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How to see Interlaken on a budget

Interlaken is a gorgeous little town in the heart of the Swiss Alps. It is a popular place for both backpackers and luxury travelers alike, and in my opinion, one of the most underrated travel destinations in Switzerland. A lot of people visit Interlaken to hike, bike, ski, or do some other type of outdoor activity. The town is also within easy reach of lots of European cities by plane or train, so you have the chance to see many nearby surrounding cities during your stay in Interlaken. But, is Interlaken expensive?

interlaken on a budget
Stunning lake views in Interlaken / Photo by mana5280 on Unsplash

As breathtaking as Switzerland is, it is a very expensive country to travel in.

And, like most Swiss cities, Interlaken is no exception to elevated prices.

Despite this, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Interlaken more than 4 times and enjoy the attractions, eat great food, visit surrounding cities, and even go paragliding over the Alps – all while living on a student budget.

One thing about me: I will find a way to enjoy myself in any city I travel to, no matter how much (or little) money I have. And I’m here to help you do the same!

So, just how expensive is Interlaken?

In general, Interlaken is not cheap. However, if you go by budget travel standards (not spending a lot on entertainment and only cooking your own meals), Interlaken is actually pretty affordable.

After living in Europe for 3 years, I found it is possible to live like a local and spend as little as $10 per day (or less) while traveling in Interlaken.

Eating for cheap in Interlaken

As is usually the case, eating is your biggest expense while traveling in Interlaken. If you eat out every meal for 5 days while staying at a hostel or hotel with no free breakfasts, it will cost approximately $60-$90/day (for one person).

Staying in a hostel or hotel with free breakfasts? Congrats, your daily budget is reduced significantly!

Are staying in a hostel with a kitchen or cooking facilities, even better! You’ll be able to cut your costs in half by cooking your meals in the hostel and avoiding pricey restaurants.

Fondue is a must when visiting Interlaken! / Photo by Balmer’s Hostel

If you plan on cooking all of your meals, it is possible to live on $20-$30/day. This is assuming that you are staying in an apartment or hotel with a fully equipped kitchen (fridge, stove, oven, plates and silverware, pots/pans).

If you want cheap groceries, head over to Lidl (cheapest grocery store).

Though if you’re on vacation, you’ll probably not want to cook all of your meals, and would like to visit some of the restaurants around the city.

Restaurants in Interlaken are not cheap, but they are very delicious. High-end meals can set you back by at least $15-$40 per person, depending on how fancy the restaurant is.

Where to stay in Interlaken on a budget

My absolute favorite hostel to stay in – and the one I stay at every single time I visit Interlaken – is Balmer’s Hostel.

Balmer’s is a chalet-style family-owned hostel that originally opened in 1907 as a “Touristenheim” (tourist house). The hostel has remained in the family for over 3 generations and is now run by Fabienne and Carmen Balmer.

Balmer’s is equipped with a fully-equipped kitchen, fast wifi, multiple lounge areas, a jacuzzi, and even a nightclub!

Their staff is very friendly and welcoming, and I even had the honor of meeting the owner the last time I visited in December 2021 – who explained to me the history of Balmer’s Hostel and gave me a 2c Swiss Franc coin (a good luck tradition).

I would definitely recommend this place to any other backpackers traveling to Interlaken that don’t want to break the bank on accommodation. There are also plenty of other inexpensive hotel and hostel options in Interlaken as well, just be sure to book in advance to make sure you can get a spot!

Cheap things to do in Interlaken

It is, in fact, possible to see the city (and have a good time) while on a student or backpacker’s budget.

My favorite free thing to do in Interlaken is walking around the city and admiring the views.

Interlaken is a valley located in the middle of the Swiss Alps, which provides gorgeous views of tall mountains, waterfalls, churches, chalets – you name it!

interlaken switzerland
Take a walk around the city and soak up the scenic views! / Photo by Tucker Monticelli on Unsplash

Other cheap things to do in Interlaken are lounging around the hostel, enjoying coffee/tea at a local place, and taking boat rides on Lake Thun.

On a sunny day, you can rent a bike and ride around to all the city’s main attractions. You can typically find bike rental shops near or right outside of the train station, or along the side of the river. Expect to spend about 50 CHF for the entire week on bike rentals.

Interlaken is also a great place for hiking, and best of all – it’s free! Some of the best places to hike in Interlaken are along the side of Titlis mountain, around Lake Thun, and up the Jungfrau.

For more inspiration about things to do while traveling in Interlaken, check out my recent post: 20 things to do in Interlaken, Switzerland.

Cheap transportation in Interlaken

If you’re looking to travel to nearby cities that you can’t reach on foot or by bike, expect to spend a bit of money.

Some popular nearby cities to travel to include: Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Wilderswil.

These villages can all be reached by train, for about 16 CHF each way.

Or, you can also purchase an Interlaken Guest Card, which is valid for unlimited travel on the public transport system in Interlaken, plus free entrance to over 80 attractions, museums and events across the region! This is about 100 CHF for 4 days – making it cheaper than traveling by train for a round trip.

How expensive is Interlaken?

So, what’s the average cost of a trip to Interlaken?

The budget is $60-$75/day depending on how much you want to spend on food, drinks, activities, etc.

The hostel is $30/night for a shared room. If you’re looking to save money on transportation (and don’t mind walking or biking everywhere), then stay out of Interlaken Ost station because it is the most expensive train station to depart from.

If you’re traveling to Interlaken alone on a budget, expect to spend $50-$75/day.

Traveling in a couple or with friends? I’d suggest saving up for a bit more luxury and opting for purchasing the EurRail pass.

Interlaken is a place where you will definitely have to be a bit more conscious of your spending choices and what you’re purchasing.

Is Interlaken expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Most definitely!

Whether you’re planning to visit for a few days or for an entire semester abroad, I think that the costs are worth it for how beautiful and unique of a place Switzerland is. Most people that I’ve met always have an amazing time in Interlaken – regardless of how much money is spent.

So if you’re considering Interlaken as a travel destination, don’t think twice about it!