Interlaken between its lakes with the Bernese Alps behind

Day Trips by Car

Day Trips from Interlaken: Best Scenic Drives

A structured day-trip planner built for realistic timing, low stress, and smoother trip logistics.

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Interlaken a good base for day trips?

Yes. Interlaken gives access to multiple high-value scenic corridors without changing hotels every night.

Do I need a car for day trips from Interlaken?

For flexible timing, viewpoint access, and lower transfer friction, a car is strongly recommended.

What is the best season for day trips?

Late spring through early autumn usually gives the most reliable weather windows and route flexibility.

Compare prices before you go

Doing day trips from Interlaken? Lock in your central base first.

Compare the linked options for your dates. Prices, availability and cancellation terms vary by provider and offer; check the full details before booking.

Hotels in Interlaken →Rentals from Interlaken Interlaken tours & tickets

Planning the whole trip? Build a free day-by-day itinerary with the Trip Planner — real distances and drive times, printable.

Best day trips list (6-8 destinations)

Destination	Distance	Drive time	Highlights
Grindelwald	21 km	30 min	Bernese Oberland
Lauterbrunnen	13 km	20 min	Bernese Oberland
Lucerne	75 km	1h 32m	Central Switzerland
Zermatt (park in Täsch)	106 km	2h 5m	Valais
Zurich	131 km	2h	Zurich
St Moritz	216 km	4h 2m	Graubunden

Driving time and pacing

From Interlaken, keep one-way drives around 2h 30m on most days, then reserve longer outings for priority scenic days.

Practical rule: One major viewpoint stop plus one town stop beats overscheduling short stops.

Highlights by destination

Grindelwald: Scenic access in the Bernese Oberland corridor with realistic same-day return timing.
Lauterbrunnen: Scenic access in the Bernese Oberland corridor with realistic same-day return timing.
Lucerne: Scenic access in the Central Switzerland corridor with realistic same-day return timing.
Zermatt: Scenic access in the Valais corridor — drive as far as Täsch and take the 12-minute shuttle train, because Zermatt itself is car-free.
Zurich: Scenic access in the Zurich corridor with realistic same-day return timing.
St Moritz: Scenic access in the Graubunden corridor with realistic same-day return timing.

Tips for planning day trips

Leave before 09:00 for easier parking and cleaner road sections.
Choose one anchor destination and one optional backup stop each day.
Book accommodation with parking included for smoother mornings.
Keep weather-flexible alternatives for mountain cloud and pass closures.

Find hotels in Interlaken →Compare car rentals

Continue planning

Plan Your Alps Trip

These planning pages can help you lock in the key decisions for your trip.

Plan Your Alps Trip

These planning pages can help you lock in the key decisions for your trip.

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Flights to Zurich

Compare current fares to Zurich Airport (ZRH). Flight prices change by season, origin, and baggage rules, so check live options before you book. Search flights →

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Compare Car Rental Deals

Compare car-rental options for your Alps road trip. Prices, deposits, mileage limits and cancellation terms vary by offer; check the selected option before booking.

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Tours & Activities in Interlaken

Compare experiences in Interlaken — Jungfraujoch, paragliding, and Lake Brienz cruises. Availability, inclusions and cancellation terms vary by activity; check the selected option before booking.

See tours in Interlaken →

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