Interlaken Travel Guide: Jungfrau, Waterfalls and Getting Around
Updated September 2026
Interlaken is a Swiss Alpine resort town set between two lakes, the gateway to the Jungfrau region with its snow peaks, waterfalls and mountain railways, and a long-standing favorite for a cool green summer.
Here is everything a visitor needs: why Interlaken is worth the trip, how to get there, the best time to go, what to do with the family, where to stay, halal food and prayer, and how to stay online without a roaming bill.
The short version
- Interlaken sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and is the base for the Jungfrau region: Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, and the Lauterbrunnen valley of waterfalls.
- Fly into Zurich, then it is about a 2-hour train to Interlaken. Geneva is the other gateway. Several Gulf cities have direct or one-stop flights to Zurich.
- Peak season is June to September, cool and green at around 20 to 25 C. It is also the wettest season, so pack a light jacket.
- Switzerland is not in the EU or its roaming zone, so even EU SIMs roam here at extra cost. A travel eSIM you install before landing is the easy fix.
Why visit Interlaken
Interlaken means between the lakes, and the town sits on the flat strip between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland. Its whole purpose is as a base: from here the mountain railways fan out into the Jungfrau region.
The draw is the scenery: snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes and the waterfalls of the Lauterbrunnen valley, all within an easy day trip. Summers are cool and green, a relief from the heat elsewhere.
Interlaken is one of the most Arab-friendly resorts in the Alps, used to Gulf families, with Arabic menus, halal-friendly restaurants and hotels that cater to Muslim guests along the main promenade.
Getting to Interlaken
There is no airport in Interlaken. You fly into Zurich or Geneva and continue by Switzerland’s excellent trains, which are scenic and run on time.
From Zurich (ZRH)
The easiest gateway: about a 2-hour train from Zurich Airport to Interlaken, often with one change in Bern. Several Gulf cities have direct or one-stop flights to Zurich.
From Geneva (GVA)
Geneva is the other option, roughly 3 hours by train with a change in Bern. Handy if the flights or fares from your city work out better into Geneva.
Swiss Travel Pass
A Swiss Travel Pass covers trains, buses and boats and discounts the mountain railways, which is worth pricing up if you plan several excursions. Interlaken Ost station is the hub for the Jungfrau lines.
Best time to visit
The sweet spot is June to September, with cool green days around 20 to 25 C in the valley and all the mountain excursions open. July and August are the busiest and priciest; June and September are quieter with similar weather.
Summer is also the wettest season here, with afternoon showers common, so pack a light jacket. The high mountains stay cold year-round, and Jungfraujoch is near freezing even in July.
Things to do with the family
Almost everything is a mountain railway or lake trip out of town. These are the highlights worth planning around.
Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe
The flagship trip: a railway to the highest station in Europe at 3,454 meters, with snow year-round, an ice palace and huge glacier views. It is pricey, around CHF 234 round-trip, and weather-dependent, so pick a clear day.
Harder Kulm
A quick funicular right from town up to a viewing platform over both lakes and the Jungfrau. The easiest and cheapest big view, good for a first evening.
Lauterbrunnen valley
The valley of 72 waterfalls, with the free-falling Staubbach falls of nearly 300 meters and the Trummelbach falls inside the mountain. One of the most beautiful spots in the Alps.
Grindelwald-First
A gondola up to First, with a cliff walk, zipline, mountain carts and scooters. A fun, active day for families with older children.
Where to stay
The central Hoheweg promenade is the most convenient base, with hotels facing the Jungfrau and everything walkable. It is also the priciest cluster.
Nearby villages like Wilderswil, Matten and Unterseen, or staying up in Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, can be better value. Switzerland is expensive across the board, so book early for summer.
Summer rates climb steeply and the best rooms sell out, so book well ahead for July and August and consider a village nearby to save money.
Halal food and prayer
Interlaken is well used to Gulf visitors, so halal food is available, mostly Middle Eastern, Turkish and Indian restaurants along and around Hoheweg. It is limited and pricey by Gulf standards, so it helps to plan meals rather than assume every place is halal.
For prayer, note that Interlaken has a small prayer room rather than a large mosque, and the nearest sizeable mosques are in Thun and Bern. Many hotels that cater to Gulf guests provide prayer mats or a prayer space on request.
Staying online in Switzerland: eSIM
This trips up a lot of travelers: Switzerland is not in the EU or the EEA, so it is not part of EU Roam Like at Home. An EU or UK SIM roams here at extra cost, and a Gulf SIM roams at full international rates. Do not assume your plan covers Switzerland.
A travel eSIM you install before you fly is the easy fix: you land already connected, with no airport SIM queue and no roaming bill. The networks are Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt, with Swisscom having the best mountain coverage, though signal can drop in the highest valleys and on some cable-car sections.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Interlaken?
Three to four days lets you do Jungfraujoch, one other peak like Harder Kulm or First, the Lauterbrunnen waterfalls, and a lake cruise without rushing.
When is the best time to visit Interlaken?
June to September, cool and green at around 20 to 25 C with all excursions open. July and August are busiest; June and September are quieter with similar weather.
Is Jungfraujoch worth it?
Yes, it is the flagship: the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 meters, with snow and glaciers year-round. It is pricey at around CHF 234 and weather-dependent, so go on a clear day.
Is halal food available in Interlaken?
Yes, but limited and pricey. There are Middle Eastern, Turkish and Indian halal-friendly restaurants around Hoheweg, so it helps to plan meals rather than assume every place is halal.
Is Interlaken family-friendly?
Very. Cog trains, gondolas, waterfalls, lake cruises and mountain carts all suit children, and the town center is compact and walkable.
Do I need an eSIM in Switzerland?
Yes. Switzerland is outside the EU roaming zone, so EU and Gulf SIMs both roam at extra cost. A travel eSIM installed before you fly is the cheap, easy way to stay online.
Going to Interlaken? Stay connected with eSIMPal
Switzerland is outside the EU roaming zone, so EU and Gulf SIMs both roam at cost. An eSIMPal eSIM installed before you fly means you land connected, with no roaming bills and no airport SIM queue, for maps and mountain-railway tickets all trip.
Last updated September 2026. Based on Swiss tourism information, Jungfrau Railways and Swiss rail (SBB). Fares, prices and schedules can change, so confirm the latest details with an official source before you travel.