If you’ve got a layover in Interlaken, don’t let it go to waste sitting at ZIN. The city, in Switzerland, is within easy reach — roughly 30 minutes by local transport. Whether you have four hours or twelve, here’s how to make your stopover count.
Quick Checks Before Leaving the Airport
Three things to verify before you walk out of ZIN:
- Can you legally enter Switzerland? Some nationalities need a visa even for a few hours. Check your passport’s validity too.
- Do you have enough time? With a 30-minute journey each way by local transport, you’ll want at least 5-6 hours total to make the trip worthwhile.
- How will you pay? Local currency is the CHF. Avoid exchanging money at the airport if you can — city-center ATMs usually give you a better deal.
Getting to Interlaken from the Airport
From ZIN, the local transport gets you to Interlaken in around 30 minutes. That’s the option most travelers with a time constraint should pick.
Taxis and ride-hailing services are available too (expect roughly 50 minutes), but they cost more and are at the mercy of traffic. Unless you’re traveling with heavy luggage or in a group, the local transport offers the best balance of speed, cost, and reliability.
Estimated Costs for a Quick Visit
You don’t need a fortune for a layover outing. Here’s a realistic estimate for Interlaken:
Transport to the city and back runs about $17 USD. A sit-down meal averages around $34 USD. Add $10 for a coffee, snacks, or a small souvenir, and you’re looking at roughly $61 USD total.
Withdraw local currency from an ATM at the airport rather than using exchange counters — the rates are usually better.
Where to Leave Your Bags
Specific locker facilities at ZIN aren’t well-documented. We recommend checking Bounce before your trip to find a secure storage spot either near the airport or in Interlaken itself.
If you’re traveling carry-on only, you might be able to skip storage entirely and bring your bag along.
Top Picks for a Quick Visit
For a layover visit to Interlaken, we’d suggest City Center Walk and Local Market. Neither requires a full day, and both give you a real taste of the area.
Just walking around here gives you a feel for the local vibe. The atmosphere alone makes it worth a visit, even if you don’t buy anything.
Staying airside? That’s fine too. Inside ZIN, you can spend time at Airport Lounge or try Duty Free Shopping. Sometimes the best layover is a calm one.
Eating Well on a Interlaken Layover
For food in Interlaken, local travelers recommend Local Restaurant. If you have time for a second stop, Popular Eatery is another popular pick.
Back at ZIN, Airport Cafe is the go-to. Terminal Restaurant rounds out your in-terminal options.
Taking a Break at ZIN
Long overnight layover? Your options at ZIN include terminal seating (look for areas away from the main walkways) and, if available, airport lounges with day passes. Some airports in Switzerland also have transit hotels or sleeping pods — worth checking availability before your trip.
Staying Connected
You’ll find free WiFi at ZIN for basic browsing. If you plan to navigate Interlaken or use ride-hailing apps, having mobile data is much more convenient. Consider setting up an eSIM through a provider like Airalo or Holafly before your trip — it takes a few minutes and saves you from hunting for SIM card kiosks.
Final Thoughts
Not every layover leads somewhere interesting, but a layover in Interlaken genuinely does. There’s enough to fill a few hours with good food, interesting sights, and the kind of experience that makes a journey feel like more than just getting from A to B.
Make the most of it. You’ve got this.
Disclaimer: Visa rules, transport schedules, and prices change. Always verify details with official sources and your airline before leaving the airport.