Munich to Grindelwald Road Trip: Exploring Liechtenstein, Bern, Interlaken & Lauterbrunnen

If you're planning an epic European adventure, a road trip from Munich to Grindelwald is the perfect mix of charming countries, dramatic landscapes, historic towns, and unforgettable surprises. In this chapter of our Oktoberfest road-trip series, we drove through the tiny nation of Liechtenstein, explored the capital city of Switzerland, wandered through postcard-perfect alpine villages, and ended our day arriving in the breathtaking mountain town of Grindelwald.

Whether you're planning your own itinerary or just want travel inspiration, come along as we take you through one of the most scenic drives in Europe.

A Quick Farewell to Munich & Onward to Liechtenstein

In our last video, we finally made it to Munich for Oktoberfest. But with our hearts (and stomachs) full, it was time to continue our adventure. Our next destination: Liechtenstein—a country many travelers have never even heard of.

And honestly, you wouldn’t be alone.
At only 62 square miles with a population under 40,000, Liechtenstein is one of the world’s smallest countries—about the size of Washington, D.C. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for with storybook castles, dramatic mountain landscapes, and peaceful alpine charm.

We chose Liechtenstein as our overnight stop because it was the perfect halfway point on our route. And nothing says "welcome to the Alps" quite like opening your hotel window and seeing a castle perched on a hill overlooking modern buildings below. It felt surreal.

Because we arrived late, we grabbed dinner at one of the few open restaurants. The staff told us Liechtenstein is where Cordon Bleu originated. After some later Googling, we’re still not sure about that one—but whatever version they served, it was delicious and more like a schnitzel than the American-style dish we’re used to.

And before you ask—no, we were not eating healthy on this trip. But luckily our hotel TV had an unexpected cure: a random exercise program we followed along with before hitting the road again.

Road Trip Reality: Fuel Stops & Autobahn Antics

The next morning, we filled up the car for the first time:
💸 $133 USD for diesel—not bad considering we’d driven over 400 miles so far.

Then came our second attempt at enjoying Germany’s famous Autobahn.
The first time, on the drive from Innsbruck to Munich, John was so excited to finally drive fast… only for us to immediately hit traffic. Disappointment level: high.

This time? It was raining.
But a few minutes later the skies cleared, and John finally got his Autobahn moment.

Stopping in Bern: Switzerland’s Storybook Capital

After about three hours, we arrived in Bern, the capital of Switzerland and home to a perfectly preserved Old Town that dates back to the 12th century. This entire area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and once you see it for yourself, it’s easy to understand why.

One of Bern’s most iconic symbols is the Zytglogge, a 15th-century astronomical clock tower that draws crowds every hour. But honestly, the whole Old Town is so beautiful that you could spend hours wandering its arcades, bridges, and cobblestone alleys.

We were only stopping for lunch—but we made it count.
Lunch = our first Swiss fondue, a must-do when visiting Switzerland. With full bellies and warm cheese-filled hearts, we explored a bit before continuing the drive.

Unexpected Beauty Between Thun & Interlaken

Back on the road, we barely made it past Thun before we had to pull over again. The views were just too beautiful. A serene lake, snow-capped mountains, and a charming clock tower rising out of the water—we simply couldn’t keep driving without soaking it in.

These spontaneous stops are truly what make road trips magical.

Lauterbrunnen: A Valley Right Out of a Fairytale

Then came one of the highlights of the entire trip: Lauterbrunnen.

Nestled in a narrow valley in the Alps, Lauterbrunnen is famous for its 72 waterfalls, including the highest free-falling waterfall in Europe at almost 300 meters (that’s 984 feet for us Americans).

From the sound of rushing waterfalls to the soft ringing of cow and sheep bells echoing through the valley, this place is pure magic.

A train running through the valley offers even more breathtaking views. If you ever get the chance—don’t skip it.

Finally Arriving in Grindelwald

After a few dreamy hours in Lauterbrunnen, we made our way to Grindelwald, where we checked into our Airbnb. After a full day of driving from Liechtenstein through some of the most stunning parts of Switzerland, we were exhausted. We grabbed dinner, admired the surrounding mountains, and went straight to bed.

This video was mostly a travel day, but the journey was filled with unexpected gems, cozy meals, and jaw-dropping landscapes.

Next Up: Exploring Grindelwald & First

Be sure to join us next time as we explore Grindelwald and First, Switzerland—one of the most beautiful alpine adventure spots we’ve ever visited.