Introduction
What to do
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Interlaken travel guide

Interlaken Tourism | Interlaken Guide

You're Going to Love Interlaken

With a population of 5,067, Interlaken is a must-see destination in Bern, Switzerland. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Interlaken deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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When to visit Interlaken

Interlaken in November
Estimated hotel price
$319
1 night at 3-star hotel
Interlaken in November
Estimated hotel price
$319
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Interlaken in July, when the average temperature is 62.6 °F, and the highest can go up to 73.4 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 24.8 °F, with an average temperature of 30.2 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in August, when precipitation is around 5.7″. In contrast, January is usually the driest month of the year in Interlaken, with an average rainfall of 3″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Interlaken

Plane

Although Interlaken doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Basel All airports (EAP), which is located 99 km from Interlaken. Zurich Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from SWISS, United Airlines, Air Canada and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest flight to Interlaken from the United States departs from New York and takes around 7h 45m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Interlaken, followed by SNCF. The train journey from Interlaken to Basel takes 1h 28m and costs around $36 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Innsbruck, expect to pay about $32 for a 3h 38m trip. Located 0.6 km from the city center, Interlaken Ost is the busiest station in Interlaken. Another popular train station is Interlaken Interlaken West, located 1.0 km from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Interlaken is to pick up a car rental from Zurich, which is about 92 km from Interlaken. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Alamo, among others, in Zurich.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Interlaken, including FlixBus, Bus and BlaBlaCar Bus. From Strasbourg, the bus ride to Interlaken takes 330 km and will cost you around $24. From Munich, the ticket costs about $39 for a journey of 370 km.

Plane

Although Interlaken doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Basel All airports (EAP), which is located 99 km from Interlaken. Zurich Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from SWISS, United Airlines, Air Canada and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest flight to Interlaken from the United States departs from New York and takes around 7h 45m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Interlaken, followed by SNCF. The train journey from Interlaken to Basel takes 1h 28m and costs around $36 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Innsbruck, expect to pay about $32 for a 3h 38m trip. Located 0.6 km from the city center, Interlaken Ost is the busiest station in Interlaken. Another popular train station is Interlaken Interlaken West, located 1.0 km from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Interlaken is to pick up a car rental from Zurich, which is about 92 km from Interlaken. You’ll find branches of Hertz and Alamo, among others, in Zurich.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Interlaken, including FlixBus, Bus and BlaBlaCar Bus. From Strasbourg, the bus ride to Interlaken takes 330 km and will cost you around $24. From Munich, the ticket costs about $39 for a journey of 370 km.

Airports near Interlaken

Airlines serving Interlaken

KLM
Good (1,435 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,708 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,667 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,036 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,157 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,846 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,081 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,145 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,702 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,464 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,519 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,608 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (890 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,366 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,640 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,126 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,168 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,347 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,430 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (380 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Interlaken

Average rates range from around $176 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $363 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Post Hardermannli and Hotel Blume Interlaken. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Interlaken, with prices from $80 to $691 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Interlaken are about 32% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Interlaken by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Interlaken

Most booked hotels in Interlaken

Hotel Interlaken
4 stars
Excellent (9, 2602 reviews)
$205+
Aparthotel Krone - Self Check-In
2 stars
Excellent (8.9, 658 reviews)
$184+
Gasthof Schoenegg B&B
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 2189 reviews)
$160+
Adventure Hostel Interlaken
2 stars
Excellent (8.7, 2150 reviews)
$115+
Stella Swiss Quality Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1218 reviews)
$161+
Essential by Dorint Interlaken - New Opening
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 681 reviews)
$172+

Renting a car in Interlaken

Renting a car in Interlaken costs $150 per day, on average, or $299 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 38% more expensive than at Zurich.

Expect to pay $8.10 per gallon in Interlaken (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $97.21 and $129.61. Compact (Volkswagen Golf or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Interlaken, while also 28% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Interlaken costs $150 per day, on average, or $299 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 38% more expensive than at Zurich.

Expect to pay $8.10 per gallon in Interlaken (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $97.21 and $129.61. Compact (Volkswagen Golf or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Interlaken, while also 28% cheaper than other types, on average.