Recommendations for 1.5 hours in Interlaken
A traveler is planning a trip from Geneva to Lucerne next month with a 1.5-hour stop in Interlaken. They need advice on what to do during the short break, especially for lunch options and scenic views by the lake. The traveler is also considering luggage storage at the station.
- Consider visiting Harder Kulm for great views and dining if the weather permits; just plan your time carefully because the funicular only runs every half-hour.
- If you decide to go to Harder Kulm, be aware that it offers a 50% discount with a Swiss Travel Pass.
- If time is tight, alternatively stroll along the main street from Interlaken West to Interlaken Ost for a pleasant experience and views of the Jungfrau.
AI-generated summary-
I’ll be traveling from Geneva to Lucerne next month, and I’ll be stopping for about 1.5 hours in Interlaken (the train will drop us at Interlaken Ost). We will have quite a lot of baggage, which I intend to store at the baggage lockers. What would you recommend that we do with 1.5 hours? Are there any nice lunch spots nearby? Where is a nice place to look at the lake? Thanks in advance!
-
If the weather is nice then Harder Kulm is nearby and there is a decent restaurant when you get to the top. One and a half hours should be sufficient to have lunch, see the sites from the look out area and still get back to your train connection.
Doesn’t give you much time. Harder Kulm is a good suggestion from stodgytj. The funicular station is about 500 meters from Interlaken Ost station – head west and over the bridge. But the funicular only starts running 14 April. See http://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/e n/tickets/bergbahn/ang ebote/harder-kulm/billete-harderkulm
The Hotel Du Lac is right next to Interlaken Ost station (on the northern side) and has a nice restaurant right on the water. You can walk along the water side in the direction of Interlaken West and return up the main street Höweweg.
>> If the weather is nice then Harder Kulm is nearby
>> the funicular only starts running 14 April.
Another thing to take into account is that it only runs every half-hour in each direction. So it would take careful planning to get yourself back to Interlaken Ost station in time to catch your train, including time to stow and retrieve your luggage. (Having a collection of CHF 5, CHF 2, and CHF 1 coins on hand will be handy to avoid wasting time getting change for the lockers.)
Do you absolutely have only 1.5 hours to spend in Interlaken? Connections between Interlaken Ost and Luzern are frequent, so if you really wanted to go up to Harder Kulm, and enjoy lunch there, could you perhaps consider taking a later train to Luzern if necessary?
Alpenrose
I would like to second Alpenrose’s suggestion of catching another later train on to Lucerne, and then you could go up to the Harder Kulm without worrying about getting down too late for your next connection. You won’t regret going up to the Harder Kulm if the weather is good. Check this: http://www.interlaken.ch/en/e xcursion-harder-kulm.html
Thanks for your recommendations to see Harder Kulm. I will consider taking a later train from Interlaken to Lucerne. Do you know if the Saver Day Pass covers the transport to Harder Kulm?
Harder Kulm is 50% discount with a Swiss Travel Pass but no discount with a SDP unless you also have a Swiss Half Fare Card. Full fare is CHF32.
Hi Drasti,
You already got some good suggestions, but just in case: Interlaken is not on a lake (the lakes are out of town) but it is on a river. The river is not very prominent unless you specifically go and see it as per Rockoyster’s suggestion.
Two suggestions: with just 1.5 hours you can get off the train in Interlaken West and have a stroll along the main street to the Interlaken Ost station. This takes half an hour or so, so you will have time for stops. If the weather is clear you will have a nice view of the Jungfrau about half way. Or you can skip Interlaken and spend your time in Brienz instead, which is on a lake.
- The thread ‘Recommendations for 1.5 hours in Interlaken’ is closed to new replies.
