Things to Do in Interlaken: The Complete Activity Guide

Reaching Interlaken is easy thanks to Switzerland’s local transportation. Direct trains connect the town with major Swiss cities, making it one of the most accessible destinations in the country.

• From Zurich: Around 2 hours by direct train
• From Bern: Approximately 1 hour
• From Lucerne: Around 2 hours via one of Switzerland’s most scenic train routes through Brienz

Most train routes to Interlaken are covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, making travel convenient for tourists exploring multiple destinations.

Interlaken has two main railway stations:

• Interlaken Ost – The primary gateway to the Jungfrau region, with trains to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, and Jungfraujoch.
• Interlaken West – More convenient for hotels, restaurants, shopping streets, and the town centre.

The two stations are only about 10 minutes apart on foot, making it easy to move around without needing a car.

From soaring above the Alps to gliding across the glacial lakes, Interlaken features some of the best activities in Switzerland.

The centrepiece of any Interlaken itinerary is exploring the famous Jungfraujoch. Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe and can be reached from Interlaken Ost via a 2.5-hour railway journey through Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald, ascending through the mountain via the famous Jungfrau Tunnel. At the summit, you can visit the Sphinx Observatory, which offers panoramic 360° views, the Aletsch Glacier (the longest in the Alps), an ice palace carved inside the glacier, a restaurant, and a snow terrace.

• Ticket fares: Tickets cost around CHF 145–175 per adult for a round trip (approximately INR 14,500–17,500), while Swiss Travel Pass holders receive a 25% discount. During the peak summer months of July and August, booking in advance is highly recommended.

See our full Jungfrau Railway guide for detailed advice on booking and what to expect.

The local mountain viewpoint above the town is a short, sharp funicular ride that delivers one of Switzerland's most immediately impressive panoramas, Lake Thun to the west, Lake Brienz to the east, the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau directly ahead. The Harder Kulm Two Lakes Bridge is the most photographed viewpoint in the entire Interlaken area, and the 10-minute funicular from the valley station (5 minutes walk from Interlaken Ost) makes it the easiest mountain excursion in the region.

Return funicular: CHF 44 per adult (approximately INR 4,400), with a 50% discount available for Swiss Travel Pass holders. The funicular typically operates from April to November.

Paragliding in Interlaken is one of the most popular things to do in Switzerland. It offers incredible aerial views of the Swiss Alps, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz. Tandem flights usually start from the hills above Interlaken, such as Beatenberg, and glide smoothly over the valley with views of the famous Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.

No previous experience is needed because a trained instructor handles the entire flight. The experience usually lasts around 20–40 minutes, depending on weather conditions, and even children can participate with certain operators.

• Prices: CHF 170–230 per person (approximately INR 17,000–23,000)
• Best months: May–September.

The Bond mountain. The Schilthorn at 2,970 metres, reached via Lauterbrunnen and Mürren by cable car, offers 360-degree views across over 200 alpine peaks and the unique combination of the Bond World exhibition, the world's first revolving restaurant (Piz Gloria), and the Birg Thrill Walk. It's often less crowded than Jungfraujoch and significantly cheaper.

Return from Stechelberg: CHF 104–108 (50% off with Swiss Travel Pass). Journey: ~1.5 hrs from Interlaken.

Located just 30 minutes from Interlaken by train, Grindelwald is one of the most popular mountain destinations in the Jungfrau region. From here, the First gondola takes visitors up to First at 2,168 metres in around 25 minutes, offering spectacular Alpine views throughout the journey.

The main highlight is the famous First Cliff Walk by Tissot, a thrilling metal walkway built along the edge of the mountain with panoramic views of the Eiger and surrounding peaks. Parts of the walkway even feature glass-floor sections for an extra adrenaline rush, and the attraction is free once you reach the summit.

Adventure lovers can also try:

• First Flyer – one of Switzerland’s most exciting alpine ziplines
• Mountain Carts – downhill rides on three-wheeled carts
• Trottibikes – scooter-style downhill biking experiences

All activities can be booked on-site or through the Jungfrau Railways app.

Gondola Return Ticket: CHF 55–65 (approximately INR 5,500–6,500) from Grindelwald Jungfrau Travel Pass holders can ride for free.

Located just 20 minutes from Interlaken by train, Lauterbrunnen is one of the most beautiful valleys in Switzerland, famous for its towering cliffs, green meadows, and dramatic waterfalls. The valley is home to 72 waterfalls, including the iconic Staubbach Falls, which plunge nearly 300 metres directly beside the village and can be viewed for free.

Another major highlight is Trümmelbach Falls, a series of powerful underground glacier waterfalls hidden inside the mountain. Entry costs around CHF 14 (approximately INR 1,400), and it is considered one of the most unique natural attractions in Switzerland.

Lauterbrunnen also serves as a gateway to the wider Jungfrau region:

• Trains connect to Wengen and Kleine Scheidegg
• Cable cars from Stechelberg lead to Mürren and Schilthorn
• Connections are available for the famous Jungfraujoch excursion

Lake Brienz is famous for its striking turquoise water, created by fresh glacial melt from the surrounding Alps. Located just minutes from Interlaken Ost, the lake is one of the most scenic places to visit in the Jungfrau region and is especially beautiful during summer.

One of the best experiences here is the scenic boat cruise from Interlaken to Brienz, which takes around 45 minutes and is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass. Along the route, boats stop near the stunning Giessbach Falls, where a historic funicular railway leads up to the iconic Grandhotel Giessbach overlooking the waterfalls.

During the summer, visitors can also enjoy:

• Kayaking
• Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)
• Swimming
• Lakeside picnics

The lake temperature reaches around 18–20°C in July and August, making it cold but still comfortable enough for swimming and water activities.

Lake Thun, located west of Interlaken, is larger and slightly warmer than Lake Brienz, with summer water temperatures reaching around 22°C by July. The lake is popular for swimming, relaxing cruises, and scenic lakeside experiences, especially during the warmer months.

Boat cruises connect Interlaken with beautiful towns like Spiez, known for its charming lakeside castle, and Thun, famous for its historic old town and impressive hilltop castle. Along the shoreline, visitors will also find several well-maintained public swimming areas known as “Badi”.

Both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz cruises are fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, making lake hopping one of the most scenic and budget-friendly experiences in the Interlaken region.

Interlaken is home to one of the best-known bungee jumping locations in Switzerland, the Stockhorn bridge above the Simmenfälle gorge, with a 134-metre drop above the rushing river below. Other operators offer bungee from the Glacier Canyon near Grindelwald. Prices typically start at CHF 149–180(approximately INR 14,900–18,000) per jump.

Interlaken is not only about adventure sports and mountain excursions, but the town also offers a peaceful side perfect for relaxing between activities. The beautiful Höhematte park in the centre of Interlaken is famous for its wide open green lawns and stunning views of the Jungfrau peak framed by elegant historic hotels.

The nearby Höheweg shopping street is ideal for leisurely walks, cafés, and souvenir shopping, while the covered market near Interlaken West is a great place to explore Swiss chocolates, cheese, watches, and outdoor gear. It is the perfect area to slow down and enjoy the classic Swiss Alpine atmosphere.

• Use Interlaken Ost for everything mountain-related. All Jungfrau region trains depart from the East station. The West station is better for town errands and the Lake Thun boats.
• Book mountain excursions in advance. Jungfraujoch, Schilthorn, and the First gondola all sell out on peak summer weekends. Booking online 48 hours ahead is the minimum; 2–4 weeks for July–August.
• Interlaken is expensive, but accommodation is reasonably priced. Budget hostels like Balmers start from CHF 40(approximately INR 4,000)/dorm bed; mid-range hotels from CHF 160/night; the Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel at the luxury end from CHF 380/night.
• Weather window for your activities. Mountain excursions require clear skies. Check MeteoSwiss the evening before and be flexible enough to swap a mountain day for a lake day if clouds are low.
• Adventure sports book up. Paragliding, bungee, and white-water rafting operators have limited daily capacity in summer. Book at least 2–3 days ahead in peak season.

From breathtaking mountain excursions and scenic lake cruises to paragliding, hiking, and thrilling outdoor sports, Interlaken offers some of the most unforgettable experiences in the Swiss Alps. Whether you are visiting for relaxation, adventure, or panoramic scenery, the town perfectly captures the beauty and excitement of the Jungfrau region. Travellers looking to experience the best things to do in Interlaken can also explore customised Switzerland adventure packages that combine mountain adventures, scenic train journeys, Alpine villages, and iconic Swiss attractions into one unforgettable trip.