4-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Interlaken, Switzerland

  • Day 1: Explore Interlaken
    10 minutes (3.3 miles) from Interlaken OST Station

    Start your journey in Interlaken by exploring the town and its surrounding areas. Begin with a scenic walk through the main street, Hoheweg, where you can admire the snow-capped mountains and indulge in some souvenir shopping. Later, hop on a cruise on Lake Thun or Brienz and explore the famous Giessbach Falls. In the evening, enjoy a hearty Swiss dinner at a local restaurant.

  • Day 2: Jungfraujoch and Grindelwald
    1 hour and 20 minutes (28 miles) from Interlaken OST Station

    Embark on a journey through the Swiss Alps by visiting the highest railway station in Europe, Jungfraujoch. Take a scenic train ride that crosses through the scenic villages of Lauterbrunnen and Wengen before you reach the top. Enjoy panoramic views of the Swiss Alps from the Sphinx Observatory and walk through the Ice Palace. Afterward, make a stop at the picturesque village of Grindelwald, which is known for its scenic beauty and skiing resorts.

  • Day 3: Adventure in Interlaken
    10 minutes (2.7 miles) from Interlaken OST Station

    Spend your day indulging in adventure activities in Interlaken. Start with a paragliding or skydiving experience, where you can admire the stunning Swiss landscape from above. Later, try your hand at canyoning, white water rafting or rock climbing. In the evening, unwind at an indoor or outdoor swimming pool at a local hotel.

  • Day 4: Schynige Platte and Harder Kulm
    30 minutes (9 miles) from Interlaken OST Station

    Take a train to Schynige Platte, which is famous for its Alpine Garden and Botanical museum. Explore the stunning flora of the Swiss Alps that bloom here in summer. Afterward, visit Harder Kulm, which offers panoramic views of the town of Interlaken and the iconic ‘Three Sisters’ mountains. In the evening, enjoy a Swiss chocolate tasting session to indulge in the Swiss chocolates.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Interlaken Main Street (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Lake Thun or Brienz cruises (2-3 hours, CHF 30-60 per person)
  • Jungfraujoch (5-6 hours, CHF 120-190 per person)
  • Grindelwald (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Adventure Activities (3-4 hours, CHF 100-300 per person)
  • Schynige Platte (3-4 hours, CHF 60-100 per person)
  • Harder Kulm (1-2 hours, CHF 20-40 per person)

  • Total Estimated Costs (per person): CHF 400-750

Transportation

While in Interlaken, transportation options include trains, buses, and boats. The local transportation system is punctual and reliable. Travel costs and times vary depending on the mode of transport and the distance traveled.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can add a day trip to nearby cities like Bern or Lucerne. Also, if you plan on indulging in adventure activities, make sure to book in advance as some activities might have limited availability. If you have limited time, you could skip the trip to Grindelwald or the Schynige Platte and focus on other activities.

Airports

The nearest airport to Interlaken is Bern Airport (BRN), which is located 50 km away from the city center. Another option is Zurich Airport (ZRH), which is located 120 km away. From both airports, you can take a train or a shuttle bus to reach Interlaken.

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