Mürren is a charming car-free alpine village located at 1,638 meters above sea level in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. Perched high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, it offers breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains. With its traditional wooden chalets, alpine meadows, and access to both summer and winter activities, Mürren is a year-round destination worth visiting.
Mostly people from outside of Switzerland will arrive in Zurich and this guide gives you everything you need: how to reach Mürren from Zürich, what to do in each season, where to stay, how much to budget for food, transport, and activities, plus practical tips to prepare your trip.
How to Get to Mürren from Zürich
By Public Transport (recommended)
- Travel time: about 3–4 hours.
- Route:
- Zürich HB → Interlaken Ost (by SBB train).
- Interlaken Ost → Lauterbrunnen (by Bernese Oberland Railway).
- From Lauterbrunnen you have two options:
- Take the mountain railway Lauterbrunnen → Grütschalp, then the small train to Mürren.
- Or take a bus from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, then ride the cable car Stechelberg → Gimmelwald → Mürren.
Tickets can be bought on SBB.ch or the SBB mobile app. Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card are valid on most parts of the journey and can reduce costs.
By Car
Driving time: about 2 to 2.5 hours from Zürich to Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg. Mürren itself is car-free, so you cannot drive directly into the village.
- Parking in Lauterbrunnen: multi-storey car park at the station. Example: CHF 18 for 8 hours, higher for multi-day stays.
- Parking in Stechelberg: open-air car park next to the Schilthorn cable car station. Rates are around CHF 7–12 per day.
From either parking spot, continue to Mürren via train or cable car.
Transport & Lift Costs
- Stechelberg → Mürren by cable car: about CHF 11.80 one way or CHF 23.60 return (adult).
- Mürren → Schilthorn (Piz Gloria summit): additional ticket required, around CHF 88 return (with reductions for Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, or Jungfrau Travel Pass).
- Swiss Travel Pass or regional passes are good value if you plan to travel multiple days.
Accommodation in Mürren – Price Ranges
Accommodation prices vary by season (higher in winter and summer, lower in spring/autumn).
- Budget / Hostel: CHF 50–130 per night. Limited availability, shared dorms or simple private rooms.
- Mid-range hotel: CHF 120–260 per night. Cozy alpine hotels and pensions with mountain views.
- Upscale / Boutique hotel: CHF 260–500+ per night. High comfort, panoramic terraces, gourmet dining.
Tip: Check Mürren’s official tourism website or book early on hotel platforms, especially for ski season (December–March) and peak summer (July–August).
Food & Drink – What to Expect
Food in Mürren is more expensive than in Swiss lowlands, as everything must be brought up the mountain.
- Quick snack, sandwich, or supermarket picnic: CHF 8–18 (Coop supermarket available in the village).
- Lunch at a mountain restaurant: CHF 20–40 per person.
- Dinner at a local restaurant: CHF 30–60 for a main dish, CHF 80+ for fondue or full-course meals.
Daily food budget per person:
- Self-catering: around CHF 20–30.
- Eating out moderately: CHF 50–120.
Things to Do in Mürren – By Season
Summer (June–September)
- Hiking on panoramic trails (e.g., Grütschalp to Mürren, Allmendhubel trails).
- Allmendhubel funicular and Flower Park (great for families).
- Via Ferrata Mürren for adventure seekers.
- Mountain biking and paragliding above Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Autumn (October–mid-December)
- Quieter atmosphere, fewer tourists.
- Beautiful autumn colors, peaceful hiking.
- Some lifts and funiculars may close for maintenance, so check timetables.
Winter (mid-December–April)
- Skiing and snowboarding in the Mürren-Schilthorn ski area (56 km of slopes).
- Snowshoeing and winter hiking.
- Tobogganing and sledging.
- Visit Schilthorn/Piz Gloria summit with panoramic views and the James Bond 007 exhibition.
Spring (April–May)
- Snow melts in the valley, while higher areas still have snow.
- Fewer tourists, some hiking trails may reopen gradually.
Highlights and Interesting Spots
- Schilthorn (Piz Gloria): Famous for its revolving restaurant and Bond World 007.
- Allmendhubel: Funicular ride up to family playground and flower trail.
- Panoramic trails: Stunning views of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau.
- Via Ferrata Mürren: Thrilling mountain climb with safety harness, including a suspension bridge.
- Lauterbrunnen Valley: Nearby, with 72 waterfalls and spectacular valley scenery.
Practical Tips & What to Pack
- Always bring layered clothing — weather changes fast in the Alps.
- Good hiking boots, sun protection, and waterproof jacket in summer.
- In winter, warm gear, gloves, hat, and snow shoes if hiking.
- Mürren is small and walkable; luggage should be easy to carry.
- If driving, check winter road conditions and use snow tyres or chains.
Useful Links for Planning
- Swiss Railways (SBB): timetables & tickets – www.sbb.ch
- Mürren Tourism: local info and events – www.muerren.swiss
- Schilthorn (Piz Gloria): tickets & opening hours – www.schilthorn.ch
- Jungfrau Region: passes and ski info – www.jungfrau.ch
Lastly
Mürren is a magical place where you can combine adventure with peaceful alpine charm. Whether you come for skiing, hiking, or simply to breathe the fresh mountain air, this guide helps you prepare your journey, budget correctly, and make the most of your Swiss Alps experience and you can enjoy how beautiful this place and will be one of your story life to tell to your family or friends.
Regards,
Hendrik
