The Jungfrau region and Lake Thun lie in the Bernese Oberland, reached from Geneva Airport via Bern, which is about 160 km and 1 h 50 away, then along Lake Thun to Interlaken. Four to six days let you combine lakeside castles with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the trio of peaks above Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you from GVA to Interlaken or Grindelwald, or to Lauterbrunnen for the train up to car-free Wengen.
- Route: via Lausanne and Bern, then along Lake Thun, all within Switzerland
- Reference distance: Bern about 160 km, 1 h 50 from GVA
- Car-free village: Wengen is reached by train from Lauterbrunnen
- Ideal length: four to six days
- Highlights: Oberhofen and Spiez castles, Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen falls, Wengen, Jungfraujoch
Lake Thun: castles on the water
After Bern, the motorway reaches Thun, a town on the Aare where it leaves the lake, with a castle topped by four corner turrets looking over the old town. Lake Thun's shores are dotted with castles: Oberhofen, with its slender tower rising straight from the water, and Spiez, set above a bay of vineyards and boats, are the most photographed. On the northern shore, the St. Beatus caves are said to have been home to a hermit monk, and a path leads into chambers with underground streams. Paddle steamers cross the lake in summer, an elegant way to arrive in Interlaken.
Interlaken: between two lakes
As its name suggests, Interlaken lies between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, on a flat strip linked by the Aare. The town is the main hub of the region, with views of the Jungfrau from the central meadow, the Höhematte, where paragliders often land. A funicular climbs to Harder Kulm, a viewpoint over both lakes and the high peaks. Lake Brienz, to the east, is known for its turquoise water, the village of Brienz with its woodcarving tradition, and the Giessbach falls tumbling down to the shore beside a historic hotel.
Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen
Two valleys run south from Interlaken. Grindelwald, in the eastern one, sits directly below the north face of the Eiger, one of the most famous walls in mountaineering. The First gondola leads to a cliff walk and the Bachalpsee, a lake that reflects the peaks on calm days, while the Eiger Express gondola connects to the Jungfrau railway. The western valley is Lauterbrunnen, a deep, flat-bottomed glacial trough with sheer rock walls and many waterfalls; Staubbach falls drops from the cliff near the village, and the Trümmelbach falls thunder inside the mountain. From Lauterbrunnen, a cogwheel train climbs to Wengen, a car-free resort on a sunny terrace, and cable cars rise on the other side towards Mürren, also car-free.
Choosing a base depends on your style of trip. Interlaken is the most practical, with many hotels and easy train connections in every direction, and it suits travellers who want to combine the lakes with the mountains. Grindelwald puts you right under the Eiger, with immediate access to walks and ski runs, while Wengen and Mürren offer a quieter, car-free atmosphere and some of the finest views in the Alps from your balcony. For a mix, spend two nights by Lake Thun or in Interlaken, then two or three up in the valleys, with the chauffeur handling the move and the luggage.
Jungfraujoch and the high mountains
The Jungfrau railway climbs through tunnels inside the Eiger and Mönch to the Jungfraujoch, a saddle between peaks, marketed as the Top of Europe, where a station complex looks over the Aletsch Glacier, the longest in the Alps. It is a memorable trip, but one to save for a clear day; check the webcam before setting off. For skiers, the region offers several linked areas around Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren, with long runs beneath the north faces.
- Wengen and Mürren are car-free; your chauffeur drops you at Lauterbrunnen or Stechelberg.
- The altitude at the Jungfraujoch is high; walk slowly and stay hydrated.
- Summer brings many visitors; book the most popular trains and gondolas ahead.
Book your Jungfrau region transfer
Reserve online with AirportsTransfers.ch and the fixed price per vehicle is shown before you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your driver meets you in Geneva Airport arrivals with a name sign, follows your flight and waits if it is late. The V-Class van carries up to seven passengers with skis or bulky luggage; the E-Class and S-Class suit couples and small families. Child seats are available on request, return transfers can be booked together, and groups can travel by Sprinter minibus. For tailored routes, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
