Flights to Interlaken: The Complete Guide

Flights to Interlaken: Complete Guide

Interlaken does not have its own international airport. To reach this central Swiss hub, you must fly into one of Switzerland’s major international gateways and complete the journey by train or car. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the primary choice for most travelers due to its high volume of international connections. Geneva Airport (GVA) and Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) offer secondary options, often serving budget carriers or different long-haul routes. From any of these hubs, efficient Swiss rail connections bring you directly to Interlaken’s two main stations, Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West, in under three hours.

Which airport should you fly into?

When booking flights to Interlaken, you have three main choices. Your decision should depend on your departure city and whether you prefer speed or lower costs.

• Zurich Airport (ZRH): 120 km (75 miles) from Interlaken. This is the largest airport in Switzerland. It offers the most frequent train connections and the widest range of international airlines.
• Bern Airport (BRN): 50 km (31 miles) from Interlaken. While the closest geographically, it is a small regional airport with very limited seasonal flights. Most travelers find it more expensive and less convenient than Zurich.
• Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Airport (BSL): 155 km (96 miles) from Interlaken. This airport is a major hub for low-cost carriers like EasyJet. It is a strategic choice if you are flying from within Europe.
• Geneva Airport (GVA): 215 km (134 miles) from Interlaken. This is the best option if you are coming from French-speaking regions or find a specific long-haul deal that beats Zurich prices.

Best time to book flights to Interlaken

Timing your booking is the most effective way to secure the cheapest flights to Interlaken. For international long-haul flights from North America or Asia, book at least 4 to 6 months in advance. Prices for Swiss destinations tend to spike sharply within 30 days of departure.

For European short-haul flights, the sweet spot is typically 6 to 10 weeks before travel. Avoid booking on weekends; data suggests that searching for flights on Tuesdays or Wednesdays can yield lower fares. If you plan to visit during the peak ski season (December to March) or the peak hiking season (July and August), extend these booking windows by an additional two months to avoid the "last seat" premium.

Cheapest months to fly to Interlaken

The cheapest flights to Interlaken are generally found during the "shoulder" seasons.

• November: This is the cheapest month. The summer crowds have left, and the ski season hasn't officially started.
• May: Spring offers lower airfares before the summer surge begins in June.
• January (late) and February: While these are peak months for skiing, you can often find competitive mid-week fares if you avoid the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Expect the highest prices in July, August, and late December. If your dates are flexible, use a calendar view tool to compare the first two weeks of November against any other time of year.

Direct flights vs connecting flights

There are no direct international flights into Interlaken itself. You are booking a flight to Zurich, Geneva, or Basel.

• Direct Flights: Many major cities in the US, Middle East, and Asia fly direct to Zurich (ZRH). This is the fastest route. You clear customs in Zurich and board a train immediately.
• Connecting Flights: You can often find cheaper flights to Interlaken by adding a stopover. For example, flying from New York to Zurich via London (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), or Lisbon (LIS) can save you 20-30% compared to a non-stop Swiss International Air Lines flight.
• Self-Transfer: Another option is flying into a large European hub like London or Paris on a long-haul carrier and then booking a separate low-cost flight (EasyJet or Ryanair) into Basel or Zurich.

Best airlines flying to Interlaken

These airlines provide the most consistent service to the airports serving Interlaken.

• Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS): The national carrier offers the highest frequency of flights into Zurich and Geneva from worldwide destinations.
• EasyJet: Operates a massive network into Basel (BSL) and Geneva (GVA), making it the top choice for budget-conscious travelers within Europe.
• Lufthansa: Provides numerous daily connections into Zurich via its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.
• United Airlines: Maintains strong codeshare agreements with SWISS, offering direct daily flights from several US hubs to Zurich.
• British Airways: Offers frequent daily service from London Heathrow and London City Airport to Zurich and Geneva.

Getting from the airport to the city center

Once you land, you must transition to regional transport to reach Interlaken.

From Zurich Airport (ZRH)

• Train: The SBB railway station is located directly beneath the terminal. Trains run twice an hour. You usually change at Bern. Total time: ~2 hours 15 minutes. Cost: 70–75 CHF (one way, second class) without a discount card.
• Private Transfer/Taxi: This is expensive. Expect to pay 400–600 CHF. It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic.

From Basel Airport (BSL)

• Bus and Train: Take the Airport Bus (Line 50) to Basel SBB station (15 minutes). From there, take a direct train to Interlaken Ost. Total time: ~2 hours 30 minutes. Cost: ~65 CHF.

From Geneva Airport (GVA)

• Train: Direct trains run from the airport station to Bern, where you transfer for Interlaken. Total time: ~2 hours 50 minutes. Cost: ~80 CHF.

Rideshare

Uber operates in Zurich, Basel, and Geneva, but is rarely available for long-distance trips to Interlaken. If you find a driver willing to take the trip, the cost will likely exceed 400 CHF.

Flight duration from major cities

Approximate flight times to Zurich (the primary gateway for Interlaken):

• London: 1 hour 40 minutes (Direct)
• New York: 7 hours 45 minutes (Direct)
• Dubai: 6 hours 50 minutes (Direct)
• Los Angeles: 11 hours 30 minutes (Direct)
• Sydney: 24+ hours (Requires at least one stop, usually in Singapore or Dubai)
• Berlin: 1 hour 25 minutes (Direct)

Tips for finding cheap flights to Interlaken

1. Fly into Basel (BSL) instead of Zurich: Basel is often overlooked but serves more budget airlines. The train journey to Interlaken is only 15-20 minutes longer than the trip from Zurich, but the flight savings can be significant.
2. Use the SBB Half Fare Travelcard: While this relates to the train portion of your trip, it effectively lowers the total cost of "flying" to Interlaken. You pay ~120 CHF for the card, and all your train tickets within Switzerland—including the one from the airport—are 50% off.
3. Set price alerts for Zurich (ZRH): Use a tracking tool to monitor Zurich airfares. Because it is a competitive hub, airlines frequently run 48-hour sales that can save you hundreds of dollars on long-haul routes.
4. Consider "Multi-City" bookings: Sometimes it is cheaper to fly into Zurich and fly out of Geneva (or vice versa). Since Switzerland’s rail system is so efficient, you don't lose time, and it allows you to see more of the country while potentially capturing a lower return fare.
5. Avoid Swiss school holidays: Prices for flights to Interlaken and surrounding areas spike during "Sportferien" (February) and autumn breaks (October). Check the Swiss holiday calendar before choosing your dates to avoid localized price hikes.