How to get from Zurich to Interlaken: all options explained 

The 3 train routes from Zurich to Interlaken explained in detail

Option 1: via Olten, Bern, Thun and Spiez (quickest)

The route via Olten, Bern, Thun and Spiez is the quickest way to travel between Zurich and Interlaken. There are several direct connections.

On the same route, there are also plenty of connections that require one or more changes of trains. That’s usually in Bern and/or Spiez. They hardly take more time than the direct connections.

Details:

• Duration: 1h55 – 2h25
• Minimum number of transfers: 0
• How to find it in the timetable: enter “Zürich HB” as your departure station and “Interlaken Ost” as your destination

Route description:

• The trains first run west from Zurich, passing the towns of Aarau and Olten.
• They bend south in Bern and head for Thun on Lake Thun. The last section between Bern and Interlaken is very scenic, especially the stretch along the lake’s southern shore.

Option 2: via Lucerne, Meiringen and Brienz

A wonderful alternative is the train ride via Lucerne, Meiringen, and Brienz. From Lucerne to Interlaken, you’ll travel in the so-called Luzern-Interlaken Express. This is the northern part of the famous GoldenPass route.

Details:

• Duration: 2h45
• Minimum number of transfers: 1, in Lucerne
• How to find it in the timetable: enter “Zürich HB” as your departure station, “Interlaken Ost” as your destination, and “Luzern” and “Brienz” as via-stations.

Route description:

• You’ll first travel south from Zurich to Lucerne
• Board the the Luzern-Interlaken Express. The route is described in detail in our GoldenPass guide.

Option 3: via Lucerne, Langnau in the Emmen Valley, Bern, Thun and Spiez

If you don’t mind spending more time on your transfer, consider the scenic regional trains through the Emmen Valley (the “Emmental” in German).

• Duration: 3h20 to 3h50
• Minimum number of transfers: 2, in Lucerne and Bern
• How to find it in the timetable: enter “Zürich HB” as your departure station, “Interlaken Ost” as your destination, and “Luzern” and “Trubschachen” as via-stations.

Route description:

• Travel to Lucerne first.
• Then board the regional train to Bern. It passes scenic villages such as Entlebuch, Schüpfheim and Langnau in the romantic Emmen Valley.
• In Bern, board the train to Interlaken.

Trains between Zurich Airport to Interlaken

There are several direct trains from Zurich Airport to Interlaken, and the other way around, each day. This direct journey takes about 2h15. In addition, there are many connections with a change at Zurich’s main rail station “Zürich HB”. They hardly take any longer than the direct trains.

Details:

• Duration: 2h15
• Minimum number of transfers: 0
• How to find it in the timetable: enter “Zürich Flughafen” as your departure station and “Interlaken Ost” as your destination.

Route description:

• The trains first travel the short leg from Zurich Airport to Zurich.
• They then continue to Olten, Bern, and Thun as explained under option 1.

How to get from Zurich to Interlaken by car

I personally prefer train travel. The busy city traffic of Zurich can be annoying to navigate by car, and things can get very busy during rush hour. So know that there could be delays, and add extra time to the durations displayed in route planners.

The main car routes between Zurich and Interlaken are more or less similar to the train routes.

Option 1: via Olten, Bern, Thun and Spiez (highway A1, highway A6, motorway 8)

• From Zurich, travel west toward Bern over the A1 highway. You’ll drive south of the towns of Aarau and Olten.
• East of Bern, bend south to the A6 toward Thun.
• The A6 continues into motorway 8 to Interlaken.

Option 2: via Lucerne and Brienz (highway A4, motorway 8)

• Drive south from Zurich to Lucerne over the A4.
• Then use the A8 motorway further south to the Brünig Pass. You’ll pass the villages of Sarnen, Giswil, and Lungern first. The Brünig Pass isn’t too difficult for most drivers, but it can be busy at times.
• Once you’ve crossed the pass and reached the valley, you can continue on the A8. The road runs south of Lake Brienz and passes several tunnels.
• Alternatively, you can use the main road (“Hauptstrasse” in German) 6 along the northern shore of Lake Brienz, passing Brienz and other lakeside villages. This will take a bit longer.

Option 3: via Lucerne and the Emmen Valley (highway A4, road 10, highway A6)

• Travel south from Zurich to Lucerne over the A4.
• Then turn into the main road (“Haupstrasse”) 10 crossing the Emmen Valley.
• Get back on the A6 highway just east of Bern.
• Then continue as described for option 1.

Plan your car trip

Before driving in Switzerland, learn all you should know in our car section. Plan your routes here.

Scenic side trips between Zurich and Interlaken, plus boat and bus variations

Depending on the route you pick, you can add several beautiful side trips, or inlude boat and bus segments for variation. Make sure you don’t have too much luggage, though.

In all cases, I advise exploring Zurich before departure or after arrival. And from Interlaken, enjoying one or more of the wonderful mountain excursions is a must.

Side trips for option 1: via Olten, Bern, Thun and Spiez

• Spend time in Aarau, Olten, Bern or Thun, or Spiez. They’re all lovely towns.
• Get off the train in Thun. Then travel by boat to Interlaken West.
• Get off the train in Thun. Take the bus to Interlaken along the northern shore of the lake. If you want to find bus connections, use the advanced search function of the timetable. This allows you to select buses as your mode of transport for Thun-Interlaken.
• When taking the boat on Lake Thun, or the bus along the northern shore, get out in Beatenbucht for a trip to the Beautus caves or to the Niederhorn.

Side trips for option 2: via Lucerne, Meiringen, and Brienz

• Explore Lucerne. The rail station is only minutes on foot from the old town center.
• Between Zurich and Lucerne, get out in Zug. Explore this pretty lakeside town or make a boat tour.
• From Lucerne, you can make a short circular boat tour over the lake, visit Pilatus, or get up to Bürgenstock.
• Travel up to the Brienzer Rothorn from Brienz.
• Get off the train in Brienz and board a boat to Interlaken Ost.

Side trips for option 3: via Lucerne, the Emmen Valley, Bern, Thun, and Spiez

In addition to the suggestions above, I recommend getting off in Trubschachen for a visit to the Kambly cookie factory. Or just take a break in any of the villages in the Emmental. I very much like Langnau, for example.