Free & Cheap Parking in Interlaken: A Local's Guide (2026)

Interlaken is one of the most popular base towns for a Swiss road trip, sitting between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz with direct access to the Jungfrau region, Lauterbrunnen Valley, and Grindelwald. If you are driving, you will need somewhere to park, and in peak season (July through August), the central lots fill up fast while prices climb.

The good news is that Interlaken is compact enough that parking a 5 to 10 minute walk from the center saves significant money, and several options are genuinely free. The trick is knowing where to look and when to arrive.

For accommodation advice that factors in parking convenience, see our where to stay in Interlaken guide. For day trip planning from your Interlaken base, see day trips from Interlaken.

Hohe Matte Area (Central, Free)

The Hohe Matte is the large green park between Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost stations. The gravel parking area along the edges of the Hohe Matte offers free parking with no official time limit on most days. This is the single best free parking option in Interlaken: central, easy to find, and within a 5-minute walk of the main shopping street (Hoheweg).

Caveats: during major events (Swiss National Day on August 1, paragliding competitions, seasonal markets), parts of the Hohe Matte are closed to vehicles. Check for temporary signage. In peak summer, the free spaces fill by mid-morning, so arrive before 9 AM for the best chance.

Residential Side Streets Near West Station

Several residential streets within a 5 to 8 minute walk of Interlaken West station have unmarked street parking that is free and unrestricted. Look along Rugenparkstrasse, Beatenbergstrasse, and the streets south of the station toward the Aare River. These are not formal car parks, just residential streets where parking is permitted on the road shoulder.

These spots are best for short visits (a few hours) rather than all-day parking. Locals use them, so availability is variable. Avoid blocking driveways or parking on private land, which will result in a ticket.

Coop and Migros Supermarket Lots

The Coop and Migros supermarkets in Interlaken offer free customer parking for the duration of your shopping visit. These are not designed for all-day parking and are typically monitored with time limits (1 to 2 hours), but they are useful for a quick grocery stop combined with a short town visit. The Coop near Interlaken West station is the most convenient.

The Harder parking area, near the base station of the Harder Kulm funicular, is one of the best value options. It is slightly further from the main shopping strip but directly adjacent to one of Interlaken's best viewpoint attractions. If you plan to ride the Harder Kulm funicular (which we recommend for a sunset visit), parking here makes perfect logistical sense.

For the south side of the Aare River, look for lots along Marktgasse and the streets running south toward Unterseen. Unterseen is technically a separate commune from Interlaken, and parking there is generally cheaper. The walk across the Aare bridge to central Interlaken takes about 8 to 10 minutes and passes through the charming old-town area of Unterseen.

Interlaken has blue zone parking spaces scattered throughout the town, marked by blue paint on the road surface and blue zone signs. These spaces are free for a limited period (usually 1 to 2 hours) but require a parking disc displayed on your dashboard.

The parking disc (Parkscheibe in German) is a simple cardboard clock that you set to your arrival time. You can get one from your rental car company (ask at the desk), any petrol station, the Interlaken tourist office, or even some hotel reception desks. If your rental car does not have one, buy one immediately when you first fill up fuel. They cost 1 to 2 CHF.

Blue zone rules in Interlaken:

• Set the disc to the next half hour after your arrival (if you arrive at 10:15, set it to 10:30)
• Display the disc visibly on the dashboard, driver's side
• Typical limit: 1 hour in central areas, 2 hours in residential areas
• Enforcement is consistent; fines start at 40 CHF
• Blue zones are free overnight (typically 19:00 to 08:00) and on Sundays

For comprehensive Swiss parking rules beyond Interlaken, see our Switzerland parking rules guide.

If you are staying overnight in Interlaken, your best option is hotel parking. Most hotels charge 10 to 25 CHF per night for on-site or nearby garage parking. This is worth paying for: your car is secure, you avoid the morning scramble for a free spot, and you can leave your luggage in the car without worry.

When booking accommodation, check whether parking is included or available. Some smaller guesthouses in the Unterseen area include free parking. Larger hotels near Hoheweg typically charge separately. Our where to stay in Interlaken guide notes parking availability for recommended properties.

If your hotel does not offer parking, the Metropole garage near Interlaken West station offers overnight rates. The Hohe Matte free area can work for overnight parking in low season, but we do not recommend it in July and August when early-morning competition for spaces is fierce.

Book your Interlaken accommodation through Booking.com and filter for properties with parking to simplify your planning.

Many visitors use Interlaken as a base for day trips to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and the Jungfrau region. If you are taking the train from Interlaken Ost station, you have two parking strategies:

• Station car park: The Interlaken Ost car park costs approximately 12 to 15 CHF per day. It is directly at the station, so you can park and walk straight to the platform. This is the most convenient option.
• Free lot + walk: Park at the Hohe Matte area (free) and walk 10 minutes to Ost station. This saves 12 to 15 CHF per day but requires arriving early enough to find a space.

If you are driving to Lauterbrunnen or Grindelwald directly, note that those villages have their own parking situations. Lauterbrunnen has a large paid car park near the station (10 to 14 CHF per day), which is the only realistic option since the valley road beyond is restricted. Grindelwald has parking at the terminal building and near the station.

For complete day trip planning, see our day trips from Interlaken guide, which covers transport logistics for each destination. If you are deciding between Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald as a day trip base, our Grindelwald vs Lauterbrunnen comparison can help.

• Arrive early: Free and cheap spots fill by 9 to 10 AM in July and August. Plan to arrive by 8:30 AM at the latest.
• Weekdays are easier: Weekend parking pressure is noticeably higher, especially Saturday mornings when day-trippers from Bern and Zurich arrive.
• Shoulder season is relaxed: In May, June, September, and October, parking pressure drops dramatically. Free spots near the Hohe Matte are available well into the afternoon.
• Evening arrivals park free: Blue zones are free after 19:00 and on Sundays. If you arrive in the evening, grab a blue zone spot for the night and move to a free lot in the morning.
• Combine parking with activities: Park at the Harder Kulm base station and do the funicular ride, then walk into town. You get a cheap parking spot and a world-class viewpoint in one move.

Most parking meters in Interlaken accept Swiss franc coins (1 and 2 CHF pieces are most useful). Newer meters at the station car parks and the Metropole garage also accept contactless payment (credit/debit cards and mobile payment). However, older meters on side streets and smaller lots may be coin-only.

Always keep a handful of 1 and 2 CHF coins in the car. Get change when you buy fuel or at supermarket self-checkouts. This small preparation eliminates the most common parking frustration in Swiss towns. For broader advice on cash and parking across the country, see our Switzerland parking rules guide and the driving in Switzerland guide.