Four kinds of Grindelwald tours and tickets
Most of what you can book in Grindelwald falls into four groups. Cable car tickets take you up to First, Männlichen, Eigergletscher or Pfingstegg. Regional passes bundle several of those rides with the train. Guided day trips bring you from Zurich, Lucerne or Interlaken by coach or train. Adventure activities, from the First Flyer zip line to a canyon swing, are paid on top.
The right choice depends on how long you stay and what you already own. A Half Fare Card halves most cable car prices, and some of the best experiences cost nothing extra once you are up the mountain. Below is an honest comparison, including when booking online makes no sense.
Grindelwald tours and tickets compared
Adult prices for 2026 as published by the operators. Day trip and adventure prices vary by provider and date.
| Type | Examples | Price 2026 | Book ahead? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable car tickets | First, Männlichen, Eiger Express, Pfingstegg | CHF 32 to 81.20 return | Rarely needed |
| Regional passes | Jungfrau Travel Pass, Berner Oberland Pass | From CHF 210 for 3 days | Buy before your first ride |
| First adventure rides | First Flyer, Glider, Mountain Cart, Trottibike | CHF 25 to 35 each | Optional, combo deal only on site |
| Glacier Canyon | Walkway and Spiderweb net | CHF 21 | Not possible, tickets at the entrance |
| Guided day trips | From Zurich, Lucerne or Interlaken | Varies by provider | Yes |
| Canyon swing, paragliding | Private operators in the valley | Varies by provider | Yes |
| Winter | Ski pass, sledging tickets | Ski day pass CHF 79 to 83 | Optional |
Our picks: Grindelwald tours
A full day at First from Zurich, the canyon swing and a First ticket with mountain activities.
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.
Grindelwald First day trip from Zurich
A full day trip from Zurich with the gondola to First, the First View platform and the cliff walk.
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Canyon Swing in the Glacier Canyon
A giant rope swing into the Glacier Canyon. Book ahead in summer.
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First cable car, cliff walk and mountain activities
Return cable car, the cliff walk and mountain activities in one ticket. Compare it with the official CHF 76 return and the Adventure Package.
Check availability →Grindelwald tours and activities
Cable car tickets, guided day trips, canyon swing, paragliding and winter activities, with live prices, reviews and availability.
Cable car tickets vs passes
For one or two rides, single tickets are usually the best deal. In 2026 a return trip costs CHF 76 to First, CHF 68 to Männlichen, CHF 32 to Pfingstegg and CHF 81.20 on the Eiger Express (on a summer date). With a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass you pay half on First, Männlichen and Pfingstegg. All are sold at the valley stations on the day, so you stay flexible with the weather.
A pass pays off when you ride a lot. The Jungfrau Travel Pass costs CHF 210 for 3 days (CHF 165 with a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass) and covers the train from Interlaken, First, Männlichen and the Eiger Express. Those three return rides plus the train already add up to about CHF 249 at full price. With a Half Fare Card the same rides cost roughly CHF 124, so the pass only wins if you add more trips on the extra days. The Berner Oberland Pass covers Männlichen and Pfingstegg for free but only gives 50 percent off at First. Our Getting to Grindelwald page has the full pass comparison.
One thing to know: the Jungfrau Travel Pass does not cover the adventure rides at First, and it only gives a small discount at Pfingstegg. For the Jungfraujoch you need an extra ticket, and seat reservations are mandatory from 1 May to 31 October 2026.
Guided day trips from Zurich, Lucerne and Interlaken
Guided day trips suit you if you are based in a city, have one day for the mountains and want no planning. Many combine Grindelwald with Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen in a single day of about 10 to 12 hours.
Be realistic about the time. By public transport, Grindelwald is about 2 hours 38 minutes from Zurich and 2 hours 34 minutes from Lucerne each way. On a combined tour you may get only a few hours in the village. Before booking, check whether the cable car to First is included or optional, how long you actually stay in Grindelwald, and the cancellation terms if the forecast is poor.
If you can stay one night, going on your own by train is usually better value and gives you the whole mountain day. See where to stay in Grindelwald.
Adventure activities: zip line, canyon swing and paragliding
At First, four rides are run by the cable car company. The First Flyer is an 800-metre zip line down to Schreckfeld at up to 84 km/h (CHF 35, body weight 35 to 125 kg). The First Glider takes four people backwards up the line at 72 km/h and back down at up to 83 km/h (CHF 35, minimum height 130 cm). The Mountain Cart rolls about 3 km from Schreckfeld to Bort (CHF 25, minimum 135 cm), and the Trottibike scooter takes you from Bort down to the village (CHF 25, minimum 125 cm). Carts and scooters run in summer only.
There are no time slots, so waits can be long. The operator recommends doing the rides before noon. Online tickets are sold for adults and children from 10; children aged 6 to 10 can only buy at the station. The Adventure Package is often the better deal: one activity plus unlimited gondola rides costs CHF 90 (CHF 60 with a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass), two activities CHF 109 (CHF 81). Compare that with CHF 76 for the gondola plus CHF 35 for the Flyer. The package is only sold at the valley station and the daily quota can sell out, so arrive early. More in the Grindelwald First guide.
The canyon swing in the Glacier Canyon and tandem paragliding flights over the valley are run by private operators, not by the cable car companies. They depend on the weather and have limited places, so booking ahead makes sense. Check the meeting point (some start in Interlaken), what is included and the rescheduling rules. For the walkway itself, see our Glacier Canyon guide.
Winter activities
In winter the choice changes. A ski day pass for the Jungfrau Ski Region costs CHF 79 for adults, CHF 83 in high season (as of October 2026). First alone has over 50 km of pistes. The First Flyer and First Glider keep running, and the Flyer is free with a valid Jungfrau ski pass.
Sledging is the classic non-skier option. A sledging ticket for the long Faulhorn run, with the ride up to First and the bus back from Lochsteinen, costs CHF 55 (CHF 29 with a Half Fare Card), and a winter hiking and sledging pass starts at CHF 61. Fondue evenings with night sledging at the Bussalp need a reservation, and the run is unlit. Details in Grindelwald in winter.
When booking ahead is worth it
A quick rule of thumb for 2026.
Book ahead
Guided day trips from Zurich or Lucerne, the canyon swing, paragliding and Jungfraujoch seat reservations in summer. Places are limited and fixed to a date.
Things to do in Grindelwald →Buy at the station
Cable car tickets, the First Adventure Package and the Glacier Canyon. You stay flexible with the weather, and some deals are only sold on site.
Grindelwald First →Decide before day one
Passes. Work out whether a Half Fare Card, the Jungfrau Travel Pass or the Berner Oberland Pass fits your plan before your first ride.
Pass comparison →Parking online costs extra
The Grindelwald Terminal car park has 1,032 spaces and costs CHF 15 for 2 to 24 hours. Booking it online adds CHF 5.
Getting to Grindelwald →Grindelwald tours: FAQ
Do I need to book the First gondola in advance?
No. Tickets are sold at the valley station, and the Adventure Package with an activity is only sold there. Arrive early in summer, as queues for the activities build up towards midday.
Is a guided day trip from Zurich worth it?
It can be if you only have one day and want no planning. Expect a long day: the trip takes over 2.5 hours each way, and combined tours leave limited time in Grindelwald. Staying one night gives you much more.
Can I book Glacier Canyon tickets online?
The operator sells tickets only at the entrance: CHF 21 for adults and CHF 11 for children aged 6 to 16 in 2026.
Is the First Flyer included in the Jungfrau Travel Pass?
No. The adventure rides at First are never included in the pass. In summer 2026 they cost CHF 35 for the Flyer and Glider and CHF 25 for the cart and scooter.
What is the cheapest way to do First with an activity?
The Adventure Package at the valley station: CHF 90 for the gondola plus one activity, or CHF 60 with a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass. Buying both separately costs more.