After a Long Time… Planning a Trip and Deciding on Accommodation
After what felt like ages, I finally managed to plan the trip and settle on accommodation after researching a lot. Initially, I booked fully refundable hotels because I was unsure about the itinerary, but later I started looking into Airbnb as well, and in the end, I decided to go with Airbnb.
With about two weeks left until our trip to Switzerland, it feels like I’ve searched every possible accommodation around Interlaken.
If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, especially Interlaken, it’s best to book at least two months in advance. If you have a confirmed plan, booking three months ahead will give you better rates and more accommodation options.
I tend to focus on the accommodations and routes, while my husband checks out the surrounding areas through road views. Together, we combined our opinions to make the decisions.
Here’s what I’ve learned through my research and decisions.
Changes in the Itinerary: Rental Car Over Trains
Our itinerary changed quite a bit, mainly because we were undecided on whether or not to go to France. In the end, we decided not to go, so I canceled all the reservations in France. We also considered whether to stay in Interlaken for a week or explore nearby towns.
At first, we planned to travel by train, but with a child, renting a car seemed more convenient. We researched all the Swiss train passes and packages but eventually settled on renting a car, even though the rental cost was quite high.
Initially, the cheaper car models were sold out, so we had to book one of the few remaining cars that were still affordable at the time.
The total rental cost came to around $1,080 for 8 days, including a car seat for the baby. There’s an additional fee if you plan to visit neighboring countries.
We rented through Sixt, which my husband’s colleague recommended. There are other companies to compare, but Sixt had more expensive full coverage insurance options. Even though it cost more, I preferred the peace of mind that came with full insurance, so we opted for that.
Adjusting the Plan: Full Stay in Interlaken
Initially, we planned to stop in Lucerne to break up the journey for our child, but in the end, we decided it would be better to stay in Interlaken for the full week rather than splitting the stay. While reviewing the travel costs, we also considered moving to a smaller, more affordable place, but within 10 minutes of deciding, the three days we were considering were already booked.
In the end, we decided on an Airbnb in a place called Spiez. I hope it turns out to be a good decision. The house is bright (as many places we saw were quite dark), has two king-size beds, a fully equipped kitchen, a balcony, a grill, and free parking.
Accommodation Around Interlaken: Location and Price
Whether you’re staying in Grindelwald or another area, accommodation prices vary greatly depending on the property. Since we were traveling as a family, we searched for entire houses or hotel rooms. Considering that we would be renting a car, we found cheaper options for around $155 per night and more expensive ones for about $460.
Most Airbnbs we saw ranged between $230 to $310 per night. The more affordable, good-quality properties were already booked early on, and even older homes seemed to be in high demand.
So, while Airbnb isn’t necessarily cheap, the condition and attractiveness of the property often lead to higher prices.
Interlaken: Choosing the Right Location
For those not renting a car and planning to travel primarily by train or visit nearby areas, staying in the central part of Interlaken is probably best. We didn’t consider staying in the center because we wanted to enjoy more nature and be closer to greenery.
Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen
Grindelwald has plenty of Airbnbs, chalets (traditional Swiss houses), and hotels. It’s a must-visit area from Interlaken, so staying there is a good option too. However, keep in mind that it takes 30 minutes to get up to Grindelwald, and the buses stop running quite early in the evening.
Hotels in Grindelwald tend to be more expensive than elsewhere due to the views of famous tourist spots. I looked at several chalets where prices started from $230 per night for three people. However, booking these chalets wasn’t easy. Many had kitchens but lacked washing machines. Some had dishwashers, which is important if you plan on cooking during your trip. Hotels generally have smaller kitchens and no laundry facilities.
We initially booked a hotel in Grindelwald, which cost around $385 per night, including breakfast, but it didn’t have a kitchen. After reconsidering the route and budget, we canceled that booking.
Beatenberg
Beatenberg is where my husband’s colleague booked their Airbnb. The advantage of this area is that, depending on the location, you can enjoy views of the mountains and lakes.
There are more Airbnbs than hotels in this region, with prices ranging from $155 to $310 per night. Most accommodations are chalet-style, with a more homey feel but often showing signs of age. We saw some neat houses, but they were rare.
We initially booked an Airbnb here for a week, but communication with the host was poor, and the heating system had to be managed manually, so we canceled the booking.
Saxeten
Saxeten is located on the opposite side of Beatenberg, down from Interlaken. It’s a quiet and somewhat dark area. There aren’t many Airbnbs or chalets, but a few options can be found.
We booked a chalet here for three nights, which had everything we needed but was a bit old. It felt like a remote mountain lodge. The accommodation cost around $230 per night, but we canceled the reservation after deciding to spend the entire week in Interlaken instead.
Brienz, Iseltwald (Near Lake Brienz)
Lake Brienz is massive—much larger than it seems on Google Maps. At first, I wondered why the boat tours took an hour, but it’s simply because the lake is so large.
There are hotels, Airbnbs, and chalets near Lake Brienz. Hotels are usually located close to the lake or near the docks. It’s a good area to stay if you plan to visit Lucerne, and it’s not too far from Interlaken.
Most accommodations near the lake cost around $230 per night. I found an Airbnb that seemed perfect for traveling with a child—it had a small swing and a sandbox, which was a big advantage for us. However, the host informed us that the property would be undergoing renovations during our travel dates, so we couldn’t book it.
Thun Lake Area: Leissigen, Spiez, Thun
The areas near Thun Lake are conveniently located for visiting Bern. There are many great accommodations here, and I found Airbnb prices in this area to be more reasonable. However, the further you move from Interlaken, the longer it takes to reach Grindelwald.
Aeschi bei Spiez
The accommodation we finally decided on is in Spiez, a town in the Bern region, near Interlaken. Most accommodations in the Interlaken area are at least 30 minutes from Grindelwald, and from this place, it takes about 40 minutes to get there.
Final Thoughts on Booking Accommodation in Interlaken
Accommodation around Interlaken varies greatly in terms of location and price. Since we’re traveling as a family, we focused on finding entire houses on Airbnb or hotels. The cheaper options started around $155 per night, while nicer places could cost up to $460 per night. Most Airbnbs were priced between $230 to $310 per night.
If you don’t book early, the good properties get snatched up quickly, so once your plans are confirmed, it’s best to book right away. Also, keep in mind that Airbnb isn’t always cheaper—places with good conditions or attractive features tend to be more expensive.
I plan to share more tips about booking accommodation in Interlaken, especially for those traveling with children, like us.
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