Geneva to Interlaken Train: All You Need To Know 

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Many tourists visit Interlaken, Switzerland because it is an excellent starting point for exploring the Bernese Oberland region. Because of its convenient location for hiking, adventure, and trips, tourists usually stay here for several days or even longer. This is an excellent choice.

Interlaken, which has a good infrastructure for tourists, can be reached easily by train from Geneva.

Image of Interlaken by TouringSwitzerland.com

Inevitably, logistics are a concern. In particular, train travel in Switzerland has a few specifics for those who plan to use it. How can I get from Geneva to Interlaken? Do the trains offer scenic views? How much are the tickets?

On this page, you can find all the information you need regarding the train journey from Geneva to Interlaken.

Overview: Navigating Swiss Trains

You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.

If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.

Getting tickets from RailEurope is definitely a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. A global leader in train tickets and passes, RailEurope is headquartered in Paris, France. A Swiss Pass and a Half Fare Discount Card can also be obtained from RailEurope.

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Using the Swiss Pass, you can travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats, and more. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.


How to Get From Geneva to Interlaken

Image of Geneva’s Train Station by TouringSwitzerland.com

Geneva Train Station to Interlaken via Bern

The best way to go from Geneva to Interlaken is to do the following:

  1. Take the Intercity train or Interregio train to Bern.
  2. In Bern, take the Intercity train to Interlaken West / Interlaken Ost.

Geneva Airport to Interlaken via Bern

From Geneva Airport, you can take the Intercity train all the way to Bern. If you want to find out which train platform you need to go to and what time, you can check the screens and boards inside Geneva Airport. 

  1. Take the Intercity train or Interregio train to Bern.
  2. In Bern, take the Intercity train to Interlaken West / Interlaken Ost.

Trains to Interlaken usually depart on Platform 4. If you are boarding this train, make sure you check the signage to ensure you are boarding the correct one. 

Are There Direct Trains From Geneva to Interlaken?

As of the time of writing (April 2022), there are no direct trains from Geneva to Interlaken. You will have to go from Geneva to Lucerne via Bern.


How Long Is the Train Ride From Geneva to Interlaken?

The following table shows the train ride duration from Geneva to Interlaken:

RouteDuration (Fastest Connection)
Geneva – Bern – Interlaken Ost2 hours 46 minutes
Geneva – Bern – Interlaken West2 hours 40 minutes
Geneva Airport – Bern – Interlaken Ost2 hours 56 minutes
Geneva Airport – Bern – Interlaken West2 hours 50 minutes

Is the Train Route From Geneva to Interlaken Scenic?

Train Route: Geneva – Bern – Interlaken Ost

Image of Bern by GPhotography from Pixabay

Intercity trains from Geneva to Bern are not scenic trains. There are fast trains that travel from one big city to another, whose main purpose is to transport passengers as quickly as possible.

During the ride from Geneva to Interlaken, you can still see the scenery, but it won’t be slow and steady like other scenic trains.


How Much Will the Train Ticket From Geneva to Interlaken Cost?

As of the time of writing (updated December 2022), here are the train ticket prices from Geneva to Interlaken:

RouteFull Fare (CHF)Half Fare (CHF)
Geneva Airport – Bern – Interlaken West 74.0037.00
Geneva Airport – Bern – Interlaken Ost74.0037.00
Geneva – Bern – Interlaken West70.0035.00
Geneva – Bern –  Interlaken Ost72.0036.00

As you can see, if you avail of the Half Fare Travel Card, you can definitely save on your fare for long train journeys. So this is definitely something to consider during your travel to Switzerland. You can do simple calculations and decide from there if it will be worth it for you.


Do You Need a Seat Reservation on the Train?

No, there is no need to reserve a spot on the train. But you can always add this option if that is your wish.