Grindelwald First at a glance
First is the sunny mountain on the north side of the Grindelwald valley. A six-seater gondola runs from the village centre via Bort and Schreckfeld to the top station at 2,168 metres in 25 minutes. The valley station is about 8 to 10 minutes on foot from Grindelwald railway station, so you do not need a bus or a car to get there.
At the top you look across to the Eiger, the Wetterhorn and the Schreckhorn. There is a cliff walk with a platform over the drop, a second free viewpoint and the start of the easy trail to the Bachalpsee. In summer the two middle stations become stops on the way back down: zip line to Schreckfeld, mountain cart to Bort and scooter to the village.
First gondola prices and discounts 2026
Adult fares, second class, valid until 12 December 2026. The online price calculator showed the same fares for August, October and December 2026. Prices for winter 2026/27 from 13 December were not confirmed when we checked in October 2026.
| Ticket | Adult price 2026 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Grindelwald to First, return | CHF 76 | Includes the Cliff Walk and First View |
| Grindelwald to First, one way | CHF 38 | Useful if you ride or walk back down |
| Half Fare Card, GA, Swiss Travel Pass | 50 % off, CHF 38 return | Also with the Berner Oberland Pass and Eurail or Interrail |
| Jungfrau Travel Pass | Included | Adventure rides are not included |
| Grindelwald guest card | 15 % off | For overnight guests, from your accommodation |
If you plan three or more mountain days, compare the Jungfrau Travel Pass. In 2026 the 3-day pass costs CHF 210, or CHF 165 with a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass, and it also covers the Männlichen gondola and the Eiger Express. For one day at First only, a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass discount is usually the cheaper choice. More on passes and trains on our page on getting to Grindelwald.
Our picks: Grindelwald First tickets and tours
A day trip from Zurich, a ticket with mountain activities and the plain gondola ride.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Grindelwald First day trip from Zurich
Transport from Zurich, the gondola, First View and the cliff walk in one day.
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First cable car, cliff walk and mountain activities
Return cable car, cliff walk and mountain activities. Compare it with the official Adventure Package at the valley station.
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Gondola ride to Grindelwald First
The return gondola, slightly below the official CHF 76. With a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass, the official ticket is cheaper.
Check availability →First tickets, tours and activities
Gondola tickets, guided trips and adventure combos at First, with live prices and availability.
We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
First Cliff Walk and First View: free at the top
The Cliff Walk runs along the rock face by the top station and ends in a platform that sticks out 45 metres over the drop, with the Eiger straight ahead. Allow about 20 minutes. First View is the second viewpoint at the top.
Both are listed by the Jungfrau Railways as free offers. There is no separate ticket, you only pay for the gondola. On busy summer days, walk the Cliff Walk soon after you arrive, then decide whether to queue for a ride or set off towards the lake.
The trail to the Bachalpsee starts right here. It is easy, takes about 2 hours there and back and needs no extra ticket either.
First Flyer, Glider, Mountain Cart and Trottibike compared
Summer 2026 prices for adults and children aged 6 to 15. None of the four rides is included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass, and none has fixed time slots.
| Ride | Route and duration | Adult / child 2026 | Limits | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Flyer | Zip line from First to Schreckfeld, 800 m, up to 84 km/h, about 10 min | CHF 35 / CHF 26 | Body weight 35 to 125 kg | Summer and winter |
| First Glider | Eagle-shaped glider for 4, pulled up backwards at 72 km/h, back at up to 83 km/h, about 15 min | CHF 35 / CHF 26 | Min. 130 cm, max. 125 kg | Summer and winter |
| Mountain Cart | Schreckfeld to Bort, about 3 km on a gravel road, about 30 min | CHF 25 / CHF 19 | Min. 135 cm, helmet required (free) | Summer only |
| Trottibike | Scooter from Bort to Grindelwald, about 30 min | CHF 25 / CHF 19 | Min. 125 cm (mini Trottibikes), helmet required | Summer only |
Ride down in three stages
The rides link up: First Flyer from First to Schreckfeld, Mountain Cart from Schreckfeld to Bort, Trottibike from Bort back to the village. If you plan all three, a one-way gondola ticket up is enough.
Tickets for children
Online tickets for the Flyer and the Glider are only sold for adults and children from 10. Children aged 6 to 10 (from 130 cm) buy their ticket on site.
Adventure Package 2026
Unlimited gondola rides plus one or two adventure activities. Valid from 13 April to 25 October 2026, sold only at the valley station in Grindelwald. There is a daily quota, so on busy days it can sell out.
| Package | Adult | Half Fare, GA, Swiss Travel Pass | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 activity | CHF 90 (CHF 86 before 1 May) | CHF 60 | CHF 47 |
| 2 activities | CHF 109 | CHF 81 | CHF 63 |
Is it worth it? At full fare, the return gondola plus the First Flyer costs CHF 111 bought separately, so the 1-activity package at CHF 90 saves CHF 21. With a Half Fare Card, compare the reduced package price of CHF 60 with CHF 38 for the gondola plus the ride price. If the Jungfrau Travel Pass already covers your gondola, skip the package and buy the rides on their own.
Tips against the queues at First
The rides have no time slots, and long waits are possible in summer. A few habits help.
Do the rides before noon
The Jungfrau Railways recommend doing the activities before midday. Go up early and start with the ride that matters most to you.
Walk at midday
The Bachalpsee walk has no queue and takes about 2 hours return. It fits well into the busiest part of the day.
Bachalpsee hike →Sort tickets in advance
Buying ride tickets online does not give you a time slot, but adults and children from 10 skip the ticket desk. The Adventure Package is only sold at the valley station.
Arrive without driving around
From the railway station it is an 8 to 10 minute walk. Drivers can use the Eiger+ car park near the station: 164 spaces, CHF 20 for 8 hours.
Getting to Grindelwald →Season and revision dates 2026
The summer season at First runs until 25 October 2026. From 26 October to 27 November 2026 the gondola is closed for its annual revision and reopens on 28 November 2026. Check the operating hours for your day before you go.
First in winter
In winter First is part of the Jungfrau Ski Region, with more than 50 km of pistes and a snowpark of its own. The ski pass is valid from 21 November 2026 to 25 April 2027, but the start of the season had not been fixed when we checked. A day pass costs CHF 79, or CHF 83 in high season.
The First Flyer and the Glider also run in winter, and the Flyer is free with a valid Jungfrau ski pass. A sledge run leads from First via Schreckfeld to Bort, in good conditions all the way to Grindelwald. The winter hike from First to the Faulhorn takes about 2.5 hours. More in our guide to Grindelwald in winter.
Combine First with more of Grindelwald
First fills a full day on its own. These pages help you plan the rest.
Bachalpsee
The lake above First, a good hour each way on an easy family path.
Hiking in Grindelwald
The best trails from First, Männlichen and Pfingstegg compared.
Männlichen
The Royal Walk and the panorama trail to Kleine Scheidegg.
Grindelwald in winter
Skiing, sledging and winter hikes, with 2026/27 dates.
Grindelwald First: frequently asked questions
How much does the gondola to Grindelwald First cost?
In 2026 an adult return ticket costs CHF 76 and one way CHF 38. With a Half Fare Card, GA, Swiss Travel Pass or Berner Oberland Pass you pay half. The gondola is included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass, and the guest card gives 15 % off.
Is the First Cliff Walk free?
Yes. The Cliff Walk and First View need no extra ticket. You only pay for the gondola to the top station.
Is the First Flyer included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass?
No. The First Flyer, Glider, Mountain Cart and Trottibike are not included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass. The Flyer and the Glider cost CHF 35 each for adults in summer 2026, the cart and the Trottibike CHF 25 each.
How much time do you need at First?
Plan at least half a day for the gondola, the Cliff Walk and one ride. With the Bachalpsee walk and the rides back down to the village, it easily fills a whole day.
When is First closed in 2026?
The gondola is closed for revision from 26 October to 27 November 2026 and reopens on 28 November for the winter season.