Best Things to Do in Interlaken With Kids
Interlaken's best family days are Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe — the big one, better done from here than as a Zurich day trip), the Schilthorn cable car to Piz Gloria (a cheaper, still-spectacular alternative), the flat, waterfall-lined Lauterbrunnen Valley, a boat cruise on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun, and the quick Harder Kulm funicular right from town.
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1Area photo: Rectilinium / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
Europe's highest railway station, reached by cogwheel train through the mountain via Kleine Scheidegg, with an ice palace, a glacier viewing platform, and — on clear days — views into the Black Forest. Doing this from Interlaken cuts several hours off the Zurich version.
Watch out: Altitude effects (headache, nausea) hit some kids and adults at 11,332 feet. Dress for genuine winter cold even in July. Trains sell out on clear-weather days in peak season — book the specific timed train ahead.
2Area photo: Rectilinium / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)Schilthorn – Piz Gloria
Cable car from Stechelberg or Mürren to the 9,744-foot Piz Gloria summit (the revolving restaurant from the James Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service"), with 360-degree views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau — a lighter, cheaper alternative to Jungfraujoch with almost the same panorama.
Watch out: Still cold and windy at the top regardless of valley weather. The '007 Walk of Fame' exhibit lands better with older kids or teens who know the film references.
3Area photo: Rectilinium / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)Lauterbrunnen Valley & Trümmelbach Falls
Lauterbrunnen is the flat-bottomed valley with 72 waterfalls that reportedly inspired Tolkien's Rivendell — an easy, mostly flat walk past Staubbach Falls, with Trümmelbach Falls (glacier meltwater roaring through a tunnel inside the mountain) as the paid add-on.
Watch out: Trümmelbach's internal walkways are damp, loud, and have real drop-offs behind railings — hold hands with younger kids. The valley walk itself is free and stroller-friendly.
4Area photo: Rectilinium / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)Boat Cruise on Lake Brienz or Lake Thun
Interlaken sits between two lakes, and both have scenic passenger-ferry routes (Brienz's water is a striking turquoise from glacial silt) past mountain villages — an easy lower-key day between two bigger mountain excursions.
Watch out: Covered by some rail passes, not others — check before assuming it's included. Wind on open decks can be cold even on a warm day.
5Area photo: Rectilinium / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)Harder Kulm Funicular
A funicular right from Interlaken town climbs to the Harder Kulm viewpoint in about 10 minutes, with a panorama platform over both lakes and the peaks — the cheapest, fastest real mountain view in town.
Watch out: On a clear day this is worth doing on its own merits, not just as a backup — but it does close in poor visibility like the bigger excursions.
Frequently asked
Jungfraujoch or Schilthorn — which is better for families?
Jungfraujoch is the bigger, more famous, more expensive day (Europe's highest railway station, a glacier platform). Schilthorn is cheaper, shorter, and still delivers a genuinely spectacular 360-degree panorama — a good pick if you're not doing both or have younger kids who can't handle a full 7–9 hour day.
Is altitude a real concern for kids at Jungfraujoch?
Yes, for some kids and adults. The summit station sits at 11,332 feet, and mild altitude symptoms (headache, nausea, fatigue) are common enough that most families plan a low-key rest day afterward. Anyone with asthma or a heart condition should check with a doctor first.
Does the Swiss Travel Pass make Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn free?
No — it discounts them (commonly 25–50% off), it doesn't cover them. Budget the mountain excursions as a separate cost on top of your rail pass, even with the pass in hand.
What's a free or cheap family day in Interlaken?
Walking the Lauterbrunnen Valley. It's flat, stroller-friendly, lined with waterfalls (including Staubbach Falls), and free beyond parking or a train ticket to get there — Trümmelbach Falls inside the mountain is the only paid add-on.
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