What is the best way to travel from Zurich to Interlaken?
The best way to travel from Zurich to Interlaken depends on your preferences for convenience, budget, and travel experience. Train travel is highly recommended due to Switzerland's efficient and scenic railway system. For those prioritizing flexibility and privacy, a private car service or renting a car is a better option, allowing for stops along the scenic routes at your leisure.
How much is a private car service from Zurich to Interlaken?
The cost of a private car service from Zurich to Interlaken can vary widely based on the service provider, type of vehicle, and specific requests or additional services. Prices can range from around โฌ300 to โฌ600 or more.
How far is Zurich to Interlaken?
The distance from Zurich to Interlaken is approximately 75 miles (120 km) when traveling by road.
Should I rent a car to get from Zurich to Interlaken?
Renting a car to get from Zurich to Interlaken can be a good option if you value flexibility and want to explore the region at your own pace. It's particularly appealing for travelers who plan to visit multiple destinations or prefer not to adhere to train schedules. Consider factors like parking, driving in mountainous areas, and the cost of rental, vignette and fuel when making your decision.
When is the best time to visit Interlaken?
Visit Interlaken during the summer months for outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and canoeing. Winter in Interlaken is perfect for skiing, snowboarding, and Christmas markets. You can also enjoy Interlaken in autumn, which has bright fall colors and fewer crowds.
How long does the car trip from Zurich to Interlaken take?
A car trip from Zurich to Interlaken typically takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic conditions and the specific route taken. The journey via the A1 and A6 motorways is the most direct route.
The journey from Zurich to Interlaken is one of the most scenic car trips you will ever experience. Starting in Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland and one of the happiest cities in the world, you'll travel through the Swiss Alps, where you'll find soaring mountains, more than 1500 lakes, pristine rivers flowing into the North Sea, and a climate varying from glacial conditions to near-Mediterranean temperatures. The dramatic landscape makes a trip from Zurich to Interlaken feel like a fairytale.
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After enjoying all Zurich offers, such as visiting The No Show Museum, and strolling Bahnhofstrasse and the Old Town, head into the heart of nature in Interlaken. The distance between Zurich and Interlaken is around 73 miles (118 km) and the drive takes around one and a half hours. Traveling from Zurich to Interlaken with a private car service like Daytrip means you get to enjoy a door-to-door transfer with a local driver who will enrich your trip with their insights. Your driver will take you to Interlaken through Lucerne, which is a route that passes many mountain views, bright blue lakes, and small towns.
The other benefit of taking a car trip from Zurich to Interlaken is that you can stop for sightseeing. Pay a visit to medieval Zug, a charming lakeside town where you can admire its Gothic town hall, or see works by artists such as Klimt and Kandinsky at the intimate Kunsthaus. Or for panoramic vistas, head to the peak of the Queen of the Mountains, Mount Rigi. To get to the top, you can take Europeโs oldest mountain railway, take a cable car from the Krabel station, or take a one-hour hike.
At the summit, you'll be rewarded with a panorama of the 13 lakes surrounding the mountain and the entire Swiss Mittelland. And last but not least, Lucerne is a city that you -strictly- shouldn't miss. Sitting on Lake Lucerne, which is surrounded by high hilltops, viewpoints, and castles, it's exceptionally picturesque. You might have already seen it in Swiss postcards since it's the perfect combination of high mountains, pure water, and historic architecture. Make sure you walk across the Chapel Bridge; it's a unique experience!
By taking a car trip from Zurich to Interlaken with Daytrip, you can make the most out of the journey. Enjoy the comfort of a private vehicle and the convenience of traveling door to door. The roads of Switzerland offer such beauty that it's worth taking the trip just for the sake of the scenic views along the way. With your local driver who is ready to answer any questions you may have and would be happy to help you give you insider tips, the only thing left for you to do is lean back and enjoy the ride.
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About Interlaken
Interlaken is a small town in the Bernese Oberland area of central Switzerland. It is famous for its breathtaking natural environment and is located between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, encircled by the towering peaks of the Eiger, Mรถnch, and Jungfrau. Interlaken's great position makes it a popular destination for outdoor activities and adventures such as hiking, climbing, paragliding, skiing, and snowboarding.
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The town itself is gorgeous, with typical Swiss buildings, quaint streets, and lovely parks. The Aare River flows through Interlaken, adding to its beautiful charm. Hรถheweg, one of the main streets, is studded with hotels, cafรฉs, and boutiques, many of which give stunning views of the Alps.
Interlakenโs location between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz is what gave the town its name, literally meaning โbetween lakes.โ Being sandwiched between these two lakes has made Interlaken a haven for nature lovers, particularly for water sports during the summer. Aside from its own natural attractions, Interlaken is the gateway to the Jungfrau region, making it a popular base for exploring some of the most spectacular Alpine scenes including Eiger, Mรถnch, and Jungfrau peaks.
Interlaken is also home to the famous St. Beatus Caves. If just by looking at its pictures you get fairytale vibes, then you are right on point! Legend has it that these caves were once home to a dragon, which was slain by St. Beatus and thrown into Lake Thun. Whether you believe in the legend or not, you will be fascinated by this hidden world of stone and water.
The Interlaken area was originally known for its Augustinian monastery, which was established in the 12th century. The monastery grew during the 13th and 14th centuries, but its force and popularity gradually declined around the 15th century. The monastery no longer exists, but its influence on the development of Interlaken is still commemorated and celebrated.
Interlaken has been a busy destination since the early 19th century. The Unspunnenfest, a festival celebrating Swiss culture, was a big success in 1805 and 1808 and introduced people from all over the world to the cleansing mountain air, blue waters, and spa treatments. Thanks to the Unspunnenfest, Interlaken became one of the first resort towns in Switzerland.
Having the world-famous high hills and mountain peaks, it was inevitable that Interlaken would become a favorite destination for adrenaline junkies. In the winter, you can ski or snowboard down its snowy peaks. In the summer, the options are even more numerous, including skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding, river rafting, canyoning, and many more activities for daredevils! There are, of course, calmer options, with endless hiking trails at your disposal.
Once in Switzerland, something you canโt miss and canโt get enough of is, of course, Swiss chocolate. This chocolate, rich in quality, flavor, and craftsmanship, owes its fame largely to Switzerlandโs high-quality dairy products. Swiss cows grazing on Alpine grasslands create rich, creamy milk, which adds to the smooth texture and rich flavor of Swiss chocolate. So Interlaken offers sweet views, sweet feelings, and plain old sweets!
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From Zurich to Interlaken: travel tips
Choose the right service
Make sure which transportation option suits you better. Take a private car if you want to save time and make your journey most enjoyable. Daytrip offers some of the best car options, friendly drivers and makes the distance between Zurich and Interlaken feel like a beautiful trip. Make the most of the drive with the convenience of door-to-door transportation and options for sightseeing with Daytrip.
Plan your route
Although your driver will know the optimal route, you may have preferences for scenic value above travel time. The straight journey via the A1 and A6 highways is the quickest, although other routes may provide more picturesque landscapes.
Prepare for the journey
Traveling with a private car service is known for its comfort so whenever you need anything, your driver will make sure to stop along the way and help. If you have other preferences or essentials you might need on the way, better prepare it beforehand. For example, you might want to bring some personal comfort items such as travel pillows, entertainment for children, or snacks and beverages, especially if you prefer something specific.
Arrange your stops along the way
Enjoy all the stops youโd like to take along the way. The route from Zurich to Interlaken is woven with typical Swiss towns, bright blue lakes, and overlooking cliffs and mountains. So you will have many options from Mount Rigi to the town Lucerne. Visit Glasi Hergiswil Museum and learn about the history of the art of Glasi, and how the museum stands as a time machine of partly a rustic theater and partly illusions.
Stay informed
Although your driver will handle the navigation and react to any traffic or weather-related issues, itโs good to be informed of the day's weather predictions as well as any significant events taking place in Zurich or Interlaken that may influence traffic. This will help you to be prepared for any kind of delays that might occur.
Personal preferences
Your journey with a private car and driver is -and should be- specifically tailored to your personal preferences. Donโt hesitate to communicate with your driver about how you want the climate in the car to be, about the background music or anything else you might want to adjust. Also, remember that your driver will be happy to give you important tips about Interlaken as well as the trip, so donโt forget to ask for as many tips as possible and take notes!
How to get from Zurich to Interlaken
Due to the popularity of Interlaken, the route between Zurich and Interlaken is a most traveled one. Therefore, there are several options which you can choose from including traveling by train, a private car or driving. Choosing one of these depends on how much time youโd like to spend on the way, how comfortable youโd like to be and whether youโd like to enjoy the stops between Zurich and Interlaken.
Zurich to Interlaken by train
Switzerland is known for its spectacular rail system, which is one of the best in the world. It has frequent services that make it possible for travelers to get to anywhere across the country.
There are two routes you can take to get to Interlaken, and there are two trains that you can hop on twice an hour. Which one of the routes to take entirely depends on how scenic you want your trip to be.
The fastest way to travel by train is by taking the IC 808 train, which travels through Bern without the need to change trains. A great upside of Swiss railways is that it is possible to get on the train directly from the Zurich Airport (Flughafen). You can also catch the train from Zurich Main Station (Hauptbahnhof) and get to Interlaken through traveling Bern, Thun and Spiez.
With IC 808, you can also travel back to Zurich. It starts operating at 5 AM and lasts until midnight everyday. The average price for the second class seats in IC 808 trains is around 74 Swiss francs, which is about $85 (โฌ77).
Take one of the Swiss Railway trains that transfer in Lucerne if youโd like to take a more scenic route by train. This means traveling longer than the first one but you will pass through the scenic Brunig Pass, which is definitely worth it. You will change your intercity train in Lucerne to the Luzern-Interlaken Express which is one of Switzerlandโs premium panoramic trains. You will pass five lakes, numerous mountains and waterfalls. With this option, your trip will take around three hours and cost about $59 (โฌ53). Keep in mind that trains operate every two hours starting from 6:10 AM until 5:10 PM.
Zurich to Interlaken by car
The distance between Zurich and Interlaken is around 74 miles (120 km), so you can rent a car and drive. The fastest way is to take the A14 just before Lucerne and then the A8 over the Brรผnig Pass. Driving from Zurich to Interlaken will take around one and a half hours without stopping. Donโt forget about buying a vignette for the car. If you rent your car in Switzerland, it will come equipped with the vignette. If you rent your car in another country, you need to buy a vignette at a fuel station, which should be affixed to the windscreen. It costs around $46.50 (โฌ42).
Zurich to Interlaken by private car
When it comes to the ultimate comfort and fun, booking a private car is just the best option. It is similar to booking a tour that would take you between Zurich and Interlaken and help you explore. The difference is that you get to choose where youโd like to stop, how much time you prefer spending there and your local driver has only you to inform and help, which saves you lots of hassle. With your door-to-door car service Daytrip, you can enjoy the Swiss nature in the best way possible.
Things to do when you get to Interlaken
After safely traveling from Zurich to Interlaken, you will arrive in the town โbetween lakes.โ Interlaken has so much to offer, so much to experience and undoubtedly will leave everyone visiting in awe, during the stay and after. What makes Interlaken so fascinating is that it is located between the worldโs prettiest lakes and greenest mountains.
Whether you are a daredevil who is in search of some adventure, a hiker who likes to explore doable trails or someone who just wants to spend a relaxing time surrounded by dramatic scenery, Interlaken will have something for you.
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The best base for exploring the region
Interlaken is a perfect base for exploring the surrounding area. The first and most essential trip you need to take from Interlaken is visiting Jungfraujoch, a saddle which connects two major Bernese Alps, the Jungfrau and the Mรถnch. Getting to this extremely high point is easily possible by taking a train ride through Jungfrau Railway.
This railway is the highest one in Europe! On this ride, you will feel blessed by the magnificent views of the Swiss mountains. Your train will take you to Jungfraujoch, and you will be able to observe the Aletsch glacier, which is 13 miles (21 km) long and 2,450 feet (747 m) thick of ice stretching in front of you.
Another must-visit around Interlaken is Harder Kulm. It is a funicular station that overlooks the Jungfrau region, Interlaken and another town Unterseen. The panoramic view from here offers a one-of-a-kind experience, where the fascinating nature lies in front of you with its greatness. Taking the funicular up here alone is a wonderful experience showcasing unforgettable scenes. For exploring more around here on foot, Harder Kulm makes a perfect start or finish point for hikes.
Bring out the adrenaline junkie inside of you
It is not possible to talk about the Swiss Alps and great mountains and not mention skiing. Mรผrren, Wengen and Grindelwald of the Jungfrau Region are the well-known ski resorts close to Interlaken. By buying a โTop Skiโ lift ticket, you can explore many different runs according to your level.
Letโs say skiing is not crazy enough for you. No worries! Around Interlaken you can enjoy skydiving, paragliding, bungee jumping, hang gliding, canyoning or river rafting. For instance, there is no better place to skydive than in front of the Eiger mountain. If you still want a thrill but prefer to walk, head over to the Schilthorn and take the 656-foot (200 m) Thrill Walk. Enjoy a breathtaking perspective from glass and steel walkways, as well as an 8-meter-long steel tunnel.
Absorb all the natural beauties
While Interlaken offers all kinds of activities to its visitors, it is simply possible to take your time, to take in all the beauties around and just enjoy a relaxing time exploring. Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, for example, are perfect destinations if you want a rather calmer time. These stunning waters are popular destinations for swimming and cooling off during the summer season. You can also take a lake cruise for more scenic views.
Choose a nice neighborhood for your stay
Especially if itโs your first time visiting Interlaken, it is better to stay in the center. It is alive both during the day and night and makes a good starting point for your trips around. If you are looking for a calmer and low-cost stay, Matten bei Interlaken is a better choice. It is only 12 minutes away from the center and has a relaxed atmosphere.
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Whenโs the best time to visit Interlaken?
The ideal time to visit Interlaken is partly determined by the activities you enjoy. For outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers, the summer months of June to August are excellent. During this time, the weather is at its hottest, averaging between 64ยฐF and 82ยฐF (18ยฐC-28ยฐC), allowing for a variety of activities such as hiking, paragliding, and water sports on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. The sceneries are lush and green, and the extended daytime hours allow plenty of opportunity to explore the breathtaking surroundings.
Autumn, which runs from September to November, has a particular appeal due to its spectacular fall colors, less crowds, and pleasant temperatures, making it ideal for those seeking a more quiet experience. The weather begins to decrease, particularly in late October and November, so pack appropriately.
Winter, from December to February, transforms Interlaken into a snowy paradise, drawing skiers, snowboarders, and those seeking to experience the charm of Swiss winter. Premier ski resorts surround the location, and the snowy scenery is stunning. It's the ideal time for winter sports fans and those who appreciate the festive mood of Christmas markets.
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Zug
Hugging the shores of Lake Zug, this medieval market town has become a tax haven maintaining its historic landmarks.ย Historic Havenย
Mount Rigi
Europeโs oldest alpine railroad take visitors up this massive massif, which provides panoramic views all the way into France and Germany.ย Queen of the Mountainsย
Lucerne
With a well preserved history, frescoed buildings, lakeside setting and impressive mountain views, Lucerne is a delight to behold.ย Pretty as a Pictureย
Glasi Hergiswil Museum
Learn about the art and history of glassmaking in one of Europeโs most beautiful museums.ย Formed by Fireย
โThe services of Daytrip are outstanding. Booking the private transfer was easy, their website is great, and their follow-up with their emails prior to the trip was excellent. The driver Constantin, with a Tesla car waited for me at the Zurich airport, and since I had to wait for my wifeโs later flight, he loaded up my luggage and came back for us. He was very professional, helpful and accommodating in every way. Our trip was very enjoyable, we had a lot of fun, and arrived in Interlaken on time.
Daytrip is a well-run business, reliable, and very competitive. They are working on expanding in the United States, which is a great idea, given the scattered and sometimes questionable limo services.
Paul S.
Fairfax, Virginiaโ
โWe landed in Zurich and were met by our driver Darko with a van large enough to take the four of us plus all the luggage. He drove us Lucerne for a one hour stop over. He then took us to our final destination of interlaken. All in less time and expense then taking any other type of transportation. Great just simply greatโ
