Interlaken family guide
Interlaken lies on a flat strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the snowy Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau rising behind it. For families it works as a base camp: every morning a different train, boat or funicular takes you to waterfalls, cogwheel railways or a mountain lake, and every evening you are back in a calm, walkable town. Switzerland is expensive, but children's travel deals soften the cost.
Create a Interlaken activity book
Best ages
Ages 5 and up handle the walks best; Trümmelbach Falls does not admit children under 4, and mountain carts and scooters at First have minimum height rules.
Stroller
Interlaken town and the lake promenades are flat and smooth, and trains have step-free access, but mountain trails above the stations need a carrier.
Take this guide on the trip
Signal and roaming are not guaranteed abroad. Print this guide or save it as a PDF, then add a Interlaken travel journal and packing list. All three are free and are made in your browser.
Travel journal for Interlaken Packing list for InterlakenTop things to do in Interlaken with kids
Harder Kulm funicular Ages 3+
A ten-minute funicular climbs from Interlaken Ost to a viewing platform hanging over both lakes, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau straight ahead; it runs roughly April to November.
Grindelwald First Ages 6+
Take the gondola up, walk the First Cliff Walk along the rock face and continue on an easy trail of about an hour to the Bachalpsee lake; in summer older kids can ride mountain carts down.
Lauterbrunnen waterfalls Ages 4+
Watch Staubbach Falls drop off a cliff right in the village for free, then see Trümmelbach Falls thunder inside the mountain, reached by a tunnel lift and open from spring to autumn.
Boat on Lake Brienz Ages 3+
Board a lake boat at Interlaken Ost for Iseltwald or Giessbach, where an old funicular climbs to a huge waterfall behind a grand hotel; boats are included in most Swiss passes.
Schynige Platte railway Ages 4+
A cogwheel train running since 1893 climbs slowly from Wilderswil to an Alpine garden full of mountain flowers and easy short walks; the line operates only in summer and early autumn.
Rainy-day and cold-day options
St. Beatus Caves
Lit limestone caves above Lake Thun with an underground path and the legend of a dragon.
Bödelibad indoor pool
Interlaken's public pool with indoor swimming and a children's area for a wet afternoon.
Chocolate workshop
Several shops in town run hands-on classes where kids make and decorate their own Swiss chocolate.
A simple first day
- Morning
- Walk across the Höhematte meadow and watch paragliders land with the Jungfrau behind them.
- Afternoon
- Ride the Harder Kulm funicular and spot both lakes from the platform.
- Evening
- Stroll along the Aare promenade and eat rösti in town.
Getting around
Trains from Interlaken Ost reach Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald and Wilderswil in under 40 minutes, and the guest card from your hotel gives free local buses.
Food kids like
Rösti (crispy grated potato), cheese fondue, Älplermagronen (Alpine macaroni with apple sauce) and meringues with cream all please children; supermarkets such as Coop and Migros are good for picnic lunches.
What Interlaken costs for a family
About CHF 250-400 (≈ €265-430) a day for a family of four excluding lodging; mountain railways are the biggest cost.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Harder Kulm funicular return (adult; children about half) | CHF 36-44 (≈ €38-47) |
| Grindelwald First gondola return (adult) | CHF 60-75 (≈ €64-80) |
| Trümmelbach Falls entry (child to adult) | CHF 6-16 (≈ €6-17) |
| Swiss Junior Travelcard (per child, 1 year) | CHF 30 (≈ €32) |
Buy the Swiss Junior Travelcard for each child aged 6-15 so they ride free on trains, buses and boats with a paying parent; under-6s already travel free. Prices are typical ranges checked for 2025–2026; confirm current prices before you book.
Safety notes
- The Aare river through Interlaken is cold and fast, so swim only at lake beaches and lidos, never in the river channel.
- Mountain weather changes quickly and the sun is strong above 2,000 metres, so carry a jacket, sun cream and water on every trip up.
- The Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres can cause headaches and tiredness in young children, so go slowly and come down if anyone feels unwell.
What's inside the Interlaken activity book
A personalized printable book for one child (or up to three with Family), built around Interlaken: landmark spotting, a 12-item scavenger hunt, a local food tasting page, local phrases and a quiz. Print it at home before you leave and bring a pencil.
Missions
- Waterfall counter
- Paraglider spotter
Landmarks to find
- Harder Kulm
- Höhematte
- Staubbach Falls
- Lake Brienz
Foods to spot or taste
- rösti
- cheese fondue
- Swiss chocolate
- meringue with cream
Words to try
- Grüezi Hello
- Merci Thank you
- Bitte Please
- Ja Yes
Mini €5.90 (10 pages), Adventure €9.90 (25–28 pages) or Family €14.90 (up to three children). One-time purchase, no subscription; the book is printed at home in English.
Create a Interlaken activity bookQuestions parents ask
Is Interlaken good for young children?
Ages 5 and up handle the walks best; Trümmelbach Falls does not admit children under 4, and mountain carts and scooters at First have minimum height rules.
Can you use a stroller in Interlaken?
Interlaken town and the lake promenades are flat and smooth, and trains have step-free access, but mountain trails above the stations need a carrier.
How much does a family day in Interlaken cost?
About CHF 250-400 (≈ €265-430) a day for a family of four excluding lodging; mountain railways are the biggest cost. Buy the Swiss Junior Travelcard for each child aged 6-15 so they ride free on trains, buses and boats with a paying parent; under-6s already travel free.
When is the best time to visit Interlaken with kids?
Best months: June, July, August, September.