Switzerland Interlaken 7-Day Itinerary — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Trip length
- 7 days
- Est. cost / person (mid, ex-flights)
- $2,390
- Budget–luxury
- $1,430–$4,030
As of 2026, the recommended Interlaken 7-day route runs Day1 Jungfraujoch · Day2 Lauterbrunnen + Trümmelbach + Mürren · Day3 Grindelwald + First Cliff Walk + Paragliding · Day4 Schilthorn (James Bond) · Day5 Schynige Platte + Lake Brienz · Day6 Aletsch Glacier + Bettmerhorn (UNESCO) · Day7 Lucerne Day Trip + Departure, grouping the must-see sights with minimal backtracking. Estimated cost per person (excluding flights) is around $2,390 on a mid-range budget. 7 days perfect for Switzerland deep-dive — Aletsch Glacier (UNESCO longest in Alps) + Lucerne day trip + extended mountain village stays + relax pace.
7-Day Total Budget at a Glance
Budget
$1,430
Per person, flights excl.
Mid-Range
$2,390
Per person, flights excl.
Luxury
$4,030
Per person, flights excl.
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Day-by-Day Detailed Schedule
Jungfraujoch
Day 1 from 3-dayActivities
Meal Recommendations
Same as 3-day Day 1.
DAY 1 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Lauterbrunnen + Trümmelbach + Mürren
Day 2 from 3-dayActivities
Meal Recommendations
Same as 3-day Day 2.
DAY 2 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Grindelwald + First Cliff Walk + Paragliding
Day 3 from 3-dayActivities
Meal Recommendations
Same as 3-day Day 3.
DAY 3 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Schilthorn (James Bond)
Day 4 from 5-dayActivities
Meal Recommendations
Same as 5-day Day 4.
DAY 4 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Schynige Platte + Lake Brienz
Day 5 from 5-dayActivities
Meal Recommendations
Same as 5-day Day 5.
DAY 5 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Aletsch Glacier + Bettmerhorn (UNESCO)
Longest glacier in Alps (23km)Activities
- 08:00 Train Interlaken Ost → Brig → Mörel → Bettmerhorn (3h) 3h each way
Train to Brig (1h45) → Mörel + cable car to Bettmerhorn 2,647m. UNESCO Aletsch Glacier (longest in Alps, 23km long, 800m thick).
Cost: CHF 100+ RT (free Swiss Pass for train, glacier cable car partial) TIP: Swiss Travel Pass covers Brig train. Bettmerhorn cable car CHF 30-40 partial. Allow 8-hour day. - 11:30 Aletsch Glacier viewpoint + glacier hike 4 hours
Aletsch UNESCO viewpoint at Bettmerhorn 2,647m. Optional 2-3h glacier hike with guide (CHF 100-150).
Cost: CHF 100-150 guided glacier hike TIP: Glacier hikes May-October only. Guided essential — never walk on glacier alone. Bring crampons + helmet (provided). - 15:30 Return Brig + train back to Interlaken 3h
Cable car down + train Brig → Interlaken Ost 1h45.
Cost: Included in RT - 19:00 Late dinner Bowmoo (Asian-fusion) 1.5 hours
Break from cheese-heavy Swiss — Asian fusion bowls + Korean/Japanese/Vietnamese flavors.
Cost: CHF 20-40 TIP: Centralplatz. Card + cash. Casual.
Meal Recommendations
Breakfast
Hotel + grab-and-go
Interlaken · CHF 10-25
Lunch
Bettmerhorn mountain restaurant
Aletsch 2,647m · CHF 25-50
Dinner
Bowmoo Asian-fusion
Centralplatz · CHF 20-40
Train Interlaken → Brig 1h45 + cable car to Bettmerhorn + return.
DAY 6 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Lucerne Day Trip + Departure
Swiss lake city + Mt. Pilatus + farewellActivities
- 08:30 Train Interlaken Ost → Lucerne (2h direct) 2h each way
2h scenic train Interlaken → Lucerne via Brünig Pass. Most-scenic Swiss railway journey.
Cost: Included in Swiss Pass TIP: Sit on left side outbound for Lake Brienz views + Brünig Pass scenery. - 10:30 Lucerne walking — Chapel Bridge (1333) + Old Town 3 hours
Lucerne Chapel Bridge (1333 historic wooden bridge) + Lion Monument + Old Town walking.
Cost: Free TIP: Chapel Bridge interior paintings. Cover by walking 10:00-12:00 before lunch crowds. - 13:30 Lunch at Old Swiss House (1859 historic) 1.5 hours
Old Swiss House (1859) Swiss restaurant — Wiener Schnitzel + fondue + Lucerne specialties.
Cost: CHF 40-80 TIP: Reservation 1-2 days ahead. Historic timber atmosphere. - 15:30 Mt. Pilatus or Mt. Rigi cable car (optional) 3 hours
Mt. Pilatus cable car (2,128m) — world's steepest cog railway + cable car. Or Mt. Rigi 'Queen of the Mountains'.
Cost: CHF 70-100 RT (50% off Swiss Pass) TIP: Optional — skip if tired. Pilatus more adventurous; Rigi more accessible. - 18:30 Train back to Interlaken + farewell at Restaurant Schuh 3h
Train back to Interlaken Ost 2h. Farewell at Restaurant Schuh raclette (1816) or Hotel du Nord.
Cost: CHF 40-80
Meal Recommendations
Breakfast
Hotel buffet
Interlaken · CHF 10-25
Lunch
Old Swiss House Lucerne (1859)
Lucerne · CHF 40-80
Dinner
Restaurant Schuh raclette farewell
Höheweg · CHF 35-50
Train Interlaken-Lucerne 2h each way (most scenic Swiss railway).
DAY 7 Estimated Spend (per person, flights excl.)
Book Interlaken Tours & Tickets
Packing Checklist
- ✓ All 3-day + 5-day items
- ✓ Hiking shoes essential for Aletsch Glacier
- ✓ Crampons + helmet (provided by guide)
- ✓ Empty space for Swiss watches + chocolates + cheese
Interlaken 7-Day Itinerary FAQ
Is Aletsch Glacier worth the day trip? ▼
Interlaken + Lucerne combo? ▼
Mt. Pilatus vs Mt. Rigi? ▼
Looking for Different Trip Lengths?
Why you can trust 7-day itinerary
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.