Schynige Platte: the must-knows

  • Schynige Platte is a plateau and viewpoint above Wilderswil, close to Interlaken.
  • It’s accessible from mid June to late October.
  • The 50-minute ride up in the steam cogwheel train is extremely scenic, and the views from the top are superb.
  • We recommend making a hike through the remarkable landscape at Schynige Platte.
  • The trip is free with several regional passes, and discounted with a Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card.
  • If you like this trip, you may enjoy the Brienzer Rothorn too.
Min. time required: 2:30
Season: mid June to late October
Recommended season: mid June to late October
Max. altitude: 1967 m (6453 ft)

What is Schynige Platte? Copy link to clipboard

Schynige Platte is a plateau near Interlaken, at an altitude of 1967 m. The ride to get there is an attraction in itself. A narrow-gauge historical cogwheel train gets you up the mountain in 50 minutes, offering spectacular views along the way. Sometimes an authentic steam train is operational on this route.

The train departs from Wilderswil, located at 584 m. After the ride, you can enjoy wonderful views of the Jungfrau Region. The famous trio Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau stands out. If you walk a little you'll also look down on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Prices, tickets and reservations Copy link to clipboard

Schynige Platte prices

The standard fare for a return trip Wilderswil-Schynige Platte is CHF 64 per adult in 2024.

Many rail passes provide a discounted or even free ride:

  • With a Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex or Swiss Half Fare Card, you can get a 50% discounted ticket at CHF 32.
  • The Jungfrau Travel Pass and Berner Oberland Pass allow free travel to Schynige Platte.

Here's our complete overview of rail pass discounts.

Where to buy your Schynige Platte tickets

You can get tickets for the train ride to Schynige Platte online, or at the railway station of Wilderswil and other train stations in the area.

Reservations

You don't have to make reservations for Schynige Platte.

Find your online Schynige Platte tickets Copy link to clipboard

Schynige Platte Ticket rack railroad from Wilderswil
Schynige Platte Ticket rack railroad from Wilderswil
Hiking
Enjoy an unrestricted view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau triumvirate during the one-hour ride on the nostalgic Schynige Platte Railway.

Offered by Swiss Activities: www.swissactivities.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
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MySwissAlps
Customized privately guided day trip Switzerland
City trip, Culinary, Mountains, Museum, NaturePrivately guided day tour
Enjoy a fully customized day trip at your own pace, with one of the best private guide Switzerland has to offer.

Offered by MySwissAlps: www.myswissalps.com

  • Offer from one of our best partners.
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Schynige Platte paragliding evening to Interlaken
Schynige Platte paragliding evening to Interlaken
ParaglidingPrivately guided day tour
Experience the feeling of weightlessness on a tandem paragliding flight and enjoy the view of the Bernese Oberland with Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Offered by Swiss Activities: www.swissactivities.com

  • Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
  • Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.
This list includes external links to our trusted partners.

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Cheaper cogwheel train tickets with your rail pass Copy link to clipboard

The below rail passes offer discounts or even free traveling to Schynige Platte.

PassDiscount
Berner Oberland Pass Free:
  • Wilderswil to Schynige Platte (train)
Day Pass Discount 50%:
  • Wilderswil to Schynige Platte (train)
Eurail Global Pass Discount 50%:
  • Wilderswil to Schynige Platte (train)
Interrail Switzerland Pass Discount 50%:
  • Wilderswil to Schynige Platte (train)
Jungfrau Travel Pass Free:
  • Wilderswil to Schynige Platte (train)
Swiss Half Fare Card Discount 50%:
  • Wilderswil to Schynige Platte (train)
Swiss Travel Pass Discount 50%:
  • Wilderswil to Schynige Platte (train)
Swiss Travel Pass Flex Discount 50%:
  • Wilderswil to Schynige Platte (train)

How to reach Schynige Platte: directions and map Copy link to clipboard

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Departure date
Example: 01.07.= 1 July
Departure time
Example: 13:15=1:15 PM

How does the timetable work?

The only way to reach Schynige Platte (other than hiking), is by cogwheel train from the Wilderswil near Interlaken

Traveling to Wilderswil

You first need to travel to Wilderswil, either by train or by car. From Interlaken, there's a bus to Wilderswil as well. The cogwheel train from Schynige Platte departs from the train station in Wilderswil.

Traveling from Wilderswil to Schynige Platte

The 50-minute train ride is very scenic.

After departure from Wilderswil, the train will cross the river Lütschine. It then climbs up the meadows and enters a dense forest. You can peek through the trees in some spots for a view of Interlaken and Lake Thun. The train then leaves the forest to enter the rolling meadows around the small mid-station Breitlauenen. Breitlauenen is located nearly 1000 m higher than the departure station in Wilderswil.

Next, the train continues to ascend while passing meadows, trees, and some impressive rocks. It crosses a few tunnels and the views keep getting more spectacular during the last stretch to Schynige Platte.

Map with the cogwheel train route Wilderswil-Schynige Platte

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Map

Operation dates, schedules and timetable Copy link to clipboard

2024 operation dates for Schynige Platte

The trains to Schynige Platte operate from 15 June to 20 October 2024.

Planning your trip in the timetable

You can check the Schynige Platte timetable through the links here. Alternatively, you can plan your trip with the Swiss timetable. The destination is simply called "Schynige Platte". The valley station is "Wilderswil", and the mid-station is "Breitlauenen".

Recommended months Copy link to clipboard

An excursion to Schynige Platte can be made from mid June to late October. We think the excursion is a great option for this entire period.

  • The most striking contrast between vegetation in the valleys and snow-capped mountain tops can be seen in June (spring) and October (fall).
  • July, August and September are perfect if you want to hike from Schyige Platte.

Weather forecast and tips Copy link to clipboard

It is essential to check the weather forecast. There's no point in going up if clouds are blocking the views from the Schynige Platte plateau. Dress in multiple thinner layers so that you can adapt to the different temperatures throughout the day. Take along sunglasses.

Solid shoes are important if you also plan to do some hiking. We strongly recommend doing so at Schynige Platte!

Schynige Platte 5-day forecast

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Weather forecast

What to see and do at Schynige Platte

This is what to expect:

  • You’ll have wonderful views of the Bernese Alps, including the famous Jungfrau, the Schreckhorn, Finsteraarhorn and many more.
  • There are lots of hiking options for even more views. One of them is the Swiss Flower & Panorama trail, starting from the train station. Another famous hike is the long and famous route to First.
  • You can have a break in the restaurant with its panoramic windows or on the outdoor terrace. There’s a hotel too, as well as a playground for kids.
  • In the Alpine Garden, you’ll encounter hundreds of different kinds of flowers.
  • Alphorn players offer a free concert around lunchtime.
  • The train also stops in Breitlauenen, halfway up the mountain. This is merely a place to start hiking. There are no attractions, other than the views and a small bistro.
  • You can book a cab view ride, during which you’ll actually load the coal and steer the train!

The best side of the train to sit on

We slightly prefer the right side of the cogwheel train to Schynige Platte. It offers the best views of the Jungfrau and the other Alps during the last section of the ride.

How much time you need for a Schynige Platte excursion

If you just enjoy the views at the top for a while, count on 2,5 to 3 hours from Wilderswil. If you plan on hiking, this can turn into a half-day or even full-day excursion.

What else to do on the same day

Wilderswil is very close to Interlaken. You can combine a half-day trip to Schynige Platte with most activities there. Consider a trip to Harder Kulm or a boat ride on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun for example. Alternatively, look into the activities further south in the Jungfrau Region.

If you want to see as much of this area as possible within one day, consider our 1-day Jungfrau Region itinerary that includes Schynige Platte.

Other websites of interest

Schedules

  • www.jungfrau.ch: operation dates and hours of transport in the Jungfrau Region, including Schynige Platte

Prices

  • www.jungfrau.ch: Jungfrau Region prices for transportation, including Schynige Platte

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Rock formation at Schynige Platte, Bernese Oberland

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Arno
Page author: ArnoI have visited Switzerland countless times since 1997. I've explored most of the country, but find myself staying in the Bernese Oberland and Graubünden most frequently. The alps and the rail network remain very impressive, even after all these years.