Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Interlaken by Train

Interlaken has no airport: you go by train from Zurich Airport

A trip to Interlaken starts at Zurich Airport (ZRH). There is a train station beneath the airport, so you can board an SBB train to Interlaken Ost right at the airport. This post sets out four ways from the airport to Interlaken in detail, focusing on how often trains run and how long they take.

The four options are the SBB IC train without changes, one change in Bern, a night around Zurich HB on arrival day, and the Luzern-Interlaken Express from Lucerne. Check fares with SBB and other official information.

• Full Interlaken travel guide →
• Incheon → Zurich flights →

SBB IC without changing trains: every 2 hours

From the station beneath the airport, an SBB IC train runs every 2 hours to Interlaken Ost without changing trains. The trip takes about 2 hours 15 minutes; check exact departure times in the SBB timetable.

The train runs via Bern, Thun and Spiez and also stops at Interlaken West. Check fares with SBB official information; the Swiss Travel Pass is valid.

Because it runs every 2 hours, it helps to pick your train in the SBB timetable before you arrive at the airport. If the times don't fit, see the Bern option below.

• Where to board: the train station beneath Zurich Airport
• Frequency: every 2 hours
• Travel time: about 2 hours 15 minutes (check the SBB timetable)
• Via: Bern, Thun and Spiez, also stopping at Interlaken West
• Fare: check SBB official fares (Swiss Travel Pass valid)

If the times don't fit, change once in Bern

If the train without changes doesn't fit your schedule, change once in Bern. Trains run every half hour between Bern and Interlaken.

Including the one change, the trip takes about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes. Check fares with SBB official information.

• Where to change: Bern (once)
• Bern to Interlaken: every 30 minutes
• Travel time: about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes
• Fare: check SBB official fares

Landing late? Stay a night around Zurich HB

If you land late, you can stay a night in Zurich and continue to Interlaken the next day. SBB trains from the airport to Zurich HB take about 15 minutes and run about every 10 minutes. Check fares with SBB official information.

The area around Zurich HB is handy for late arrivals and the night before departure, with the old town and lakeside within walking distance.

Rail works sometimes bring night-time replacement buses on the Interlaken line. If you plan to travel on to Interlaken late, check SBB and Interlaken Tourism notices first.

• Airport to Zurich HB: SBB train about 15 minutes, about every 10 minutes
• Where to stay: around Zurich HB (old town and lakeside within walking distance)
• Next day: travel on from Zurich to Interlaken (check the SBB timetable)
• Late journeys on the Interlaken line: check notices for night-time replacement buses

Via Lucerne: the Luzern-Interlaken Express

You can also go from Zurich to Lucerne and then take the Luzern-Interlaken Express, a panoramic train over the Brünig Pass.

The Lucerne-Interlaken leg runs hourly and takes about 1 hour 50 minutes from Lucerne to Interlaken. The Swiss Travel Pass is valid; seat reservation is optional, with a surcharge. Check fares in the official information.

Check train times and fares from Zurich to Lucerne in SBB official information before you go.

• Route: Zurich → Lucerne → Luzern-Interlaken Express over the Brünig Pass to Interlaken
• Lucerne-Interlaken leg: hourly
• Travel time: Lucerne → Interlaken about 1 hour 50 minutes
• Swiss Travel Pass: valid
• Seat reservation: optional, surcharge
• Fare: check official information

At a glance: pick by situation

Here are the four options, one line per situation. Check timetables and fares with SBB and other official information before you go.

• You want to travel without changing trains → SBB IC, every 2 hours, about 2 hours 15 minutes
• The IC times don't fit → one change in Bern, Bern-Interlaken every 30 minutes, about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes
• You landed late → about 15 minutes to Zurich HB (about every 10 minutes), stay the night and continue the next day
• You want to ride the train over the Brünig Pass → Luzern-Interlaken Express, hourly, Lucerne → Interlaken about 1 hour 50 minutes
• You have a Swiss Travel Pass → valid on both the SBB IC and the Luzern-Interlaken Express (Express seat reservation optional, surcharge)

Checklist once you reach Interlaken

For how to spend your days in Interlaken, continue with the 4-day Interlaken route post below.

• Interlaken Ost: where the mountain trains start, splitting toward Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen
• Where to stay: around Ost station and Höheweg is the transport hub, with the widest choice of restaurants and hotels
• Guest card: overnight guests in the Interlaken area receive one from their host for free local public transport within its zone (the digital version is the Interlaken Pass)
• Passes: the Swiss Travel Pass covers SBB trains, buses and BLS lake boats with discounts on mountain railways; the Half Fare Card gives half price on most transport. Check Jungfrau-region coverage and prices officially
• Entry requirements: check the official information before you go

• Full Interlaken travel guide →
• How many days in Interlaken? A 4-day route from Zurich Airport →
• Airport to city: which option to choose →

FAQ

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