Interlaken

Interlaken sits in the Bernese Oberland, its name literally meaning "between lakes" - Lake Thun to the west and Lake Brienz to the east, with the Aare River running through the town center and the peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau rising directly behind it. Unlike Switzerland's historic cities, Interlaken itself is a relatively modern resort town, built around 19th-century tourism rather than a medieval core.

What makes Interlaken essential is its role as the gateway to the Jungfrau Region: a compact area of mountain villages, cable cars, and cogwheel railways that includes Jungfraujoch (Europe's highest railway station), Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen's waterfall-lined valley. It's also widely considered Switzerland's adventure sports capital, with paragliding, canyoning, and skydiving all readily available alongside its scenery.

Summer (June–August)

Warm in the valley (typically low-to-mid 20s°C / mid-70s°F) with the most reliable conditions for hiking, mountain railways, and outdoor adventure sports. This is peak season, and also when Jungfraujoch and other cable cars are busiest and priced highest.

Spring (April–May) and Autumn (September–October)

Quieter and often clearer for mountain visibility, though weather is more variable and some higher-altitude trails or activities may be limited by lingering or early snow. Many travelers find this the best value window for the region's mountain excursions.

Winter (November–March)

Interlaken becomes a ski base for the Jungfrau ski region and other nearby resorts, with over 200 km of downhill runs across the wider area. Jungfraujoch stays open and popular year-round, since it sits above the snowline regardless of season, but valley weather can be grey and cold.

Interlaken has no airport of its own; most visitors fly into Zurich Airport and continue by train, a journey of roughly 2 hours with frequent direct or one-change connections. Geneva Airport is a further alternative, at around 2.5–3 hours by train, useful for travelers combining Interlaken with western Switzerland.

Bern Airport is the closest by distance (about 45 minutes by car) but has limited flight options, so most travelers still route through Zurich or Geneva. Interlaken has two train stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost (East), with Ost serving as the main hub for connections into the Jungfrau Region.

• By air: Zurich Airport (~2 hours by train) or Geneva Airport (~2.5–3 hours by train)
• By rail: Direct trains from Zurich, Bern, Geneva, and Lucerne
• Local hub: Interlaken Ost station connects onward to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Jungfraujoch

On Foot in Town

Interlaken itself is small and walkable, with Höhematte Park, the main shopping street (Höheweg), and both train stations all reachable on foot from most central hotels.

Trains, Cable Cars & Cogwheel Railways

The wider Jungfrau Region is built around an extensive network of trains, cable cars, and cogwheel railways connecting Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, and the mountain stations above them. Driving is not recommended for reaching most of the region's highlights - many mountain villages like Wengen and Mürren are car-free and reachable only by rail or cable car.

Regional Passes

The Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, buses, and boats nationally with discounts on many mountain railways, while a Jungfrau Travel Pass or Berner Oberland Pass focuses specifically on the Interlaken region and can offer better value for visitors concentrating their time there, including savings on Jungfraujoch itself.

Höhematte Park, a large open meadow in the center of town, is where Interlaken's paragliders land after flights off the surrounding hills, making it a good spot to watch the action even without flying yourself. A short funicular ride up Harder Kulm, directly above the town, delivers sweeping views over both lakes and the Jungfrau massif without an entrance fee for the viewpoint itself.

The Aare River, which runs through town with a strikingly turquoise color from glacial meltwater, is popular for a riverside walk or, for the more adventurous, river rafting and floating. Both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz offer scenic steamer cruises departing from Interlaken, a relaxed way to see the surrounding mountains and lakeside villages like Spiez and Iseltwald without any hiking.

• Höhematte Park - central meadow and paragliding landing zone
• Harder Kulm - funicular viewpoint over both lakes and the Jungfrau massif
• Aare River - turquoise glacial river through the town center
• Lake Thun & Lake Brienz steamer cruises - scenic boat trips from Interlaken

Interlaken itself is compact, split mainly by its two train stations, while the surrounding villages each offer a different base for exploring the region.

• Central Interlaken (around Höheweg): The main hub, with Höhematte Park, the casino, hotels, and the bulk of shops and restaurants - the most convenient base for first-time visitors.
• Unterseen: A quieter, historic quarter just across the river from central Interlaken, with older architecture and a more local feel.
• Wilderswil: A small village just south of Interlaken, useful as a slightly quieter base with quick rail access to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.

Lauterbrunnen sits in one of Europe's most dramatic glacial valleys, with 72 waterfalls cascading down sheer cliff faces, including Staubbach Falls right above the village and the thunderous Trümmelbach Falls, a series of underground glacial waterfalls accessible via a short tunnel walk. From Lauterbrunnen, cable cars and trains climb to Mürren and the Schilthorn, a cliff-edge viewpoint with panoramic Alpine views and a revolving restaurant made famous by a James Bond film.

Grindelwald, on the opposite side of the valley beneath the Eiger's north face, is the region's other major base, with its own cable car network up to Grindelwald-First, known for a cliff walk, a zipline, and hiking trails toward the turquoise Bachalpsee lake. From Grindelwald, the Eiger Express cable car offers the fastest route up to Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 meters the highest railway station in Europe, where visitors can walk out onto the Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland's largest, and take in views that on a clear day extend across the Alps.

Because Jungfraujoch sits above 2,000 meters, mild altitude sickness is possible even for otherwise healthy visitors; taking it slowly and staying hydrated on the day is worth planning for.

Interlaken's reputation as Switzerland's adventure capital is well earned: paragliding tandem flights launch from the hills above town and land in Höhematte Park, giving first-timers an accessible way to fly without any experience required. Canyoning, river rafting, and jet boating make use of the region's glacial rivers and gorges, while skydiving operators offer jumps with Alpine backdrops.

In winter, the Jungfrau ski region and several other nearby resorts open over 200 km of combined downhill terrain, along with cross-country skiing, glacier trekking, snow tubing, and night sledding on peaks like Niederhorn. Most adventure sport operators run regardless of experience level, but weather and visibility can affect scheduling, so it's worth booking with some flexibility in your itinerary.

Interlaken sits in German-speaking Switzerland, and its food follows Bernese Oberland tradition: rösti topped with bacon or cheese is a staple after a day of hiking, alongside fondue, raclette, and Emmental cheese from the surrounding dairy region. Restaurants directly on Höheweg and around the main train stations tend to be more tourist-priced; venturing into Unterseen or the surrounding villages generally turns up better value.

Central Interlaken, around Höheweg and Höhematte Park, offers the most convenient base for first-time visitors, with easy walking access to both train stations and the town's restaurants and shops. Unterseen, just across the river, provides a quieter alternative with a similar level of convenience.

Many repeat visitors choose to base themselves directly in Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen, or Mürren instead of Interlaken itself, trading some convenience for direct access to hiking trails and cable cars each morning without a connecting train - worth considering for a longer, more hiking-focused stay.

Interlaken and the wider region are very safe in terms of crime, with the practical risks concentrated instead around mountain weather, altitude, and adventure sports. Cable cars, cogwheel trains, and hiking trails depend heavily on conditions, so checking forecasts before heading up is essential, especially outside summer.

• Mild altitude sickness is possible at Jungfraujoch and other high stations even for fit, healthy visitors - pace yourself and stay hydrated
• Adventure sports like paragliding, canyoning, and skydiving carry inherent risk; book only with licensed, reputable operators
• Mountain weather changes quickly - bring layers, sun protection, and solid footwear even for what looks like an easy excursion
• Emergency number for all services: 112; Police: 117; Ambulance: 144; Fire: 118; regional hospital emergency care is available in Interlaken (Spital Interlaken) and nearby villages

Interlaken is expensive, in line with Switzerland generally, and mountain excursions are the single biggest cost driver - a full round trip to Jungfraujoch can run several hundred Swiss francs per person at full price. A casual meal typically costs CHF 20–30 per person, while a sit-down dinner with drinks often reaches CHF 50–80.

Given how many separate cable car, train, and cogwheel tickets a typical Interlaken itinerary involves, comparing the cost of a Swiss Travel Pass, Jungfrau Travel Pass, or Berner Oberland Pass against buying individual tickets is genuinely worth the time, especially for stays of three days or longer. Budget travelers relying on free hiking and lake activities can get by on roughly CHF 90–140 a day, while a mid-range trip including a Jungfraujoch excursion typically runs CHF 250–350 a day or more.

Interlaken sits in German-speaking Switzerland, and a simple "Grüezi" (hello) is appreciated when entering a shop or starting a conversation, though English is widely spoken given the town's international tourism base. As across Switzerland, tipping isn't obligatory since service is included by law, though rounding up or leaving small change for good service is common.

Punctuality matters for trains, cable cars, and cogwheel railways in particular, since the entire regional transport network runs on a tight, interlocking schedule - arriving a few minutes early for a connection is worth the habit. Many of the region's mountain villages, including Wengen and Mürren, are car-free by design, so respecting that (and not attempting to drive in) is both a practical and a cultural expectation.

Day 1: Interlaken & Harder Kulm

Settle in, walk Höhematte Park and the Aare riverside, and take the funicular up Harder Kulm in the late afternoon for views over both lakes at golden hour.

Day 2: Jungfraujoch

Dedicate a full day, weather permitting, to the round trip up to Jungfraujoch via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen/Wengen, allowing at least two hours at the top to explore the glacier viewpoints and ice palace.

Day 3: Lauterbrunnen Valley & Schilthorn or Mürren

Explore Lauterbrunnen's waterfalls, including Trümmelbach Falls, then take the cable car up to Mürren or the Schilthorn for panoramic Alpine views.

Day 4 (Optional): Grindelwald-First & Adventure Sports

Spend the day at Grindelwald-First for the cliff walk and Bachalpsee hike, or book a paragliding flight, canyoning trip, or other adventure activity back in Interlaken.