Do I need to rent a car in Interlaken, Switzerland?

Show all answers

Mark K

no they have great taxi and public transportation

mark k

Mr Who

Goddess of grammar is right - Interlaken is not much more than a big train junction. With other words, not a town but a village (everything within walking distance). Or call it a tourist trap ;-)

Forget about renting a car in Switzerland - the train system is one of the densest in the world, really reliable and clean. Additionally, car parks are expensive (if any). So, just hop on the train at Zurich airport and take the direct train to Interlaken. For a personalized schedule, please see here: http://fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en?seqnr=1&ident=9q.027217220.1223922202&OK#focus

As for skiing and parachuting or simply experiencing the really lovely nature around Interlaken - again, take the train!

Don't forget to send us a postcard once you're up there! :-)

Goddess of Grammar

I wouldn't.
I tend to think of Interlaken as a big train junction, though I know others disagree. Not sure where you have to go to parachute, the skiing is best and in some cases only reachable by train.

manadude2

Interlaken is actually small for a city. Everything is within walking distance, but it is also well equipped with public transport:

Buses
Trains
Boats
Horse and Cart

If you buy a Swiss Pass or even just a Berner Oberland pass, you can get on those for free (Except the horse and cart) and as many times as you like. Interlaken is a great place to be, I stayed not far from there, am small place called Lauterbrunnen, just up the valley. It is a fantastic place and I'm sure you will love it.

averagebear

I was there recently. I walked from one end of the town to the other end no problem. It is very small. For people who enjoy walking, it is very easy. Oh, but you'll be there in Dec... Still, I wouldn't rent a car. There are horse carriages although that seemed touristy. I stayed in a small town nearby because Interlaken had too many people and too many tour buses when I was there.

Jean-Paul J

I really would not take the car. Interlaken is a small town so you can easily go about it by foot or use the excellent bus network. As "Goddess of Grammar" pointed out, Interlaken is basically a large train junction, connecting trains going towards the Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen and other small towns with the main lines as well as connecting you with Brienz, Thun and Bern.

That area is quite dense in terms of train network and in many cases the only way to get to certain skiing areas is by train (and in the case of the Schilthorn by Cable Car and Funicular).

Summarise: Best way to get around: Public Transport or Foot. Car is not necessary.

Hope this helped,

JPJ

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: