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Destinations / Switzerland

Interlaken

Alpine adventure between two lakes

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Plan your trip to InterlakenSee the top 10
6,291Population
GermanLanguage
CHFCurrency
4 daysIdeal stay
$250-400Typical day

Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz below the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. It is a base for mountain trains, hikes and paragliding. The town itself is small.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. The Jungfraujoch is a mountain saddle between the Monch and Jungfrau, reached by a cog railway that tunnels through the Eiger. At about 3,450 meters, its station is the highest in Europe, with views over the Aletsch Glacier.

    Full dayTime needed
    about $280-340Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Return from Interlaken Ost is CHF 271.20 May to October 2026 with seat reservation, CHF 224.40 in November and December; rail passes give discounts.

    Tip. Trains take about 2 hours each way.
    Official siteSee on the map

  2. Lauterbrunnen is a deep glacial valley with sheer cliffs and dozens of waterfalls, including Staubbach Falls. It inspired Tolkien's Rivendell.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $0-20Cost
    noBook ahead

    Walking in the valley is free; Trummelbach Falls charges an entry fee, typically under 20 USD.

    Tip. Walk the valley floor from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg, and visit Trummelbach Falls on the way.
    See on the map

  3. Harder Kulm is a viewpoint above Interlaken, reached by funicular. It looks over the town, both lakes and the Jungfrau peaks.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $35-45Cost
    noBook ahead

    Funicular.

    Tip. Go at sunset, and step out on the Two Lakes Bridge platform.
    Official siteSee on the map

  4. Grindelwald First is a mountain area above Grindelwald, with a cliff walk, zip line and trails to Bachalpsee lake. It offers views of the Eiger.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $60-80Cost
    noBook ahead

    Gondola.

    Tip. Hike from First to Bachalpsee for a classic reflection photo.
    Official siteSee on the map

  5. The Schilthorn is a summit with a revolving restaurant, made famous by the Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It has views of over 200 peaks.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $100-120Cost
    recommendedBook ahead

    Cable car.

    Tip. Go on a clear day, and stop at Birg for the thrill walk.
    Official siteSee on the map

  6. Lake Brienz is a turquoise lake east of Interlaken, with villages and the Giessbach Falls. Boats cross it in summer.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $30-50Cost
    noBook ahead

    Boat.

    Tip. Use a Swiss Travel Pass if you have one, and stop at Iseltwald.
    See on the map

  7. Paragliding over Interlaken is one of the most popular activities, with tandem flights landing in the town park. Views take in the lakes and peaks.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $170-220Cost
    yesBook ahead

    Flight.

    Tip. Book with licensed operators, and fly in the morning when air is calmer.
    See on the map

  8. Trummelbach Falls are glacier fed falls inside a mountain, lit and reached by a tunnel lift. They carry meltwater from the Jungfrau.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $12-15Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Bring a jacket, as spray is constant.
    See on the map

  9. Lake Thun is the western of Interlaken's two lakes, lined with castles such as Oberhofen, Spiez and Thun. Boats link the villages.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $10-15Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Combine a boat trip with Oberhofen Castle and its lakeside garden.
    See on the map

  10. The St. Beatus Caves are caves above Lake Thun linked to the legend of an Irish monk who drove out a dragon. Lit paths lead past waterfalls and pools.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    about $20Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Combine with a lakeside walk.
    Official siteSee on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Interlaken in three days

Add Lauterbrunnen and Schilthorn.

  1. JungfraujochFull day · about $280-340
  2. Harder Kulm2 hours · about $35-45
  3. Lauterbrunnen ValleyHalf a day · about $0-20
  4. Grindelwald FirstHalf a day · about $60-80
  5. SchilthornHalf a day · about $100-120
  6. Lake Brienz cruise2 hours · about $30-50
  7. Paragliding2 hours · about $170-220
  8. Trummelbach Falls1 hour · about $12-15
  9. Lake Thun and Oberhofen2 hours · about $10-15
  10. St. Beatus Caves1.5 hours · about $20
Beyond the city

Day trips

Bern

Old town.

34 mi · Train about 1 hour

Thun

Castle.

16 mi · Train about 30 minutes

Lucerne

A lake city with a wooden bridge and mountain boat trips.

43 mi · Scenic train via the Bruenig pass, about 1h50

Lake Oeschinen near Kandersteg

A turquoise mountain lake with easy walks.

31 mi · Train to Kandersteg then gondola, about 1h30

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: June to September. Hiking and clear peaks.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.56.37.1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

25°F
Typical daily high
Average17°F
Rain3.2 in
About10 rainy days
Sun strength1.4 kWh/m²

No season note for this month.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Jun

Greenfield Festival

June

A large rock and metal festival held near Interlaken, usually mid June.

Aug

Unspunnen Festival

Late August or early September, held every few years

A traditional Swiss festival with stone throwing and wrestling; check whether it falls in your year.

Year

Interlaken Classics

Summer

Open air classical music concerts in the town; check the current programme.

Aug

Swiss National Day

August 1

Bonfires, fireworks and local gatherings across the region.

Going on specific dates? A Hodolog trip shows the forecast and the usual weather for your exact days. Request access
Know before you go

At a glance

5/5
Safety

The US State Department rates Switzerland at Level 1 (normal precautions); Interlaken is very safe; mountain weather is the main risk.

5/5
Walkability

Flat and walkable.

5/5
Public transport

Swiss trains and boats with the Swiss Travel Pass.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
12345

1. Interlaken Ost

$$$

Best for: first-timers

Station.

2. Lauterbrunnen

$$$

Best for: nature lovers

Valley.

3. Grindelwald

$$$$

Best for: families

Below the Eiger.

4. Interlaken West and Höheweg

$$$

Best for: couples, luxury, first-timers

Classic hotels around the park with views of the Jungfrau on clear days.

5. Wilderswil and Matten

$

Best for: budget travellers

Quieter villages a few minutes by train or bus from the centre, often cheaper.

Getting there and around

Main airportZurich Airport (ZRH), 78 mi from the center
To the centerTrains take about 2 hours.
Around townUse trains, boats and cable cars.
Ride appsUber
Taste it

What to eat

Fondue

Melted cheese.

Rosti

Fried potatoes.

Alplermagronen

Pasta.

Cheese fondue

Melted cheese with bread, a classic mountain meal.

Raclette

Melted cheese scraped over potatoes and pickles.

Swiss chocolate

Buy from local chocolatiers or supermarkets.

Zuger Kirschtorte or Bernese honey cakes

Regional sweets found in local bakeries.

Good to know

PlugsType J and C, 230 V
Tap waterSafe to drink
TippingService is included; rounding up is appreciated.
PaymentsCards and contactless are widely accepted.
EtiquetteSwiss value punctuality, quiet and order. Keep your voice down on trains, and greet shopkeepers with Gruezi.
  • Weather changes quickly in the mountains; check webcams before buying mountain tickets.
  • Prices are high, so look at regional passes for savings.
  • Trains are frequent and punctual.
  • Most places accept cards; cash is rarely needed.
  • Check mountain webcams and forecasts before buying expensive summit tickets, since clouds can hide the view.
  • Many mountain railways offer cheaper early or late tickets, and the Swiss Travel Pass gives discounts but not free rides on every line.
  • Paragliding, canyoning and skydiving are weather dependent, so keep a spare day.
  • Some lifts close for a few weeks in April to May and November for maintenance.

A short history

Interlaken grew around a 12th century monastery. Romantic travellers came in the 1800s. Railways to the Jungfrau opened in 1912. Today it is a top adventure hub.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Interlaken