Train to Interlaken - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Documents: a valid identity card is sufficient for entry, as Switzerland is part of the Schengen area.

• Currency: Swiss franc (CHF). Payment cards are accepted almost everywhere.

• How much to go for: 2-3 days are enough for a city break with a city and one excursion to the mountains. A week allows you to get to know the Jungfrau region more extensively.

• Local transport: you start lake cruises at both stations: Interlaken West serves Lake Thun and Interlaken Ost serves Lake Brienz.

• Practical tip: if you are planning Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, choose accommodation closer to Interlaken Ost station.

Most attractions operate from June to September, and the best time for skiing is December to March.

Spring (March–May)

• In May, the first hiking trails above 1,500 m above sea level open, so it is easier to choose to trek without the summer crowds.

• Accommodation prices are lower than in summer.

• In March and April there may be snow on the passes, so check trail conditions before you go.

Summer (June–August)

• All mountain railways and trails are open and the Jungfraujoch is accessible all day.

• In July and August it is advisable to book accommodation in advance.

• In the mountains, even in summer the temperature drops below 10°C, so bring a warmer layer for hikes above 2,000 m.

Autumn (September–October)

• In September, the daytime temperature is 17–19°C and there are fewer crowds than in summer.

• The Lauterbrunnen Valley looks particularly spectacular then.

• Some mountain railways close for the season in October, so check the current schedule before you go.

Winter (November–March)

• The ski slopes in the Grindelwald-First and Schilthorn area operate from December.

• In December and January it can be foggy in the valley, but above 1,500 m sunshine and snow await.

• In December, there is a Christmas market along the Hoheweg promenade.

You will travel to Interlaken from Poland with one or two transfers, via Bern, Zurich, Frankfurt, Basel or Berlin. The train reaches the centre of the resort, so you do not need an additional transfer upon arrival.

From Wrocław to Interlaken

• The journey takes 10–12 hours via Frankfurt or Zurich.

• From Wrocław you travel to Frankfurt, then on to Bern and further to Interlaken Ost station.

• In Bern you change trains at the same station and the last leg takes less than an hour.

From Kraków to Interlaken

• You reach Interlaken Ost station via Vienna and Zurich in 11–13 hours.

• In Zurich you change trains at the same station.

• On the Zurich–Interlaken section you travel via Bern.

From Poznań to Interlaken

• From Poznań you arrive in 11–13 hours via Berlin and Basel, or via Frankfurt and Bern.

• In Basel you change trains at the same station and the platform layout is easy to follow.

• The second option takes you via Berlin and Zurich.

From Warsaw to Interlaken

• From Warsaw you arrive in 12–14 hours with a change in Berlin or Frankfurt and continue via Bern to Interlaken Ost station.

• If you choose an overnight train to Berlin, you change to a connection to Switzerland in the morning and arrive in Interlaken the same day.

• You travel from Zurich via Bern and see Lake Thun and the Alps along the way.

You can buy train tickets to Interlaken on Europodróże without registration – your ticket is sent to your e-mail and by SMS, and 30 minutes before departure you receive a reminder with a link to your ticket. A seat reservation is compulsory on the international section. The earlier you buy, the greater the choice of seats. It is possible to return your PKP Intercity ticket up to 20 minutes before departure and to exchange it up to 30 minutes before departure – see the refund and exchange rules for details.

From Gdańsk, Katowice and Łódź you can travel to Interlaken via Warsaw, Wrocław or other major railway hubs.

On PKP Intercity and POLREGIO, skis and snowboards are treated as hand luggage – carriage is free of charge if the equipment is stowed in a bag. On Swiss sections, SBB carrier rules apply, so check the latest information before you go.

Interlaken Ost station will be the most important on site, as trains to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen depart from here. The Hoheweg promenade, the lakeshore, restaurants and shops are all within a 2 km radius of both stations.

You get around the centre on foot, with no need for public transport.

From Interlaken Ost station, trains leave for Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and Wengen – the main hub for trips to the Jungfrau region. You buy tickets for these connections separately from the Swiss carrier SBB.

You ascend Harder Kulm (1,322 m) by funicular from the station at Interlaken Ost. The ascent takes a few minutes.

Boat trips on the lakes start at both stations: the pier at Interlaken West station serves Lake Thun, and the pier at Interlaken Ost station serves Lake Brienz. You buy your tickets on site.

You can hire bicycles near both stations – a good option for riding along the lakeside and between stations.

Taxis wait at both stations and are useful with heavier luggage or for late arrivals.

A city bus runs around Interlaken, but is usually not needed for day-to-day sightseeing.

Where to stay:

• Around Interlaken Ost station – the best base for trips to the Jungfrau region, close to trains to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen

• Around the Hoheweg promenade – resort centre, close to restaurants, shops and the pier for Lake Thun

Most people start with the Hoheweg Promenade and the Harder Kulm viewpoint, and then plan excursions to the Jungfrau area.

Hoheweg Promenade

Interlaken's main avenue, from where you can see the three Alpine peaks: Eiger (3970 m), Mönch (4099 m) and Jungfrau (4158 m). The walk from Interlaken West station to Interlaken Ost station takes 20-30 minutes. Entrance is free of charge.

Harder Kulm (1322 m).

The viewing platform with the Two Lakes Bridge shows Lakes Thun and Brienz and the panorama of the three peaks. You enter by train from the station at Interlaken Ost station. There is an entrance fee. The tour with ascent and return takes 1.5-2 hours.

Grindelwald

The village lies at the foot of the north face of the Eiger. You get here by train from Interlaken Ost station in a few minutes. From here you set off on hiking trails in summer and on the ski slopes in winter. Plan half a day for the trip back.

Jungfraujoch (3454 m).

This is the highest railway station in Europe. You arrive by train from Interlaken Ost station via Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen. There is an entrance fee and it is advisable to make reservations early in the season. Plan a full day for the excursion.

Lakes Thun and Brienz

You board a cruise on Lake Thun from the marina at Interlaken West station. The cruise lasts 1.5-3 hours, depending on the route. There is an entrance fee. Lake Brienz is smaller and the cruise lasts 1.5 hours.

Ballenberg Open Air Museum

The open-air museum collects historic buildings from all over Switzerland and is located next to Lake Brienz. You get here by train from Interlaken Ost station. The tour takes 3-4 hours. There is an entrance fee.

St. Beatus Caves

The cave system with underground waterfalls is located at Lake Thun. You arrive by bus or boat from Interlaken West station. The tour takes 1.5 hours. There is an entrance fee.

Plan for day 1

In the morning, walk along the Hoheweg promenade from Interlaken West station to Interlaken Ost station. Then take the cable car up to Harder Kulm, from where you can see both lakes and the alpine peaks. In the afternoon, choose a boat cruise on Lake Thun or Brienz. In the evening, you'll have dinner by the promenade.

Plan for the weekend

Day 1: In the morning, walk along the Hoheweg promenade, take the cable car to Harder Kulm and choose a boat cruise on Lake Thun or Brienz. In the evening, enjoy dinner by the promenade.

Day 2: Choose a train trip to Grindelwald - hiking trails in summer, ski slopes in winter. A second option is Lauterbrunnen and the Trümmelbach waterfalls, which are 72 underground waterfalls in the rock. There is an entrance fee.

What to eat

Rösti - a classic Swiss potato dish, served as a side dish or on its own. You can find it in restaurants along the Hoheweg promenade and in the side streets of the centre.

Cheese fondue - a traditional dish with meltedcheese, ideal for colder evenings. Served in most restaurants in the centre.

Raclette - melted cheese served with potatoes and vegetables. A popular dish in restaurants along the Hoheweg.

Food prices are high - for lunch in a restaurant you pay a couple of dozen zloty for a main course, and for a sandwich or casserole in a bakery a dozen zloty. A coffee with a cake usually costs 25-40 PLN.

If you want to spend less on food, look for Migros and Coop shops at both stations. There you can buy ready-made sandwiches, salads and hot take-away meals at prices lower than in restaurants.

From drinks, try local craft beers and wines from the canton of Bern. You can find them in restaurants and shops.

Souvenirs

• Swiss chocolate - Lindt, Toblerone and local brands available in shops along the Hoheweg promenade, either as a gift or for the return journey

• Watches - available in shops on Hoheweg, prices higher than in Poland, but the quality is confirmed by a long tradition

• Swiss knives - a classic souvenir, wide selection at the promenade shops

• Wooden products - regional handicrafts available in the shops on Hoheweg

• Alpine cheeses and honeys - a local market with regional products takes place at Interlaken West station during the summer season

For 2 days and 1 night, plan a budget of between 420 PLN and over 2,000 PLN per person, depending on the standard of accommodation and the number of paid attractions.

Budget – hostel, food from Migros and Coop, walks around the centre and one paid attraction.

Mid-range – three-star hotel, restaurant lunches, funicular to Harder Kulm, lake cruise and excursion to Grindelwald.

Comfortable – four- or five-star hotel, premium restaurants, Jungfraujoch and other mountain railways, cruise on both lakes.

The biggest expense is usually the mountain railways and accommodation. It is worth having some CHF cash for markets and small shops.