Nothing quite prepares you for the moment you step off the train at Interlaken Ost and look up. The Jungfrau massif fills the southern horizon with a wall of ice and rock so improbably vast it takes several minutes for your brain to accept it as real. Switzerland's adventure capital — perched between the jade-green Thunersee to the west and the vivid turquoise of the Brienzersee to the east — is one of those rare destinations where the reality genuinely exceeds the photographs. First-time visitors arrive with high expectations and still find themselves scrambling for superlatives. This guide covers everything you need to know before you get there.
Before You Arrive
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, though it is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand do not require a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Travellers from many other countries will need a Schengen visa applied for in advance — check the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration website for your specific nationality's requirements at least six weeks before departure.
Switzerland's currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). Do not assume euros will be widely accepted in Interlaken — while some tourist-facing businesses take euros, you will often receive unfavourable exchange rates on transactions and change in a mix of currencies. Withdraw CHF from a Swiss ATM on arrival (look for PostFinance, Raiffeisen, or Migros Bank machines for low foreign fees) or exchange before you travel. Credit and debit cards — Visa and Mastercard — are accepted virtually everywhere; contactless payment is universal.
Interlaken is unambiguously Switzerland's adventure sports capital, and if outdoor activities are part of your plan, advance booking is essential rather than optional. Paragliding operators including Alpin Raft and Outdoor Interlaken routinely fill their slots two to four weeks out during July and August. Bungee jumping at Stockhorn, canyoning in the Saxeten or Grimsel gorges, and white-water rafting on the Lütschine all operate on set departure schedules. Identify your priority activities and reserve them before you book your flights — not after.
Pack for rapid weather changes at altitude. Even in midsummer, Jungfraujoch sits at 3,454 metres and temperatures hover around -7°C to 2°C year-round. A packable insulated jacket, waterproof layer, and proper walking shoes are non-negotiable even on a warm valley day. Sunscreen at altitude is far more important than most first-timers expect — UV levels above 2,000 metres are significantly higher than at sea level.
Getting from the Airport/Station
Most international visitors arrive via Zurich Airport (ZRH) — Switzerland's main hub and the logical arrival point from long-haul destinations. From Zurich Airport's underground train station (follow signs to "Bahnhof"), direct InterCity trains to Interlaken Ost run roughly every hour and take approximately two hours, with a change at either Bern or Spiez. Buy your ticket from SBB ticket machines on the platform or in advance via the SBB app. Standard second-class fare is CHF 58 one-way, with SuperSaver fares as low as CHF 29 if booked in advance.
From Bern Airport (BRN), the journey is shorter — around 60-75 minutes by bus and train combination, with the bus connecting to Bern Hauptbahnhof (main station) from where direct trains serve Interlaken West in about 50 minutes. The total connection adds up to an enjoyably straightforward journey and the airport is significantly less hectic than Zurich.
Arriving by train from major European cities, you'll come through either Bern or Basel. From Bern Hauptbahnhof, regional trains to Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost run twice hourly during daytime hours and take 50-60 minutes — the valley approach through Thun along the lakeshore is one of the more scenic train arrivals in Europe.
Interlaken has two train stations: Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, connected by a short regional train and a 20-minute walk along the Höheweg. Most intercity services from Bern arrive at both stations sequentially. Interlaken Ost is the departure point for mountain railways to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Jungfraujoch. Know which station is closest to your accommodation before you travel.
Getting Around
Interlaken's town centre is compact enough that nearly everything within it is reachable on foot. The main promenade, Höheweg, runs between the two stations and constitutes the spine of tourist Interlaken — a leisurely 20-minute walk connects West to Ost with the Jungfrau massif as an almost surreal backdrop throughout.
For exploring beyond the town, the regional train network operated by Berner Oberland-Bahnen (BOB) and Jungfraubahn is comprehensive and reliable. From Interlaken Ost, trains branch in two directions: southeast toward Grindelwald (20 minutes, CHF 11.60 one-way) and south toward Lauterbrunnen (20 minutes, CHF 7.20 one-way). From Lauterbrunnen, connections continue to Wengen and Mürren — the latter requiring a cable car from Grütschalp. All of these are spectacular journeys in their own right.
The Swiss Travel Pass (available for 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive days from CHF 244) covers unlimited travel on SBB trains and most regional railways, plus free or half-price entry on many mountain railways. If you're planning to visit Schynige Platte, First above Grindelwald, and make multiple valley trips, calculate whether the pass saves money versus buying individual tickets — it often does for stays of four or more days.
Bicycle rental from several hostels and the Migros parking area offers perhaps the most enjoyable way to explore the lakeshores and valley cycling paths at around CHF 20-30 per day. The terrain between the lakes is genuinely flat and the cycling infrastructure excellent. E-bikes are available for CHF 45-60 per day if you want to extend your range into the gentler hillside trails.
Where to Base Yourself
First-time visitors face a genuine choice between staying in Interlaken town itself or opting for one of the smaller villages further up the valley — each has distinct advantages depending on your priorities.
Interlaken Ost area is the backpacker and budget traveller hub. The neighbourhood around the eastern station concentrates the hostels, mid-range hotels, and activity booking offices that serve the adventure sports market. It's lively, social, and extremely convenient for early-morning mountain railway departures. The energy is international and youthful — excellent for solo travellers and those who want spontaneous company. The main downside is that the immediate streetscape is functional rather than beautiful, though the mountain views compensate comprehensively.
Interlaken West and the Höheweg promenade attract more traditional hotels catering to families and couples who want easy access to the town's restaurants, shops, and the Casino Kursaal gardens. The neighbourhood is quieter and slightly more polished, with a broader range of mid-range and luxury accommodation. It's well-placed for the Harder Kulm funicular and Thunersee lakeside walking.
Grindelwald village, 30 minutes by train, is worth considering as a base if your primary interest is mountain hiking rather than town nightlife. It sits directly beneath the Eiger's north face and gives easier access to First, Männlichen, and the beginning of the Eiger Trail. Accommodation costs similar to or slightly above Interlaken central, but the mountain immersion is complete from the moment you arrive.
Lauterbrunnen offers perhaps the most dramatic valley setting of all — a sheer-walled gorge with the Staubbach waterfall plunging 300 metres and the distant sound of more falls from hidden side valleys. A small number of accommodation options sit in the village, which is quaint, unhurried, and accessed by direct train from Interlaken Ost.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Switzerland operates with a precision and quietness that can surprise visitors more accustomed to louder southern European or Asian travel cultures. Understanding a few cultural fundamentals makes the experience significantly more enjoyable and avoids inadvertent friction with locals who are, overwhelmingly, hospitable and helpful when approached respectfully.
Punctuality is genuinely important in Swiss culture — not just for trains (which run to the second), but in social and commercial interactions. If you've booked an activity for 9:00am, arrive at 8:50am. If you've made a restaurant reservation, honour it or call to cancel. The Swiss find lateness genuinely discourteous rather than merely inconvenient.
Interlaken is predominantly German-speaking (it sits in the German-speaking Bernese Oberland), and while virtually every person working in tourism speaks excellent English, opening an interaction with a "Grüezi" (the Swiss German greeting, pronounced "GROO-et-see") or "Danke" (thank you) is warmly received. The Swiss-German dialect spoken locally is quite different from standard German, but standard German is universally understood. The distinction matters for phone conversations with local businesses.
Hiking trail etiquette is worth noting for first-timers. On narrow mountain paths, those descending traditionally have priority, though local custom varies. Greeting fellow walkers with "Grüezi" as you pass is standard practice and contributes to the remarkably friendly atmosphere on Swiss trails. Litter is essentially invisible on Swiss mountain paths — pack everything out and leave no trace is the absolute standard.
Tipping in Switzerland is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for good service is appropriate. At cafés or for small food purchases, rounding to the nearest franc is the norm. Taxi drivers expect a small round-up. The Swiss generally dislike ostentatious tipping as much as they dislike miserliness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
First-time visitors to Interlaken make a remarkably consistent set of errors that range from mildly annoying to genuinely trip-compromising. Knowing what they are in advance is the simplest form of travel insurance.
Not booking adventure activities far enough in advance. This is the single most common regret reported by first-timers. Paragliding, bungee jumping, skydiving, and the premium canyoning routes have finite daily capacities, and during July and August they fill two to four weeks out. Visitors who leave activity booking until arrival frequently find their chosen experience fully booked for their entire stay. Reserve your priority activities the moment you confirm your travel dates.
Going straight to Jungfraujoch without checking the weather. At CHF 215+ roundtrip, arriving at the Top of Europe to find the summit shrouded in cloud is a painful and expensive disappointment. Check the Jungfraujoch webcam (jungfrau.ch/live) the evening before and the morning of your planned visit. Clear weather days are identifiable by the striking blue-sky views on the live cameras; overcast summit shots are a firm signal to postpone.
Underestimating how cold mountain environments are. Visitors dressed for warm valley temperatures regularly emerge from the Jungfraujoch tunnel in sandals and a t-shirt into -10°C wind. Even experienced travellers forget that altitude transforms the climate entirely. Bring an insulated jacket, gloves, and a hat in your daypack on any mountain excursion regardless of the valley forecast.
Ignoring the smaller mountains in favour of Jungfraujoch. The Schynige Platte and First are frequently overlooked by first-timers fixated on the famous summit. Both offer extraordinary alpine scenery, excellent hiking, and far more intimate experiences at a fraction of the Jungfraujoch price. Schynige Platte's alpine garden in bloom from late June is one of the genuinely great mountain experiences in Switzerland.
Eating every meal in restaurants. Switzerland's restaurant prices are real and they add up fast — CHF 25-40 for a main course is entirely normal. First-timers who don't build supermarket lunches and hostel-kitchen dinners into their plan routinely blow their food budget by day three. The Migros and Coop supermarkets are excellent, well-stocked, and absolutely used by Swiss people daily.
Travelling without a reusable water bottle. Swiss tap water and mountain spring water are among the finest in the world and entirely safe to drink straight. Not bringing a reusable bottle and buying plastic mineral water at CHF 3-4 per litre across a week-long stay represents an unnecessary expense and environmental impact.
Missing the Lauterbrunnen valley. The tourist infrastructure around Interlaken town is so comprehensive that some visitors never board the train to Lauterbrunnen — and leave without seeing the valley that inspired J.R.R. Tolkien's Rivendell. It's a 20-minute train ride from Interlaken Ost and one of the most beautiful places in Europe. It should appear on every first-timer's itinerary.
