Interlaken Travel Guide

Pick the station that matches your mornings

Interlaken Ost is the starting point for the trains towards Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen. Interlaken West is useful for parts of the town and other arrivals. Before choosing a room, compare its route to the station you will use most, including the first morning's bus.

Wilderswil can be another base on the valley railway. It is not automatically cheaper once you add the accommodation terms and local journeys. Check the final return connection before planning dinner away from your room.

Let each day have one main destination

Keep your arrival afternoon for Hohematte, Unterseen or a short walk beside the water. Use another day for one valley, and keep a third for the mountain or lake outing that matters most. Trying to combine every famous viewpoint creates a transport-heavy day with little flexibility.

For Grindelwald, see the direct connection guide. Lauterbrunnen is a separate valley destination: choose the correct train destination and follow the station information rather than boarding by departure time alone.

Check the guest-card map first

The Interlaken guest card comes through eligible overnight stays in the listed local communities. Free local transport follows its validity map; mountain railways and boat outings have separate discounts or fares.

Compare any additional pass against a written list of journeys. Include the ticket needed above the last fully covered station, not just the part from Interlaken.

Decide on Jungfraujoch with the full price visible

For travel from 1 May to 31 October 2026, the operator requires a CHF 10 seat reservation per person in addition to the relevant travel ticket. Check the arrival and reservation rules, including your children's ticket arrangement.

Look at the summit conditions as well as the town forecast. A cheaper local walk is not the same experience, but it can be the more enjoyable choice when the view is hidden. Choose a replacement you want to do, rather than spending the whole day waiting at a station.

Continue to another base at a comfortable pace

Lucerne, Bern and Zermatt all involve different travel days. Check the timetable in your direction and avoid committing to a high mountain outing before a fixed onward departure.