How many days do I need?
Two to four full days cover the highlights at a comfortable pace for most travellers.
🇨🇭 Switzerland travel guide
Europe · Western EuropeNature & Adventure
Interlaken Travel Guide
Things to do in Interlaken — Jungfrau gateway between two lakes
Photo: Rectilinium · CC0
Why visit Interlaken
Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz as the classic base for Jungfraujoch trains, paragliding over the Höhematte and Lauterbrunnen valley day trips.
Interlaken is a stop in Switzerland, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Harder Kulm viewpoint, Jungfraujoch day trip, Lake Thun / Brienz cruises instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 140–280 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: June–September for alpine activities; December–March for skiing. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
June–September for alpine activities; December–March for skiing
Weather
Alpine — cool summers; snowy winters; weather changes fast
Airport
Bern (BRN) or Zurich (ZRH) + train; Interlaken Ost/Ost stations
Getting around
Swiss Travel Pass; trains to Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen; boat cruises on lakes
Experiences
Things to do in Interlaken
1
Harder Kulm viewpoint
2
Jungfraujoch day trip
3
Lake Thun / Brienz cruises
4
Höhematte park paragliding views
5
Schynige Platte
6
Trümmelbach Falls
7
Lauterbrunnen valley
8
Schilthorn / Piz Gloria
Budget travel
Free things to do in Interlaken
Harder Kulm viewpoint
Lake Thun / Brienz cruises
Höhematte park paragliding views
Harder Kulm sunset funicular
Schynige Platte wildflower hike
Jungfrau Park (nearby)
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Interlaken itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Harder Kulm viewpoint
- Visit Jungfraujoch day trip
- Visit Lake Thun / Brienz cruises
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Höhematte park paragliding views
- Visit Schynige Platte
- Visit Trümmelbach Falls
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Lauterbrunnen valley
- Visit Schilthorn / Piz Gloria
Prefer a full 12-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Interlaken itinerary guide.
Budget
Interlaken trip cost
Budget
USD 65–105
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 140–280
per person / day
Luxury
USD 320–530+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Interlaken, Switzerland. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Interlaken
Estimated total (USD)
$3,405
≈ $1,703 per person · $486 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $210/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Interlaken mid-range ground costs (budget 65–105 · mid 140–280 · luxury 320–530+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $$$
Stella
Swiss · Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel fine dining
- $$
Husi Bierhaus
Swiss-German · Local beer-hall institution
- $$
Goldener Anker
Swiss · Old town Interlaken classic
- $$
Restaurant Taverne
Swiss · Höheweg tourist favourite
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
Höheweg · Belle Époque alpine luxury icon
- $$$$
Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa
Bern (day trip) · Bern luxury base for Interlaken
- $$$
Hotel Interlaken
Central Interlaken · Historic central tourist hotel
Shopping
- Höheweg souvenir shops
- Metropole Arcade
- Unions Spital
- Grindelwald outdoor gear
Nightlife
- Höheweg bars
- Backpacker bars Bönigen
- Casino Kursaal Interlaken
Museums & culture
- Touristik-Museum der Jungfrau-Region
- Jungfrau Park (nearby)
- Ballenberg Open-Air Museum (day trip)
Local foods to try
- Rösti
- Fondue
- Berner Platte
- Swiss chocolate
Hidden gems
- Harder Kulm sunset funicular
- Trümmelbach Falls inside the mountain
- Schynige Platte wildflower hike
Travel tips
- Jungfraujoch — book first train to avoid clouds
- Paragliding weather-dependent — have backup plans
- Swiss trains run like clockwork — be on time
In pictures
Interlaken gallery
Photos: Rectilinium, Markus Giger, Dietrich Michael Weidmann — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Interlaken travel FAQs
What are the best things to do in Interlaken?
Top picks in Interlaken include Harder Kulm viewpoint, Jungfraujoch day trip, Lake Thun / Brienz cruises, Höhematte park paragliding views. See the full list and itinerary on this Interlaken travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Interlaken?
June–September for alpine activities; December–March for skiing.
How many days do I need in Interlaken?
Plan at least 3 days in Interlaken for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Interlaken?
Popular stays in Interlaken include Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa, Hotel Interlaken. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Interlaken cost?
On the ground in Interlaken (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 65–105 per person per day, mid-range about 140–280, and luxury about 320–530+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Interlaken, Switzerland. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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