Wengen at a glance
Wengen lies at 1,274 metres on a terrace high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley. The village is car-free. Visitors arrive by the Wengernalp railway, a cogwheel line that has run from Lauterbrunnen since 1893.
Wengen is a village on a sunny terrace and works as a base for walks, for the Männlichen ridge and for skiing. A train takes you up from the valley floor, so you do not need a cable car to get there.
How to get to Wengen
You cannot drive to Wengen. Leave the car in Lauterbrunnen and take the train.
Train from Lauterbrunnen
The Wengernalp railway takes 11 to 12 minutes and leaves every half hour. A ticket costs CHF 7.20 one way or CHF 14.40 return in 2026, and half that with a Half Fare Card. It is included in the Swiss Travel Pass, the Jungfrau Travel Pass, the Berner Oberland Pass and the GA travelcard.
Getting to Lauterbrunnen →From Interlaken
Change in Lauterbrunnen. Interlaken Ost to Wengen takes roughly 37 to 40 minutes in total. Take the front part of the Lauterbrunnen train, because the rear part goes to Grindelwald.
Parking
The Lauterbrunnen station car park costs CHF 18 for 8 hours, the church car park CHF 12. Both are open around the clock.
Drones and camping
Drones are banned in the whole valley, including Wengen. Wild camping is not allowed either.
Wengen and Jungfrau region tours
Cable car tickets, guided hikes, day trips and adventure activities around Wengen, with live prices and availability.
Cable car from Wengen to Männlichen
The Männlichen cable car has run since 1954. It climbs 947 metres in under 5 minutes, and a cabin leaves every 20 minutes.
| Ticket (summer 2026) | One way | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | CHF 31 | CHF 62 |
| Half Fare Card, GA, Swiss Travel Pass, Eurail (50 %) | CHF 15.50 | CHF 31 |
| Child 6 to 15 | CHF 5 | CHF 10 |
| Royal Ride, open balcony (extra charge) | + CHF 5 | + CHF 10 |
| With the Lauterbrunnen guest card | – | CHF 43 |
| Berner Oberland Pass, Jungfrau Travel Pass | Free | Free |
Bicycles are not carried. The summer season runs from 23 May to 25 October 2026. The cable car then closes for its annual overhaul from 26 October to 11 December 2026, and the winter season runs from 12 December 2026 to 4 April 2027. Prices from 13 December 2026 were not confirmed when we checked, so look them up before a winter trip.
At the top, the Panorama Trail to Kleine Scheidegg is 4.5 kilometres and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. It is usually open from mid-June to October.
Walks around Wengen
Wengen is a good starting point because trains and cable cars shorten every route.
- Down to Lauterbrunnen: the path through the Wengwald forest loses almost 500 metres of height and ends at the valley floor, where you can take the train back up.
- Wengernalp to Kleine Scheidegg: 6.8 kilometres via Biglenalp, about 2 hours 20 minutes, medium difficulty.
- Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg: the panorama trail described above, the easiest high-level walk in the area.
For more routes in the valley, see our hiking guide. The best months for walking are May to October.
Lauberhorn race and winter in Wengen
Wengen is known worldwide for one ski race.
Lauberhorn race
The Lauberhorn downhill is the longest on the World Cup calendar at 4,480 metres, and the race has run since 1930. The 2027 weekend is 15 to 17 January: Super-G on Friday, downhill on Saturday 16 January, slalom on Sunday 17 January.
Skiing
Wengen belongs to the Grindelwald-Wengen ski area, which is part of the Jungfrau Ski Region. The Männlichen lifts open on 12 December 2026. A day pass for the whole region costs CHF 79, or CHF 83 in peak season.
Fox Run toboggan
The Fox Run is a toboggan run of 4.5 kilometres. Check the operating dates locally before you plan around it.
Ice rink
With the Wengen guest card you get 50 percent off the artificial ice rink. The tourist tax is CHF 4.30 per night for adults and CHF 2.20 for children, and children under 6 are exempt.
Onward from Wengen
The same railway continues over the Wengernalp.
Kleine Scheidegg
The Wengernalp railway is 19.1 kilometres long and links Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Kleine Scheidegg and Grindelwald. The section towards Kleine Scheidegg is closed from 9 November to 4 December 2026, while Lauterbrunnen to Wengen keeps running.
Jungfraujoch
The Jungfraujoch has its own guide. With the Jungfrau Travel Pass the connecting ticket costs from CHF 63, and CHF 89 from 1 May to 31 October 2026.
Wengen: frequently asked questions
Is Wengen car-free?
Yes. Cars cannot drive to Wengen. Park in Lauterbrunnen and take the cogwheel train, which takes 11 to 12 minutes.
How high is Wengen?
Wengen lies at 1,274 metres above sea level, about 480 metres above Lauterbrunnen at 795 metres.
How much is the Wengen to Männlichen cable car?
In summer 2026 it costs CHF 31 one way and CHF 62 return. With a Half Fare Card, GA or Swiss Travel Pass it is 50 percent off. The Berner Oberland Pass and Jungfrau Travel Pass cover it fully.
When is the Männlichen cable car closed?
For its annual overhaul from 26 October to 11 December 2026. The summer season ended on 25 October, and winter service starts on 12 December 2026.
When is the Lauberhorn race?
The 2027 races run from 15 to 17 January. The downhill is on Saturday 16 January.
Can you visit Wengen on a day trip?
Yes. Interlaken Ost to Wengen takes about 37 to 40 minutes, so a day trip is easy. Staying a night gives you the quiet evenings and an early start on the ridge.