The Jungfraujoch is perhaps the most popular thing in Switzerland.
Second on the list is Grindelwald First.
The biggest drawcard aside from the Cliff Walk and Bachalpsee Lake are the fun activities
- The zipline & glider
- The mountain carts
- The alpine scooters
The problem is that as summer approaches, the lines for activities become a little out of control.
Last year, it was pretty crazy in July, but this year, people are already complaining about it on my Facebook group.
Activities Slots are NOT Guaranteed
Even if you have a ticket, there is no way to guarantee a spot. So, the key is to get there as early as possible. According to Jungfrau.ch the owners of the facilities:
It cannot be guaranteed that the desired adventure activity will be available during peak visitor times or unfavorable weather conditions. Switching to an alternative activity is possible at any time. There are no fixed time slots, so we strongly recommend arriving early and enjoying the activity(ies) before noon. Long waiting times must be expected. Thank you for your understanding.
JUNGFRAU UNCOVERED: A FIRST-TIMER'S GUIDE FOR 2024
Everything you need to know when planning a trip to the Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen area.
AFFORDABLE AT ONLY $29
Check the Waiting Times
Another thing you can do is check the waiting times, which they display online here.
Alternatives To Grindelwald First
As I tell many of my clients, there are lots of other great alternatives in the Interlaken Region (They are all in my guide :>) you can do to avoid the lines at First
I will break them down in terms of activities, so you can prioritise the ones that suit your needs:
Alternatives with Activities
Pfingstegg
If you want fun activities for your kinds like on First, then one of the better alternatives is Pfingstegg, on the other side of the valley just outside of Grindelwald. They have a less crazy zipline and a mountain coaster, so it is more focused on younger children, but it can also be fun for the whole family.
Schilthorn – Birg Cliff Walk
The Schilthorn is an excellent alternative to the Jungfrau in so many ways, but it also has a fun Cliff Walk and a viewing point.
They are also strongly associated with James Bond, with the museum at the top and the stunning Piz Gloria restaurant.
A visit here is a great day out and just the tip of the iceberg of what you can do in Lauterbrunnen. I have a complete 1-day guide on Latuerbrunnen in case that sparks your interest.
JUNGFRAU UNCOVERED: A FIRST-TIMER'S GUIDE FOR 2024
Everything you need to know when planning a trip to the Interlaken, Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen area.
AFFORDABLE AT ONLY $29
Männlichen – For Views, Hiking & A Playground
Want To Save This For Later?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
For those who want to combine epic views with a relatively easy 2-hour walk and stop at a fun mountain playground on the way, Männlichen is one of my “must-do” spots in the Interlaken area.
You can combine the Royal Walk and Panorama Trail and stop at the fun playground between the two walks (just after the gondola station).
THE PERFECT DAY IN LAUTERBRUNNEN: ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS
Stop stressing about what to do and how to get there
ONLY $18
Grindelwald Glacier Canyon – Educational, Cool & Has A Trampoline Spider Web
I tell my clients that Grindelwald Glacier Canyon is a great end of the day activity, but it does not have to be. It’s awesome when its hot (as they darker canyon and cold water make it 10 degrees cooler in summer).
The walk is fun and educational and there is a cool spider web trampoline in the middle to keep the kids amused as well.
Lake Oeschinensee – Views, Hikes & A Mountain Coaster
Although it is a bit of a trek (2 hours each way on the train), Lake Oeschinensee is “out of this world” in terms of views. The crazy blue lake, circled by the high peaks, is something you won’t see in many other places.
And there is an easy gondola to the lake from Kandersteg, and a mountain coaster as well, if you need to entice the kids to go for a walk!
Lake Brienz – Rothorn, Giessbach & Iseltwald
I recently wrote a full-day guide on Lake Brienz, because it is just so “unforgettable”.
With the Brienzer Rothorn historic steam train up the mountains to epic views, the beautiful Giessbach Falls and legendary hotel, as well as the cute lakeside towns of Brienz and Iseltwald, what more could you ask for?
You could also plan some water activities on Lake Brienz like
There are also boats, peddle boats and similar things to rent at the harbor in Brienz itself.
Lake Thun Options
Lake Thun also makes for a stunning day out for a variety of reasons.
First there is the historic and picturesque town of Thun itself with cobbled streets, covered bridges, beautiful lakeside promenade and it’s the beginning of a lovely boat road on the lake all the way back to Interlaken.
There is also a castle on top, which you can walk up to for an even more stunning view.
You can also continue on the boat to Oberhofen Castle and the historic town and Spiez harbor and end with a visit to the Beatus Caves which are the closest stop to Lucerne.
Plan Your Trip to Switzerland
Accommodation: I always book my hotels via Booking.com. They have some of the best rates, longterm deals, easy cancellation and more 
Transport: Train travel is one of the best ways to explore Switzerland. Buying a Swiss Travel Pass is a great way to save money on travel and museums. 
Car Rental: Having a car gives you flexibility on your travels. I use RentalCars.com and Discover Cars to get the best deals on car rentals in Switzerland. 
Luggage Storage: Find out where you can store your store your luggage while you are visiting various places in Switzerland. 
Trips & Tours:Viator and Get Your Guide are the best places to find local tours and trips for your adventures in Switzerland. 
Packing: Here are my recommendations for what to pack for a trip to Switzerland. As someone who has lived half their life in Switzerland, I have a good idea of what you need to bring! 
