Trains from Interlaken

Interlaken has two main stations: Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost (East). Most visitors arriving from Bern or Lucerne stop at both. Interlaken Ost is the hub for mountain railways heading up to Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald, and the Harder Kulm funicular. Interlaken West is closer to the town center and boat docks on Lake Thun. Check your onward connections to decide which station to use.

Direct and connecting trains run from Zurich Airport to Interlaken throughout the day, typically routed through Bern. The journey takes roughly two hours. Trains depart from the railway station located beneath the airport terminal. You can purchase tickets at the station or through the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) app, which also shows real-time platform and connection information.

If you plan to ride multiple mountain railways and lake boats around the Bernese Oberland, a Swiss Travel Pass can save money compared to buying individual tickets. It covers most standard trains, buses, and boats, and gives discounts on mountain excursions like the Jungfraujoch railway. Calculate your planned trips against the pass cost using the SBB website to see if it makes sense for your itinerary.

Swiss trains have overhead racks and designated luggage areas near the doors, so bringing standard suitcases is straightforward. There are no luggage fees. For bulky items like ski gear, use the larger luggage compartments available on most intercity trains. SBB also has a luggage forwarding service that sends your bags directly to your hotel or next station if you want to travel hands-free.

From Interlaken Ost, take the Bernese Oberland Railway to either Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, then transfer to the cog railways that climb to Jungfraujoch, marketed as the 'Top of Europe.' The newer Eiger Express gondola from Grindelwald significantly cuts travel time. Book tickets in advance through Jungfrau Railways, as capacity is managed and same-day availability is not guaranteed during peak season.

Yes. The standard route between Interlaken and Lucerne passes through the Brünig Pass and runs along Lake Brienz, with views of waterfalls, alpine meadows, and steep valleys. The GoldenPass line also connects the two via a panoramic route. Both options run regular service. Sit on the right side heading toward Lucerne for the best lake views along the early stretch of the journey.

Seat reservations are optional on most Swiss domestic trains, including routes to Interlaken. However, panoramic trains like the GoldenPass Express require mandatory reservations. During peak summer and ski season weekends, trains on the Interlaken, Bern corridor can fill up, so reserving a seat through the SBB app is a good idea if you want a guaranteed spot, for longer journeys.