Getting to Interlaken: Flights, Transfers & Day Trips from Zurich or Geneva
Interlaken isn't served by its own international airport, so getting there means flying into one of Switzerland's major hubs and continuing overland — a journey that's easier, faster and more scenic than it sounds. Here's exactly how to reach Interlaken from Zurich or Geneva, and how to plan it as a day trip if that's all your schedule allows.
Most international visitors reach Interlaken via one of two main airports: Zurich Airport (ZRH), Switzerland's largest hub and the more common gateway, or Geneva Airport (GVA), a strong alternative for travellers coming from Western Europe, the UK, or connecting through France. Both airports have direct rail connections right from the terminal, which is where Switzerland's journey really shines — you can walk off your flight and onto a train without leaving the building.
Two Gateways, One Easy Onward Journey
Whichever airport you land at, the onward trip to Interlaken is straightforward: buy a single through-ticket on the SBB app or at the station, and you'll typically only change trains once. Seat reservations aren't required on most domestic Swiss routes, and large luggage racks near the doors make it easy to travel with suitcases or paragliding-appropriate hiking boots already packed.
Both routes are entirely on Switzerland's mainline network, so there's no separate airport shuttle or transfer bus to coordinate — you board the train at the airport and step off in the centre of the Bernese Oberland.
Other experiences you might enjoy
Once you've made it to Interlaken, the Jungfrau region rewards a longer stay. Alongside tandem paragliding in Interlaken or the scenic Mürren paragliding panorama tandem flight, travellers heading up from Zurich or Geneva often add airplane skydiving over the Swiss Alps, a trip up to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe, a cruise on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz, and a day exploring Grindelwald or the Harder Kulm viewpoint above town.
Zurich to Interlaken
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| By train | ~2 hours | Direct or one-change trains from Zurich Airport or Zurich HB to Interlaken Ost, on the punctual, scenic SBB network |
| By car | ~1.5–2 hours | Via the A8 motorway, depending on traffic and route |
Geneva to Interlaken
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| By train | ~2.5–3 hours | Typically one change, often at Bern |
| By car | ~2–2.5 hours | Via the A12/A6 motorways |
If you'd rather not plan the transfer yourself, a bundled option departs right from Geneva: a coach takes you from the city to Interlaken, with a tandem paragliding flight and free time in town built into the same day.
Why the Train Is the Better Choice
Switzerland's train system is famous for a reason. For visitors without a rental car, taking the train from either airport is almost always the easier option:
- No need to navigate mountain roads or find parking in a compact town centre
- Frequent departures, often hourly or better
- Consistently scenic, especially the final approach into the Bernese Oberland, with lake and mountain views building as you near Interlaken
- Interlaken has two stations — Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost — both central and walkable to most hotels and adventure-sport meeting points
If you plan to also visit nearby destinations like Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen or Jungfraujoch during your stay, Interlaken's rail-connected position makes it an ideal base — most of the region's iconic mountain railways depart from here.
Can You Do Interlaken as a Day Trip from Zurich or Geneva?
Yes — and many travellers with limited time do exactly this, though it makes for a fairly full day.
| From Zurich | From Geneva | |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip travel | ~4 hours by train | ~5–6 hours by train |
| Time left in Interlaken | 5–7 hours with an early/late train | Narrower — best for a single well-timed activity |
| Verdict | Tight but realistic for one activity plus a short walk around town | Doable, but less room for a leisurely day |
Our honest take: if your schedule allows it, an overnight stay in Interlaken — even just one night — gives you meaningfully more breathing room to enjoy the activities here without a strict return-train deadline hanging over the day, especially since weather-dependent activities like paragliding sometimes require flexibility on timing.
Planning Your Day Trip Around a Paragliding Flight
If you are doing Interlaken as a day trip and want to fit in a tandem paragliding flight, a rough plan looks like:
- Take an early morning train from Zurich or Geneva.
- Arrive in Interlaken by late morning.
- Fly a standard tandem paragliding flight (about 1.5 hours door to door, including transfer to launch).
- Grab lunch in town and take in the lakeside views.
- Catch an afternoon or early evening train back.
Booking your flight for the morning after you arrive — rather than late afternoon — also gives you a buffer in case of a short weather delay. For more on picking the right slot, see our guide to the best time to book and fly.
Getting Around Interlaken Itself
Once you've arrived, Interlaken is compact and walkable, with most hotels, restaurants and adventure-sport meeting points within a 10–15 minute walk of either train station. Most tour operators, including paragliding companies, offer minibus transfers from a central meeting point to the launch site as part of the booking — you generally won't need a taxi or rental car once you're in town. If it's your first flight, our first-time flyer's guide covers exactly what to expect once you check in.
Whether you're basing yourself here for a few days or making the most of a single day trip from Zurich or Geneva, Interlaken's excellent rail connections make it one of the easiest adventure destinations in Switzerland to reach — no rental car required.