Travel guide · Switzerland
Interlaken travel guide
Gateway to the Jungfrau region between two turquoise Alpine lakes
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rectilinium, CC0
Quick answer
Interlaken is a small resort town on the flat strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger rising directly to the south. Most visitors use it as a base: mountain railways from Interlaken Ost reach Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen in under 40 minutes, and from there cable cars and cogwheel trains climb to Jungfraujoch, First, Männlichen and the Schilthorn. The town itself is about the Höhematte meadow, lake boats and adventure sports, from paragliding to canyoning. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are June–September.
Key facts
- Country
- Switzerland
- Best time to visit
- June–September
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- ZRH, GVA, BSL
- Mid-range daily budget
- $260–$450 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley, Paragliding and Lake Brienz
Why visit Interlaken
- Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 metres the highest railway station in Europe, is a day trip from Interlaken Ost with views over the Aletsch Glacier.
- Lauterbrunnen's cliff-walled valley has dozens of waterfalls, including the Staubbach Falls and the glacier-fed Trümmelbach Falls inside the rock.
- Lake Thun and Lake Brienz offer boat trips to castles, the Giessbach Falls and the village of Iseltwald.
- Tandem paragliding flights land on the Höhematte meadow in the middle of town, with the Jungfrau as a backdrop.
- Car-free mountain villages such as Mürren and Wengen make quiet, scenic alternatives to staying in town.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 18 things to do.
Viewpoint · Jungfrau region
Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
The Jungfrau Railway tunnels through the Eiger and Mönch to a saddle at 3,454 metres, the highest railway station in Europe.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Nature
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Interlaken Ost
Harder Kulm
A funicular from beside Interlaken Ost climbs to about 1,320 metres, where a viewing platform hangs over the slope with both lakes below and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau ahead.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Nature · Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen and Staubbach Falls
Lauterbrunnen's valley floor is enclosed by limestone walls hundreds of metres high, with waterfalls pouring off the rim.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Viewpoint · Mürren
Schilthorn and Piz Gloria
Cable cars from Stechelberg via Mürren climb to the Schilthorn at about 2,970 metres, where the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant featured in the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Park · Town centre
Höhematte
The open meadow in the centre of town, protected from building since the 19th century, frames a direct view of the Jungfrau between the hills.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
Nature · Lauterbrunnen
Trümmelbach Falls
Ten glacier-fed waterfalls thunder down inside the mountain, carrying meltwater from the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
Where to stay
Höheweg and the town centre is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, luxury, couples and shopping
Höheweg and the town centre
Grand hotels, watch shops and the open Höhematte meadow facing the Jungfrau
$$ · Best for first-timers, solo travellers and budget
Interlaken Ost
Station quarter for mountain trains, the Harder funicular and Lake Brienz boats
$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and budget
Unterseen
Old wooden houses, a church square and the Aare river on the north side of town
$$ · Best for families, budget and quiet stays
Matten and Wilderswil
Village streets on the valley floor towards the mountains, on the BOB rail line
What to eat
- Rösti — Grated potatoes fried in butter until crisp, often topped with a fried egg, bacon or melted cheese.
- Cheese fondue — A pot of melted cheese with white wine and kirsch, eaten with bread cubes on long forks; best on a cold evening after a day in the snow.
- Cheese toast — Bread soaked in white wine, covered with Alpine cheese and baked until bubbling, sometimes with ham or a fried egg on top.
- Bernese platter — A generous spread of smoked pork, sausages, bacon and beef served over sauerkraut, green beans and potatoes, the classic feast dish of the canton of Bern.
- Bernese Alpine cheese — Hard cheese made in summer on high pastures; aged Hobelkäse is shaved into thin curls and eaten with bread, often with a glass of wine.
- Meringues with cream — Crisp meringue shells served with thick whipped cream.
When to go
For hiking and mountain views, visit Interlaken from late June to September, when nearly all railways, cable cars and trails are open; September is often clearest and less crowded. For skiing and snow, come from late December to March. April, early May and November are between seasons, when many lifts and village hotels close.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Spring skiing up high and green valleys below, but many summer railways, trails and attractions only reopen from May or June. |
| Summer | June–August | Every lift and trail open, full waterfalls and lake swimming; busiest and priciest, with frequent afternoon storms. |
| Autumn | September–November | Clear September days and autumn colour in October; by November most lifts and many hotels close for the off-season. |
| Winter | December–February | Skiing at Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren, sledging runs and snowy villages; Interlaken town is often foggy and cold. |
Getting there and around
Zurich Airport is about 2 hours by train, usually with one change in Bern; Geneva Airport is about 2.5–3 hours and Basel EuroAirport about 2–2.5 hours. Trains arrive at Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost.
Interlaken itself is flat and walkable; the Höheweg links the two stations in about 20 minutes on foot. Excursions rely on the Berner Oberland-Bahnen, cogwheel railways, cable cars and lake boats, which connect tightly and run to precise timetables.
Plan your days
Two days allows Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn plus a lake trip. Four days covers the main peaks, Lauterbrunnen and a hike such as Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg, with a buffer for bad weather; mountain views depend on clear skies, so flexibility matters more than an exact plan.
Practical information
- Currency
- CHF
- Language
- German (Swiss German)
- Plugs
- Type J sockets (Type C plugs also fit), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water and most public fountains are drinkable; fill bottles before hikes.
- Emergency number
- 112 (general), 144 ambulance, 1414 Rega air rescue
- Tipping
- Service is included in Swiss prices.
Interlaken is generally low-risk for visitors, with the main dangers coming from the mountains: sudden weather changes, altitude on high peaks and slippery trails. Use licensed operators for adventure sports and follow trail signs and weather warnings.
Flights to Interlaken
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Interlaken?
Two days allows Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn plus a lake trip. Four days covers the main peaks, Lauterbrunnen and a hike such as Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg, with a buffer for bad weather; mountain views depend on clear skies, so flexibility matters more than an exact plan. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Interlaken?
For hiking and mountain views, visit Interlaken from late June to September, when nearly all railways, cable cars and trails are open; September is often clearest and less crowded. For skiing and snow, come from late December to March. April, early May and November are between seasons, when many lifts and village hotels close.
+What is Interlaken known for?
Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen valley, Paragliding, Lake Brienz, Eiger north face, Mountain railways and Hiking. Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 metres the highest railway station in Europe, is a day trip from Interlaken Ost with views over the Aletsch Glacier.
+Is Interlaken expensive?
Interlaken is very expensive for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $260–$450 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Interlaken?
No. Several mountain villages, including Wengen and Mürren, are car-free, and rail, boats and lifts reach everything. A car only helps for Alpine passes such as the Grimsel or Susten.