Interlaken, Switzerland was the first stop on my most recent Grand Rail tour of Switzerland itinerary. Interlaken is a picturesque town located in the Berner Oberland region of the Swiss Alps, in the Swiss Canton of Bern. Its history is intertwined with the development of tourism in the Swiss Alps. The town has become a popular destination for visitors seeking to appreciate the magnificent landscapes that surround the city and pursue outdoor activities.
Some quick history of Interlaken, Switzerland
The name “Interlaken” is derived from Latin, meaning “between the lakes,” and is aptly attributed to its location between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.
The first documented settlements in the region date back to the 12th century.
Interlaken’s reputation as a tourist destination started in the early 19th century. Travelers from across Europe were drawn to the amazing scenery of the Berner Oberland and the Jungfrau region. The Jungfrau region includes the iconic mountain peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and the Jungfrau. Interlaken is just a short train ride to the picturesque villages of Gimmelwald, Wengen and the breathtaking Lauterbrunnen valley.
With its proximity to the mountains, Interlaken became a hub for adventure tourists pursuing mountaineering, hiking, and skiing. Today, there are year-round outdoor opportunities, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, skydiving/paragliding, and water sports on lakes Brienz and Thun. Interlaken also offers the opportunity for gambling, and shopping for luxury goods.
The region is also a destination for movie producers, as the Jungfrau region is featured heavily in Bollywood movies, as well as Hollywood films such as Clint Eastwood’s “the Eiger Sanction”, and the James Bond thriller, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”.
Where to Stay in Interlaken, Switzerland
My tour set me up at The Hey Hotel, Höheweg 7, 3800 Interlaken. This 4-Star boutique hotel is in the center of the Altstadt, approximately a block from the Interlaken West train station. My arrival was from Interlaken Ost, but even that was an easy 15–20-minute walk.
The Hey Hotel has its own restaurant, but there are plenty of other options to satisfy you preference of the day within walking distance.
Travel tip: Finding a laundromat in Switzerland is kind of like playing a game of “Where’s Waldo?”. There is a laundromat behind The Hey Hotel on Poststrasse. A wash and dry for a load will run about 20 CHF. Don’t worry about soap as the dosing is integrated with the washer. They use environmentally friendly products.
Other options in Interlaken
Victoria Jungfrau Gand Hotel & Spa, Höheweg 41, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland
5-Star grand resort hotel in the heart of Interlaken. Beautiful view of the Alps
Hotel Royal St Georges Interlaken MGallery Collection Interlaken Höheweg 139, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland
4-star superior hotel is located 984 feet from the Harderbahn Funicular Railway
What to do in Interlaken, Switzerland
Explore Interlaken
I hadn’t been to Interlaken before. Beyond the train stations, that is. As such, I took the opportunity to explore the town of Interlaken itself. The main street, Höheweg, is lined with shops, hotels and restaurants. For the shoppers out there, Interlaken’s shops offer plenty of Swiss souvenirs, including chocolate, Swiss watches, and regional products.
Schynige Platte (Schynige Plateau)
The journey starts with a cog-wheeled train ride from the town of Winderswil. Winderswil is only a 5-minute train ride from Interlaken Ost.
The Schynige Platte is approximately an hour train ride from Interlaken Ost. You switch trains in Winderswil and board the Schynige Platte cogwheel train. The train(description). At the top, there is a hotel and restaurant that hosts daily Alphorn presentations. There is an Alpine Garden filled with plants indigenous to the alps and this altitude.
If hiking is your thing, there are plenty of paths offering opportunities for breathtaking pictures of the surrounding mountains, the valley below. This is also a starting point, should you want to hike down to Gindlewald.
Fantastically, though it was a bit hazy, I was able to see the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, as well as look down into the Lauterbrunnen valley.
Cost:
The ticket is 71.20 CHF round trip from Interlaken Ost (October 2023). The Swiss Half-fare card drops it down to 35.60 CHF. Plan for 2- 3 hours for this excursion. Longer should you want to enjoy more time on the plateau or take a hike.
Other excursions from Interlaken, Switzerland
Visit Lauterbrunnen and the Jungfraujoch
I have visited the Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen a couple of times over the past couple of years. Coupled with the fact that I had limited time due to my itinerary, I didn’t make the trip to the Jungrau this time. I recommend that if you do go to the Jungfrau, often referred to as the “Top of Europe”, that you go early in the morning. It will be less crowded, but also give you the best chance for clear skies. Clouds tend to build at the mountaintops as the day progresses.
The journey itself is an experience. There are two ways to get to the junction of Kleine Scheidegg from Interlaken Ost. First is taking the train to Grindelwald, where you will switch to a gondola to get further on the journey. The second is taking the train to Lauterbrunnen where you will switch to a scenic cog-wheeled train ride that takes you up the mountain past the town of Wengen and through meadows and pristine forests. From Kleine Scheidegg you complete the trek by ascending THROUGH the Eiger and Mönch mountains. There are two stops along the path where they have carved windows out on to the Eis Gletscher (Ice Glacier) and one that looks out over the valley.
At the end of the journey is the Jungfraujoch station. This station is at 11,332 feet (3,454 meters) and is the highest rail station in Europe. Remember to pack a jacket as this is a world of year-round ice and snow.
What to do on the Jungfrau
The Jungfrau complex offers several attractions. There is the Ice Palace, an underground labyrinth carved into the glacier and filled with ice carvings. There is a Lindt Chocolate shop if you need that sugar kick at the high altitude. You can also visit the highest café in Europe and look out the panoramic windows. Don’t forget to take the elevator up to the Sphinx observatory for an even higher viewing perspective.
Cost:
The ticket is 213.80 CHF round trip from Interlaken Ost (October 2023). The Swiss Half-fare card drops it down to 141.80 CHF. Plan for a minimum of 5-1/2 hours, but this can be an all-day trip, depending on how long you spend at the top, and the travel path. Tickets can be purchased via Viator.
Hike around the Lauterbrunnen valley
The spectacular Lauterbrunnen valley features 72 waterfalls, lush green meadows, and picturesque villages. The valley is also renowned for being the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s middle earth.
Things to do if staying in Interlaken, Switzerland
Interlaken is also a hub for adrenaline junkies. There are opportunities to go skydiving, or paragliding. Companies offer the ability for inexperienced folks to tandem jump/fly with an instructor over the Interlaken valley. The brochures look amazing. Unfortunately, the Old Man in a Hat exceeds the weight limits ☹. This also gives me an excuse as I also have an aversion to heights 😊
Gambling
While gambling isn’t my thing, Interlaken has a casino located in the heart of town.
Take a cruise on Lake Thun or Brienz
Cruising the lakes provides a picture-perfect opportunity to relax and appreciate the amazing surroundings. The Swiss Half-Fare card can be leveraged to reduce the cost of the cruise.
Interlaken, Switzerland is a nice little city in the Berner Oberland to visit. Interlaken can also serve as a base camp for multiple experiences in the surrounding areas.
Travel well! Pursue experiences.
O.M.I.A.H.