Interlaken

Interlaken sits on a flat floodplain connecting Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The town functions primarily as an operational base for the Jungfrau region rather than a historic resort. Rail tracks, hotel rows, and tour operator desks line the central corridor. You come here to move outward into the Bernese Oberland.

Dining in Interlaken revolves around high-calorie alpine staples designed for mountain workers. Local menus feature Älplermagronen—macaroni cooked with potatoes, cream, and melted cheese, served with applesauce. Fish from Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, particularly Egli (perch), appears on traditional menus along the Aare river. Fondue remains available year-round, targeted primarily at international visitors along Höheweg.

• Traditional baking

  Try local chalet-style bakeries in Unterseen for Haslikuchen, a hazelnut-filled pastry native to the Oberland.

Interlaken originated as Aarmühle, an Augustinian monastery settlement founded around 1133. The monastery controlled local river crossings and land between the two lakes until its secularization in 1528. Tourism replaced farming in the early 19th century as artists and writers documented the surrounding peak panoramas. The arrival of the Bödeli Railway in 1872 and mountain rail lines turned the town into a transit node.

1. 1133

   Monastery founded

   Augustinian canons establish an abbey between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, naming the area inter lacus.

2. 1872

   Rail connection

   The Bödeli Railway links Lake Thun and Lake Brienz piers, establishing Interlaken as a rail transfer hub.

3. 1912

   Jungfraujoch summit rail

   The highest railway station in Europe opens at Jungfraujoch, anchoring Interlaken as the regional excursion base.

Choose your base by your daily departure route. If you hold early-morning mountain rail passes toward Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, stay near Interlaken Ost. If you prefer quiet evenings and residential surroundings, choose Unterseen. Centre stays put you within walking distance of both train stations but carry higher noise levels from traffic.

• Mountain hikersInterlaken Ost — Step directly onto first-wave trains toward Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.
• Quiet seekersCobblestone streets and historic chalets offer quiet nights away from group tours.
• Budget travellersMatten — Independent guesthouses offer lower nightly rates ten minutes on foot from town.

Interlaken is small enough to walk end-to-end in twenty minutes. Public transit consists of STI network buses and local train shuttle runs between Ost and West stations. Your guest card covers local bus travel inside zone 500.

• Trains run every 15-20 minutes between West and Ost stations; the ride takes three minutes.

• Show your paper or digital Interlaken Guest Card to ride local buses and West-Ost rail links free.

• Thun and Brienz passenger ferries operate frequently in summer but reduce service sharply in winter.

Interlaken pricing reflects its position as a high-volume Swiss tourist hub. Excursion transport represents your largest expense, while daily food costs align with national Swiss averages.

• Harder Kulm funicular: CHF 44

  Return ticket per adult. Half Fare Card reduces this by 50 percent.

• Lake Brienz boat cruise: CHF 35-53

  Single journey or day ticket prices depending on route length.

• Tandem paragliding flight: CHF 170-190

  Includes transport from central Interlaken to the Beatenberg takeoff site.

• Mid-range dinner main: CHF 26-42

  Typical price for a regional meat or fondue main dish in central restaurants.

• Supermarket supplies

  Coop at Interlaken Ost carries ready meals and alpine trail snacks at standard Swiss retail prices.

• Sunday shop closures

  Retail stores close on Sundays except for railway station shops at Ost and West.

• Mountain weather shifts

  Clear skies in Interlaken do not guarantee clear conditions at 3,000 meters; check live webcams before buying lift tickets.

• Luggage storage

  SBB luggage lockers at Ost and West stations accept card payment and hold large trekking packs.