Interlaken Travel Guide - Gateway to Swiss Alpine Adventures

Travel Notes - Directory

Interlaken, Switzerland by Reza Hoque on Unsplash.

Travel Notes: Destinations: Europe: Switzerland - Interlaken Travel Guide.

Short URL: https://tnot.es/ZIN

Travel Guide For Visitors to Interlaken

The Swiss Alpine hub of Interlaken offers everything from heart-stopping paragliding flights to serene lake cruises, framed by the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. Share on Facebook

Exploring The Swiss Alps

Whether you're seeking adrenaline-pumping activities or peaceful mountain moments, Interl aken serves as your perfect base camp for exploring the Swiss Alps.

Visiting Interlaken - Bernese Oberland's Alpine Adventure Playground

Nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the heart of Switzerland's Bernese Oberland, Interlaken transforms from a modest town of 5,700 residents into one of Europe's premier adventure capitals the moment you arrive.

Getting to Interlaken

Interlaken doesn't have it's own international airport, so most travellers will fly in to Geneva or Zurich.

By Car

Driving to Interlaken takes approximately two hours from Zurich and 3.5 hours from Geneva, via the A6 and A8 motorways.

Parking in town costs around two to three francs an hour, with several multi-storey car parks available.

By Train

Interlaken benefits from excellent rail connections throughout Switzerland.

The town has two main stations: Interlaken Ost (East) and Interlaken West.

Direct Trains to Interlaken

Bern - 55 minutes.

Geneva Airport - 3 hours 30 minutes.

Lucerne - 2 hours.

Zurich Airport - 2 hours 15 minutes.

Golden Pass Line

The scenic route from Lucerne via the Golden Pass line offers spectacular mountain and lake views.

Top Alpine Adventure Activities

Bungee Jumping

The Stockhorn and Verzasca Dam (featured in GoldenEye) offer Switzerland's most famous bungee jumping experiences.

The 134-metre Verzasca jump is popular and may require advance booking.

Paragliding

Soar above the Bernese Oberland on tandem paragliding flights from Beatenberg or Harder Kulm.

Professional instructors handle all the technical aspects while you enjoy breathtaking aerial views of lakes and peak; weather permitting.

Skydiving

For the ultimate adrenaline rush, tandem skydiving over the Alps offers unmatched views during your 45-second freefall.

Jumps operate from April to October.

White Water Rafting

Navigate the rapids of the Lütschine and Simme rivers on guided rafting trips.

The Lütschine offers gentler Class II-III rapids perfect for beginners, while the Simme provides more challenging runs for experienced rafters.

Getting Around Interlaken

The town centre stretches along Höheweg, the main pedestrian boulevard connecting both railway stations.

Most attractions lie within easy walking distance, making exploration on foot both pleasant and practical.

Bike Rental

Several shops rent bikes per day.

Dedicated cycle paths run alongside both lakes, offering safe and scenic routes away from traffic.

Local Buses

PostBus services connect Interlaken with surrounding villages and hiking trailheads.

Day passes provide unlimited travel within the regional network.

Where to Stay in Interlaken

Budget Accommodation

Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof (Alpenstrasse 16) and Youth Hostel Interlaken (Am Bahnhof Ost, Untere Bönigstr. 3) provide affordable beds from CHF 35-60 per night.

Both offer kitchen facilities and social areas perfect for meeting fellow travellers.

Luxury Hotels

The Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa (Höheweg 41) dominates Interlaken's luxury scene with its Belle Époque architecture and mountain views.

Mid-Range Options

Hotel Interlaken (Höheweg 74) offers historic charm in the town centre, while the Metropole Swiss Quality Hotel (Höheweg 37) provides modern comfort near Interlaken West station.

Popular Hotels in Interlaken

Local Cuisine and Dining

International Options

Hüsi Bierhaus (Postgasse 3) offers hearty portions and craft beers in a relaxed setting.

For Asian flavours, Spice India (Postgasse 6) provides reliable curry dishes popular with backpackers.

Market Fresh

The weekly farmers' market on Unterseen's main square (Saturdays) sells local produce, artisanal cheeses, and fresh bread.

Perfect for stocking up before heading into the mountains.

Traditional Swiss Fare

Restaurant Taverne (in Hotel Interlaken) presents authentic Swiss cuisine in an elegant setting.

Scenic Excursions from Interlaken

Harder Kulm

Interlaken's nearest mountain provides stunning views over both lakes and the Jungfrau massif.

The funicular railway operates from April to November, taking eight minutes to reach the 1,322-metre summit.

Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe

The cogwheel railway journey to Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres takes two hours each way, via Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg.

The return trip is not cheap, but early morning and afternoon discounts can reduce the price significantly.

At the summit, explore ice caves, enjoy panoramic Alpine views, and visit Europe's highest post office.

Lake Cruises

Both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz offer scenic boat trips with regular departures from Interlaken.

The historic paddle steamers provide a relaxing way to view lakeside villages and mountain reflections.

Lauterbrunnen Valley

This dramatic valley features 72 waterfalls cascading from vertical cliff faces.

Staubbach Falls drops 297 metres near Lauterbrunnen village, while the Trümmelbach Falls inside the mountain can be accessed via underground walkways and lifts.

Best Time to Visit

Summer (June-August)

Peak season brings warm weather perfect for hiking, water sports, and outdoor adventures.

Expect crowds at popular attractions and higher accommodation prices.

Average temperatures reach 24°C, ideal for lake swimming.

Autumn (September-November)

Crisp mornings and golden foliage create perfect hiking conditions.

Many mountain lifts close by November, but lower prices and fewer crowds make this an attractive time for budget travellers.

Winter (December-March)

While Interlaken itself receives limited snow, nearby ski resorts offer world-class winter sports.

The Christmas market in December adds seasonal charm to the town centre.

Spring (April-May)

Mild weather and reopening mountain railways mark the start of the hiking season.

Wildflowers bloom in Alpine meadows, though some high-altitude activities may still be limited by snow conditions.

Practical Travel Tips

Cash Requirements

While cards are widely accepted, smaller mountain restaurants and cable cars may prefer cash.

Swiss francs work throughout the region, though some places accept euros at poor exchange rates.

Language

German is the local language, but English is widely spoken in tourism businesses.

Learning basic German greetings earns you smiles from locals.

Mountain Weather

Conditions change rapidly in the Alps.

Check weather forecasts before planning high-altitude activities, and always carry warm layers even during summer months.

Swiss Travel Pass

This pass provides unlimited travel on Swiss trains, buses, and boats, plus free entry to 500 museums.

The four-day pass often pays for itself with a single Jungfraujoch trip plus other transport.

Planning Your Interlaken Adventure

Allow at least three to four days to experience Interlaken properly.

This gives you time for one major mountain excursion, a couple of adventure activities, and relaxed exploration of the lakes and surrounding villages.

Book accommodation well in advance during summer months, when the combination of perfect weather and school holidays creates peak demand.

Consider staying in nearby Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald for lower prices and authentic mountain village atmosphere while maintaining easy access to Interlaken's attractions.

The town's compact size and excellent transport connections make it an ideal base for exploring the entire Bernese Oberland region, from the glacial landscapes of Jungfraujoch to the traditional wooden chalets of Gimmelwald.

More City Travel Guides

City Guides: Cities in Africa - Cities in America - Cities in Asia - Cities in Australasia - Cities in Latin America - European Cities and Regions.

Travel Websites Reviewed.

Add a Business - Add a Location - Add a Lodging - Add Travel Content - Add URL - Travel Services.

More From Travel Notes

Travel Notes Online Guide to Travel

Africa - Asia - Caribbean - Europe - Middle East - North America - Oceania - South America.

The Travel Notes Online Guide to Travel helps visitors plan their trip with country and city travel guides, local tourist information, reviewed web sites, and inspiring travel content.