ZombyWoof

We will be traveling by car from Zurich to Lauterbrunnen. Seems there are two ways to drive...

A1: Through Bern 1 hr 57 minutes

or A2: Through Zurich 2 hrs 20 min

Is it worth the extra time to go the Zurich route? Not stopping, but is one drive better than the other for seeing sites?

Palenque

Driving thru large cities like Zurich is a hassle IME but a really scenic route if you have time would be to go via Lucerne then take the Brunig Pass road, which parallels the Brunig Pass mountain-climbing railway up over the Brunig Pass and spiraling down to Lake Brienz and thence along the lake to Interlaken for the road to Lauterbrunnen. I have not driven this way but have taken the train many times and if i recall right a highway pretty much parallels the rail line, one of Switzerland's famous scenic railways. But quite a bit longer but if you will never go thru Lucerne again that IMO is one of the most gorgeous cities in Europe and only a short look will be one of the highlights of your trip.

I am perplexed by your questions two routes Zurich to Lauterbrunnen - one via Bern - yes the main route involving largely autobahns to Spiez then a normal road to Interlaken but via Zurich from Zurich - perhaps you meant Lucerne?

dugi_otok

I assume your starting point is the Zurich airport. The drive via Zurich is 150 km(90 km on motorway), the drive via Bern is 200 km (170 km on motorway)' Timewise, they are both about the same. The Zurich route passes Lucerne and Lake Brienz. The Bern route passes by Lake Thun. I recommend the Zurich route.

Dorothy01

We travelled from the Zurich airport to Lauterbrunnen in September. The drive from Zurich to Lucerne involves driving through Zurich; the motorway turns into an urban street. The motorway through Bern may be a farther distance but is faster timewise (or so we thought).

just_wandering

I took the train from Zurich to Lucerne, where I stayed a few days, before renting a car and driving to Lauterbrunnen via the Bruenig Pass and the A8 on the south side of the Brienzer See. Obviously I can't comment on driving through Zurich, but the trip south from Lucerne was an easy drive. If you go that route and you have time, I would consider stopping at the Swiss Open Air Museum in Ballenberg (on the east end of the Brienzer See) where they have assembled buildings (some several hundred years old) from all over the country, showing the diversity of cultures in this small country. I spent half a day there and probably would have stayed longer if it wasn't closing time. By the way, if I recall, renting a car at an airport incurs and additional surcharge.