Switzerland 🌦️ 9°C · Now
Jun-Sep best · ski Dec-Apr · expensive Interlaken
Switzerland
Interlaken at a glance
$100+
Budget tier · excl. flights
From major hubs
ZRH (then 2h train)
Visa-free 90 days
For most Western passports
$1 ≈ CHF 0.79
CHF · indicative rate
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currently May
Alpine (cold winters
Now 🌦️ 9°C
01:08
CET (UTC+1)
German
English universal in tourism
Why visit Interlaken?
Interlaken is Switzerland's adventure capital — population 6,000 between Lake Thun + Lake Brienz at the foot of the Bernese Alps (Eiger 3,970m, Mönch 4,107m, Jungfrau 4,158m). The town itself is small (Bahnhof West to Ost is 30-min walk through Höhematte park), but it's the gateway to the most photographed mountain views in Europe. Jungfraujoch — "Top of Europe" — sits at 3,454m as the world's highest train station (CHF 240 RT, ice palace + Sphinx Observatory + Snow Fun Park). Lauterbrunnen Valley (20-min train) inspired Tolkien's Rivendell with 72 cascading waterfalls. Grindelwald (40-min train) is the major ski resort + First Cliff Walk + Männlichen panorama train. Schilthorn (Piz Gloria, 2,970m) was a James Bond filming location.
Iconic Swiss cuisine: Cheese fondue (CHF 25-40 per person — Bebbis canonical), Raclette (melted Swiss cheese over potatoes, CHF 20-35), Rösti (Swiss potato pancake, CHF 15-25), Älplermagronen (Alpine macaroni with cheese + apple sauce, CHF 18-25), Bündnerfleisch (air-dried beef, CHF 15-30), Lindt + Toblerone chocolate (made-in-Switzerland origin), Rivella beer (Swiss soda, CHF 4-6), Aperol spritz (CHF 8-12).
Bottom line: Interlaken is Swiss adventure paradise + canonical Alps experience + most expensive in Europe. 3 days hits Jungfraujoch + Lauterbrunnen + Grindelwald.
Things to do in Interlaken
Highlights
Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe
World's highest train station 3,454m + Sphinx Observatory + Ice Palace + glacier.
Paragliding over Interlaken
15-min tandem paragliding with takeoff from Beatenberg.
Lauterbrunnen Valley
72 waterfalls; Tolkien's Rivendell inspiration.
Travel cost
Per person, per day (excludes flights)
Hostel + local food + public transport
$100
≈ CHF 79.00 CHF
Per person / day (excl. flights)
📅 Total cost by trip duration (incl. flights)
3 days
$400
≈ CHF 316.00
5 days
$630
≈ CHF 497.70
7 days
$850
≈ CHF 671.50
Flight estimate: $700-1,400 from US/EU; $900-1,500 from Asia (ZRH direct from Tokyo/Seoul/BKK on Swiss) (round-trip estimate)
Monthly weather
Currently in Interlaken: 🌦️ 9°C
Interlaken now (May)
High 18°C / Low 8°C· Mild
Jan ❄️
High 3°C / Low -3°C
Cold
Feb 🍂
High 5°C / Low -2°C
Cold
Mar 🌥️
High 10°C / Low 1°C
Cool
Apr 🌥️
High 14°C / Low 4°C
Cool
May ⛅
High 18°C / Low 8°C
Mild
Jun 🌤️
High 22°C / Low 11°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Jul 🌤️
High 24°C / Low 13°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Aug 🌤️
High 23°C / Low 13°C
Pleasant
★ Best time to visit
Sep ⛅
High 19°C / Low 9°C
Mild
★ Best time to visit
Oct 🌥️
High 14°C / Low 5°C
Cool
Nov 🍂
High 7°C / Low 0°C
Cold
Dec ❄️
High 4°C / Low -2°C
Cold
Jan
❄️
3°
-3°
Cold
Feb
🍂
5°
-2°
Cold
Mar
🌥️
10°
1°
Cool
Apr
🌥️
14°
4°
Cool
May
⛅
18°
8°
Mild
NOW
Jun
🌤️
22°
11°
Pleasant
★Best
Jul
🌤️
24°
13°
Pleasant
★Best
Aug
🌤️
23°
13°
Pleasant
★Best
Sep
⛅
19°
9°
Mild
★Best
Oct
🌥️
14°
5°
Cool
Nov
🍂
7°
0°
Cold
Dec
❄️
4°
-2°
Cold
Practical information
Getting there
Getting around
Money & payments
Language
Cultural tips
Money & payment
Currency
CHF (Swiss Franc).
Card acceptance
Universal everywhere.
Tipping
Round up + 5-10% optional (service included).
ATM
UBS + Credit Suisse free with most foreign cards.
Recommended itinerary
Interlaken 3-day route
Day 1 Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe
08:00
Train to Jungfraujoch (2.5h up)
World's highest train station 3,454m; CHF 240 RT (with Saver Day Pass)
🎫 16% off — Book lowest price10:30
Sphinx Observatory + Ice Palace
3,571m observatory + glacier-carved ice palace
12:00
Lunch at Restaurant Crystal (3,454m)
Highest-altitude restaurant in Europe; CHF 30-40
14:00
Snow Fun Park (sledding)
Year-round snow activities; CHF 30 incl.
17:00
Return to Interlaken
Train back via Kleine Scheidegg + Eiger views
20:00
Dinner at Restaurant Bebbis (Swiss fondue)
Cheese fondue + raclette CHF 35-50
Day 2 Lauterbrunnen + Trümmelbach
09:00
Train to Lauterbrunnen (20 min)
Tolkien's Rivendell inspiration valley; 72 waterfalls
10:30
Trümmelbach Falls (10 glacier waterfalls inside cliff)
Inside-cliff waterfalls; CHF 14
13:00
Lunch at Hotel Oberland
Swiss alpine + mountain view CHF 25-40
15:00
Cable car to Wengen + Männlichen
Car-free village + viewpoint; CHF 60 RT
18:00
Sunset at Mürren-Schilthorn (James Bond Piz Gloria)
James Bond filming + 360° Alps panorama; CHF 110
21:00
Dinner at Hostellerie Bären (medieval village)
Traditional Bernese cuisine CHF 50-80
Day 3 Adventure or relax
10:00
Paragliding over Interlaken (15 min flight)
Take off from Beatenberg; CHF 180-200
🎫 12% off — Book lowest price13:00
Lunch at Stettler (lakeside)
Swiss lakeside restaurant CHF 30-45
15:00
Lake Thun cruise + Hot Air Balloon
Lakeside Spiez Castle + ride; CHF 35
18:00
Höhematte Park sunset
Iconic Interlaken park between two lakes
20:00
Final Swiss raclette dinner at Goldener Anker
Raclette + Swiss wine CHF 50-70
Where to stay
Click each district to compare hotel deals
Interlaken West (Bahnhof West)
Train station + Höhematte park + main hotels. Best base.
See hotels in this area
Interlaken Ost (East Station)
Train station + lake departures (Lake Brienz).
See hotels in this area
Lauterbrunnen (20 min train)
Glacier valley with 72 waterfalls. Mountain tradition + Staubbach Falls.
See hotels in this area
Grindelwald (40 min train)
Major ski resort + Eiger view + First Cliff Walk.
See hotels in this area
Wengen (car-free)
Car-free mountain village above Lauterbrunnen + ski. Quieter.
See hotels in this area
Mürren (car-free, 1,650m)
Highest car-free village + Schilthorn (James Bond).
See hotels in this area
Interlaken hotel price comparison
Compare Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com prices in one place
* Centered on Interlaken West (Bahnhof West) — the most hotel-dense area in Interlaken
Top tours & activities in Interlaken
Top-rated by travelers
Frequently asked questions
Most common questions from travelers to Interlaken
Q How much per day?
Budget $100, mid $200, luxury $420+. Most expensive country in Europe.
Q How many days?
3 days. Jungfraujoch Day 1; Lauterbrunnen + Mürren Day 2; Grindelwald or paragliding Day 3.
Q Best time?
Jun-Sep (15-25°C, all trails open). Dec-Apr ski season. Avoid Oct-Nov (closures + rain).
Q Visa?
Schengen visa-free 90 days for Korean/Japanese/EU/US/UK/AU passports. Switzerland is Schengen but NOT EU.
Q Safety?
One of safest countries in world. Watch for petty theft at Jungfraujoch in summer crowds.
Q English?
Universal in tourism + hotels + restaurants + train staff.
Q Famous food?
Cheese fondue at Bebbis (canonical CHF 35), raclette + potatoes, rösti, älplermagronen Alpine macaroni, Bündnerfleisch (air-dried beef), Swiss chocolate Lindt/Toblerone. Aperol spritz at Höhematte park sunset.
Q Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
4-day CHF 312 covers all trains + boats + city transport. Worth it if doing Jungfraujoch + Lauterbrunnen + Grindelwald + Lake cruise. Saves ~30% vs individual tickets.
Q Jungfraujoch saver pass?
Saver Day Pass departs before 8:00 from Interlaken Ost — saves 30%. Otherwise CHF 240 RT regular. Pre-book online at jungfrau.ch.
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