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Switzerland can strain a travel budget fast if you arrive without a clear plan. A simple coffee often costs CHF 5, a bowl of soup costs CHF 18, and a hostel bed starts near CHF 50. Interlaken is one of the easiest Swiss towns to manage on a clear daily budget. Its rail passes, lake boats, marked trails, and hostel network help you control costs while visiting the Bernese Oberland.
Why Interlaken works well as a Bernese Oberland base.
Big Swiss cities such as Zurich and Geneva have high room and meal costs. Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz at the foot of the high Alps. Its outdoor sports scene and youth hostels create strong competition for budget and mid-range beds.
Once you arrive in town, lakeside walks, river paths, and valley trails cost nothing to use. Two main rail stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, connect directly to boats, buses, and mountain trains.
Top sights and activities in Interlaken by value.
Harder Kulm viewpoint and funicular.
The Harderbahn funicular climbs from Interlaken Ost to the Harder Kulm lookout at 1,322 meters in 10 minutes. A standard return ticket costs CHF 34, and the Swiss Half-Fare Card cuts that price in half. Fit walkers can also hike up the steep forest trail in about 2 hours for free. From the top deck, you see Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, and the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks.
Tandem paragliding over the lakes.
Interlaken is a major European center for tandem paragliding flights. Local schools drive passengers up to Beatenberg or Niederhorn for a 15 to 20 minute flight down to the central meadow. Expect to pay CHF 180 to CHF 210 per person before photo packages. Book your flight slot one or two days ahead during summer so you get morning wind conditions.
Jungfraujoch high alpine rail excursion.
At 3,454 meters, Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe. A standard round-trip train ticket from Interlaken Ost costs about CHF 221. A Swiss Half-Fare Card lowers the fare to about CHF 167, and the Swiss Travel Pass covers the train to Grindelwald or Wengen plus 25 percent off the top section. Take a train between 7:00 am and 8:30 am for clearer skies over the Aletsch Glacier.
Schynige Platte cogwheel train and Alpine garden.
Schynige Platte sits at 1,967 meters and gets far fewer crowds than Jungfraujoch. An old cogwheel train climbs from Wilderswil, just 15 minutes from Interlaken Ost. For a scenic rail leg between Interlaken and Montreux, consult GoldenPass Express Guide. The top station holds an Alpine garden with more than 600 mountain plant species. Walkers can follow the ridge trail to the Daube lookout and back in 3 to 4 hours.
Lake Thun and Lake Brienz boat cruises.
Passenger boats and historic paddle steamers cross both lakes from spring through autumn. The Swiss Travel Pass covers standard boat rides on both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. On Lake Brienz, get off at the Giessbach stop to walk up the forest path beside Giessbach Falls.
Daily budget breakdown for Interlaken in CHF.
| Expense item. | Budget range. | Mid-range cost. | High-end cost. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room per night. | CHF 45 to 60 in a hostel. | CHF 120 to 180 in a hotel. | CHF 250 to 400 or more. |
| Meals per day. | CHF 25 to 35 from grocery stores. | CHF 55 to 75 at casual spots. | CHF 100 or more at restaurants. |
| Jungfraujoch return ticket. | Skip or use pass discount. | CHF 167 with Half-Fare Card. | CHF 221 at full fare. |
| Paragliding flight. | Skip for free valley hikes. | CHF 180 to 210 per flight. | CHF 250 or more with video. |
| Harder Kulm funicular. | Hike up for free. | CHF 17 with Half-Fare Card. | CHF 34 at full fare. |
| Estimated daily total. | CHF 85 to 120 per day. | CHF 180 to 250 per day. | CHF 400 or more per day. |
Sample 3-day Interlaken itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival, Aare river walk, and Harder Kulm.
Arrive by train from Zurich or Bern and drop your bags at your hotel. Walk the flat 15-minute path along the Aare river between Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost. Ride the funicular or hike up to Harder Kulm in the late afternoon for views over both lakes. Walk along the Höheweg park avenue in the evening for dinner.
Day 2: Jungfraujoch or Lauterbrunnen plus Lake Brienz.
Check the mountain webcams at 7:00 am before buying a high peak ticket. If the sky is clear, take the early train up to Jungfraujoch and return by early afternoon. In the afternoon, board a boat at Interlaken Ost for a cruise on Lake Brienz to Giessbach Falls. Pick up picnic food at the Migros or Coop supermarket near the station to cut dinner costs.
Day 3: Morning outdoor sport and Schynige Platte.
Keep the morning open for a booked paragliding flight, a kayak session, or a valley walk. After lunch, take the short train ride to Wilderswil and board the cogwheel train to Schynige Platte. Visit the Alpine garden and walk the panoramic ridge trail before taking the last train down.
How to pick a rail pass and book your stay.
Compare the Swiss Travel Pass and the Swiss Half-Fare Card on the SBB website before you pay. A 3-day Swiss Travel Pass covers intercity trains, local buses, and boats on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The Swiss Half-Fare Card costs CHF 120 for one month and cuts most train, boat, and cableway tickets by 50 percent.
Use the links below to compare flights, hotels, and car rentals for your trip.
- Compare Interlaken hotels and guesthouses on Trip.com.
- Search flights to Zurich and Geneva airports on Aviasales.
- Compare rental car rates in Switzerland on GetRentacar.
Pair your stay with our Lauterbrunnen Valley travel guide for waterfall walks just 22 minutes away by train. You can also check our best time to visit Switzerland guide to compare summer and winter weather.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Interlaken.
How many days should you spend in Interlaken?
Three days gives you enough time for one high peak, a lake boat trip, and a half-day hike. Stay four or five days if you want to visit Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren, and Grindelwald from one base.
Is Interlaken worth visiting on a tight budget?
Yes, Interlaken works well for careful budgets because it has several hostels and large Coop and Migros grocery stores. Free lakeside paths and forest trails let you fill whole days without buying lift tickets.
What is the best time of year to visit Interlaken?
June through September brings the warmest weather and opens all high mountain trails and boat routes. May and October bring smaller crowds and lower hotel rates, though some high cableways close for maintenance. December through March suits skiers heading up to Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. To choose a base for the Jungfrau excursions, weigh Where to Stay in the Jungfrau Region.
How far is Interlaken from Zurich by train?
Direct trains from Zurich main station to Interlaken Ost take about 2 hours via Bern and Thun. Trains run every 30 to 60 minutes throughout the day, and the track follows the shore of Lake Thun.
Is the Jungfraujoch train ticket worth the high price?
The trip is worth the fare only on a clear, sunny day when you can see the Aletsch Glacier. Check the live Jungfrau webcam before you buy your ticket at the station. Skip the high summit if thick fog or storm clouds cover the peaks.
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