Interlaken tours and tickets
Interlaken is a base for the mountains, so most of what you book depends on the weather. The Jungfraujoch is the big ticket, with a seat reservation in summer, but you should decide the evening before once the forecast is clear. Adventure sports are best booked a day or two ahead with free cancellation. Rooms are the one thing to book months ahead.
Book these first
- Jungfraujoch seat reservation
- The 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 season
- 2 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 cancellation
- 1 or 2 days ahead. Flights and canyoning stop in poor weather, so only pay for a booking you can move.
Nobody pays to be on this page. The Viator buttons are partner links: if you book through one, Viator may pay us a commission, at no cost to you. Where the official site sells the ticket, we link it too. How we rank
Outdoors
Jungfraujoch
The highest railway station in Europe, reached by cogwheel train from Interlaken or Grindelwald. A seat reservation is needed in summer, and the ticket includes the Sphinx observatory and the ice palace. A trip takes most of a day.
Which to pick. Wait for a clear forecast, then book the day before. Start early, because cloud usually builds by midday and the view disappears.
The evening before in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorSchilthorn
A summit above Mürren reached by cable car from Stechelberg, with a revolving restaurant and a Bond film exhibit. Cable cars run all day, and tickets are bought at the station or online.
Which to pick. Pick a clear morning, and take the first cable car. The ride up from the valley is a highlight in itself.
Harder Kulm
A hilltop above town reached by a funicular, with a viewing platform that looks over both lakes and the Alps. The ride takes ten minutes, and the restaurant is open in season.
Which to pick. Go in the late afternoon for the view and the light. It is a good choice when the high peaks are in cloud.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorGrindelwald First
A mountain above Grindelwald with a cable car, a cliff walk and a zip line. Walkers can hike to a lake, and there are summer toboggan runs. Tickets are bought at the station.
Which to pick. Go in the morning on a clear day and walk the trail to the lake. Add the cliff walk if you like heights.
A day aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Paragliding
A tandem flight with a pilot from a hill above the valley, usually from Beatenberg or Grindelwald. Flights last about 20 minutes and depend on wind and cloud. Free cancellation is common.
Which to pick. Book a day or two ahead with free rebooking, and choose the earlier flights. Wear layers and sturdy shoes.
1 to 2 days aheadTours and tickets on ViatorCanyoning
A guided descent of a river gorge, with ropes, jumps and slides, in a wetsuit. Trips last three to four hours, and no experience is needed. They run in summer and when the water is safe.
Which to pick. Book a day or two ahead with free cancellation. It suits adults and older teenagers who are comfortable in cold water.
1 to 2 days aheadTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz boats
Passenger steamers cross both lakes, with stops at towns, castles and villages. Boats leave from the two docks in town, and a ticket covers a single leg or a round trip.
Which to pick. Choose Lake Brienz for a quieter lake with the turquoise water, and Lake Thun for the castles. Check the timetable the day before.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorTrümmelbach Falls
A set of glacier-fed waterfalls inside a mountain, in the Lauterbrunnen valley, reached by a lift and walkways. Entry is by ticket, and it runs in the warm months. It is a good choice for wet weather.
Which to pick. Go in the morning and bring a waterproof jacket. Combine it with a walk through the valley or the village.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Lucerne
A lakeside city with a covered wooden bridge, about two hours away by the scenic Lucerne-Interlaken Express. The train ride is the main reason, and seat reservations are advised on the panoramic cars.
Which to pick. Take the scenic train one way and return by a faster route. Book the panoramic seat if you want the view.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBern
The Swiss capital, a UNESCO old town with arcades, fountains and a river with swimming spots, about an hour by train. A walking tour covers the clock tower and the bear park.
Which to pick. Take the train and walk. A guided tour is useful for the history, but not required.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorBallenberg open-air museum
A museum of historic Swiss houses and farms, with craft demonstrations and animals, reached from Brienz. Entry is by ticket, and it is open in the warm months. Allow half a day.
Which to pick. Go by train or boat to Brienz and take the shuttle. Wear walking shoes and allow time for the demonstrations.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Interlaken
- Swiss Travel PassA pass for unlimited travel by train, bus and boat across Switzerland, with free entry to many museums and discounts on mountain railways. It pays off on days of long travel. Seat reservations are still needed on the panoramic trains. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Interlaken
Do I need a seat reservation for the Jungfraujoch?
In summer, yes. Reservations are free or cheap, and the trains fill on clear days. Book the day before once you know the weather, and check the first train.
What if the weather turns bad?
Most adventure operators offer free rebooking or refunds when they cancel for weather. Read the terms, and keep a rainy-day plan such as Trümmelbach Falls or a boat.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
It suits a trip with several train days across the country. For a stay based in one spot, a regional pass or single tickets may cost less. Check what each covers.
How early should I start for the mountains?
Start early. Clouds build up by late morning, and the first trains and cable cars give you the best views and the shortest queues.
Can I visit Interlaken in winter?
Yes. Skiing, snowshoeing and the Jungfraujoch run all winter, but some boats and mountain lifts close or reduce service. Check timetables before you plan.
What can wait until I arrive?
Harder Kulm, the lake boats, Bern and Ballenberg can all be done on the day. Book the Jungfraujoch the evening before, and a room months ahead.