Interlaken is based in the heart of the Swiss Alps with easy access to the vast Jungfrau region. With a unique lakeside location, it has some breath-taking scenery and tonnes of activities for all ages. It’s ideal if you fancy doing a bit more than just skiing and fancy exploring some of the Bernese Oberland, home to Switzerland’s medieval capital, Bern.
Sat in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, Interlaken is an attractive town with good transport links - its own well-connected rail station and 4 airports within a 2 hour drive. Although it doesn’t have its own skiing, this is a super base to reach the renowned Jungfrau ski area (213km of pistes) as well as other smaller local ski resorts (Wilderswil, Beatenberg and Hapkern).
Positioned between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz (Interlaken literally translates to ‘in between lakes’) it has some breath-taking views of the legendary Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau peaks (take the funicular to Harder Kulm to experience these incredible vistas at 1322m).
Not just a place to go for its surroundings, the old town has some stunning architecture with a monastery dating back to 1133 and a pretty square that fills with stalls during festive events - if you’re lucky you might get a glimpse of Samichlaus in December... It’s also a hugely popular adventure hub for outdoor enthusiasts with a huge range of adrenaline sports on offer in both winter and summer.
Train and bus access to the prestigious ski resorts of Wengen, Grindelwald and Murren are included in the Jungfrau Sportpass. It’s one of the oldest ski areas in the world, and the original cog railway (which acted as a lift before gondolas and chairlifts existed) is still running today. It’s also James Bond territory - visit Piz Gloria, the evil lair of Blofeld in the Bond film ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’.
NB: There is a small resort tax usually payable on arrival (whilst you complete your registration form for the Jungfrau Region Guest Card) but this cost is included in many of our holidays – just check with us when you are booking.
The nearest airport to Interlaken is Zürich at 176 km or about 3 hours by car
The nearest ski resorts to Interlaken include Wengen, Murren, Grindelwald, Jungfrau.
You’ll find every type of cuisine from steak and grills at Johnny’s to traditional Swiss comfort food and beer in Husi Bierhaus and Restaurant Baren, famous for its fondue. If you’re in the Alps celebrating something special, Restaurant Taverne, Benacus and Café de Paris all offer delicious haute cuisine. It would be criminal to visit Switzerland and not try their delicious chocolates and pastries so a trip to Schuh is a must. There’s also the opportunity to fill up your picnic basket with regional treasures (alpine cheese and goat’s sausages) at the daily Swiss Mountain Market. Balmers Restaurant, is perfect for your comfort food. Restaurant Taverne for Swiss cuisine with a modern twist (reservations are a must). Located at the top of the Harder Kulm is the restaurant that goes by the same name.
As you come of the slopes, Espresso Bar in the Hotel Spinne (Grindelwald), the Balloon or Tachi Bar (Murren) and Tipirama or Rocks Bar (Wengen) are all good places for a spot of après ski. Grindelwald has the most bars and best nightlife out of the resorts, with the Lauberhorn at the top of the downhill being the best on-mountain spot for après. Once you’re back home, stroll down the half mile stretch (Hohweg) of hotels, bars and restaurants in Interlaken and try a cocktail with a view at Top o’ Met or soak up a kitschier vibe at Victoria Bar.Everyone heads to Matten to party into the early hours in Caverne, Maya or the popular Metrobar (full of young backpackers). Goldener Anker is a local treasure with great live gigs and yummy home-cooked food to suit everyone, as is the 3 Tells Irish Pub which has a cheap, informal bar area. Brasserie 17 has live music and over 20 types of beer or for something different, knock back tequila shots to Mexican music at El Azteca.
There’s just not enough ink to print all the activities available... adrenaline junkies can sink their teeth into bungee jumping, ice climbing, paragliding and sky diving as well as glacier trekking and Nordic walking. There’s also bowling, a cinema, indoor climbing wall and Grindelwald’s ‘Big Pintenfritz’ - the longest sledge run in the world!
Interlaken is one of the best choices in the Alps for visitors looking to mix great winter sports with great shopping. The famous Swiss products are available at their highest quality - watches and jewellery, cheese, chocolate and wine as well as local products from the Bernese Oberland, particularly wood
carvings produced in neighbouring villages.
At the same time products you would expect to find in major consumer destinations worldwide are available, including designer fashions, with a Swiss slant on all shopping opportunities of course.
View our detailed Interlaken snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Interlaken snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Interlaken snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.
We have 744 ski holidays in Interlaken. Search all Interlaken ski deals or pick your preferred accommodation type below:
Maximum and minimum adult Interlaken lift pass prices ranged from CHF314 to CHF314 for 6 days access to the Interlaken ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Interlaken holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.
Lift Tickets | Child | Adult | Senior |
---|---|---|---|
1 Day Price | N / A | N / A | N / A |
6 Day Price | CHF157 - CHF157 | CHF314 - CHF314 | CHF283 - CHF283 |
Age Range | 6 - 15 | N / A | N / A |
Most of our ski holidays to Interlaken packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Interlaken from nearby airports
Flights from London take about 1.5 hours to Geneva, Zurich. This table shows approximate transfer times to Interlaken from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.
Airport | Distance | Transfer Time |
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Zürich | 176 km | 3 hours |
Bern | 57 km | 1 hour |
Browse our self-drive ski holidays which include your car channel crossing, or go choose accom-only and book your car ferry or tunnel later.
The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Interlaken transfers.
Station | Distance | Transfer Time |
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Interlaken | 0 km | 0 minute |
Need help choose your Interlaken ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!