This gondola starts in the Grindelwald village and takes you up the First mountain. At the top, you'll find the First Cliff Walk, amusements like the Flyer & Glider zip lines and hikes to the Bachalpsee lake and other beautiful destinations.

Location: Grindelwald First Gondola - Dorfstrasse 187, 3818 Grindelwald.
10 mins walk from Grindelwald train station (not Grindelwald Terminal).

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How to get there

By public transport

Ride a train to the Grindelwald station (one stop past the Grindelwald Terminal station).

Then cross the street to the bus depot. Ride Bus 121 to the Grindelwald, Firstbahn stop. Then 1 min walk uphill to the First gondola station. The bus runs about every 30 mins and is coordinated with the train arrival.

Or you can skip the bus and walk 10 mins from the train station along the main street to the First gondola station at Dorfstrasse 187, 3818 Grindelwald. It's nice to walk past the shops but the road is busy and the walk is slightly uphill. So you might prefer save your energy and ride the bus.

⏱️🚌 about 45 mins from Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen

By car

The closest parking to the First gondola is a small lot near Dorfstrasse 193, 3818 Grindelwald, a 1 min walk from the gondola station. But this small lot is usually full and it’s expensive.

We suggest parking next to the Pfingstegg cable car at Graben 3818, 3818 Grindelwald. It’s a 6 min walk uphill to the gondola station.

If all else fails, you can almost always find a spot at the Parkhaus Eiger+ parking garage at Dorfstrasse 110, 3818 Grindelwald. Then a bus or 10 min walk to the First gondola as described above.

⏱️🚗 about 30 mins from Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen

Opening times

The Grindelwald First gondola runs from Dec thru October, operating in both summer and winter. It typically closes for 4 weeks in November for a maintenance break.

The gondola operating times vary by season. In summer season (mid May thru September), it typically runs from 8:00 - 17:30, last ride down at 18:00. In winter, it can close as early as 16:15.

Check current operating times on Jungfrau.ch.

Tickets

You need a ticket to ride the First gondola. You get a discount with Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Half Fare Card, and Bernese Oberland Pass. Free with Jungfrau Travel Pass.

Although tickets do not sell out, it's best to purchase tickets online a day before so you don't have to wait in the ticket line when you get there. I would not buy tickets far in advance because you want to make sure the weather is nice.

➡️ Book Grindelwald First gondola tickets here

However, you'll still need to wait in the line to board the gondola. You cannot reserve a specific time slot until you are a large group.

In high summer season and on weekends, there can be a very long line to board the gondola (1h or more), especially from 10 - 13. We highly recommend getting to the gondola before 9:00 to reduce waiting times.