We’ve put together this practical Interlaken Travel Guide to help you plan and budget for a visit to this great part of Switzerland. If you love snow or a cooler climate without the throngs of tourists you get in bigger European cities, you will love Interlaken. We had two days there in December and it was magical. Interlaken is a classic Swiss alpine base with panoramas you only see in postcards. Apart from the enormous lakes where Interlaken sits, it is also the base for getting to the snow capped mountains with a host of railways, funiculars, and cable cars. It’s also a major hub for day-trippers and organised excursions, but we did not experience any problem with tourists and in fact it seemed pleasantly devoid of tourists, but that may have been due to the season. No doubt it would get busier in summer, but if you want to see snow and venture to the nearby snow capped mountains, then Interlaken is a great place to visit. Between its twin lakes—deep-blue Lake Thun and turquoise Lake Brienz—Interlaken offers year-round thrills: paragliding, nostalgic cog railways, limestone caves, and mellow lakeside strolls. From here you can reach car-free villages like Mürren and Wengen, ride to the “Top of Europe” at Jungfraujoch, or glide up to Schynige Platte for vintage views.
Top Things to See & Do in our Interlaken Travel Guide
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Harder Kulm Viewpoint – Ride the Harderbahn funicular from Interlaken to the Harder Kulm panorama platform, where the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau line up over Lakes Thun and Brienz. The skywalk-style platform and restaurant make it an easy first-day outing, especially later in the afternoon when crowds thin and the lakes reflect pastel colours. It’s a shorter, cheaper, and more flexible viewpoint than high-mountain excursions, making it ideal if weather is changeable. Tip: go early or late for fewer people, check live cams for visibility, and bring a light jacket even in summer—breezes can be cool at the top.
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Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe – One of Europe’s most iconic rail journeys climbs through tunnels inside the Eiger to deliver you to 3,454 m at Jungfraujoch. Expect a high-alpine world: the Sphinx Observatory terrace, Ice Palace sculptures, and sweeping views over the Aletsch Glacier. The round-trip can be pricey (around 220 CHF without discounts), but Swiss Travel Pass, Half Fare Card, or regional passes often reduce costs. Book timed slots in peak season and watch the forecast—clear mornings are best. At altitude, walk slowly, hydrate, and pack sunscreen and sunglasses. If visibility is poor, consider rescheduling to maximise value. You can also look at Jungfraujoch day tours from Interlaken on GetYourGuide if you prefer everything bundled.
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Paragliding over Interlaken – If you are an adventure seeker, Interlaken is a global tandem-paragliding hotspot thanks to consistent thermals and dramatic topography. Launch above town and float toward the grassy landing field at Höhematte Park. Flights typically last 10–20 minutes, with optional photos/videos, and start around 180 CHF. Wear sturdy shoes and a warm layer; it can feel chilly midair, even on warm days. Book early in peak months and keep flexible—wind and cloud cover can shift schedules.
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St. Beatus Caves (St. Beatus-Höhlen) – These were fascinating and well worth a visit. Situated on Lake Thun’s north shore, the St. Beatus Caves weave more than a kilometre through limestone galleries of stalactites, waterfalls, and streams. A hillside path and museum frame the legendary tale of St. Beatus driving out a dragon. Inside, lighting is atmospheric but low—bring a camera with good low-light ability and non-slip footwear. Tickets are around 20 CHF. Combine with a lakeside boat ride or Thun/Spiez visit. Families will appreciate the educational displays and manageable walking distances; arrive earlier in the day to avoid group tours.
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Schynige Platte Cogwheel Railway – This 125+ year-old cogwheel line trundles from Wilderswil up to Schynige Platte in about 50 minutes, trading speed for nostalgia and top-tier views. Expect vintage carriages, flower-trimmed stations, and access to the Alpine Garden showcasing local flora. Return fares hover around 70 CHF, and clear-weather mornings bring the best Eiger–Mönch–Jungfrau views. Hiking options range from short loops to longer ridge walks; pack layers as weather shifts quickly. It’s a superb alternative if Jungfraujoch is clouded in, and it’s exceptionally photogenic throughout.
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Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Experiences – The twin lakes have distinct personalities: Brienz glows turquoise from glacial sediments; Thun is a deeper blue and dotted with castles. Cruise between villages, rent a SUP or kayak, or swim at lidos during summer. Interlaken itself has few natural beaches, but man-made bathing areas and lakeside lawns make it easy to cool off. Pair a Brienz cruise with Giessbach Falls and its historic funicular; on Thun, hop between charming Spiez, Oberhofen, and Thun’s old town.
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Höhematte Park and Yash Chopra Statue – The town’s green heart doubles as Interlaken’s paragliding landing zone and a relaxed promenade with mountain backdrops. Bollywood fans flock to the Yash Chopra statue, who was apparently a legendary Indian movie producer. It’s a great spot for picnics, people-watching, and sunset mountain colour. Around the park you’ll find cafés, chocolatiers, and a host of small restaurants. We ate at a small Indian restaurant not far from the railways station, and it was ok, but not great.
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Artilleriewerk Faulensee (WWII Bunker Tour) – We were keen to see this, but it was not open during our visit. About 17 km west of Interlaken near Spiez, this disguised artillery fort—once masked as a barn—reveals Switzerland’s defensive ingenuity during WWII. Tunnels stretch roughly 160 meters, linking underground bunkers with preserved equipment and exhibits. Tours operate during the warmer months, so this is something you should put on your agenda if you visit in the tourist season..
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Historic Interlaken Monastery Site – Located in the middle of town, this was an Augustinian monastery and dates to the 12th century. It’s now an admin centre but worth a look and a stroll around the grounds.
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Free Walking Tour of Interlaken A tip-based walking tour is a smart first activity to get oriented, understand the area’s history, and score local tips for food, viewpoints, and day trips. Expect 2–2.5 hours covering landmarks like Höhematte Park, river bridges, and historic streets. While there’s no set fee, tipping your guide 10–20 CHF is appreciated. Tours are normally only on Wednesdays and Saturdays but check the schedules on the Interlaken Walking Tours site.
Other Great Places to Visit Outside Interlaken
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Lauterbrunnen Valley A glacial valley with 72 waterfalls, including Staubbach drifting like a veil off the cliff. Easy rail links make it perfect for mellow walks and photo stops.
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Mürren and Schilthorn (Piz Gloria) Car-free Mürren perches at 1,650 m with timeless chalets and vast views. Ride up to Schilthorn’s Piz Gloria—famous for a James Bond film—for rotating-restaurant panoramas.
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Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg Another car-free village set on a sunny terrace, with classic hikes and direct trains to Kleine Scheidegg under the Eiger’s famed north face.
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Grindelwald A lively mountain base with gondolas to First and Männlichen, cliff walks, summer toboggans, and year-round glacier views.
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Brienz and Giessbach Falls Stroll Brienz’s woodcarving lanes, then ride the historic funicular to the grand hotel above Giessbach’s tiered falls—best combined with a Lake Brienz boat trip.
Where to Stay: In Town vs. Nearby Villages
- In Interlaken: Best for convenience. You’ll be steps from train/bus hubs, tour departures, shops, and restaurants. Great if you plan multiple day trips in quick succession or need early/late trains. Options range from budget hostels like Balmer’s (dorms from ~50 CHF) to comfortable mid-range (e.g., rooms from ~100 CHF) and upmarket hotels near Höhematte Park. We stayed at the Hotel Artos Interlaken which was comfortable and easy walking distance from the train station, plus there are buses that drop you outside.
- Just Outside (Wilderswil, Unterseen, Matten): Quieter and often better value, still walkable or one stop from the centre. Wilderswil is ideal for Schynige Platte.
- Higher Villages (Mürren, Wengen, Grindelwald): Spectacular views and alpine ambiance, but factor in extra time and cost for daily transfers. Choose these if you want dawn/dusk mountain light and quieter evenings.
Places To Stay In Interlaken
Tip: Accommodation prices can vary hugely depending on travel dates. Before booking, see how we use Booking.com’s calendar tool to find cheaper hotel deals and reduce travel costs:
https://trustytraveltips.com/find-cheaper-hotel-deals-booking-com/
Travel Costs (Typical)
- Accommodation (per night): Dorm 45–70 CHF; mid-range double 140–250 CHF; upscale 300+ CHF.
- Food: Takeaway/fast-casual 12–20 CHF; casual sit-down 25–45 CHF mains; coffee 4–6 CHF.
- Transport: Local buses/trains within region 4–12 CHF per segment; mountain railways/cable cars 30–220+ CHF (Jungfraujoch ~220 CHF RT without discounts; Schynige Platte ~70 CHF RT).
- Activities: Paragliding ~180 CHF; St. Beatus Caves ~20 CHF; lidos 5–12 CHF; “free” walking tour tips 10–20 CHF.
For card payments and ATM withdrawals in Switzerland, using a low‑fee option such as Wise can help reduce foreign transaction and currency conversion costs.
Suggested Daily Budgets
- Shoestring (hostel, self-catering, selective activities): 90–140 CHF
- Mid-range (hotel, some dining out, 1–2 paid sights): 200–350 CHF
- Comfort/High-end (upscale stays, mountain excursions, fine dining): 400–700+ CHF Notes: Big-ticket mountain excursions quickly lift your daily average—use passes and weather windows to get the most value.
Money-Saving Tips
- Use rail discounts: Swiss Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass, or Berner Oberland Pass can save substantially if you’re riding multiple lifts/lines.
- Time the splurges: Do one signature alpine excursion on the clearest day. Check live cams and forecasts before committing.
- Picnic smart: Grab supplies at Coop/Migros/Bäckerei and picnic along the Aare or at Höhematte; save restaurants for special meals.
- Choose lidos over lake cruises: Swim and sun for a few francs; enjoy free lakeside promenades.
- Sleep just outside: Unterseen, Wilderswil, or Matten often cost less while staying convenient.
- Free/low-cost: River walks, monastery grounds, sunset at Höhematte, window-shopping, short hikes from nearby stations.
Best Time to Go
- Summer (Jun–Sep): Warm, long days, peak activities and flowers; also peak crowds and prices.
- Shoulder seasons (May, Oct): Fewer people, lower prices, mixed weather but great for viewpoints and hikes at lower elevations.
- Winter (Dec–Mar): Skiing in nearby resorts (Mürren, Wengen, Grindelwald). Interlaken is quieter; some summer-only lifts close.
How to Get Around
- Trains, buses, boats: Seamless connections across the Bernese Oberland; the SBB Mobile app is your planning lifeline.
- Mountain access: Cog railways, gondolas, and funiculars link you to Schynige Platte, Harder Kulm, Jungfraujoch, and more.
- Tickets and passes: Compare single tickets vs. Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass, or regional passes based on your itinerary.
- On foot and by bike: Interlaken itself is flat and walkable; rent bikes or e-bikes for lakeside paths.
- Practical tips: Start early to beat day-trip waves and tour groups; reserve time slots for popular lifts in peak season.
Watch our video on our visit to Interlaken
