3 Day Interlaken Itinerary – A Swiss Adventure!
Itinerary for 3 Days in Interlaken, Switzerland
Interlaken is one of the best gateways to the Swiss Alps, known for its charming alpine villages, scenic hiking trails, and stunning snow-capped peaks just minutes away. After spending 10 days exploring Switzerland and the Jungfrau region, we’ve created what we believe is the ultimate 3-day Interlaken itinerary to help you plan your trip!
How to get to Interlaken, Switzerland
Switzerland has one of the world’s best public transportation systems, with an extensive network of trains, buses, and cable cars that make traveling across the country fast and easy. The roads are also well maintained, and the Swiss are excellent drivers, so whether you take public transit or drive, you can’t go wrong. If you’re traveling as a group or family of four or more, renting a car might be the most cost-effective choice and gives you the flexibility to maximize your time without having to wait for connections.
We rented a car to avoid worrying about missing trains or buses. We arrived from Locarno after crossing over from Italy, which took about three and a half hours. Many visitors combine Italy and Switzerland into one trip, and the drive between countries is scenic and straightforward.
Arriving By Car
There are two main routes from Zurich to Interlaken: one through Bern and one through Lucerne. We recommend the Lucerne route — it’s a bit shorter and takes you through a beautiful city worth visiting, though try not to spend too much time there if you’re eager to get to the mountains. From Geneva, the drive follows the edge of Lake Geneva and passes through Bern before reaching Interlaken. Expect about two and a half hours of driving time.
Arriving By Train
From Zurich Airport, the train ride to Interlaken takes about two hours and 30 minutes, with a transfer in Bern. From Geneva Airport, the total journey is around three to three and a half hours, typically passing through Lausanne and Bern before arriving in Interlaken.
Arrival Day in Interlaken
Visit Iseltwald on Lake Brienz
Iseltwald is a charming town on the south shore of Lake Brienz that feels like a painting come to life. The views of the lake and surrounding mountains are stunning, and there are several lakeside restaurants that make for a perfect first meal after your journey. For even more fun, consider renting a kayak and exploring the lake from the water. You can reach Iseltwald by car in about 10 minutes from Interlaken, or by taking bus route 103.
Harder Kulm
Harder Kulm is the nearest mountain to Interlaken and offers panoramic views of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, and the surrounding peaks. The easiest way to reach the top is by the Harderbahn funicular, and the late afternoon golden hour provides especially beautiful light for photos. There’s a restaurant and observation deck at the summit where you can enjoy a meal with a view. At the time of writing, tickets for adults are 38 CHF with discounted fares available for children and Swiss travel pass holders.
Day 1: Grindelwald
Grindelwald sits at the base of the Eiger mountain and is one of the most popular destinations in the Jungfrau region. It attracts skiers in winter and hikers in spring and summer. While the town is worth exploring briefly, don’t get so caught up in it that you miss the incredible outdoor experiences nearby.
From Interlaken, Grindelwald is about a 30-minute drive or a 45-minute train ride. Driving can be faster, but parking is limited, especially near the Firstbahn station.
Bachalpsee Lake Hike
Bachalpsee is a magnificent alpine lake that is split in two parts by a natural damn. The total distance to the lake and back is about 4.4 miles (7km). Elevation gain according to our GPS was 715 ft (200m). The trail is wide and very well maintained providing an easy hike. The total time to Bachalpsee is about an hour.
To get to the trailhead, first, you will catch a cable car from the Firstbahn station in Grindelwald. This will take you to First where the trail begins. It’s best to purchase your tickets in advance online to skip any lines at Firstbahn.
The best time to arrive at Bachalpsee is after the late morning. The mountains that act as a backdrop to the lakes will be to your east, so if you arrive too early in the morning they will be in shadow. Just make sure you don’t stay too late. The last cable car back down to Grindelwald is 5:30 PM.
>>>Read our complete Bachalpsee Hiking Guide
>>> Purchase tickets to First Here
The Eiger Trail: Eigergletscher to Alpiglen
The Eiger Trail is a moderately challenging 4-mile (6.5 km) hike that runs along the base of the Eiger mountain. Being so close to the Eiger gives you a true sense of its immense size—we felt tiny in comparison!
The trail is well-maintained, safe, and mostly downhill. You’ll start at the Grindelwald terminal, where you’ll take the Eiger Express to the Eigergletscher station at the base of the mountain. From there, the 4-mile trail leads to the Alpiglen train station, where you can catch a train back to Grindelwald. If you’d prefer, you can skip the train and hike all the way back to Grindelwald, but this adds about two more hours to your hike.
On your first day, if you start early enough, you can fit in both the Bachalpsee Lake Hike and the Eiger Trail. We recommend hiking the Eiger Trail first, grabbing a quick lunch, and then doing the Bachalpsee trail. However, if you only have time for one, Bachalpsee would be our choice.
Day 2: Lauterbrunnen
Lauterbrunnen sits tucked away in a peaceful valley, flanked by massive cliff walls, and towering waterfalls on both sides. We have visited some beautiful towns in our travels but Lauterbrunnen may be the most beautiful! The valley is also said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional land of Rivendell after he visited Switzerland in 1911.
Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg – Walk or Bike
We rented bikes in Lauterbrunnen and rode them to Stechelberg, weaving off the road onto dirt paths and crossing stream bridges along the way. The ride took us about an hour, but we took our time to enjoy the scenery and snap some photos. There are two bike rental shops in Lauterbrunnen: Imboden Bike Rental and Alpia Sport. We paid 100 CHF to rent two e-bikes for 3 hours (regular bikes cost around 35 CHF). While it wasn’t cheap, it allowed us to cover a lot of the valley in a short time.
If you decide to walk to Stechelberg it will take about an hour and a half if you don’t stop, so give yourself two hours if you stop along the way for photos. Once you get to Stechelberg you can take the bus back to Lauterbrunnen.
Gimmelwald and Murren
Near Stechelberg, a cable car station takes you to the charming hamlet of Gimmelwald. Gimmelwald and nearby Murren are car-free and connected by footpath or cable car. If you brought bikes, you can bring them on the cable car and ride down to Murren. The views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley from here are unforgettable.
Wengen
Wengen is the final town overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley, located at the opposite end of Murren and Gimmelwald. While Murren and Gimmelwald offer close-up views of nearby peaks, Wengen gives you a breathtaking view down into the valley, framed by the majestic mountains. Like the other two towns, Wengen is car-free.
Wengen is also the largest of the mountaintop towns making it an excellent place to stop for a bite to eat or coffee.
There is no way to go directly from Murren or Gimmelwald to Wengen since they are on opposite sides of the valley. To get to Wengen you will need to catch the train at the Lauterbrunnen station at the town’s entrance. It’s easy to miss when driving, so I recommend using your GPS.
Day 3: Oeschinensee Panorama Hike
Oeschinensee is a stunning blue alpine lake near Kandersteg, Switzerland, surrounded by towering snow-capped peaks. Its pure waters make it a perfect spot for hiking, boating, and picnicking.
How to get to Oeschinensee
For your day trip from Interlaken, you will go to the town of Kandersteg. By car, it is a 40-minute drive. By train, it is between 1 and 1.5 hours with a change in Spiez.
If you are driving you will find a parking lot next to the Oeschinensee cable car station.
If you arrive by train, it’s a 15-minute walk to the cable car or trailhead. It’s best to use your GPS for walking directions to the lift station; however, we provide detailed walking instructions from the station in our guide to the Oeschinensee Panorama hike.
Once you arrive at the gondola station, you have two choices: you can either hike the 1.9 miles (3 km) to Oeschinen Lake or take the gondola. The gondola ride isn’t particularly scenic by Swiss standards, so it’s mainly a way to save time and energy. As of this writing, a return ticket costs 32 CHF for adults and 16 CHF for children aged 6 to 15. Many people opt to hike to the lake and use the gondola for the return trip to Kandersteg, which cuts the cost in half. If you have a Swiss Half Fare Card, you’ll get a 50% discount.
Oeschinensee Panorama Trail
The Panorama Trail starts at the Berg Hotel Cafe, which is located by the lake. The full loop is approximately 4.8 miles long and has an elevation gain of 1,400 feet (425 meters). Some sections can be quite steep, with grades reaching up to 25%, so you might find it challenging in places. However, since the trail forms a loop, once you reach the highest point (around halfway), the rest of the trail will be downhill. Whether you are high above the lake looking down at the placid blue water or at water level looking up at the towering peaks, the views will blow your mind!
We also recommend renting a paddle boat which can be found at the dock near the lakeside cafe. You will really gain some perspective on how massive the peaks towering over the lake are from here!
Blausee
Blausee, located just 3.5 miles north of Kandersteg, is a gorgeous alpine lake known for its crystal-clear waters. If you can, plan your visit for the morning to avoid crowds and fully appreciate its beauty.
Should You Spend More Time in Interlaken?
With so many incredible places to explore in Switzerland, many people spend only a few days in the Jungfrau region before heading to other destinations. After spending 10 days in Switzerland, we’ve put together an itinerary that highlights what we believe are the best experiences in this part of the country. However, if you have more time or if certain activities aren’t feasible, here are some alternative options:
Interlaken Itinerary – Alternative Ideas
Schilthorn – Piz Gloria
Schilthorn is one of the main attractions in Lauterbrunnen. Many choose to take on the summit with a challenging hike while others take the cable car to the top.
Schlthorn was made especially famous for being used as a film location in the James Bond “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” film. At the top are an observation deck and a restaurant providing views of more than 200 alpine peaks. On a clear day, it is a fantastic visual treat!
For lift tickets and restaurant bookings visit here.
Mt. Niesen (The Swiss Pyramid)
Mount Niesen is a 7,749-foot peak that rises above the village of Mulenen. It has earned the title of “The Swiss Pyramid” from the pyramid- shaped shadow it casts towards Lake Thun in the late afternoon. A funicular from Mulenen takes you to the summit, offering observation areas and a restaurant with views of numerous surrounding peaks, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz. If you crave a challenge, you can hike from the base or ride the funicular to the halfway point and then hike the rest of the way. This hike is not very well-known among tourists, so you’re likely to find plenty of space.
Best Time to Visit Interlaken
For the best weather, late June through the middle of September is the best time. The summer months are also peak tourism, so if you want fewer crowds then late April, September, and early October may be a better option. If you choose these shoulder seasons though, there could be snow on the ground at higher elevations. We were in Switzerland in the middle of September and did not experience any snowfall; however, in talking to the locals, we were told that the first snow could occur at higher elevations as early as late September.
See our Switzerland Film!
Many of the places and hikes in this post are in our Switzerland cinematic video!
FAQ
Is it possible to visit Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen in one day?
You could but it would be rushed. It’s better to spend at least one full day in each destination. Interlaken can serve as a central base, and day trips to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen are very manageable.
What kind of accommodation is available in Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen?
There are accommodations to suit all budgets:
- Interlaken: You’ll find luxury hotels, budget hostels, and Airbnb options.
- Grindelwald: Grindelwald offers alpine lodges, chalets, Airbnb’s, and mid-range hotels, many with spectacular mountain views.
- Lauterbrunnen: A mix of cozy guesthouses, traditional Swiss chalets, and camping options are available in the beautiful valley.
Is it expensive to visit Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen?
Switzerland is generally expensive compared to other European countries. However, you can manage your budget by choosing mid-range accommodation, cooking your own meals, and purchasing a Half Fare Card, Swiss Travel Pass, or Bernese Oberland Pass. For a large group or family, renting a car may be a better option for traveling between towns. Combine with a Half Fare Card to save on gondolas, mountain trains, and local buses. Additionally, it’s important to plan for the weather when visiting, so knowing what to bring to Switzerland in summer can enhance your experience. Lightweight clothing, a waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes are essential for outdoor activities. Don’t forget sunscreen and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated while exploring the stunning landscapes.
