If you’re planning to visit Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Mürren, you are likely wondering where you should stay.
These places are often treated as separate destinations, but they are all part of the Jungfrau Region near Interlaken, a relatively compact area of the Swiss Alps that is easy to explore from a single base.
So which village makes the best base for your trip?
This depends on what matters most to you: convenience, scenery, atmosphere, activities or price.
In this guide, I’ll explain the differences between the main places to stay, show you how long it takes to reach the major sights from each one, and recommend hotels and apartments at different price levels, including options that work particularly well for families.
Overview of the Jungfrau Region
The Jungfrau Region is the mountain area south of Interlaken around the famous peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
This region includes villages Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren, connected by trains, buses, cable car and mountain railways.
The map below shows how the villages connect to each other. Interlaken is the main transport hub, connecting the Jungfrau Region to the rest of Switzerland.
From Interlaken, trains run to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen in the two main valleys. From Lauterbrunnen, mountain trains and cable cars take you up to the car-free alpine villages Wengen and Mürren.
Each of the villages has spectacular viewpoints, trails, and other activities.
You can choose any of these villages as your single home base and easily visit the others as day trips. No need to waste time changing hotels.
Quick Comparison: Where should you stay?
When choosing a base, the main trade-off is between convenience and mountain scenery. For example, Interlaken has the easiest and quickest connections, while Wengen and Mürren put you right in the mountains but require more travel time to reach other parts of the region.
Your “best place to stay” depends on the right balance of scenery, atmosphere, and convenience.
Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide.
Where to stay Wengen
Best for: Classic alpine village + families + luxury spa resorts
Why stay here: Spectacular views, car-free village, lots of family-friendly apartments
Downside: You need the mountain train to get in and out; services close early
Top picks:
- Families: Alpenkräuter Bären (3*) or Braunbar Hotel & Spa (4*)
- Apartments: Appartement Cosy – Chalet Central (2BR) or Chalet Tilia Penthouse (sleeps 6).
- Luxury: Grand Hotel Belvedere (5*) or Beausite Park Hotel & Spa (4*).
Where to stay Grindelwald
Best for: Quick access to famous viewpoints
Why stay here: Lots of mountain activities start right from Grindelwald, plenty of restaurants and services
Downside: Busy and touristy around the center
Top picks:
- Close to train station: Hotel Central Wolter (3*)• Belvedere Swiss Quality Hotel (4*)
- Families: Sunstar Hotel Grindelwald (4 star) or Hotel Fischerblick
- Budget: Hotel Tschuggen (2*) • Eiger Lodge • Youth Hostel Grindelwald
- Upscale: Boutique Hotel Glacier (4*) or Bergwelt Grindelwald Alpine Design Resort (4*)
- Luxury: Romantik Hotel Schweizerhof (5*)
Where to stay Lauterbrunnen
Best for: Valley scenery + value
Why stay here: Dramatic waterfall valley, quick access to multiple mountain areas, quiet evening walks in the valley
Downside: Fewer options, mostly older hotels, less services.
Top picks:
- Close to train station: Hotel Silberhorn (3*) or Hotel Steinbock
- Family: Hotel Jungfrau or Hotel Schützen or Hotel Oberland
- Apartment: Lauterbrunnen Central apartment (1br) • Apartment Staubbach (3br) • Lauterbrunnen Waterfall Apartment
- Budget: Hotel Horner or Chalet Rosa B&B
Where to stay in Mürren
Best for: Spectacular views, peaceful atmosphere, uncrowded trails
Why stay here: Beautiful car-free village with exceptional views and easy access to hiking trails
Downside: Longest travel times to other parts of the region; limited services
Top picks:
- Families: Eiger Guesthouse Mürren or Hotel Regina (2*)
- Apartment: Chalet Bim Chilchli (3 BR) or Apartment Nollen (3 BR)
- Budget: Mountain Hostel Gimmelwald or Sportchalet Mürren
- Upscale: Hotel Mürren Palace (4*)
Where to stay in Interlaken
Best for: Convenience + shorter travel times + nightlife
Why stay here: Excellent train connections, the widest choice of restaurants and shops,
Downside: Busier, touristy and more urban
Top picks:
- Near train station: Hotel Jnterlaken (4*) or Essential by Dorint Interlaken (3*)
- Families: Boutique Hotel Bellevue (4*) and Hotel Blume (2*)
- Apartment: alscher’s holiday home(3 BR) or Terrace Vista Interlaken (2 BR)
- Self-check in: No 8 Boutique Hotel or Hotel Derby (3*)
- Budget: Interlaken Youth Hostel or Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof
- Luxury: Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel (5*)
The cheapest room is not necessarily the cheapest stay.
Don’t compare just room prices. A CHF 250 hotel may end up costing more than a CHF 300 hotel once you add:
- CHF 100 for breakfast for four
- CHF 30/day for parking
- Extra transport because the hotel is far from the station
- the cheapest rate doesn’t fit your family size
Need help finding accommodations? Book a travel consult.
Sample travel times
How long it takes to reach your desired activities is a big part of choosing a base location.
Here are a sample travel times between villages.
- Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen – 22 mins
- Interlaken to Grindelwald – 36 mins
- Interlaken to Wengen – 37 mins
- Interlaken to Mürren – 50 mins
- Lauterbrunnen to Wengen – 11 mins
- Lauterbrunnen to Mürren – 21 mins
- Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald – 39 mins
- Mürren to Grindelwald – 1h10
Your time may vary depending on which connection you take.
Cost: What You’ll Pay and What You Get
No surprise: accommodation in Switzerland is expensive.
Prices vary significantly by season. Summer prices are typically highest from mid-June through mid-August. In winter, prices peak around the Christmas and New Year holidays and during the main ski holiday period from late January through early March.
The price ranges below are based on typical summer high-season rates in 2026. They are intended as a general guide, not a guarantee. Prices vary by location, room type, demand and booking conditions.
Cheap
The lowest cost accommodations are beds in shared rooms and dorms at hostels, campsites, or mountain huts. These are typically priced per person. So cheap for single travelers but for families, it can cost the same as a budget or mid-range hotel.
What to expect
- Hostel dorm beds or shared rooms
- Shared bathrooms
- Basic facilities
Typical price: CHF 50–100 per person/night
Below is the Mountain Hostel Gimmelwald, where I paid CHF 54 for a bunk in the dorm, including breakfast
Budget
The term “budget” in the Jungfrau Region does not necessarily mean inexpensive, rather lower-priced relative to other accommodation in the same area.
What to expect
- Simple private rooms, sometimes with a shared bathroom
- Older or dated furnishings
- Limited reception or self-check-in
- Breakfast may not be available
Typical price:
CHF 150–260/double room
CHF 250–400/family room for four
Below is Hotel du Lac, which is super convenient right next to the Interlaken Ost train station. We booked it last minute for a ski weekend, a triple room for a bargain at CHF 210/night. Very simple and dated, but the right price.
Mid-range
What to expect
- Comfortable private rooms with the essentials
- Private bathroom in most cases
- Simple furnishings
- Breakfast buffet usually available
Typical price:
CHF 260–400/double room
CHF 400–650/family room for four
Below is Hotel Silberhorn Lauterbrunnen (3*) just steps away from the train station and main street leading to the Staubbach falls.
Upscale
What to expect
- More stylish or recently renovated rooms
- Higher-quality furnishings, bedding and bathrooms
- Better facilities and more attentive service
- Extras such as a spa, pool, fitness room or children’s playroom
- A more extensive breakfast with higher-quality and local products
Typical price:
CHF 400–700/double room
CHF 650–1,000/family room for four
Luxury
What to expect
- Historic grand hotels or exceptional contemporary design
- The hotel itself is part of the travel experience
- Larger rooms and suites with premium furnishings
- Multiple restaurants, often fine dining
- Extensive spa and wellness facilities
Typical price:
CHF 700+/double room
CHF 1,000+/family room for four
Keep in mind: These categories describe the typical type of accommodation and experience, not a strict star-rating system. Prices can also vary significantly between villages. In the Jungfrau Region, you will usually pay extra for a balcony, mountain view or larger room.
Before You Book: Things to Check
Location and Public Transport Connections
A hotel may look close to the train station on a map, but a 10 min walk can feel very different when you’re doing it twice a day a tired toddler or someone with limited mobility. And in the Swiss Alps, that “short walk” in the description may be straight uphill.
Before booking, check:
- How far is the nearest train station or bus stop
- How often does the transport run? A connection every 30 minutes is much easier to work around than once an hour.
- How long will it take to reach the activities on your list?
Use Google Maps to check the journey from your accommodation to two or three activities you definitely want to do. A cheaper hotel isn’t always the better value if it adds an hour of travel to every day.
Need help check hotel locations? Book a travel consult.
Is Breakfast Worth It?
Breakfast is common at Swiss hotels, but it isn’t always included in the advertised room rate. If you add it separately, expect to pay roughly CHF 20–30 per adult per day, although prices vary.
Hotel breakfasts are usually buffet-style and include bread, pastries, cheese, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereal and hot items such as eggs, bacon or sausage. Nicer hotels typically have higher quality food and more variety, but not always.
If you don’t want to pay for hotel breakfast, you can usually save money by buying pastries, bread and groceries at a local bakery or grocery. But note that most Swiss café do not serve cooked breakfasts.
Parking: Check the Details
If you’re driving, don’t just filter for “parking available.” Check exactly what that means before booking.
How much does it cost?
Even if an accommodation has parking on-site, they may charge CHF 20–30 per day. Make sure to include this when comparing accommodation prices.
Do you need to reserve?
On-site spaces are often limited and you may need to reserved a spot in advance, even if there is no charge. If you arrive without a reservation, you may have to use a nearby public garage instead.
Where is the parking?
In Switzerland, “parking available” doesn’t necessarily mean parking directly beside your hotel or apartment. The designated parking may be in a nearby garage or several minutes walk away.
Are you staying in a car-free village?
You cannot drive to Wengen or Mürren. You’ll need to leave your car in the valley and continue to the village by mountain transport.
Tourist Tax and Guest Cards
Most destinations charge a local tourist tax, typically a few Swiss francs per person per night. Depending on the accommodation, this may be included in the displayed price or charged separately when you arrive.
In many destinations, paying the tourist tax gives you a guest card with local discounts or benefits. Check what is included before your trip, as benefits vary by village and season.
For example, the Mürren guest card includes certain local benefits, including access to the village swimming pool.
Need help finding accommodations in Jungfrau Region?
