Updated in October 2026, this Grindelwald-First cable car (Mt First, Firstbahn) guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
The Grindelwald-First cable car is a six-seater gondola in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland. It climbs from Grindelwald village to First at 2,166 metres in about 25 minutes. The First Cliff Walk is included in the ticket. You can book through Viator before you travel. As of October 2026, an adult return costs CHF 76, not the CHF 60 to 68 shown in some guides, and the cable car closes from 26 October to 27 November.
Quick facts for the Grindelwald-First cable car
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Valley station | Centre of Grindelwald village, Dorfstrasse, 3818 Grindelwald |
| Summit station | First, 2,166 metres above sea level |
| Ride time | About 25 minutes via Bort and Schreckfeld |
| Operating dates | Daily until 25 October 2026. Closed 26 October to 27 November 2026. Daily |
| Adult return, full fare | CHF 76 (1 May to 25 October 2026) |
| With a Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card or Berner Oberland Pass | CHF 38 (50% off) |
| With a Jungfrau Travel Pass | Free for adults |
| Children | Under 6 free. Ages 6 to 15 pay a reduced fare |
| Nearest transit | Grindelwald railway station, about 10 minutes on foot |
| Typical visit | Three to six hours |
Why book tickets for the Grindelwald-First cable car?
- 🚡 A 25-minute gondola ride: You can get on and off at the Bort and Schreckfeld midway stations.
- 🌉 The First Cliff Walk is included: The 45-metre cliff-side walkway costs nothing extra with your ticket.
- 🏔️ Views of snow-covered 4,000 metre peaks: First View at 2,194 metres offers seven different perspectives on the Alps.
- 🎢 Adventure at the top: The First Flyer reaches 84 km/h, and the mountain cart races down to Bort.
- 💰 Savings for pass holders: The ride is free with the Jungfrau Travel Pass and half price with a Swiss Travel Pass.
Ticket prices for the Grindelwald-First cable car – and how to book
The official site headlines “from CHF 38”. That is the discounted fare for card holders, not the full adult return. The full fares below come from partner listings that quote the 2026 price list.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult return, full fare (age 16 and over, 1 May to 25 October 2026) | CHF 76 |
| Adult return, full fare (28 November to 12 December 2026) | CHF 72 |
| Adult return with a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex, Swiss Half Fare Card or Berner Oberland Pass | CHF 38 in high season and CHF 36 in low season |
| Adult return with a Jungfrau Travel Pass | Free |
| Children aged 6 to 15 | Reduced fare. Confirm the price at checkout |
| Children under 6 | Free |
| Adventure Package (return ride and up to two activities, adult full fare, 1 May to 25 October 2026) | CHF 109 |
| Adventure Package with a Swiss Travel Pass or Half Fare Card | CHF 81 |
The ticket covers a return journey and lets you get off at Bort and Schreckfeld. It includes the First Cliff Walk. Activities such as the First Flyer cost extra. There is no senior discount.
Child pricing is inconsistent. When I made a dummy booking in October 2026, however, a child ticket cost CHF 20. Other sources report higher prices.
The Adventure Package is sold at the valley station and runs from 13 April to 25 October 2026. You choose between the First Flyer, First Glider, mountain cart and Trottibike. Tickets are for a day rather than a timeslot. You can book through Viator for a mobile ticket that includes the cable car and the Cliff Walk.
Opening hours for the Grindelwald-First cable car
The cable car runs daily and continuously during operating hours. The official ticket shop confirms the maintenance closure from 26 October to 27 November 2026. The official timetable varies by date, so take the daily times below as a guideline, not gospel. Check the current timetable for your date.
| Period | Operation |
|---|---|
| 29 November 2025 to 25 October 2026 | Daily. The first gondola leaves at about 08:00 |
| Summer | Last ride down at about 17:30 to 18:00 |
| Winter | Last ride down at about 16:30 |
| 26 October to 27 November 2026 | Closed for maintenance |
| From 28 November 2026 | Reopens for the winter season |
The last ride down is earlier in October. In 2024 it was about 17:00 after 7 October. The adventure stations close between 16:30 and 17:30, and the First Flyer usually runs from 10:00 to 15:30 in summer. No weekday or weekend difference is listed.
How to get to the Grindelwald-First cable car
By train, the Bernese Oberland Railway runs every 30 minutes from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald. Do not get off at Grindelwald Terminal. Travel one stop further to Grindelwald station. The valley station is in the village centre and about 10 minutes on foot.
By car, use the Grindelwald Terminal car park. A shuttle runs every 15 minutes to the First cable car. The official site recommends the Park+Ride at Matten bei Interlaken for day visitors.
Parking at the Grindelwald-First cable car
The official site states that there are no parking spaces close to the First valley station. It recommends the Grindelwald Terminal car park, with a shuttle every 15 minutes. The Park+Ride at Matten bei Interlaken is the alternative. The official live parking page shows current space availability. Check the Grindelwald Terminal car park page for current fees.
How long to spend at the Grindelwald-First cable car
Allow three to six hours. The Cliff Walk and First View each take about 20 minutes. The walk to Lake Bachalpsee takes about two hours return. Add time for adventure activities and a meal.
Accessibility at the Grindelwald-First cable car
The cable car is accessible, including the Bort and Schreckfeld stations. The summit station and the restaurant are also accessible. The First Cliff Walk is reached by a dirt road with a maximum width of 1.20 metres.
First View is not accessible because of steps. The First Flyer can be used by prior arrangement. Some guides describe the Cliff Walk as unsuitable for wheelchairs, so contact the operator before you travel.
What to see at the Grindelwald-First cable car
The gondola ride. The six-seater gondolas run from Grindelwald via Bort and Schreckfeld to First. The ride takes about 25 minutes, and you can break the journey at either midway station.
The First Cliff Walk by Tissot. A 45-metre walkway clings to the rock face with views of snow-covered 4,000 metre peaks. It takes about 20 minutes and is included in your ticket.
First View. This vantage platform stands at 2,194 metres. It offers seven different perspectives on the Alpine ring of the Bernese Oberland and takes about 20 minutes.
Lake Bachalpsee. A well-maintained path leads to the lake at 2,265 metres in less than an hour. The return trip takes about two hours.
The First Flyer and the First Glider. Four people race down an 800-metre steel cable on the First Flyer at up to 84 km/h. The First Glider flies backwards at 72 km/h from Schreckfeld and returns at up to 83 km/h.
The mountain cart and the Trottibike. The mountain cart runs on a natural road from Schreckfeld to Bort in about 30 minutes. The Trottibike, a mix between a scooter and a bike, continues from Bort to Grindelwald.
The First Mountain Restaurant. The restaurant at 2,167 metres serves Swiss classics and new creations with a panoramic view. The Bort Alpine Playground, a 700-square-metre play area, is at the midway station.
Practical visitor tips for the Grindelwald-First cable car
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | A mobile ticket saves time at the ticket office. Book tickets in advance for your chosen date. |
| Go early | The first gondola leaves at about 08:00. Visitor guides report activity queues of up to two hours after 10:00 in summer. |
| Check the closure dates | The cable car closes from 26 October to 27 November 2026. The Männlichen gondolas also close from 26 October, so check each cableway before you travel. |
| Match your pass to your plans | The Jungfrau Travel Pass makes the ride free but gives no discount on the activities. A Swiss Travel Pass halves the ride and may discount activities. |
| Plan your activities by closing time | The First Flyer usually runs until 15:30 and the adventure stations close between 16:30 and 17:30. Do the activities before the Bachalpsee walk. |
Frequently asked questions about the Grindelwald-First cable car
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Grindelwald-First cable car open in November? | No. It closes from 26 October to 27 November 2026 and reopens on 28 November. |
| Is the First Cliff Walk included in the ticket? | Yes. The return ticket includes admission to the First Cliff Walk by Tissot. Activities such as the First Flyer are extra. |
| How much is an adult return ticket? | The full fare is CHF 76 from 1 May to 25 October 2026. Card holders pay CHF 38, and Jungfrau Travel Pass holders ride free. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Tickets are also sold at the valley station. Advance booking is recommended in peak summer to save time. |
| Is the Grindelwald-First cable car accessible? | Yes, including Bort and Schreckfeld, the summit station and the restaurant. First View is not accessible because of steps. |
Things to do near the Grindelwald-First cable car
Lake Bachalpsee is the “blue jewel” of the Alps, a walk of less than an hour from the First station.
The Bort Alpine Playground is a 700-square-metre play area at the midway station, with nets, ropes and a mountain stream.
The Pfingstegg cableway runs from Grindelwald village.
The Männlichen gondola runs from Grindelwald Terminal to a hiking viewpoint..
The Eiger Express takes you from Grindelwald Terminal to Eigergletscher in 20 minutes, at the foot of the Eiger North Face.
Alternatives to the Grindelwald-First cable car
The First is the adventure-park mountain of the Jungfrau Region. The options below are other mountain excursions within about two hours’ travel.
Harder Kulm is Interlaken’s local mountain, reached in 10 minutes by funicular, with views of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.
Schynige Platte is a historic cogwheel railway from Wilderswil with an alpine garden and a skywalk.
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe is Europe’s highest railway station at 3,454 metres.
Winteregg-Mürren is a car-free route above the Lauterbrunnen Valley with a Panorama Swing.
The Schilthorn is the Piz Gloria summit above Mürren, reached by cable car from Stechelberg or Mürren.
More Switzerland travel
Other Switzerland travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to know before visiting the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
- A first time visitor’s guide to the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt.
- How to make the best of your visit to Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva, Switzerland.
- How to get the most from a visit to Chateau de Gruyeres in Switzerland.
- Visiting the St Beatus Caves in the Bernese Oberland.
