Interlaken travel guide

Interlaken falls into place if you split it into a day going up to Jungfraujoch and a day walking the lakeside towns.

In 2026, the adult return from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch costs 261.20 francs from 1 May to 31 October, plus a 10-franc seat reservation. From 1 November to 12 December it's 224.40 francs, with optional seat reservation. The ticket includes the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Observatory.

UNESCO listed the area as Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch in 2001. The view depends heavily on the weather, so check visibility that morning and re-read the price list for your date.

Visa and entry requirements for Switzerland

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Entry (State Secretariat for Migration) (Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM))
• ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) (European Union)
• EES (Entry/Exit System) (European Union)

The adult return from Interlaken Ost to Jungfraujoch costs 261.20 francs from 1 May to 31 October 2026, and the 10-franc seat reservation is mandatory, for 271.20 francs in total. From 1 November to 12 December, the return is 224.40 francs and seat reservation is optional. The ticket includes the return train, the Ice Palace and the Sphinx Observatory. Seat reservation is mandatory from May to October, so choose it when buying.

Two people from May to October pay 2 × 271.20 = 542.40 francs; from November to 12 December without reservations, 2 × 224.40 = 448.80 francs. For prices after 13 December, check the new price list. UNESCO listed the area in 2001, and extended it in 2007, for its preserved Alpine glaciers and mountain landscape.

Based on Jungfrau Railways' official price list, checked on 23 October 2026.

With 2 nights: walk the town lightly on day one and go up to Jungfraujoch on the morning of day two. Clouds can hide the view at altitude, so check visibility that morning before setting off.

With 3 nights: add a walk by Lake Brienz on day three. Keeping a day free to move the lake plan to good weather keeps your schedule steady. It's cold up the mountain, so bring a jacket, and if altitude is new to you, move slowly.

Plan meals in Interlaken around cheese fondue, rösti and raclette. Fondue is bread dipped in melted cheese; rösti is grated potato fried as a side; raclette is melted cheese eaten with potatoes. We don't pick restaurants or prices here. After a mountain day, have dinner in town to keep travel short.

Jungfraujoch prices vary by season, so check the railway's official price list once your date is fixed. Switzerland is in the Schengen Area; check entry requirements for your nationality. The local emergency number is 112; keep belongings close.