Schilthorn Switzerland (Piz Gloria): Cable Car, Tickets, Activities & Travel Guide

The Schilthorn is not directly accessible from Interlaken; reaching it requires a multi-stage journey that is part of the experience itself.

From Interlaken (Standard Route)

Take a train from Interlaken Ost to Lauterbrunnen (20 minutes). From Lauterbrunnen, take the cable car to Grütschalp, then the valley railway to Mürren, or take a bus to Stechelberg and the cable car directly from the valley floor. From Mürren or Stechelberg, the Schilthorn cable car ascends via Birg to the summit. Total journey from Interlaken: approximately 1.5 hours each way.

The Stechelberg approach is generally recommended as the most scenic; the cable car climbs dramatically from the valley floor through hanging forests and cliff faces before emerging above the clouds. The Mürren approach is shorter if you are already staying in or visiting the car-free village of Mürren.

From Lauterbrunnen

The most complete scenic route: valley train, cliff railway to Mürren, then Schilthorn cable car. This approach also lets you combine a visit to Mürren village with the summit excursion. Lauterbrunnen itself is worth a stop; it's the Valley of 72 Waterfalls and one of the most dramatic landscapes in Switzerland, directly below the Schilthorn cable car's starting point.

Tickets are available at valley stations or online at swissrailways.com. Seat reservation is not available; the cable car operates on a first-come, first-served basis. On busy summer weekends, arrive at the valley station early to avoid waits.

Indian traveller tip: The Swiss Travel Pass gives 50% off the cable car fare and fully covers all train and bus transport to reach the valley stations. If your itinerary includes Schilthorn alongside other Jungfrau region excursions, the Jungfrau Rail Travel Pass covers Schilthorn for free and is worth evaluating for stays of 3+ days.

1. Piz Gloria: The 360° Revolving Restaurant

The summit's most iconic feature is the Piz Gloria Restaurant, the world's first revolving mountain restaurant, completing one full rotation in approximately 45 minutes. The restaurant was built for the 1969 Bond film and named "Piz Gloria" (a fictional alpine research station) for the production. Today it serves Bond-themed dishes, including the Piz Gloria Burger and the legendary Schilthorn Brunch (CHF 37(INR 4,500); available daily 8:00 AM–2:00 PM; advance reservation required). Floor-to-ceiling windows mean every table has an unobstructed view of the rotating alpine panorama outside.

For a window seat at the revolving restaurant, book a table in advance via schilthorn.ch, especially during July and August.

2. Bond World 007 Exhibition

Spread across the summit building, Bond World is an interactive exhibition dedicated to the making of On Her Majesty's Secret Service at Schilthorn. Highlights include original film props and memorabilia, a 7-scene recreation of key moments from the film, the bobsleigh ride simulator, a helicopter flight simulator, and a 12-metre curved cinema screen showing aerial footage of the mountain and scenes from the Bond production. The exhibition is included in the cable car ticket price.

3. Panorama Terrace

The open summit terrace at 2,970 metres provides direct views of the Jungfrau massif, the Eiger's north face, the Mönch, and the Jungfrau summit, as well as the Bernese Oberland's interconnected valleys, glaciers, and ridgelines spreading in all directions. On the clearest days, the Vosges mountains in France are visible to the northwest. The best light for photography is in the morning (before 11:00 AM) or during the golden hour toward sunset.

4. Birg Thrill Walk

The Birg mid-station at 2,677 metres is a worthwhile stop on both the ascent and descent. The Thrill Walk, a 200-metre metal and glass pathway built into the cliff face, clings to the rock at Birg, incorporating glass floor sections, rope elements, and hand grips over a sheer drop. It requires no specialist equipment and is walkable by most visitors, though it genuinely tests those with a fear of heights. The Thrill Walk is included in the cable car ticket and takes approximately 30 minutes.

5. Skiing at Schilthorn

Schilthorn is the highest-altitude ski area in the Bernese Oberland, with pistes running from the summit toward Birg and Mürren. It is best suited to intermediate and advanced skiers; the top section is often wind-affected, and the terrain is more demanding than the Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen area. The ski season typically runs from December through March. For a broader look at the region's winter options, see our ski resorts in Switzerland guide.

Choose Schilthorn for more panoramic views, lower cost, and the unique Bond experience. Choose Jungfraujoch for glacier access and the "Top of Europe" status. Both are accessible from Interlaken; it is entirely feasible to combine things to do in Interlaken with either summit excursion as a day trip.

The car-free village of Mürren at 1,638 metres is one of the most beautiful alpine villages in Switzerland, and it sits directly on the Schilthorn cable car route. A Schilthorn day trip from Interlaken naturally accommodates a 1–2 hour stop in Mürren: lunch on the village terrace with Jungfrau views, a walk through the quiet pedestrian streets, or a visit to the small sports centre and swimming pool. Mürren is also considered one of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland and is frequently visited alongside its valley neighbour, Wengen.

Pro tip: Check the live webcam at schilthorn.ch the morning of your visit. Cloud inversions (fog sitting in the valley below while the summit is clear) are common and spectacular; you may arrive in grey Lauterbrunnen valley and emerge above the clouds into brilliant sunshine.

• Book Piz Gloria Restaurant in advance, especially for the Schilthorn Brunch. Walk-ins are accepted, but window seats fill fast.
• Layers are essential, as summit temperatures run 10–18°C cooler than Interlaken, with significant wind chill. Even in July, a down jacket is advisable.
• Arrive at Stechelberg early. The first cable cars (from ~8:00 AM) give you the clearest morning light and the quietest summit.
• Cable cars run continuously during operating hours, so no need to book a specific departure time.
• Strollers and large luggage can be stored at the valley stations.
• Dogs are permitted in the cable car but not in all areas of the summit building.

Yes, Schilthorn delivers something genuinely different from other Swiss mountain excursions. The combination of outstanding 360-degree panoramic views, the Bond World exhibition, the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant, and the Birg Thrill Walk creates a summit experience that is entertaining as well as scenically exceptional. At around half the price of Jungfraujoch (especially with a Swiss Travel Pass), it represents strong value and remains one of the most memorable attractions in Switzerland.