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Interlaken Travel Guide
Buy Swiss FrancsInterlaken at a glance
Interlaken sits on a strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, facing the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, and it exists mostly as a base for the mountains around it. Two days covers the town and one mountain trip; three adds a lake day. There is no airport: direct trains from Zurich Airport take a little over two hours and cost about CHF 75 in second class without a pass.
Few places in Europe are as tied to Indian cinema. Yash Chopra filmed in the Swiss Alps for decades, and a bronze statue of him has stood in the Kursaal garden since May 2016; Jungfrau Railways also named a train after him. At the top of the Jungfraujoch, the Bollywood restaurant serves an Indian buffet cooked by Indian chefs.
The Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 metres the highest railway station in Europe, is the headline trip and the biggest single cost. A return from Interlaken Ost is CHF 234.80 in summer (May to October), CHF 177.20 with a Swiss Travel Pass, which covers the line to Grindelwald or Wengen and takes 25 percent off the rest, and half price with the Half Fare Card. A CHF 10 seat reservation is mandatory from 1 May to 31 October. Allow a full day, and check the summit forecast rather than the town's.
Closer to town, Harder Kulm looks down on both lakes: about CHF 44 return by funicular, half price with a pass, running from 3 April to 29 November 2026, or free if you hike up in two to three hours. The Höhematte meadow in the centre is free and has the best view of the Jungfrau. Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald are about 20 and 35 minutes away by train, and both villages are free to wander.
Where to stay
The town is small enough that any of these works; choose on price.
Central Interlaken
Closest to the Höhematte, the Harder Kulm funicular and both stations. The most convenient base, and priced for it in summer.
Unterseen
Just across the Aare, quieter and usually better value, and still a short walk from everything.
Near Interlaken West
A little further out and cheaper again, with Interlaken West station on the doorstep.
Paying in Interlaken
For the franc itself, how much cash to carry, cards, the Swiss Travel Pass and the TCS threshold, see the Switzerland travel guide.
Before you fly it is worth reading what an ATM withdrawal in Switzerland costs on an Indian card.
Cards and contactless work at restaurants, shops and the mountain railway ticket counters. Cash is only occasionally needed, at small market stalls or honesty-box stands along the trails.
What Interlaken actually costs
Set the length and style of your trip to see what to budget, in Swiss francs and Indian rupees.
Indicative, excluding international flights and accommodation, per person per day. Converted at the verified mid-market rate on 29 September 2026, CHF 1 ≈ ₹115.41, not a Matrix board rate.
Budget roughly ₹6,920 to ₹24,240 per person per day on the ground, excluding flights and accommodation.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Train from Zurich Airport, one way, second class | about CHF 75 |
| Harder Kulm funicular, return | about CHF 44 |
| Jungfraujoch return from Interlaken Ost, summer | CHF 234.80 |
| Jungfraujoch with a Swiss Travel Pass, summer | CHF 177.20 |
| Seat reservation, 1 May to 31 October | CHF 10 |
| Local buses | Free with the guest card |
Getting around
The centre is walkable. Most hotels give guests a free Interlaken guest card covering the local buses for the length of the stay; ask at check-in if it is not offered. It does not cover the mountain railways or the lake boats.
Trains to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, and on towards the Jungfraujoch, leave from Interlaken Ost roughly every 30 minutes.
Common mistakes in Interlaken
Booking the Jungfraujoch without checking the summit forecast
Cloud at 3,454 metres defeats the point. Check the mountain forecast that morning and keep a spare day if you can.
Forgetting the seat reservation
From 1 May to 31 October a CHF 10 seat reservation is mandatory on the Jungfrau Railway, on top of the ticket.
Buying the standard Jungfraujoch fare with a Swiss Travel Pass
The pass covers the line to Grindelwald or Wengen and takes 25 percent off the rest. Buy the pass-holder fare.
Fitting the Jungfraujoch and a lake day into one day
Each is a full outing. Give them separate days.
Interlaken FAQs
The Jungfraujoch, Harder Kulm, the Höhematte meadow, a boat on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun, and day trips to Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald cover the highlights in two to three days.
CHF 234.80 return from Interlaken Ost in summer, CHF 177.20 with a Swiss Travel Pass and half price with the Half Fare Card, plus a mandatory CHF 10 seat reservation from 1 May to 31 October.
Yes. The Bollywood restaurant at the top serves an Indian buffet cooked by Indian chefs, with a view over the Aletsch Glacier.
By direct train to Interlaken Ost, a little over two hours, about CHF 75 in second class. A Swiss Travel Pass covers it.
Two days covers the town and one mountain trip. Three leaves room for a lake day without rushing.
In the Kursaal garden in the centre of town, where it has stood since it was unveiled in May 2016.
More guides in Switzerland
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