[Big Dad]

14 October 2026 at 16:57:46 #2799225

I’ve visited Interlaken twice in the warm months and at that time I have visited Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Murren, Wegnen, Harder Kulm, Thun, and paraglided. I will in Interlaken 4-days this December. My wife and I don’t snow ski. What could we do as day trips that are special in December? Thanks

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[Janelle]

Reply 1 of 4 • 15 October 2026 at 9:28:25 #2799230

I’m interested in this too as we will be there early December, I’m very keen to go up Jungfraujoch so hopefully the weather will be kind on at least one day. I also read about a unique Post bus ride, maybe in one of Roger’s posts, which appeals to me because I am travelling with my brother who drives a public bus in Canberra. I think it’s the 101 route from Interlaken to Beatenberg. We will have a Swiss Travel Pass so this may be a “free” bad weather excursion.

[Roger Sexton]

Reply 2 of 4 • 15 October 2026 at 10:13:48 #2799237

Hello Janelle and Big Dad

Janelle, you are right about the 101 to Beatenberg.  Another run your brother will enjoy is the 106 to Habkern.

Two lakeside routes I would recommend are the 21 to Thun, and the 103 to stunningly beautiful Iseltwald.

All four routes run (at least) hourly 365 days-a-year.  The Swiss Travel Pass (https://www.myswissalps.com/travel-ticket/swiss-travel-pass/) is valid on all four routes.

Best wishes

Roger

[Roger Sexton]

Reply 3 of 4 • 16 October 2026 at 14:42:56 #2799268

Hello again.

I think it would be appropriate to deal here with your inquiry in the Basel thread (reply 2) regarding possible excursions from Interlaken

Mountain Lines

I would suggest quite strongly, go up the Schilthorn (https://www.myswissalps.com/activity/schilthorn/)  I am visiting Switzerland in late January, and Schilthorn is on my ‘bucket list’ even though I have been up three times before.  All the reconstruction work seems to be completed.  There are new, ‘state of the art’ cable cars.

As I am sure you know, the STP takes you up to Mürren (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/murren/) for free.  And that is whether you go via Grütschalp and the railway or via Stechelberg and relatively new very steep cable car.   The STP gives you 50% discount on the Mürren-Birg-Schilthorn sections.  The end result is that a trip to Schilthorn costs only a fraction of what Jungfraujoch costs.

Historic Towns

Switzerland’s ‘Federal City’  Bern (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/bern/) is easily ‘walkable’.  The city centre, a UNESCO world heritage site, is close to the station.  The ‘Bundeshaus’ Parliament and Government buildings are also close by.

Thun.   Thun (https://www.myswissalps.com/town/thun/) is a very pleasant old town, between Interlaken and Bern.  But be warned.  As I discovered only last June, the castle is at the top of a steep hill.

Boats and Buses.   Forget boats.  There is no winter service on Lake Brienz.  There is only a skeleton service on Lake Thun, using a boat based at Thun not Interlaken.

In my previous reply, triggered by Janelle’s reply, I mentioned four all-year-round bus routes.  To that list I can add a fifth.  Route 60 from Interlaken to Spiez via the south shore of Lake Thun.

Very best wishes

Roger

[Anna]

Reply 4 of 4 • 16 October 2026 at 19:49:43 #2799283

Hi Big Dad, Janelle,

December is a great time to explore the various Christmas markets in Switzerland. I highly recommend the ones in Lucerne, Bern and Montreux. These are easily accessible from Interlaken by train. Typically the Christmas markets are held from mid November to just the day before Christmas.

You can find additional suggestions for winter activities here: https://www.myswissalps.com/activities/winter/

Regards,
Anna