Driving from Gruyeres to Lauterbrunnen

As part of our trip, we are planning to drive down from Gruyeres to Lauterbrunnen late in the evening about 8:00 pm. Best route suggested is the route through Bern. I found an alternate route through Boltigen. Is this road decent for travel in the late evening hours? Thanks!

Hi puneetgup,

That route would be via the Jaun Pass, so quite different from the highway through Bern. The pass is not exceptionally high, but it is narrow sometimes and lots of hairpin bends. Easily doable if you take things slow, pay attention, and know how to drive in the mountains. I would not recommend that route after sunset, if you're not familiar with the road. You will be there in Summer, right? Between mid May and mid August, it's light until about 9 PM, so be sure to have reached Boltigen, across the pass, by then. That takes 50 to 60 minutes from Gruyères I guess.

If you depart at 8 PM you would just make it across the pass before dark. It's a beautiful route, but in the dark it wouldn't make sense and you're only taking a risk. Why not drive via the Jaun Pass in the morning, and back via the highway?

Anyway, have a great day!

No problem! You have 3 options:

• Do it by train altogether. That would be my preference as its far easier and more convenient than driving into the city. The train station is in the city center so you can walk right into the Old Town.
• Park in town. Parking places can be found on www.parking-bern.ch. It's in German but you'll understand the basic info I guess. Beware that "Frei" does not mean "free". It's just the number of parking places that is not occupied. The rates start at CHF 2 per hour I think, up to CHF 30 per day.
• Park cheaper near a rail station of a town near Bern, then take the train for the last few minutes into town. Münsingen is an example. Also see this page at the SBB website.