Explore Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland: A 4 Day Swiss Adventure Itinerary with Insider Tips
Welcome to an enchanting Swiss journey where we guide you through four incredible days in Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland Region. Get ready to be mesmerized by breathtaking landscapes, charming towns, majestic mountains, and mouthwatering Swiss cuisine. Our aim is to not only inspire your next getaway but also provide you with valuable insights and tips for an unforgettable trip!
Sneak Preview:
Day 1: Arrival in Interlaken, Town Exploration, and Views at Harder Kulm
Day 2: Journey to Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe and Explore Lauterbrunnen
Day 3: Day Trip to Kandersteg and Oeschinensee followed by Cruise to Lake Thun
Day 4: Grindelwald, Mt. First, and Adventure Time
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Day 1: Arrive to Interlaken, Town Exploration, and Views at Harder Kulm
Arrival and Check-In:
We kicked off our journey in Zurich and hopped on a scenic two-hour train ride to Interlaken. Interlaken does make a great base for your travels in the Bernese Oberland Region with easy access to public transport allowing you to maximize your activity time.
Brunch
Time for nourishment! Consider a local cafe, one we enjoyed was Velo Cafe.
Take a Stroll Around Interlaken, Self-Walking Tour
Explore the village and canals
Visit the Old Town and Cobblestone streets
Hoheweg Street for Shopping- Be sure to get a head start on souvenir shopping
Visit the Interlaken Monastery and Abbey
Spend time at Unterseen
Höhenmatte- a park with green space; watch paragliders and maybe even consider paragliding yourself with this guided experience!
Yash Chopra Statue
A tribute to the great Bollywood film director who shot many popular movies in Switzerland
Taste a Whisky at Rugenbräu (brewery) or grab a beer!
Adventure Activities
If you are seeking amazing memories, check out a fun guided experience!
Summer Tandem paragliding flight over Interlaken
Tandem Skydive from Interlaken
Alpine Hot Air Balloon Flight over the Greater Interlaken Area
Harder Kulm
Harder Kulm, situated in the Swiss Alps, is absolutely majestic!
A quick and picturesque funicular ride from Interlaken takes you to this natural wonder, where you can explore hiking trails and soak in the views. There is also a great mountain top restaurant which makes a perfect spot to try Swiss Cuisine. Whether you seek adventure or serenity, Harder Kulm promises an unforgettable Alpine experience, making it a must-visit destination for all nature enthusiasts.
Tomorrow we have a jam-packed adventure!
Day 2: Journey to Jungfraujoch, Top of Europe and Explore Lauterbrunnen
We recommend starting your day early today to see the optimal views from the mountains and spend the afternoon on the way back exploring the beautiful scenic villages. Make sure to have a nice breakfast and carry lots of snacks for a day of adventure! Also, we are headed to the top of the mountains, so even in the summer please do pack warm clothes, comfy shoes, gloves, and winter wear to enjoy safely and warmly.
Transportation- An Attraction!
In Switzerland, transportation becomes an attraction in itself, offering a breathtaking journey that allows you to appreciate the natural beauty. Enjoy this incredible two-hour journey to the Top of Europe, featuring scenic rides via train and gondolas. The journey can be quite expensive, but we have a very cost-effective hack (see modifications below).
Jungfraujoch Exploration time!
The total time likely will be around leisurely spending 3-4 hours here along with a lunch break. They have a wide variety of lunch options here and many vegetarian-friendly options too (both sit-down and takeaway fares). Be sure to check out the must-do’s:
Ice Palace
Sphinx Observatory
Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven
Glacier Exploration
Take in all the stunning views! And whenever you are ready, we will take a train to the scenic towns!
Train to Villages
Train from Jungfrau to Kleine Schidegg which takes ~40 minutes.
From here, take a train to the Wengen and Lauterbrunnen.
If you are mesmerized by the lush Alpine scenery as we were, time will go by much quicker than you realize. Most likely you will have time for one scenic village on your descent to spend time at, so we highly recommend Lauterbrunnen.
Lauterbrunnen
Head back to Interlaken. Rest up for another day of adventure tomorrow!
Day 3: Day Trip to Kandersteg and Oeschinensee followed by Cruise on Lake Thun
Start the day in a relaxed manner and with a local breakfast or brunch.
Today we adjourn on a journey to the most beautiful lake- Lake Oeschinensee.
Be sure to check the train schedules before you leave to minimize wait times. The total journey will be 65 minutes but filled with continued Swiss picturesque moments and plenty of photo opportunities.
Part 1: Train from Interlaken to Spiez (about 15 minutes)
Part 2: Train Spiez to Kandersteg, a charming town (the journey will take about 25-30 minutes)
Part 3: Walk from Kandersteg to the gondola lift station, which is located near the Oeschinensee cable car valley station. (This is a beautiful 10-15 minutes walk through the village).
Part 4: Take the gondola lift from Kandersteg to Oeschinensee (be sure to the hours ahead of time), this will be about 20 minutes.
Alpine Hike to the Lake:
Once here, take the hike through nature towards Lake Oeschinensee or pay for a ride in their special cars. We highly recommend the hike as it is absolutely stunning. Marvel at the stunning landscapes and the lake's crystal-clear waters.
Once you have taken everything to your heart’s delight, head back down the same way (gondola lift from Oeschinensee to Kandersteg; short hike/bus to train station at Kanderstag, then take train to Speiz).
The next part of the day includes a cruise and strolling a beautiful town. However, for our adventure seekers or those just looking for a little something extra, we have some highly recommended paid experiences to enjoy!
Speiz
Spend time in this beautiful town if you arrive early before the boat cruise departs on Lake Thun here (again be sure to check times based on the season ahead of time!). The cruise is 45 minutes to Thun and you will enjoy many small towns and more Swiss beauty from the waters.
Thun
Explore the narrow streets, colorful cafe, castle, and Sand cherzligkirche 9th century church Be sure to visit Oberhofa en: a charming village of with its beautiful castle and gardens.
Head back to Interlaken
At your convenience ( it is only about a 35-minute train ride).
Dinner
Savor the evening with dinner at the famous Vintage Chuchichästli (reservations are always recommended).
Day 4: Grindelwald, Mt. First, and Adventure Time
Begin your day with breakfast as always.
Take the train to Grindelwald (about 1 hour away)
Walk shortly over to the gondola station for Mt. First and enjoy the journey up!
Mt. First Exploration
Visit the First Cliff Walk and enjoy breathtaking views and hikes.
If you desire there are many activities and sports to partake in weather allowing.
Afterwards, spend some in the village, grab lunch, and do some shopping before heading back to Interlaken.
Free time in the Evening-Choose your own adventures:
Spend time in Interlaken
Consider other mountain excursions (see the Bernese Oberland Pass below for ideas)
Spend more time in the small picturesque villages nearby
Take another boat cruise (Lake Thun and Lake Brienz both offer them!)
Check out Guided tour experiences:
Enjoy the last night in the Bernese Oberland Region!
Modifications/tips
A top cost-saving tip is to invest in the Swiss Half Fare card during your Switzerland trip. If you plan to explore the Bernese Oberland Region or Interlaken, consider getting the Bernese Oberland Regional Pass (which can be combined with the Half Fare card!). It covers all your regional transportation, including cruises, gondolas, buses, and trains, offering substantial savings compared to individual tickets. Note that you'll still need to purchase a separate ticket for the final leg to Jungfraujoch. While we're not affiliated with them, it's worth checking out these options to see if they suit your travel plans.
Since most of the activities will be outdoors and weather dependent, do check the weather and be flexible and move your days around. The mountains- like Jungfraujoch and Mt. First have cameras that you can check out as well. Also keep in mind the mountains and clouds have its own mind and pattern. If it is cloudy once you get up to your destination, be patient and wait the clouds do move and it may clear up even for a brief moment if you are patient.
To secure accommodations, we recommend to book well in advance. These charming towns have limited options, especially during peak seasons, so planning ahead ensures you can choose your preferred place to stay. Interlaken makes an excellent base, offering convenient access to the Bernese Oberland region, especially for first-time visitors. With a multitude of charming areas to explore, take your time in selecting the right fit for you.
When it comes to dining, we recommend making restaurant reservations in advance, especially if you're interested in trying popular Swiss cuisine. This ensures you won't miss out on the culinary delights of the region.
If you have the luxury of continuing your time in Switzerland, we recommend a trip to Zermatt after this!
Your four-day journey from Zurich to Interlaken offers a diverse range of experiences, from stunning natural wonders to cultural treasures. Customize your adventure with optional excursions, and savor the beauty and charm of Switzerland. Also check out our Zurich day trip posts!
If you want to embark on our exhilarating 10-day adventure across Switzerland- check out the linked blog posts for detailed itineraries and insights. Our journey kicked off in Zurich, where we enjoyed a 2-night stay and took a picturesque day trip to Lucerne. Next, we hopped on a train to Interlaken, spending a thrilling 4 days exploring the area and a quick getaway to Bern. Zermatt was our next stop for an unforgettable overnight stay, followed by a breathtaking train ride to Montreux, where we indulged in a delightful two-night stay. Our grand finale was in Geneva, which we explored for a day before concluding our journey with a flight back home. Feel free to tailor your time in each city to suit your preferences! Let the adventure begin! 🚂✈️🇨🇭
Thank you for reading!!