🇨🇭 Switzerland · Travel Guide
Interlaken Travel Guide
The Alpine adventure gateway between two lakes, under the Jungfrau.
Set on a flat river plain between the turquoise Lakes Thun and Brienz, Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau region — the postcard heart of the Swiss Alps. It’s the base for Grindelwald, the Lauterbrunnen valley of waterfalls, and the railway to Jungfraujoch, the “Top of Europe”. Effortlessly safe, scenic and easy to reach, it’s a dream for solo travellers, hikers and anyone chasing a cool-summer mountain escape.
Plan my free Interlaken itinerary📅 Best time
June–September for hiking, lake swimming and clear peaks; December–March for skiing in nearby Grindelwald and Wengen. May and October are quiet, green and good value between the two.
💷 Daily budget
$150–250+ a day — Switzerland is one of the priciest places in Europe, though tap water, picnics, the Co-op/Migros supermarkets and travel passes soften the blow.
🗓️ Ideal length
3–4 days for the town, a lake, and one or two big mountain excursions.
💱 Currency
Swiss Franc (CHF)
🗣️ Language
German (Swiss German), but English is very widely and comfortably spoken across this tourist region.
Is Interlaken safe?
General safety
Switzerland is consistently ranked among the safest countries in the world, and Interlaken is a calm, orderly resort town with very low crime. The real hazards are mountain-weather and altitude on the high trails — check conditions, and treat the Alps with respect.
Solo female travellers
Exceptional for solo women — walking alone after dark in town is completely normal, and the trains and mountain railways are spotless, punctual and safe. On the trails, the sensible caution is alpine, not personal: tell someone your route and watch the weather.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Switzerland is welcoming and progressive — same-sex marriage has been legal since 2022. Interlaken is a small resort town without a dedicated scene, but LGBTQ+ visitors are met with the same easygoing courtesy as anyone; Zurich holds the country’s main scene and Pride.
Safety guidance is general and can change — always check your government’s latest travel advice before you go.
Top things to do in Interlaken
- Harder Kulm — the funicular to Interlaken’s panoramic “Two Lakes Bridge” viewpoint
- The Lauterbrunnen valley and its 72 waterfalls (Staubbach, Trümmelbach)
- Grindelwald–First and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks
- The Jungfrau Railway to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station
- Boat trips and swimming on Lakes Thun and Brienz
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Getting around & essentials
Switzerland’s rail is world-class — Interlaken has two stations (Ost and West), with scenic trains and cablecars fanning out to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren and up to Jungfraujoch. A regional or Swiss Travel Pass usually pays off; you rarely need a car.
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Plan my trip — freeInterlaken FAQs
Is Interlaken safe for solo female travellers?
Very — Switzerland is one of the safest countries anywhere, and Interlaken is a calm resort town where walking alone at night and using the trains solo are completely comfortable. The real caution is alpine (weather and altitude on high trails), not personal safety.
Is Interlaken expensive?
Yes — Switzerland is among Europe’s most expensive countries. You can soften it with supermarket picnics, tap water (it’s excellent), a Swiss Travel Pass and free lakeside and valley hikes.
How many days do you need in Interlaken?
Three to four days lets you enjoy the town and a lake plus one or two big mountain excursions such as Grindelwald–First, Lauterbrunnen or Jungfraujoch.
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