If you are looking for a base in Switzerland to be able to enjoy the Alpine scenery and activities, the small town of Interlaken might be ideal. It occupies a valley between two lakes and the whole area is surrounded by mountains. This is certainly the adventure capital of Switzerland if not all of Europe. In summer you have trekking, rafting, and bungee jumping among your options, and in winter there is great skiing and snowboarding nearby.
Just like the rest of Switzerland, Interlaken is expensive even by European standards. Hotels and restaurants are all pricey, although quality tends to be high.
Once you have shelter and food, you can do a lot in Interlaken without spending much. The hiking and views are amazing, and can be done on a modest budget. The special trains and cable cars are worth it if you can afford them, for some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery and thrills.
| Population | 5,500 |
| Area | 5,500 |
| Timezone | UTC+2 |
| Currency | Swiss franc |
Hotel and hostel prices in Interlaken are at least a bit lower than those in the big cities in Switzerland, but they are still quite high by even normal European standards. This isn’t an area that budget travelers can just come to and linger in without bleeding their savings dry. Read more about why you should visit Interlaken or Lucerne for the best Alpine experiences.
For the best Alpine views and experiences you are even better off being based in Gimmelwald, Murren, or Lauterbrunnen for at least part of your stay. These villages are all very near by and easy to reach in a short time once you get to Interlaken. Gimmelwald is tiny, car-free, and one of the most charming places on earth. This new article about where to stay in the Lauterbrunnen Valley or Interlaken should also be helpful.
The high season for hotels and hostels in Interlaken is from June through September, with July and August being the peak months. Reservations are especially critical in that period. With winter sports activities nearby, the place is popular all year round, though some hotels do close during the coldest months.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 56.82 - 96.59 |
| 79.55 - 147.73 |
| 90.91 - 267.05 |
| 120.45 - 302.27 |
| 343.18 - 393.18 |
Hotel Beausite Doubles from €122/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central 3-star hotel in Interlaken |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 29.55 - 55.68 |
Happy Inn Lodge Beds from €22/night | |
Our pick: The best cheap and central hostel in Interlaken |
Jungfraujoch is a special tourist railway that goes to Europe’s highest train station, with snow and amazing views year round.
Schilthorn is a cable car that goes up the mountain opposite of Jungfrau, and it also has some of the world’s most amazing mountain views. Both are expensive, and worth it.
Hiking is popular year round in the area, although in winter there are fewer trails open higher in the mountains where the snow has fallen.
Snowboarding and skiing are popular with lifts sprinkled in throughout the area.
We cover many more options in great detail with photos in our article about things to do in Interlaken and the nearby Lauterbrunnen Valley.
Interlaken has bus tours of the general area, but it’s really best to focus on the individual sights and tour them yourself one at a time.
| Location | Description | Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harder Kulm Funicular | This popular funicular leaves every 8 minutes from May through October. On top you have views and trail heads. Half price with your Guest Card. | Adults one-way Adults return | 14.77 34.09 |
| Night Sledding | Take a night sledding trip that's followed by a Swiss cheese fondue dinner. | Adults | 90.91 |
| Day pass and lift ticket | There are several nearby mountains with lifts for skiers and snowboarders. | Adults Students Children | 70.45 44.32 27.27 |
There aren’t many casual or take away food places in Interlaken, so meals can get very pricey if you don’t account for that. It’s definitely worth having fondue and raclette while you are in Switzerland, but if you do it at every meal it gets expensive. You can buy sandwiches and other pre-made meals at the Coop supermarket across from the Ost train station or a couple other stores in town.
| Food Type | Description | Price(USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget breakfast | Your hotel or hostel probably includes breakfast. If not, head to the Migros supermarket for decent options. | 6.82 - 13.64 |
| Budget lunch | There are a few sandwich and sausage places around, as well as kebabs and Chinese takeout. | 9.09 - 18.18 |
| Budget dinner | Whether it's pizza or pasta or traditional Swiss food, all sit-down restaurants feel expensive in Interlaken. | 21.59 - 29.55 |
| .5 liter beer in a bar | There are some pubs with decent drink prices in Interlaken, at least compared to the big cities. | 5.68 - 9.09 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Train from Zurich to Interlaken | 73.86 |
| 3km taxi ride in Interlaken | 30.68 - 39.77 |
Most visitors will reach Interlaken by train into one of its two main stations. Interlaken West is close to most of the hotels and restaurants, while Interlaken Ost (east) is the main hub for the special trains that go to Lauterbrunnen and farther into the gorgeous valley.
All trains stop at both stations.
Driving to Interlaken is possible, but parking can be difficult or expensive at many of the attractions. Some hotels in Interlaken itself do have free parking, so driving here isn’t as challenging as it is in most of Europe’s cities.
Most of the sights are accessible by train and/or cable car, and many have car parks for those who drive themselves.
One important thing to know about is that all accommodation in the area includes a resort tax for each guest, but that entitles you to a personalized Interlaken Guest Card, which is good for free public transportation and discounts on most of the top attractions. So while bed prices might seem steep, at least you get something in return.
| Month | High F | Low F | Precip (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38 | 26 | 2.9 |
| February | 41 | 27 | 2.8 |
| March | 50 | 33 | 3.2 |
| April | 57 | 38 | 3.4 |
| May | 66 | 46 | 4.8 |
| June | 71 | 52 | 5.4 |
| July | 76 | 56 | 5.5 |
| August | 74 | 55 | 5.7 |
| September | 67 | 49 | 3.8 |
| October | 58 | 42 | 3.1 |
| November | 46 | 33 | 3.3 |
| December | 39 | 28 | 3.4 |
Summers in Interlaken tend to be pleasantly warm, but they are also the wettest time of year so you might need an umbrella if you get unlucky. Winters are fairly mild considering all the ski slopes nearby, which is why it’s popular most of the year.
| 21 Mar | 6:28am | 6:43pm |
| 21 Jun | 5:34am | 9:26pm |
| 21 Sep | 7:14am | 7:28pm |
| 21 Dec | 8:10am | 4:43pm |