Mountain town in Bern, Switzerland
Interlaken
Adventure base between two lakes, with paragliding, canyoning and the gateway to Jungfrau region villages. Easy for solo travelers via social hostels; everything is expensive and the town itself is small.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$5,070–7,000Comfortable, one person · CHF4,200–5,800Details
- Value for money3/100Better value than 2% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Jul, 25°CDetails
- Internet281 MbpsFixed broadband, Switzerland medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent alpine tap water; village fountains are drinkable unless marked otherwise.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$133–241Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBerner Oberland trains (BOB)Walkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards are accepted almost everywhere; carry francs for huts, small kiosks and some paragliding or activity bookings.Details
Where to stay in Interlaken
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Interlaken Ost | Train access to Jungfrau region; hostels and cheaper rooms |
| Interlaken West / Höheweg | Hotels, restaurants and the main promenade |
| Unterseen | Quieter, river-side stays near Lake Thun |
Apps that work in Interlaken
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- SBB Mobile: All trains, buses, boats and tickets
- MeteoSwiss: Mountain weather and storm warnings
- Taxis: Taxis exist but are expensive; trains and buses cover most needs. Book by phone or at the station.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Switzerland.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry francs for huts, small kiosks and some paragliding or activity bookings.
- Currency: Franc (CHF). US$1 ≈ CHF0.83 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs often dispense francs and euros; decline the machine's currency conversion and check your bank's foreign fees.
- Tipping: Service is included by law; rounding up or a few francs for good service is plenty.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; TWINT, the local payment app, needs a Swiss bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Switzerland is in Schengen but not the EU: 90 days in any 180 across the whole Schengen area.
- The EU Entry/Exit System applies here too: non-EU visitors register fingerprints and a face photo at first entry.
- ETIAS (a €20 online pre-travel authorisation) is not required yet; its start has been delayed, so check before travel.
Emergency numbers
Police 117 · Ambulance 144 · Fire 118 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, J · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs from carrier shops, kiosks and supermarkets; passport registration required. Many EU roaming plans exclude Switzerland, so check before using yours. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Switzerland
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.