Where to stay in Interlaken
Interlaken is a small town on the flat ground between two lakes, and the choice is whether to sleep there or higher up in a valley. The town is the easiest base: every train, boat and bus starts from it, and it has the most restaurants and rooms. The villages are slower and prettier, and they are 20 to 60 minutes away by train or cable car. Stay in Interlaken for a first visit that mixes lakes and mountains, and in Lauterbrunnen, Wengen or Grindelwald if the mountains are the whole point. It is expensive everywhere, and almost every booking comes down to the weather.
The short answer
- First trip
- The Interlaken center, with trains and boats on both sides and the most places to eat.
- Walks and waterfalls
- Lauterbrunnen, with a waterfall outside your window and trails from the door.
- Peace and views
- Wengen or Mürren, both car-free, high above the valley.
- Tight budget
- Wilderswil or Bönigen, a few minutes from town by train or bus.
- Skiing and the Eiger
- Grindelwald, with its own gondola to the Jungfraujoch route.
How we judge a base: how long it takes to reach the trains and the main sights, noise at night, how much it closes in the off-season, and price. Nothing on this page is paid for, and the hotels we choose will say who chose them and when they last stayed.
Interlaken and the Jungfrau region, side by side
| Area | Best for | At night | Interlaken Ost | Interlaken West | Höhematte | Getting around | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interlaken center | First visit, day trips | Quiet, lively in summer | 15 min | 15 min | 5 min | Trains from Ost and West; boats | €€€ |
| Wilderswil | Quiet, value | Very quiet | 50 min | 40 min | 40 min | Train to Interlaken Ost in about 5 min | €€ |
| Bönigen | Lakeside, families | Very quiet | 40 min | 60 min | 45 min | Bus to Interlaken Ost in about 10 min | €€ |
| Lauterbrunnen | Waterfalls, walks | Quiet | over an hour | over an hour | over an hour | Train to Interlaken Ost in about 20 min | €€€ |
| Wengen | Peace, views | Very quiet | over an hour | over an hour | over an hour | Train: Lauterbrunnen, then cogwheel | €€€€ |
| Mürren | Long mountain stays | Very quiet | over an hour | over an hour | over an hour | Cable car and train, about 1 hour | €€€€ |
| Grindelwald | Eiger, skiing, choice | Quiet, lively in winter | over an hour | over an hour | over an hour | Train to Interlaken Ost in about 35 min | €€€ |
Walking times run from the middle of each base: the straight line plus a third for real streets, at an easy pace, rounded to five minutes. They only mean something inside Interlaken. The villages are in the valleys, so the first column to read is the transit one: the train or cable car, not the walk. Price is our read from € (cheapest) to €€€€ (dearest) until booking-site prices replace it.
Where the bases are
Interlaken center, for trains, boats and choice
The flat town between the two lakes, with the Höheweg and its meadow in the middle and a station at each end.
The center runs along the Höheweg, the avenue that leads to the Höhematte, a large meadow with the Jungfrau massif at the far end on a clear day. Interlaken Ost, at the east end, is the hub for the mountain railways to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen and for the Lake Brienz boats. Interlaken West, about 20 minutes on foot to the west, is on the Bern line and nearer to Lake Thun. Most of the town's hotels, supermarkets and restaurants sit between them, and the old wooden houses of Unterseen are just over the Aare.
It is the practical base, and it is a tourist town: souvenir shops, coach groups on the Höheweg at midday, and paragliders landing on the meadow in good weather. Rooms cost more in July and August, and at any time on a clear weekend. A few hotels near the stations are plain, and the better value is a street or two back from the Höheweg. The mountains are not in the town. You will take a train or a boat to reach every one of them, so you rely on the timetable and the weather.
Good for
- A first trip that mixes lakes and mountains
- Trains, boats and buses from one place
- The widest choice of restaurants, shops and rooms
Think twice if
- You want to wake up in the mountains
- You are watching the budget in summer: prices are high
- You dislike busy streets and souvenir shops
Staying in Interlaken center: nearby sights, food and getting around
Wilderswil, for a quiet village near town
A village about five minutes by train from Interlaken Ost, at the foot of the Schynige Platte railway.
Wilderswil sits at the mouth of the Lütschine valley, south of Interlaken. The cogwheel railway to Schynige Platte starts here, and the trains to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald stop at its station on the way out of Interlaken. A few hotels, guesthouses and chalets stand around a small center, with views of the lower slopes rather than the high peaks.
It is calmer than the town and usually cheaper, and you are on the same railway as everything else. The catch is that it is small. There are few restaurants, nothing to do in the evening, and the last trains and buses home leave earlier than you may expect. The walk to the middle of Interlaken is long, so plan on the train. It suits a stay of several nights, especially in summer when you will be out all day.
Good for
- A quieter, cheaper stay close to Interlaken
- The Schynige Platte railway on your doorstep
- Longer stays that are mostly spent out in the mountains
Think twice if
- You want a choice of restaurants and bars in the evening
- You want to walk to the lakes or the Höheweg
- You often arrive late on trains and buses
Staying in Wilderswil: nearby sights, food and getting around
Bönigen, for the Lake Brienz shore
A small village on the lake east of Interlaken, with a lakeside path and a short bus ride to the station.
Bönigen is a lakeside village of old wooden houses, a harbor, a lido and a path along the water that runs toward Interlaken. A boat landing serves the Lake Brienz cruises, and a local bus takes you to Interlaken Ost in about ten minutes. A few guesthouses and a camping site stand along the shore.
It is quiet, cheaper than the town center, and good for families who want swimming in summer and a slower evening. The views are of the lake and the hills, not of the high Alps. You are one bus away from the trains, so a late dinner in Interlaken means checking the last bus first, and in winter many places on the shore close.
Good for
- A quiet lakeside stay for families
- A lower price than the town
- Swimming and boat trips in summer
Think twice if
- You want a mountain view from the room
- You will be out late in Interlaken
- You are visiting between October and April, when much of the shore is shut
Lauterbrunnen, for waterfalls and walks
A village on the floor of a sheer-sided valley, about 20 minutes by train from Interlaken Ost.
Lauterbrunnen means loud springs, and the valley has dozens of waterfalls dropping from its walls, including the Staubbach Falls above the village. The railway station is the hub: trains to Interlaken, the cogwheel line up to Wengen, and the cable car to Mürren all start here. Trails run along the flat valley floor, and the Trümmelbach Falls are a short bus ride up the valley.
It is a very popular stop, and it fills with day visitors by late morning in summer. Rooms are limited and booked early, and prices are high for what are often simple guesthouses and chalets. The evenings are quiet, with few restaurants and early closing. In winter the valley floor is in shadow for much of the day, so expect cold and snow. You pay for being in the valley, and you get a walk from your door.
Good for
- Waterfalls and valley walks from your door
- A simple base with trains to Interlaken, Wengen and Mürren
- Quiet nights once the day visitors leave
Think twice if
- You want a big choice of restaurants and nightlife
- You are booking late in summer, when rooms are scarce
- You want sun all day: the valley sits in shadow in winter
Staying in Lauterbrunnen: nearby sights, food and getting around
Wengen, for peace and views with no cars
A car-free village on a high shelf above the Lauterbrunnen valley, reached by a cogwheel train.
Wengen sits about 400 meters above Lauterbrunnen, reached by a 15 minute cogwheel train from the village below. No cars are allowed, so the streets are quiet, and the view across the valley takes in the Jungfrau, the Mönch and the Eiger. In winter it is a ski area, and in summer it is a base for walks. The same railway goes on up to Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfraujoch route.
It is a place to relax rather than to tick off sights, and it is expensive. The trip from Interlaken takes about 35 minutes with a change, and carrying luggage up from the station is the catch. Many hotels will help or arrange a transfer, so ask before you book. Dinner is early, and the village is very quiet in autumn and spring, when some hotels close.
Good for
- Quiet, car-free streets and long views
- Skiing in winter and walking in summer
- The railway toward Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfraujoch
Think twice if
- You are traveling with a lot of luggage and no help
- You want lots of restaurants and nightlife
- You are visiting in the off-season, when hotels close
Mürren, for a stay far from everything
A car-free village on a cliff-top terrace, reached by cable car and a short train, with the Schilthorn above it.
Mürren is on a shelf across the valley from Wengen, facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The cable car from Lauterbrunnen climbs to Grütschalp, and a small railway runs on to the village. Another cable car climbs to the Schilthorn above, and the walks from the village are some of the best in the region.
It is the furthest from Interlaken: allow an hour or more door to door, including the changes, and the first and last cars affect your evenings. It is small and quiet, with a handful of hotels and restaurants, and some of them close between seasons. It suits a long stay with walking or skiing, and not a quick visit.
Good for
- Mountain views from the village itself
- Walks and, in winter, skiing from the door
- Very quiet evenings with no traffic
Think twice if
- You are staying only one or two nights
- You want choice in restaurants and shops
- You are traveling in spring or autumn, when the cable cars close for maintenance
Grindelwald, for the Eiger and skiing
A larger resort village under the north face of the Eiger, about 35 minutes by train from Interlaken Ost.
Grindelwald is the largest of the mountain villages, with a long main street of shops, hotels and restaurants under the Eiger's north face. The Eiger Express gondola runs from Grindelwald Terminal to the Jungfraujoch route, and the First gondola climbs to a ridge with walks and a ski area. Trains run to Interlaken Ost on a branch line.
It has more rooms and more places to eat than any of the villages, and rooms range from simple to expensive. It is also a busy resort, with tour groups on the main street in summer and ski traffic in winter. The valley is open and sunny, and the views are wide. It suits you if you want a choice of hotels and a mountain setting, and don't mind a 35 minute train when you want the lakes.
Good for
- The Eiger Express and First gondolas close by
- More choice of hotels and restaurants than the other villages
- Skiing in winter and walking in summer
Think twice if
- You want the lakes and boats as part of the trip
- You dislike a busy main street at midday in summer
- You plan a short stay and want to be near the Interlaken stations
Staying in Grindelwald: nearby sights, food and getting around
Where not to stay in Interlaken, and what to do instead
Every booking site lists these places to stay in Interlaken. We would skip them, or at least choose with care. Nobody pays a commission on a warning.
- A room by Interlaken Ost with a mountain view promised
The mountains are not in the town, and the views from many rooms are of the next building or a hillside. Ask exactly what the room faces, and take the view from the train.
- A village in the far end of a valley for one night
Mürren and Wengen need a change of trains or a cable car each way, and it is a long way for one night. Stay for two or three nights, or use Interlaken for a short visit.
- A cheap room with a long way to the train
A low rate on the edge of town loses its value in taxis and missed trains. Check how far it is to the station, and stay within a short bus ride of it.
- A car-free village with heavy luggage and no plan
Wengen and Mürren have no cars, and the walk from the station can be steep. Ask the hotel about a luggage transfer before you book.
- Booking late in July or August
Rooms in the valleys are scarce, and the best prices go first. Book two to three months ahead for the summer, and keep a flexible rate if you can.
Which base suits you
First time in Interlaken
The Interlaken center for trains, boats and restaurants.
Couples
Wengen for views and quiet, or Lauterbrunnen for waterfalls.
A tight budget
Wilderswil or Bönigen, with a short train or bus into town.
A quiet stay
Wengen, Mürren or Wilderswil.
Skiing
Grindelwald, Wengen or Mürren.
Day trips beyond the region
The Interlaken center, with trains to Bern, Lucerne and Zurich.
Walking from your door
Lauterbrunnen or Wengen.
Before you book a room in Interlaken
The practical things that decide whether a good hotel in Interlaken makes a good stay.
- The visitor tax and guest cardGuests pay a visitor tax per night, collected through the accommodation. In Interlaken and the neighboring communities the guest card you get in return includes free local transport and discounts on some regional railways. We could not confirm the current rate, so check the price you are shown. The communities have said they plan to raise the tax from 2029, not before. The mountain villages run their own cards, so ask each hotel what it includes.
- From Zurich airportTrains from Zurich airport to Interlaken Ost take about two hours and ten minutes, and you will always change at least once, usually in Bern. Bern, Basel and Geneva airports are other options, with their own changes. Check the SBB timetable on the day, and book a seat only if you travel in the peak.
- Trains in the regionInterlaken Ost is the hub for the Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen railways, and Interlaken West is on the line to Bern and Thun. A room near Ost saves a walk with luggage. Services are frequent, and the last trains up the valleys leave earlier than in a city, so check the last departure.
- The JungfraujochThe trip takes about an hour and a half from Interlaken Ost on the Eiger Express route through Grindelwald, and returns start from CHF 129.60 in 2026, with a guaranteed seat CHF 10 extra, according to jungfrau.ch. Decide the day before, from the forecast, and stay somewhere you can move your plan.
- WeatherCloud, not distance, decides a mountain day. Choose a base that lets you swap days: a room in a village is harder to change than a room in town. A flexible rate helps.
- The off-seasonBetween seasons, in spring and in late autumn, some railways, lifts and village hotels close for maintenance. Check that your base is open and that your trips are running before you pay.
- Prices and extrasSwitzerland is expensive, and the Jungfrau region more so in July, August and the ski season. Check whether the rate includes breakfast, and whether a village hotel charges for luggage transfers.
Where to stay in Interlaken: questions people ask
What's the best area to stay in Interlaken for a first visit?
The center, between Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West. You can reach every train and boat without a transfer, and it has the most restaurants. If you want to be in the mountains, use a valley village instead.
Should I stay in Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen?
Interlaken for choice, trains and lakes, Lauterbrunnen for waterfalls and walking from the door. Lauterbrunnen is 20 minutes away by train, so you can do either as a day trip.
Is it better to stay in Interlaken, Grindelwald or Wengen?
Interlaken for lakes and the widest choice, Grindelwald for a larger resort under the Eiger, Wengen for quiet, car-free streets and views. Wengen needs a change of trains and has the heaviest luggage trip.
Can I stay somewhere cheaper and still see the sights?
Yes. Wilderswil and Bönigen are a few minutes from Interlaken by train or bus, and rooms cost less. The region is expensive overall, so check what each rate includes.
How many nights do you need in Interlaken?
Three nights covers a lake, a viewpoint and one big mountain day. Add a fourth as a weather spare, since cloud is the main reason a plan changes.
How do I get from Zurich airport to Interlaken?
Take a train from the airport station to Interlaken Ost. It takes about two hours and ten minutes, with at least one change, usually at Bern.
How far is the Jungfraujoch from Interlaken?
About an hour and a half from Interlaken Ost on the Eiger Express route. It is a day trip, so a hotel in Interlaken or Grindelwald is the best fit.
Is Interlaken safe at night?
Yes, it is a quiet, well-lit town. Keep your bag close in crowded places such as the station and the Höheweg, as you would anywhere.
