Interlaken and Grindelwald are both beautiful destinations in Switzerland with many things to do and interesting attractions. You’re not the only one having trouble deciding which place you should stay in, and this guide will help you figure out whether Interlaken or Grindelwald is the better destination for you!
I’ve compared everything about these two towns, including the cost of travel, ease of access, hotels, restaurants, and top things to do/attractions. One place offers more things to do in the summer while the other is a better option in the winter, especially for sporty and adventurous travelers. Oh, and no matter where you decide to stay, you can travel to the other town in less than 45 minutes by train!
Interlaken vs Grindelwald: Transportation
Both Interlaken and Grindelwald are serviced by train stations and can easily be reached by public transport in Switzerland. Interlaken is the largest of the two towns with two train stations (Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West) so naturally, it has more direct connections to other destinations in Switzerland.
If you’re concerned about travel times and ease of access, Interlaken is generally the better destination simply because it’s bigger and has better public transport connections.
Grindelwald features many gondolas, cable cars, and ski lifts to nearby mountain peaks, which are most popular in the winter when it’s time to ski. But these can also be used to access trailheads and explore the wonderful nature during warmer months.
It’s important to note that Grindelwald is only 45 minutes away from Interlaken by train, so the village is still pretty easy to reach
On top of that, both of these destinations are vehicle-friendly, and you can just drive into town if you’re on a road trip through Switzerland. Traveling by bus to either town is also possible, but it’s generally slower and more tedious than traveling by train, so I don’t recommend it.
Interlaken vs Grindelwald: Food
You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants and places to eat regardless of where you stay. Both Interlaken and Grindelwald have many restaurants that offer everything from typical Swiss cuisine to international options. Italian restaurants are especially common in both towns, so there will be lots of pizzas and pasta options.
In terms of the cost of food in the two towns, Interlaken is generally the more affordable option. The bigger town has more “cheap” restaurants and takeaway options, where you can get a decent meal for under 25 CHF. Grindelwald also has some takeaway restaurants but with limited variety in food options. But if you want to sit down for a nice, three-course meal with drinks, expect to spend at least 60 CHF per person.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Interlaken even has a McDonald’s (near Interlaken West train station), which is the go-to for most travelers on a tight budget in Switzerland. You can get a menu meal for less than 15 CHF, equivalent to a side dish’s cost in most restaurants in Grindelwald.
Interlaken vs Grindelwald: Accommodation
When it comes to places to stay, there’s a plethora of options in both Interlaken and Grindelwald. Whether you’re looking for a cheap room or a luxury suite, you’ll have multiple options to choose from at either destination.
However, it’s important to point out that the accommodation options are generally a bit more affordable in Interlaken. It’s the bigger town with campsites, hostels, and many hotels, whereas Grindewald generally has a wider range of options for upscale accommodation. That’s because Grindelwald is most visited by travelers who are interested in the nearby ski resorts, and that’s not exactly a cheap sport.
On the other hand, Grindelwald also has options for budget accommodation in the form of youth hostels and campsites. But these options aren’t quite as abundant as they are in Interlaken, and they tend to sell out rather fast during popular travel seasons.
One thing to note is that Interlaken will have more options if you’re booking the vacation on short notice. Affordable hotels and apartments in Grindelwald sell out months in advance, so unless you’re planning a vacation for next year, you’ll have better luck finding a great deal for a stay in Interlaken.
Interlaken vs Grindelwald: Top Sights & Activities
The charming town of Interlaken is best known for the countless water activities it offers. With easy access to Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, you will have a plethora of things to do in warm weather. Sailing, kayaking, fishing, parasailing, and paragliding are some of the more popular things to do in Interlaken, at least among more adventurous travelers.
If you have no desire to engage in the more extreme sports the town offers, you can explore the hiking trails of the Bernese Oberland region, travel to other nearby towns and villages, visit caves, discover castles, and so much more. It’s virtually impossible to be bored in Interlaken regardless of when you visit, especially if you’re willing to get on a train or in a cable car!
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Skiing, snowboarding, and winter hiking are some of the most popular winter activities in Grindelwald. The place is famous for the fabulous ski slopes in its immediate surroundings, most of which are just a cable car ride away from the heart of the village.
Thrilling hikes in the Swiss Alps, panoramic vistas of majestic mountains, the First cliff walk, trails to Eiger mountain, and ascents on the upper Grindelwald glacier are just some of the more popular things to do in Grindelwald and its immediate surroundings. Staying in this town will allow you to explore quite a bit of the Jungfrau region, but keep in mind that trail conditions are suitable for hiking only in the summer months.
Interlaken vs Grindelwald: Travel Cost
If you’re trying to stick to a budget, it will be a little cheaper to travel to Interlaken than Grindelwald. Interlaken is much bigger, and you can stay on the outskirts of the town, or even in one of the villages on the shore of two lakes and still be in the center of the town in 15-20 minutes every day.
Interlaken also has more affordable accommodations in the form of hostels, campsites, and budget hotels, as well as private apartments. There’s also the fact that to reach Grindelwald, you have to change trains at the Interlaken station, whether you’re traveling from Airolo or Basel.
That means more expensive train tickets, plus keep in mind that you’ll spend quite a bit of money on funiculars, gondolas, and cable cars if you want to explore the summits surroundings of Grindelwald.
Assuming you’re flying to Zurich airport and you’re traveling from there, a train to Interlaken costs 50-55 CHF. The average cost of a double room in a hotel (breakfast included) for three nights is around 600 CHF (cheaper options are available), so that’s only about 350 CHF per person for a four-day stay. That doesn’t include the cost of food, but that can be anywhere from 10-20 CHF per day (if you get food at the supermarket) to 100 CHF per day (if you splurge on restaurants).
A one-way train ticket from Zurich Airport to Grindelwald is at least 55 CHF, while the average cost of accommodation (two adults, three nights) is 800 CHF. That’s 450 CHF per person for the four days, not including the cost of food and cable car/funicular tickets.
Interlaken vs Grindelwald: Best Time To Visit
While both destinations offer a variety of things to do throughout the year, there is the best season for each of them. Interlaken is the better destination if you’re planning a trip in the summer since the beautiful town and its idyllic location offer a variety of ways to stay entertained during the warm season.
Fishing, kayaking, swimming, parasailing, paragliding, and bungee jumping are just some of the many things you can do in Interlaken in the summer. There are also countless hiking trails that you can explore, which will take you on loop hikes around lakes, to the summits of nearby mountains, and even to fabulous caves.
Grindelwald also offers a variety of things to do in warm weather, but the famous mountain village tends to be extremely crowded in the summer months. If you want to avoid hordes of tourists and hiked-up prices, just stay in Interlaken instead.
Although there are reasons to visit Interlaken even in the winter, I have to admit that Grindelwald is a much better destination for travelers who are planning a trip in the cold season. The lovely village is surrounded by too many ski pistes to count, and it’s one of the top destinations in Switzerland for a winter vacation.
Grindelwald is also popular for winter hiking in the colder season, as well as snowshoeing, ice skating, sledding, snowboarding, and pretty much anything else you can do when there’s snow on the ground.
It goes without saying that, regardless of which season you travel to either destination, you can (and should) make an easy day trip to the other town.
Interlaken vs Grindelwald: Which One Is Better?
I don’t think it’s fair to say that one destination is outright better than the other. Both places have their own unique attractions, and they’re both equally worth visiting.
Interlaken is generally the better destination for travelers who prefer to stay in bigger towns, especially those who are trying to travel on a tighter budget. The town isn’t exactly cheap, but it does have a wider variety of cheaper accommodation and meal options than Grindelwald.
There’s also no lack of fun things to do in Interlaken, especially if you’re an outdoor adventurer and you enjoy exploring natural attractions. Whether you want to spend your days hiking, having fun on the water, or engaging in what some would call extreme sports, Interlaken will live up to your expectations. It’s also well-connected to other towns in the area, so you can visit Thun, Iseltwald, Spiez, Brienz, Grindelwald, and many other places on day trips.
Grindelwald is one of Switzerland’s most popular tourist destinations, which means crowds year-round. The place is known for beautiful hiking trails in the summer and exciting ski slopes in the winter, so there’s merit to visiting any time of the year.
However, if you want the best deals for accommodation, you’ll need to book something months, if not a year in advance. Grindelwald is also more expensive than Interlaken in terms of the cost of getting around, meals, and accommodation, so it’s the better option for travelers who aren’t very worried about money.
Hi, I’m travelling to Switzerland from mid to end of March 2024, planning 3-night stays in either Interlaken or Grindelwald as base. Checked online and I found out that First mountain is close during the period, same goes to Harder Kulm in Interlaken.
I also plan to visit Wengen and Lauterbrunnen too,
May I know which town do you recommend as a base ?
First should be open because it is a ski resort too, I checked here: https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/grindelwaldfirst/
Harder Kulm (in Interlaken) is closed at that time of year.
Grindelwald is a nice town and close to a lot of things. I think it is the better option. But Interlaken has far more choice for accommodation (including nearby Wilderswil) so would likely be cheaper. Keep in mind March is still ski season in Switzerland, so many places like Grindelwald and Wengen are busy and full of skiers (so expensive).