Interlaken
Discover Interlaken
Interlaken is a small city in the Bernese Highlands region of central Switzerland. Located between two alpine lakes (Lake Brienz (Brienzersee) and Lake Thun (Thunersee)), Interlaken is a popular base camp for outdoor sports and travel in the surrounding Bernese Oberland Alps. Interlaken itself is a superb holiday destination. Trains run every 30 min from Bern, taking just under an hour via Thun and Spiez to Interlaken West and Ost (east). Alternate trains start from Basel. From Zürich or Geneva change at Bern. Trains also run hourly from Lucerne or Meiringen via Brienz to Ost station.
What to Experience in Interlaken
Taste of Interlaken...
Reservations are a must during the busy summer season. Note that not all hotels are open all year round. If you stay in a hotel in Interlaken itself, you should get an Interlaken guest card that gives you free access to all public transit in the zone around the city center. As of March 2022 for mobile devices, Interlaken has 4G from Salt, and 5G from Sunrise and Swisscom. Free Wi-Fi is available in many public places.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsTrains run every 30 min from Bern, taking just under an hour via Thun and Spiez to Interlaken West and Ost (east). Alternate trains start from Basel. From Zürich or Geneva change at Bern. Trains also run hourly from Lucerne or Meiringen via Brienz to Ost station. Follow Autoroute A8 (former N8) into the city center. Interlaken is small enough to get around on foot or bike. Taxis are available from either train station and most hotels. With the guest card from your hotel, you can travel around Interlaken for free (it also gives discounts to local tourist attractions). Buses around town and to Thun are available. Interlaken has the highest concentration of souvenir shops in Switzerland. Reservations are a must during the busy summer season. Note that not all hotels are open all year round. If you stay in a hotel in Interlaken itself, you should get an Interlaken guest card that gives you free access to all public transit in the zone around the city center....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Interlaken is small enough to get around on foot or bike. Taxis are available from either train station and most hotels. With the guest card from your hotel, you can travel around Interlaken for free (it also gives discounts to local tourist attractions). Buses around town and to Thun are available. Interlaken has the highest concentration of souvenir shops in Switzerland. Reservations are a must during the busy summer season. Note that not all hotels are open all year round. If you stay in a hotel in Interlaken itself, you should get an Interlaken guest card that gives you free access to all public transit in the zone around the city center. As of March 2022 for mobile devices, Interlaken has 4G from Salt, and 5G from Sunrise and Swisscom. Free Wi-Fi is available in many public places.
Where to Stay
Reservations are a must during the busy summer season. Note that not all hotels are open all year round. If you stay in a hotel in Interlaken itself, you should get an Interlaken guest card that gives you free access to all public transit in the zone around the city center. As of March 2022 for mobile devices, Interlaken has 4G from Salt, and 5G from Sunrise and Swisscom. Free Wi-Fi is available in many public places.
Money & Budget
Interlaken has the highest concentration of souvenir shops in Switzerland. Reservations are a must during the busy summer season. Note that not all hotels are open all year round. If you stay in a hotel in Interlaken itself, you should get an Interlaken guest card that gives you free access to all public transit in the zone around the city center. As of March 2022 for mobile devices, Interlaken has 4G from Salt, and 5G from Sunrise and Swisscom. Free Wi-Fi is available in many public places.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Interlaken
Interlaken, Switzerland.
Looking at Lake Spiez
houses near body of water and mountain range
a scenic view of a lake surrounded by mountains
white fishing boat on body of water near mountains under cloudy sky
Castle of Iseltwald
white and brown house near green grass field and mountain during daytime
Harder Kulm, Interlaken, Switzerland Alps in Summer
A peaceful view on 2 paragliders in Interlacken, Switzerland
view of swiss alps, sep 2023
Interlaken, Switzerland.
Looking at Lake Spiez
houses near body of water and mountain range