return coach to Zurich

The experience

The tour starts at the Gray Line trailer at Sihlquai bus parking in Zurich early in the morning. From there, the coach takes you on scenic routes toward Interlaken, which sits at the foot of the snow-covered Alps of the Bernese Oberland. The drive itself is the first part of the experience. You see the landscape shift from city to mountain as the guide points out the terrain. Once in Interlaken, you have time to walk around on your own, grab a meal, or simply stand in the town and look up at the peaks.

Grindelwald, nicknamed the 'Glacier Village', is the second stop. This is where you get to choose what to do. You can walk the village, visit shops, or take an optional cable car ride up to Mt. First at 2,168 m (7,113 ft). This option is only available during summer months and gives you a sunny terrace with views across the Alps. There is no guide pushing you through a schedule here. The time is yours to spend as you want.

In the late afternoon, you meet the coach and guide again for the return journey to Zurich. The bus has WiFi on board and air conditioning throughout, so the long drive back is comfortable. You arrive back at Sihlquai in the evening. The whole day is 11.5 hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• The tour includes the coach and a live guide in English or German.
• WiFi on board.
• and air conditioning throughout the 11.5-hour day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to20h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (6 to 15 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hans Meier Tourist AG - Gray Line Zurich

Is this one for you?This tour suits travelers who want to see the Bernese Oberland without renting a car or planning transport themselves. The coach handles the driving, and you choose how to spend your time in each village. The long day and shared coach mean it works best for people comfortable with a group and a full itinerary, not for those looking for a quick half-day outing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 15 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How much free time do you get in Interlaken and Grindelwald?

Interlaken and Grindelwald both have leisure time built in, though the exact duration depends on the day's schedule. The itinerary gives you enough time to explore each village on your own, eat, or simply take in the views. This is not a rushed tour with a guide talking the whole time.

Can you take the cable car up Mt. First on this tour?

Yes, the cable car ride to Mt. First at 2,168 m is optional and available only during summer months. You pay for it separately if you choose to go, and it is your decision once you arrive in Grindelwald.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes the coach, a live guide in English or German, WiFi on board, and air conditioning. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, nor are meals and drinks. You buy those in the villages.

Where do you meet the tour in Zurich?

You check in at the Gray Line trailer at the bus parking Sihlquai in Zurich. This is where the tour starts in the morning and where it returns in the evening.