[FREE Guide] Exploring Interlaken and Grindelwald, Switzerland
How to get to Interlaken
When we visited Interlaken, we chose to do a day trip from Bern. Read more about what to do in Bern and why we chose Bern as our Switerzland home base here:
Whether you're staying in Bern, Zürich, Basel, Lucerne or anywhere else in Switzerland, here's how to plan a smooth journey to Interlaken. We used our Saver Day Pass for all of our transportation in and around Interlaken.
Train Distances from Popular Destinations:
Bern to Interlaken - 1 hour (runs approximately every 30 mins)
Zürich to Interlaken - 2 hours (runs approximately every 30 mins)
Lucerne to Interlaken - 2 hours (runs approximately every 1 hour)
Basel to Interlaken - 2 hours (runs approximately every 30 mins)
Geneva to Interlaken - 3 hours (runs approximately every 1 hour)
Tourist Tip!
The SBB app allows you to easily search and save train journeys. Before starting a day trip I always pre-save several options so we can take our time exploring and never worry about missing the last train option.
Interlaken Ost is the main hub of the area. Interlaken West is a smaller stop before the main station, which you'll pass if you enter from the Lake Thun side. Interlaken Ost station offers connections for the trains into the Alps and the boats around Lake Brienz. Note that the ferry station is a short walk behind the main train station.
Cafe Stop: Marina
For more information on Switzerland's Train and Ferry system, check our free Swiss Train Guide!
Where to stay in Interlaken
During our day trip, we spent around 9 hours exploring Interlaken, Iseltwald, and Grindelwald. This was enough time to leisurely explore, enjoy cafes, lunch, and shop. We noticed a lot of hiking trails that we would have liked to explore if we had more time. Here are a few accommodations that I've bookmarked for future stays. My priorities when picking these spots were mainly budget and location.
While Grindelwald is a prettier village than Interlaken, I still suggest finding accommodation in Interlaken as its a larger town and more convenient to travel to other Swiss cities. Grindelwald is also only a 36 minute train ride from Interlaken, with trains departing every 30 minutes.
Tourist Tip!
If you do plan to stay in Grindelwald, we recommend hiring a car in advance to take you from the train to your accommodations, especially if you arrive in the town in the evening. The streets may not be lit and the walk is steep.
Accommodations for 2-3 guests
Accommodations for Larger Groups
Grindelwald
Grindelwald is a picturesque village in the Alps. The village offers many shops, restaurants, accommodations, and amazing views of the Swiss Alps. Grindelwald serves as an access point for famous Swiss mountain summits like First and Jungfraujoch.
Reaching Grindelwald by Train:
Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald (R61) - 36 minutes (runs every 30 minutes)
Tourist Tip!
Bring a water bottle and refill it at one of the public drinking fountains scattered around town. Depending on the season, you might catch a view of actual waterfalls on the mountains as you drink! These fountains flow constantly and are safe to drink unless otherwise notated with «kein Trinkwasser» which means «no drinking water» .
Throughout Switzerland, most mountain peaks are excluded from public transport passes. The Saver Day Pass and Swiss Travel Pass will bring you to Grindelwald. However, plan to buy additional tickets if you wish to reach the summit of any nearby mountains.
Tourist Tip!
The Swiss Travel Pass offers a 50% discount on many of the cable cars / gondolas to Grindelwald mountain tops. Alternatively, there are regional tourist passes such as the Berner Oberland Pass and Jungfrau Travel Pass which include popular attractions listed below!
Pfingstegg
Pfingstegg overlooks the valley of Grindelwald and is the most easily accessible and affordable mountain experience in the area.
You can reach Pfingstegg via a 5 minute long cable car ride from Grindelwald. Once there, things to do include a toboggan ride, zipline, and scenic-view dinner. Pfingstegg also serves as the starting point for several hikes including two of Grindelwald's glaciers.
Regular price cablecar return tickets to Pfingstegg costs 32 CHF. There is no need to purchase tickets in advance.
Read here for more information on Grindelwald hikes:
Grindelwald First Mountain
First [pronounced "Feerst"] is a nearby mountain most famous for its Cliff Walk. First can be reached via a 25 minute-long gondola ride from Grindelwald.
First Cliff walk is a scenic view point. It is free to visit, though most visitors will have to pay for the gondola ride up to First. Like other mountains, additional activities at the top include hiking, zip lines, bike rentals, and during the winter, sledding.
Regular priced gondola return tickets are approximately 72 CHF. While tickets don't sell out, there may be a long line at the ticket booth. Tickets can be purchased online,
Jungfraujoch: The Top of Europe
Jungfraujoch aka "The Top of Europe" sits between Jungfrau and the Mönch, some of the tallest peaks of the Bernese Alps. You can reach Jungfraujoch via a gondola, which takes about 45 minutes, or via train, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. They cost the same, and you choose your desired method for the ascent and descent from the mountain when booking your ticket.
From Jungfraujoch, you'll have panoramic views of the Aletsch Glacier and the Bernese Alps and an opportunity to visit the Ice Palace, a glacier cave with ice sculptures, restaurants and souvenirs.
Tourist Tip!
Chocolate lovers can visit the highest Lindt Chocolate shop in the world and learn some chocolate making tips from their free interactive Chocolatier experience.
Regular priced return tickets (gondola or train) are approximately 250 CHF. As of 2024, none of the regional tickets/passes include the full fare, though they may provide discounted fare prices.
Bonus stop: Iseltwald
If you enjoy Korean Dramas, we highly recommend visiting Iseltwald, the filming location of the iconic piano scene from Crash Landing on You.
Reaching Iseltwald:
Isetlwald can be reached via boat or bus. For the best experience, we recommend taking the ferry from Interlaken Ost. The ferry ticket is treated as regular public transportation and is included in travel passes like the Saver Day Pass and Swiss Travel Pass.
However, this ferry ride is anything but regular! You'll spend an hour sailing across Lake Brienz with gorgeous views of the lake, the nearby villages, and the Bernese Alps.
Tourist Tip!
Sit at the back of the boat for unobstructed pictures. You'll even get the boat's giant Swiss flag waving behind you as a backdrop.
Boat & Bus Information:
Interlaken Ost to Iseltwald (BAT59) - 1 hour (boat runs every 2 hours)
Interlaken Ost to Iseltwald (B103) - 30 minutes (bus runs every 30 minutes)
Shall we tour? We shall!
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