Things to do in Interlaken: two lakes, the Jungfrau and the trains up
Interlaken is a small town between two lakes, and its job is to be the way into the Bernese Alps. The town itself takes a morning. The trains, gondolas and boats that leave from it fill the rest. The one thing to know: almost every good day here depends on cloud, so keep a spare day and book the big trips late.
The short answer
- First trip
- Spend a day on the Jungfraujoch or in the Lauterbrunnen valley, a day on a lake boat or Harder Kulm, and a slow evening on the Höhematte.
- Where to stay
- In Interlaken for trains and boats, or in a valley village for walking from your door. Our full guide compares them.
- How many days
- Three days is enough for two mountain days and one lake day. Add a fourth as a weather spare.
- Best time to go
- June to September for everything open, December to March for snow.
- Book ahead
- Seats to the Jungfraujoch in summer, and a room at any time of year.
- From the airport
- Zurich is the usual airport: about two hours by train, with one change, usually at Bern.
Where to stay in Interlaken, in brief
Interlaken center
trains, boats and restaurants
Between the two stations, with the Höheweg and its meadow in the middle. The easiest base for day trips, and busy in summer.
Wilderswil
a quiet village near town
A village five minutes by train from Interlaken Ost, at the foot of the Schynige Platte railway. Calmer than the center, with fewer restaurants.
Lauterbrunnen and Wengen
waterfalls and walks
A steep valley with waterfalls, and a car-free village high above it. Beautiful, quiet at night, and about 20 to 35 minutes from Interlaken by train.
Grindelwald
the Eiger and skiing
A larger resort under the Eiger north face, with its own gondola to the Jungfraujoch route. Further out, with more choice of rooms.
Things to do in Interlaken
Höhematte and the Höheweg
A broad meadow in the middle of town with the Jungfrau massif at the far end on a clear day. Walk the Höheweg on one side and watch the paragliders land.
Jungfraujoch
The railway station at 3,454 meters on the saddle between the Mönch and the Jungfrau. It takes about an hour and a half from Interlaken Ost, and the trip is only worth the money on a clear day.
A seat reservation in summer; decide the day before from the forecast.
Harder Kulm
A short funicular ride from town to a platform above the rooftops, between the two lakes. The easiest viewpoint to fit into half a day.
Lake Thun or Lake Brienz by boat
Passenger boats leave from the two lake harbors, one on each side of town. Lake Brienz is the quieter and the greener of the two.
Unterseen and the Aare
A short walk to the old wooden houses and the market square of Unterseen, beside the river that joins the lakes. Good for a slow hour on a gray morning.
Lauterbrunnen valley
A sheer-walled valley with dozens of waterfalls, 20 minutes by train from Interlaken Ost. Walk the flat valley floor, or take the cable car up to Mürren.
Trümmelbach Falls
Ten glacier-fed waterfalls inside a mountain, reached by a lift and walkways. Open in the warmer months only, and loud, wet and worth it in rain.
Schynige Platte
A cogwheel railway from Wilderswil to a meadow ridge with a view of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. It runs in summer only, so check dates.
Grindelwald First
A gondola ride from Grindelwald to a ridge with walks and a cliff-edge walkway. In winter it is a ski area.
Schilthorn from Mürren
A cable car above the car-free village of Mürren to a revolving restaurant at the summit. Expect crowds at midday, and cloud that can hide everything.
Adventure sports
Paragliding, canyoning and skydiving are sold from the town. Book with an operator that cancels free of charge if the weather turns.
A day or two ahead, with a free cancellation.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Interlaken can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Interlaken, and which to pick- Jungfraujoch seat reservationThe evening before in summer, once the forecast is clear
A reserved seat on the busiest trains saves a wait, and the operator's own site shows the cheaper early train. Tickets start from CHF 129.60 return in 2026, and a guaranteed seat is CHF 10 extra (jungfrau.ch, October 2026).
- A room, in any season2 to 3 months ahead for July and August and for ski weeks
Rooms in the valley villages are limited and fill early.
- Adventure sports with free cancellation1 or 2 days ahead
Flights and canyoning stop in poor weather, so only pay for a booking you can move.
What to skip in Interlaken
- The Jungfraujoch in low cloud
The summit is white nothing on a bad day. Check the webcams in the morning and swap to a lake boat or Trümmelbach Falls if it is closed in.
- A day trip that fits everything in
The Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen and a lake in one day is a long day on trains. Pick one and give it time.
- Shops on the Höheweg selling watches and cowbells
Mostly aimed at coach groups. Walk past, and buy cheese or chocolate from a local shop instead.
Best time to visit Interlaken
June to September is the main season. The mountain railways, the lake boats and the high walks are open, the days are long, and the valleys are green. It is also the busiest and dearest time, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in the mountains. May and October are quieter, with some lifts closed for maintenance.
December to March is for snow. Grindelwald, Wengen and Mürren are ski areas, and the Jungfraujoch is open all year, with a colder, whiter view. The town itself is quiet in winter, and some summer-only railways and boats stop. Late October and November are the dullest weeks, and many lifts shut for servicing.
- From Zurich airportTrains take about two hours and ten minutes, with one change, usually at Bern, to Interlaken Ost. Check the SBB timetable for the exact route.
- Interlaken Ost and West stationsInterlaken Ost is the hub for the mountain railways to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. Interlaken West is on the Bern and Thun line, nearer to the Lake Thun harbor. They are about a 20 minute walk apart.
- Mountain railwaysTrains to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen leave from Interlaken Ost, and a change at Kleine Scheidegg or Lauterbrunnen takes you higher. Wengen and Mürren have no cars.
- Guest card and local busesLocal buses run around town, and your accommodation gives you a guest card that includes free local transport in Interlaken. Ask for it at check-in.
Interlaken in three days
- Day 1
Walk the Höhematte and the Höheweg, ride up Harder Kulm, and take a boat on one of the lakes in the afternoon.
- Day 2
Go to the Jungfraujoch on the clearest day of your stay, leaving early and coming back by the afternoon.
- Day 3
Take the train to Lauterbrunnen, see the waterfalls, and go up to Mürren or Wengen for lunch and a view.
Day trips from Interlaken
- LucerneAbout two hours by train on the scenic line over the Brünig pass. A lake city with covered bridges and a good old town.
- BernAbout an hour by train. A compact capital with a medieval old town and a river you can swim in on summer days.
- Brienz and the Ballenberg open-air museumA short train or boat ride east along Lake Brienz to a wood-carving village and a large museum of old farmhouses.
Interlaken: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Interlaken?
Three days covers a lake, a viewpoint and one big mountain day. Four gives you a spare for weather, which is the usual reason to stay longer.
Is Interlaken worth visiting?
Yes, as a base for the mountains. The town is pleasant and small, and what makes the trip is the Jungfrau region around it.
What is the best time to visit Interlaken?
June to September for open railways and long days, December to March for snow. May and October are quieter and cheaper.
Is Interlaken or Lucerne better?
Interlaken is for mountains and walking, Lucerne for an old town and a lake. They are two hours apart by train, and many trips do both.
What can you do in Interlaken when it rains?
Trümmelbach Falls, a lake cruise, the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, or a slow day of chocolate and coffee on the Höheweg.
Can you visit Interlaken as a day trip from Zurich?
Yes, but the journey is about two hours each way. One night in the area makes the trip worth the travel.
Is Interlaken expensive?
Yes, like most of Switzerland. Mountain tickets are the biggest cost, and supermarket picnics and set lunches keep the rest down.