Month guide · Interlaken · Switzerland

Interlaken in January

What January is really like in Interlaken: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.

Updated 23 October 2026By the AMZBooking editorial team

Quick answer

January is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 2°C (36°F), lows of -4°C (25°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 8.9 hours of daylight. Peak ski season in Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren; Interlaken town can sit under fog while the peaks are sunny.

Average high / low: 2°C (36°F) / -4°C (25°F)
Rainy days: About 9
Daylight: About 8.9 hours
Crowds: Moderate
Hotel prices: Average

Weather in January

January is the coolest month in Interlaken: days average 2°C (36°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about -4°C (25°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with December (3°C (37°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 4°C (39°F).

Sunrise (15 January): About 08:08
Sunset (15 January): About 17:07
Daylight: About 8.9 hours

Winter (December–February). Skiing at Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren, sledging runs and snowy villages; Interlaken town is often foggy and cold.

Crowds and prices

On a 1–5 scale, January rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.

Events in January

Lauberhorn ski races in Wengen (usually mid-January)
Inferno ski race in Mürren (usually January)

Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.

What to do in January

With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.

Nature · Lauterbrunnen

Trümmelbach Falls

Bring a waterproof layer and sturdy shoes; paths are wet and steep.

Time needed: 1 hour
Cost: Low cost

Nature
Rainy day
Kids
Off the beaten path

Nature · Lake Thun

St. Beatus Caves

Above the north shore of Lake Thun, about a kilometre of lit passages leads past stalactites, underground pools and waterfalls into the mountain.

Time needed: 1.5 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

Kids
Rainy day
Nature
History

Viewpoint · Jungfrau region

Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

Check the summit webcam before you go; on cloudy days you may see nothing, and the ticket is costly.

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

What to pack

For highs near 2°C, lows near -4°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.

Is January a good time to visit Interlaken?

A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.

Interlaken in other months

Questions travellers ask

+Is January a good time to visit Interlaken?

It is a shoulder-season month. Peak ski season in Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren; Interlaken town can sit under fog while the peaks are sunny.

+How warm is Interlaken in January?

Average highs are around 2°C (36°F) and lows around -4°C (25°F).

+Does it rain a lot in Interlaken in January?

Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.