Interlaken sits between two lakes at the foot of the Jungfrau massif, and it is the gateway to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Mürren — the valley most visitors mean when they say they want to see the Alps.
From Zurich Airport it is 134 km and about an hour and three quarters by road, or a little over two hours by train.
Getting there from ZRH
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | 1 h 47 | CHF 576 E-Class · CHF 643 V-Class | Door to door, fixed, no change |
| Train to Interlaken Ost | 2 h 09 | Per person | Direct services exist; others need up to three changes |
| Hire car | ~1 h 47 | Rate + fuel + parking | Useful only if you stay low in the valley |
Full grid: CHF 576 E-Class, CHF 643 V-Class, CHF 777 S-Class, CHF 1028 Sprinter. Per vehicle, 10 % off a return booked together.
Check whether your departure has a direct train. Some services run through to Interlaken Ost without a change; others involve up to three. The difference between one train and three, with luggage, is the whole comparison.
Two stations, and it matters
Interlaken has Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, about a kilometre and a half apart. Ost is the one that matters: it is where the Berner Oberland railway leaves for Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, and where most onward journeys begin. If your hotel is nearer West, say so — but if you are heading up the valley the next morning, Ost is the useful end of town.
Up the valley
Interlaken itself is the base rather than the destination. The valley above it divides at Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, and from there the mountain railways climb to the car-free villages.
| Place | Reached by | Cars? |
|---|---|---|
| Grindelwald | Train from Interlaken Ost, or road | Yes |
| Lauterbrunnen | Train from Interlaken Ost, or road | Yes |
| Wengen | Mountain railway from Lauterbrunnen | No — car-free |
| Mürren | Cable car and railway from Lauterbrunnen | No — car-free |
| Jungfraujoch | Railway via Kleine Scheidegg or the Eiger Express | No road at all |
A transfer can take you to Grindelwald — 151 km, CHF 644 in an E-Class — but not to Wengen or Mürren, which prohibit cars exactly as Zermatt does. For those, the road ends at Lauterbrunnen and a mountain railway finishes the job.
Summer and winter
This valley is busier in summer than in winter, which is unusual for the Alps. The Jungfraujoch — the highest railway station in Europe — draws visitors year-round, and the hiking network above Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald is among the most heavily used in the country.
Winter brings the Lauberhorn downhill at Wengen in January, one of the classic races on the World Cup calendar, and a week when accommodation across the valley disappears.
Practical notes
West or Ost
Book the transfer to the hotel, not to “Interlaken”. The two ends of town are a genuine walk apart with bags.
Wengen and Mürren
No vehicle reaches them. Plan the last leg by mountain railway and pack accordingly.
Check the summit
The Jungfraujoch in cloud is an expensive tunnel. Webcams before tickets.
Summer is the peak
Unlike most Alpine valleys, this one is busiest in July and August. Book earlier than you would expect.
Zurich Airport to Interlaken — FAQ
How far is Interlaken from Zurich Airport?
134 km by road, about one hour and forty-five minutes. By train it is a little over two hours, with some departures running direct and others requiring up to three changes.
How much is a transfer from Zurich Airport to Interlaken?
CHF 576 in an E-Class, CHF 643 in a V-Class for up to seven, CHF 777 in an S-Class and CHF 1028 in a Sprinter. Per vehicle and fixed before you travel.
Should I go to Interlaken West or Interlaken Ost?
Ost, in most cases. It is the station where the Berner Oberland railway leaves for Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald, so it is the practical end of town for anyone heading up the valley.
Can a car take me to Wengen or Mürren?
No. Both villages are car-free. The road ends at Lauterbrunnen and a mountain railway or cable car covers the final stretch, exactly as at Zermatt.
Can you take me directly to Grindelwald instead?
Yes. Grindelwald is 151 km from the airport and reachable by road: CHF 644 in an E-Class, CHF 720 in a V-Class.
Is Interlaken better in summer or winter?
Summer is the peak here, unlike most Alpine valleys — the Jungfraujoch railway and the hiking network draw the largest crowds in July and August. Winter is quieter except during the Lauberhorn races at Wengen in January.