Car Hire in Interlaken — Lakes, Peaks, and Alpine Passes
Interlaken is the place where Switzerland starts to feel like the postcards. The town sits between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau massifs rising behind it. While the trains are excellent, a hire car gives you the freedom to chase mountain views, stop at trailheads, and explore villages that public transport does not reach.
Interlaken does not have its own international airport. Most visitors arrive by train from Zurich or Geneva and collect a car from a desk near Interlaken West or Interlaken Ost stations. Some fly into Bern-Belp and drive from there. The train is often faster from Zurich, but having a car from the start makes sense if you are heading straight into the mountains or planning a multi-stop road trip.
~6,000
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Approximately 570 metres
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Bern-Belp (regional)
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Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau
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Match collection to the actual itinerary
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Interlaken Station Pick-Up — The Standard Option
Most rental brands have desks near Interlaken West or Interlaken Ost stations, or just a short walk away in the town centre. This is convenient if you are arriving by train and want to hit the road immediately. The town is compact, so you can collect your car and be on the A8 or heading up a mountain road within minutes. Be aware that parking in Interlaken is limited in peak season, so confirm hotel parking before you book.
Bern-Belp Airport Pick-Up — Fly and Drive
Bern-Belp is the closest airport with rental facilities, though it is a small regional hub. If you are flying in from elsewhere in Europe, this can be a direct route to the mountains. The drive to Interlaken takes you through the scenic Emmental and along Lake Thun. However, flight options are limited compared to Zurich, and car choice at Bern-Belp is narrower.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Interlaken is the kind of place that makes you want to keep moving. You arrive expecting a quiet lakeside town, and within an hour you are staring up at the Eiger, planning a hike you had not heard of that morning.
The town itself is pleasant but unremarkable. The real magic is in the valleys above it — Lauterbrunnen with its waterfalls, Grindelwald with its glacier views, and the high passes that lead toward Lucerne or Bern. A hire car lets you explore all of them on your own schedule.
The complication is the weather. Mountain roads close without warning, fog descends in minutes, and what looks like a gentle valley on a map can become a white-knuckle drive in winter. Check conditions, carry chains, and do not be afraid to park the car and take the train for the last stretch.
Check the conditions behind the price
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Total payable price
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Deposit and payment card
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Excess and cover
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Fuel policy
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Mileage and territory
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Extras and return
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Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Mountain Driving Basics
Roads around Interlaken are well maintained but narrow and winding. Some passes close in winter. Check current conditions before you set off, and carry snow chains between November and April.
Parking in Interlaken
The town centre has public garages and some street parking, but spaces fill quickly in summer and ski season. Many hotels offer guest parking, but it should be confirmed at booking.
Train vs Car
The Swiss rail network is excellent, but a car wins for flexibility. You can stop at viewpoints, carry hiking gear easily, and reach trailheads that trains do not serve. For pure city-to-city travel, the train is often faster.
Documents & Requirements
A valid driving licence, passport, and credit card in the main driver's name. Winter tyres or chains are legally required on many Alpine roads in cold months. Check whether your rental includes them.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Interlaken Tourism.
Build a realistic first journey
Interlaken to Grindelwald & the Eiger
Head north into the Grindelwald valley. The road passes beneath the north face of the Eiger and offers some of the most iconic Alpine scenery in Switzerland. Allow extra time for traffic in ski season.
Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen Valley
Drive south to the valley of waterfalls. Lauterbrunnen is the base for trips to Wengen, Mürren, and the Jungfraujoch. Parking in Lauterbrunnen is limited — arrive early or use the train for the last stretch.
Interlaken to Lucerne
Take the A8 east along Lake Brienz and over the Brünig Pass. The route is one of Switzerland's great scenic drives, passing waterfalls, lakes, and mountain meadows before descending into Lucerne.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need snow chains in Interlaken?
Between November and April, snow chains or winter tyres are required on many mountain roads. Your rental agreement should state whether winter equipment is included.
Is parking in Interlaken expensive?
Hotel parking varies by property. Public garages charge daily rates. Street parking is limited and often restricted to short stays. Confirm arrangements before you arrive.
Can I drive to Jungfraujoch?
No. The Jungfraujoch is only reachable by train from Kleine Scheidegg or by cable car from Grindelwald. You can drive to the base stations, but the final ascent is by mountain railway.
Is the train better than a car for Alpine travel?
For travel between major towns, the train is often faster and more relaxing. For reaching remote trailheads, mountain passes, and scenic viewpoints, a car gives you more freedom. Many visitors use both.
Compare Interlaken car hire
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