Interlaken Tourism Guide 2026: Complete Travel Guide for Your Perfect Swiss Vacation

• Best time to visit Interlaken: April to October for pleasant weather & outdoor adventures, December to February for snow & winter sports
• Minimum ideal trip duration: 3–5 days to cover Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, lake cruises & adventure activities
• Average daily travel budget: ₹8,000–15,000/day (mid-range) including stay, trains, food & activities
• Essential Interlaken travel tip: Book Jungfraujoch & adventure activities like paragliding in advance, especially during summer
• Best areas to live: Lauterbrunnen (mountain houses), Grindelwald (luxury mountain villages), or Lake Brienz to have a scenic lakeside location.
• Swiss Travel Pass: This is recommended as it will help people save money on intercity trains, mountain railways, and scenic lake cruises.

Interlaken is a year-round travel destination, though the best season to visit Interlaken is based on your form of travel adventure, whether snow or sightseeing.

Spring (April to June)

Spring brings mild weather with temperatures between 7-17°C. Flowers start blooming across the valleys, and hiking trails gradually open. Lesser traffic, which is good for first-time visitors. Snow can be found at the tops of high-rise areas.

Summer (July to early September)

Summer is the best time to visit Interlaken for outdoor enthusiasts. The temperatures vary between 18-24 °C with little precipitation. Summer’s environment attracts many tourists for hiking, paragliding, and mountain tours.

Autumn (September to October)

Autumn offers pleasant weather in early September. Temperatures average 14°C highs and 6°C lows. It is an ideal place for nature lovers & photographers to enjoy  Golden-orange landscapes and fewer crowds. 

Winter (December to February)

Winter in Interlaken turns into a snow wonderland. This is the best season to visit Interlaken for skiing, snowboarding, and snow sports. Fewer people will mean cheaper prices. Christmas markets in Interlaken also make the town much more magical. 

Interlaken is a breathtaking location with several stunning attractions worth seeing, and that will plunge your journey into Switzerland.

• Jungfraujoch: It is one of the most iconic places to visit in Switzerland for first-time visitors, located at 3,454m above sea level. The panorama observation deck has unreal snow scenes all year round, the Ice Palace, and the glacier walks.
• Harder Kulm Viewpoint: This viewpoint provides postcard-perfect scenery of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with the Alps as a backdrop. It is just 10 minutes by funicular from Interlaken and is the ideal short tour for sunset lovers and photography enthusiasts.
• Schilthorn: This mountain peak has a 360-degree restaurant called Piz Gloria, and it is the place where James Bond was filmed. The mountain is very beautiful with clear views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains.

• Lauterbrunnen Valley: Often called “the most beautiful valley in the world”, this fairytale village has 72 waterfalls, alpine cottages, and dreamy Swiss meadows. It is among the best places to visit in Interlaken to have tranquil walks, photography, and mountain train tours.
• Grindelwald: This is a very nice alpine village that has a good Swiss architecture and a view of the giant Eiger North Face. You can enjoy Cliff Walk, zipline, hiking trails, and glacial attractions.

• Lake Brienz & Lake Thun Cruises: These are crystal clear lakes that provide spectacular boat tours with the Alpine views. It is one of the best Interlaken family attractions.
• Grindelwald First Adventure Park: Full of Mountain carts, Switzerland Cliff Walk, Ziplining and hiking, it is an ideal vacation place among thrill seekers and families.

Interlaken boasts an ideal combination of Swiss Alpine cuisine, local cafes and dining with the view of the lake. Sample the Swiss cheese fondue or raclette in one of the mountain towns in Interlaken, like Grindelwald. Visit Huesi Bierhaus to get Swiss-German comfort foods and beer. Spend time on the lakeside dining in Bönigen, Brienz, or Thun for romantic settings.

• Paragliding: It is one of the most iconic things to do in Interlaken for adventure lovers and first-time flyers. Take a tandem flight and fly over two lakes and the Swiss Alps, with a trained pilot.
• Kayaking and Boat tours: These boat tours are to experience glass-like glacier water, serene scenery and mountains either in Lake Brienz or Lake Thun. Interlaken’s summer and early autumn are favourable for kayaking and boat tours.
• Hiking: From easy valley walks in Lauterbrunnen to premium alpine hikes in Grindelwald & Mürren, Interlaken is a hiker’s paradise. 
• Skiing & snowboarding: Interlaken is a perfect ski base with access to Grindelwald (all levels), Wengen (intermediate), and Mürren (expert terrain). These are the activities that cannot be left behind in Interlaken during winter.

• Lake Cruises: Lake cruise includes a 12-day Swiss Travel pass, allowing an easy boat ride through Castles, mountains and Swiss villages down the lake.
• Sunset Experience: Take a short funicular tour that will take you to one of the best sunset spots in Switzerland, the Harder Kulm. This must be added to the Switzerland honeymoon packages.

Hoheweg Street: It is one of the famous Interlaken markets where visitors can find Swiss chocolates, watches, souvenirs, adventure boutiques, and local boutiques. It is among the most appropriate areas for purchasing presents and genuine Swiss products.

How to Reach Interlaken from Major Cities

From Zurich Airport (ZRH)

• By Train: 2 hours, direct services through Bern or Lucerne. It is also the most scenic and quickest. 
• By Car / Private Transfer: 2 hours 15 mins, which is suitable for families or group travel

From Geneva Airport (GVA)

• By Train: 3 hours 10 minutes, via Bern. Comfortable but longer journey 
• By Car: 2 hours 50 mins

• Train Network: Interlaken has two main stations: Interlaken Ost (East) & Interlaken West. Interlaken trains connect directly to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Wengen, Mürren, Lucerne, and Zermatt. 
• Buses & Local Transfers: Local buses cover Interlaken town & surrounding villages. 
• Taxis & Ride-Sharing: They are available but expensive. It is best when you reserve for late-night transfers or luggage transport.

Note: Get a Swiss Travel Pass, which can allow you to ride unlimited trains, buses, boats & also get mountain entry discounts as well as the best value for 3+ day Switzerland itineraries.

• Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa
• Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage
• Hotel Royal St. Georges Interlaken

• Hotel Interlaken
• Carlton-Europe Vintage Adults Hotel
• Hotel Du Nord
• Hotel Krebs

• Balmers Hostel
• Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof
• Adventure Guesthouse
• Youth Hostel Interlaken

Indian travellers require a Swiss Schengen visa in advance to visit Interlaken. Switzerland visa application must be submitted either to the Swiss Embassy or the VFS Global Centres. It typically requires 10 -15 working days to be processed. 

Tips: You can apply at least 4 weeks before your travel date to have a smooth processing.

Interlaken stands as one of the magnificent vacation spots in 2026 with the combination of stunning natural beauty, thrilling adventure activities, and Swiss efficiency. The trip becomes extra special by booking an Interlaken holiday package through Pickyourtrail. Access expertly curated Switzerland tour packages or customise based on personal preferences and interests. Expert visa specialists handle the entire visa process. Constant concierge support ensures a smooth and hassle-free trip experience.