Hotels in Interlaken: Where to Stay in 2025
Updated 31 August 2026 · 101 real hotels
Most visitors to Interlaken are best served by staying in the town centre, which sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and keeps you within walking distance of trains, shops, and mountain excursions. For more seclusion and panoramic views, the hillside village of Beatenberg offers a quieter alternative a few kilometres above town.
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| Hotel | Area | Rating | Price / night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget Waldhotel Unspunnen ★★★ | Matten bei Interlaken : à 1,4 km de Interlaken | ★ 3.7 | 114 €/nuit |
| Lake Lodge Hostel ★★ | Interlaken : à 9 km | ★ 4.3 | 129 €/nuit |
| Historic Hotel Steinbock ★★ | Interlaken : à 2,6 km | ★ 4.2 | 132 €/nuit |
| Balmers Hostel ★ | Matten bei Interlaken : à 0,8 km de Interlaken | ★ 4.2 | 142 €/nuit |
| Hotel Holiday ★★★ | Interlaken : à 18,4 km | ★ 4.3 | 154 €/nuit |
| Gasthof Bären ★★★ | Interlaken : à 4,7 km | ★ 4.9 | 156 €/nuit |
| Waldhotel Unspunnen ★★★ | Matten bei Interlaken : à 1,4 km de Interlaken | ★ 4.1 | 158 €/nuit |
| Hotel Rössli ★★★ | Unterseen : à 0,4 km de Interlaken | ★ 4.4 | 163 €/nuit |
| The Guesthouse ★★★ | Centre d’Interlaken | ★ 3.9 | 178 €/nuit |
Interlaken occupies one of the most dramatic positions in the Alps: a flat valley floor sandwiched between two glacial lakes, with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau rising directly to the south. That geography is the reason every traveller passes through, and it explains why the town functions as the main hub for day trips to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and the Jungfraujoch. Distances are short, trains are frequent, and almost nothing here requires a car.
Despite its reputation as a transit point, Interlaken rewards an overnight stay. The Höheweg promenade is lined with grand 19th-century hotels that recall the golden age of Alpine tourism, the Aare river runs clear and swift through town, and on clear evenings the Jungfrau turns pink at dusk from virtually any terrace. The town itself is compact and walkable, with the two train stations, Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost, anchoring either end of the central strip.
Which area to stay in Interlaken?
- Interlaken Centre (Höheweg corridor): For most travellers. Grand hotels, restaurants, and boutiques line this central promenade. Both train stations are reachable on foot, and mountain excursion buses depart from nearby stops. The widest choice of accommodation at every price point.
- Interlaken West area: Slightly quieter than the Höheweg, closer to Interlaken West station and the boat pier for Lake Thun. A good base if you plan to explore Thun or Spiez by boat or regional train.
- Interlaken Ost area: Near Interlaken Ost station, the main departure point for trains to Grindelwald and the Jungfraujoch. Practical for early-morning mountain departures, with a lower-key atmosphere and views toward Lake Brienz.
- Beatenberg: A sun-facing terrace village at roughly 1,150 metres, accessible by bus and funicular from Interlaken. Ideal for travellers who want distance from the tourist bustle, broader lake and mountain panoramas, and a more resort-like pace.
- Unterseen: Across the Aare from the Höheweg, this medieval quarter is technically a separate municipality but is a ten-minute walk from the centre. Quieter streets, older architecture, and a genuine local atmosphere without sacrificing proximity to amenities.
Good to know
- Use the Swiss Travel Pass or regional Half Fare Card: Most trains between Interlaken and mountain destinations (Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen) are covered or heavily discounted. Factor this into your total trip budget before deciding how much to spend on accommodation.
- Book early for summer and winter peaks: July to August and mid-December to early March are the two high seasons. Hotel rates climb sharply and rooms in the centre sell out weeks in advance, especially for weekends.
- Travel light within the valleys: Luggage storage is available at both Interlaken West and Ost stations. Leaving heavy bags at the station while doing a day trip to a higher altitude village is far more comfortable than hauling them onto rack-railway cars.
- Check weather windows for the Jungfraujoch: The summit at 3,454 metres is cloud-covered roughly half the time in summer. Most experienced visitors check the Jungfraubahn webcam the evening before and keep their excursion date flexible. Staying at least two nights gives you that flexibility.
- Choose your station side deliberately: If your primary goal is the Bernese Oberland valleys (Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren), staying closer to Interlaken Ost saves time each morning. If Lake Thun and Thun city are on your list, Interlaken West is the more convenient anchor.
What to know about hotels in Interlaken?
What is the best area to stay in Interlaken for first-time visitors?+
The town centre along the Höheweg promenade is the most practical choice for a first visit. It keeps you within walking distance of both train stations, the main shops, and the departure points for mountain excursions. Hotels here range from three-star options to grand five-star properties.
When is the best time to visit Interlaken?+
Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the most balanced conditions: stable weather, fewer crowds than peak summer, and clear views of the surrounding peaks. Summer (July to August) is the busiest and most expensive period. Winter (December to March) appeals to skiers using Interlaken as a base for Grindelwald First or the Jungfrau ski region.
How do I get from Zurich or Bern airport to Interlaken?+
From Zurich Airport, take a direct or one-change train to Interlaken Ost via Bern; the journey takes roughly two hours and fifteen minutes. From Bern Airport (Belp), you connect through Bern Hauptbahnhof, with a total travel time of about one hour and fifteen minutes. Both routes are fully integrated into the Swiss rail network and run frequently throughout the day.
What is the average nightly hotel rate in Interlaken?+
Based on currently available properties, rates start around 313 euros per night for a four-star resort option outside the centre and rise to over 1,900 euros per night for the top five-star grand hotel. Mid-range four-star hotels in the centre typically fall in the 370 to 700 euro range. Interlaken is not a budget destination by European standards, and prices increase during peak summer and ski season.
Do I need a car to get around Interlaken and the surrounding valleys?+
No. Interlaken and the main Bernese Oberland valleys are served by an exceptionally well-integrated network of trains, cogwheel railways, cable cars, and boats. Private cars are actually prohibited in most of the higher mountain villages such as Wengen, Mürren, and Gimmelwald. A Swiss Travel Pass or point-to-point train tickets cover virtually every excursion you would want to make.
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