Solo travel · Interlaken · Switzerland
Solo travel in Interlaken
How to enjoy Interlaken at your own pace.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ben W Bell, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Interlaken is one of Switzerland's main backpacker hubs, with large hostels, group adventure activities and easy public transport, so travelling alone is straightforward and social. Many solo travellers base themselves in Interlaken Ost.
Key facts
- Base
- Interlaken Ost
- Getting around
- Walking
- Emergency number
- 112 (general), 144 ambulance, 1414 Rega air rescue
- Language
- German (Swiss German)
Solo travel tips
- Book adventure activities through your hostel or a licensed operator to join a group.
- Tell someone your route before hiking alone, and stay on marked trails.
- Use the MeteoSwiss app and summit webcams to pick clear days for the high peaks.
- Hostels and campsites in Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen are the best value for solo travellers.
- Mountain trains and boats are easy to navigate alone; timetables are posted at every station.
Where to stay
$$ · Best for first-timers, solo travellers and budget
Interlaken Ost
Around Interlaken Ost the Berner Oberland-Bahnen trains leave for Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, boats depart for Lake Brienz and the Harderbahn funicular climbs to Harder Kulm. Staying here shaves time off early starts for Jungfraujoch.
- Good
- Fastest access to the Jungfrau railways; Supermarkets at the station; Short walk to the centre
- Watch out
- Less atmosphere than the old town or mountain villages; Busy with tour groups in the morning
- Nearby
- Harderkulm, Lake Brienz pier, Höheweg
Great on your own
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
Go up for sunset; the funicular runs into the evening in summer, and the town lights come on below.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Mürren
Schilthorn and Piz Gloria
Stop in Mürren on the way down for a walk along the cliff-top village.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Park · Town centre
Höhematte
Sit on the benches at the eastern end in the late afternoon to watch paragliders spiral down.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
Experience · Grindelwald
Grindelwald First
Hike to Bachalpsee in the morning before clouds build around the peaks.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
Nature · Wilderswil
Schynige Platte
Strong hikers can take the panorama trail towards the Faulhorn and on to First, one of the classic ridge walks of the region.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Nature
- History
- Outdoors
Meeting people
- Lunch at a mountain hut — Huts and restaurants on hiking routes serve rösti, soup and cheese plates on terraces facing the Eiger; they are often better value than summit restaurants.
- Cheese straight from the alp — In summer some alp dairies on trails above Grindelwald and Wengen sell their own cheese and fresh milk; look for signs reading 'Alpkäse'.
- Höheweg and Jungfraustrasse — Pubs, hotel bars and late-opening places between the stations, busiest in summer and on weekends.
- Grindelwald — Après-ski bars on the main street in winter, and terraces facing the Eiger in summer.
Sensible precautions
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.
- Emergency number
- 112 (general), 144 ambulance, 1414 Rega air rescue
- Staying connected
- Mobile coverage is good on most trails and at summit stations; Switzerland is outside EU roaming rules, so check your plan or use a local or eSIM data package.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Interlaken good for solo travellers?
Interlaken is one of Switzerland's main backpacker hubs, with large hostels, group adventure activities and easy public transport, so travelling alone is straightforward and social.
+Where should solo travellers stay in Interlaken?
Interlaken Ost: Station quarter for mountain trains, the Harder funicular and Lake Brienz boats.