After nearly a dozen trips to Switzerland, having stayed in several cities regions in the Swiss alps several times – I have finally gained enough expertise to know the best place to stay in the Swiss Alps depending on what you’re looking for during your trip.

My guide on the best places to stay in the Swiss Alps will provide real-life experience from having traveled across Switzerland numerous times over the past decade – revealing which place in the Swiss Alps is best for those on a budget, seeking storybook village scenes, or for the easiest connectivity between the rest of Switzerland.

How Many Days in the Swiss Alps Do You Need?

For s first trip to the Swiss Alps, I think a minimum of 3 days is great – as you’ll get to soak into the vibes and views offered by your surroundings, while still leaving time for leisurely day trips to places like Jungfrajoch, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald.

🏔️ How Many Days to Stay in the Swiss Alps?

⏳ 2 Days

If this is all you have, I recommend seeing Interlaken and a day trip to Jungfraujoch!

🗺️ 3 to 4 Days

I recommend doing Interlaken, Jungfraujoch, and Lauterbrunnen.

🌿 5 to 7 Days

I recommend exploring all the villages alongside Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in addition to Jungfraujoch, Lauterbrunnen, Interlaken, and Grindelwald!

Swiss Alps Transportation Tips (Train Passes + Getting Around)

In Switzerland, it is imperative that you have a valid train ticket on you at all times – train conductors will walk by and ask to see your ticket, and if you don’t have it, they will fine you. These fines can be extremely high, so never risk boarding a train without the right ticket.

Do You Need a Swiss Travel Pass?

No, you don’t need a Swiss travel pass to explore the Swiss Alps or even the rest of the country – and as people often buy the wrong type of pass they need anyways, I often find it to be costlier and more time consuming in the end. One way or round trip tickets have been my choice of travel when staying in the Swiss Alps for years, and I’ve never had any major problems.

I see many people in the Swiss Alps buy day passes or try to operate on other special SBB (Switzerland’s train service) tickets – but honestly, I have found the more affordable and straightforward way is to buy my tickets one at a time depending on where I want to go in the Swiss Alps that day.

Swiss Alp Hotel & Train Booking Tips

When Is the Best Time to Book Hotels For the Swiss Alps: Summer vs. Winter

I usually have no issue booking hotels in Switzerland, unless it’s in extremely touristic and congested places such as Zermatt or Interlaken – of which need to be booked as far in advance as possible if you plan to go there during high season (i.e., ski season or the thick of summer).

I would strongly advise booking hotels in Zermatt for the winter several months in advance, and hotels in Interlaken from spring to summer also well ahead of your travel date to ensure accommodation during the time of year you want .

Is the Glacier Express Worth It?

As someone who has seen the majority of Switzerland by train at all angles between different cities going to different countries (i.e., France to Switzerland, Switzerland to Italy) – I really believe that the Glacier Express is absurdly overpriced and not worth it for what you’re getting.

In fact, when going from Visp to Zermatt in early 2026 – the train conductor told us that we were traveling on the exact same line for part of the route of the Glacier Express. Now, if your heart’s desire it to sit in the fancy train and have a glass of champagne watching the Swiss alps pass you by – that’s a different story. However, if it’s merely for views and to see the beauty of Switzerland – no, I don’t think the Glacier Express is worth your time or money.

Where Is The Best Place to Stay in the Swiss Alps?

The best place to stay in the Swiss Alps depends on what you want most during your trip to the alps. If you want beauty, serenity, and peace – Spiez is the way to go. If you want to be easily connected to public transportation, Interlaken is a no-brainer. If you want cozy cabin village vibes and to feel isolated from the rest of the world, Zermatt is a better option.

The overview cards below will reveal the best places to stay in the Swiss Alps:

🏔️ Best Places to Stay in the Swiss Alps

The overview cards below will reveal the best places to stay in the Swiss Alps:

🚆 Best Overall Base & Easy Transport Connections

No doubt, Interlaken is the best place for a base in the Swiss Alps – as it’ll be easy to explore other villages across both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, as well as easier access to cities like Bern, Lucerne, and even Zermatt.

🗻 Best for Matterhorn Views

Clearly, Zermatt takes the cake here – the views in Zermatt such as Mürini 28 simply can’t be beat and need to be seen in person to believe it.

🏡 Best “Storybook Village” Vibes

I strongly suggest Sigriswil, as this is textbook brown wood cottage “village” vibes – the kind of thing you have probably imagined when staying in Switzerland.

💸 Best for Budget Travelers

Wilderswil is a place I have stayed twice now in the Swiss Alps. It’s a short 5 minute train into Interlaken, is much quieter, and honestly much prettier – making it a slightly more economical version to staying in between the two famous lakes.

🚫🚗 Best Car-Free Villages

Wengen and Mürren, both close to Lauterbrunnen, allow for the jaw-dropping mountainscapes without the cars. Both of these places in the Swiss Alps also have incredible hikes!

✨ Best for Luxury Travelers (Glacier Express)

If you’re planning a more luxurious Swiss Alps trip and want to take the Glacier Express, I recommend staying in Zermatt or St. Moritz for the full iconic experience.

View of Mount Niesen in Speiz; June 2022

How to Choose the Best Swiss Alps Base (Before You Book Anything)

There are several factors to consider when deciding where to stay in the Swiss Alps.

The table below will reveal which places in the Swiss Alps may be best to stay in depending on whether you’ll travel by train or car, want hiking or views, how long you’ll stay, and what time of year you visit.

🏔️ Where to Stay in the Swiss Alps (Based on Your Travel Style)

The table below will reveal which places in the Swiss Alps may be best to stay in depending on whether you’ll travel by train or car, want hiking or views, how long you’ll stay, and what time of year you visit.

Question	Local Answer (Best Places to Stay)
🌤️ Are you visiting in the summer or the winter?	If you’re visiting in the summer, you have to stay in Brienz, Spiez, or Interlaken – it’s simply stunning in the warmer months. As for the winter, I really think the best place is Zermatt – it perfectly emanates cozy, winter vibes and is made to be experienced in cool temperatures with snowy scenery.
🥾 Do you want hiking, scenery, or a cute village feel?	For cute village feels, I recommend Sigriswil, Wilderswil, and Spiez. For a little town on the water, I recommend Thun, and for hiking – I recommend Wengen and Mürren.
🚆🚗 Are you traveling by train or car?	If you’re traveling by train, cities like Thun, Spiez, Interlaken, Zermatt and Grindelwald are best. If you’re driving, places such as Lauterbrunnen might be a good fit – as there are lots of places to park camper vans and cars there.
🚫🚗 Do you want car-free or convenient?	Car-free places like Zermatt, Wengen, and Mürren have their own charm – but if you want the ability to easily get from one place to another, staying somewhere like Thun, Grindelwald, or Interlaken is a much better choice as they’re all easily connected to Switzerland’s amazing train system.
🌙 How many nights do you have (2 vs 5 vs 7)?	If you’re staying for several nights, I recommend a better base such as Interlaken as opposed to staying somewhere like Zermatt – which is further away from other places in the Swiss Alps.

View of Swiss Alps in Sigriswil dusk — View of Swiss Alps in Sigriswil; January 2024

The Best Places to Stay in the Swiss Alps (By Region)

Jungfrau Region

Interlaken (Transport Hub Base)

Essentially the hallmark city that people think of when a trip to the Swiss Alps comes to mind, Interlaken is the perfect base for a trip to the Swiss Alps – as it’s convenient, has quick connections, and is a bigger city than the majority of other places in the Swiss Alps.

🏔️ Interlaken: Pros vs. Cons (From a Traveler Perspective)

✅ Pros of Interlaken

⚠️ Cons of Interlaken

🚆 Excellent transport connections

Excellent connection public transportation for day trips to places like Jungfrau or even other cities in Switzerland.

💸 Extremely expensive

Extremely expensive as many other travelers to the Swiss Alps try to stay here.

🍽️ More restaurants + shops

Greater access to different restaurants, shops, etc.

🌍 Heavy with tourists

Heavy with tourists from all over the world which makes it feel less authentic at times and more like a tourist trap.

🌊 Between two lakes

Nestled in between the two lakes and options to experience both.

🛏️ Hard to find accommodation

Can be challenging to find accommodation as lots of things are often booked far in advance.

🪂 Easy access to activities

Easy access to activities like paragliding.

📅 Plan ahead required

If you want the best stays (or best prices), you often have to plan Interlaken far in advance.

Walking central Interlaken in Switzerland; April 2025

Should I Stay in Interlaken, Grindelwald, or Lauterbrunnen?

Honestly, even though I find Lauterbruennen and Grindelwald prettier than Interlaken – I would still opt to stay in Interlaken, as it’s much more convenient and better located for the day trips you’ll probably want to take while in the Swiss alps.

Best For: Travelers to the Swiss Alps who want to take lots of day trip and need a reliable home base with convenience and fast railway connections.

Thun

If you’re looking for a place similar to Interlaken with more places to eat, wander, and shop, but don’t want to pay the through-the-roof prices for accommodation there – Thun could be the perfect Swiss Alps base for you.

Best For: Travelers who like small cities and nature combined, don’t want to stay in “cliché” Interlaken, and still want to be easily connected to the rest of the Swiss Alps.

Lauterbrunen

This iconic Swiss valley base is most likely where you have seen some of the famous waterfalls in photos and videos in the Swiss Alps.

View of Lauterbrunnen in Swiss Alps; April 2025

It’s a more quaint, but often flooded with tourists – I personally prefer to visit here for the day and stay elsewhere, but it can be fun to stay here if you have a camper van and want to do nearby hikes in Wengen or Müren!

Best For: Travelers with a car planning to do hikes in the area, or really want to stay in a valley in the Swiss Alps.

Wilderswil

Having stayed in Wilerswil twice before, this is the perfect spot in the Swiss Alps if you want to be centrally located between Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald – and is usually a little cheaper than Interlaken as it’s much more secluded, quiet, and less touristic.

Best For: Travelers who like to stay in quiet areas and want to save some money from staying in the main central hub, which in this case, is Interlaken.

Spiez

Many people opt for Thun or Interlaken, as they are more like small cities than Swiss villages, but Spiez often goes unnoticed – and it shouldn’t.

Spiez is a great base town for exploring the rest of the Jungfrau area, and plus – those views of Mount Niesen can’t be beat!

Best For: Travelers to the Swiss Alps who want to take lots of day trip and need a reliable home base with convenience and fast railway connections.

Brienz

This spot in the Swiss Alps is best if you want a more rustic, “camp” vibe along the lake – honestly, this place almost reminds me of Camp Rock with its dark wooden homes and scenery.

Best For: Travelers who want a serene, lake base further away from the more populated cities along Lake Thun.

🏔️ Additional Places to Stay in the Jungfrau Region (Swiss Alps)

🏡 Grindelwald

Major base and “postcard” perfect Swiss Alps town, just bear in mind it’s often quiet. Allows for easy access to the trains to go to the “Top of Europe” or Jungfraujoch. Stay here if you want the classic first time tourist experience of staying in the Swiss Alps.

🚫🚗 Wengen

Great for those who want a no car base, incredible hikes, and pure immersion in nature. However, this one takes a little bit more effort to get to. Stay here if you want a more rustic trip to the Swiss Alps and to be off the beaten path.

🌿 Sigriswil

Quieter, small “village” with dark wooden houses on the other side of Lake Thun. Offers a more “escapism” type of Swiss Alps trip, but requires getting on a bus and would be harder for day trips. Stay here if what your seeking is peace and quiet away from the more touristic places in the Jungfrau region.

How Many Nights Should I Stay in the Jungfrau Region?

For a first trip to the Swiss Alps, I really recommend staying at least three nights in the Jungfrau region. This will allow enough time for day trips to places such as Jungfrajoch, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald.

Common Mistakes People Make in the Jungfrau Region

The biggest mistakes I see in the Jungfrau region is people neglecting to explore all of the smaller, but equally beautiful and charming villages alongside Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

I also see people who do not book things, such as going up to the Top of Europe in advance – of which must be done before traveling to the Swiss Alps, especially during high season, if your heart is set on this excursion while in the Alps.

Everyone makes time to visit tourist classics like Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald, but seem to neglect the dozens of other villages along both lakes. (link to underrated Switzerland here).

Zermatt (Matterhorn Region)

One of my new favorite places in Switzerland, Zermatt is excellent for those who want to see the bucket-list-worthy Matterhorn mountain and encapsulate the best of what chalet and cabins in the Swiss Alps have to offer.

View of Matterhorn in Zermatt; January 2026

Can I Do Zermatt on a Budget?

Yes, you can absolutely visit Zermatt on a budget – as it isn’t just for skiers, but even the average backpacker. A lot of what makes Zermatt expensive is spa days or overpriced restaurants, both of which can be avoided!

Check out my trip to Zermatt below to see how it can be budget-friendly and a great place to stay in the Swiss Alps:

Where Should I Stay in Zermatt?

To make your life easier, I really recommend staying closer to the train station – unless you plan on staying in Zermatt for several days. In that case, by all means, please opt for a hilltop hotel with a gorgeous view of the Matterhorn!

Best For: Matterhorn views, die-hard skiers, and people who want to see the Swiss alps in the snow in the dead of winter.

St. Moritz / Engadin Valley

Located on the far eastern side, opposite of Zermatt which is southwest of the country, St. Mortiz is another high-end, luxury ski resort town – known for its scenic views and quiet nature.

Best For: People who have their heart set on taking the Glacier Express, as I would recommend starting here and making your way across the country to Zermatt – as you’ll be much easier connected to other large cities in Switzerland or the rest of the Swiss Alps from there.

🏔️ Best Swiss Alps Bases by Travel Style (Pick Your Vibe)

👋 Best Base for First-Time Visitors

Interlaken — covers your bases with easy train connections, tons of tours available, and it’s basically the “tourist central” of the Swiss Alps (in the best way). If it’s your first trip, it’ll feel familiar and convenient, and it makes day trips ridiculously easy.

💛 Best Base for Couples / Romantic Trip

Spiez or Brienz — both are much more secluded from the crowds and feel more peaceful than Interlaken. You’ll get the dreamy lake vibes, beautiful scenery, and a slower pace that feels perfect for a romantic Swiss Alps trip.

🧳 Best Base for Solo Travelers

Wilderswil — safe, quiet, and often more affordable than Interlaken, while still being super close by train. Thun works really well for solo travelers too if you want a more “real city” feel near the lakes. And honestly: anywhere in Switzerland is super safe!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best Base for Families

Interlaken is the best choice if you want to explore a lot and maximize convenience with kids. But if you want to stay put for a full week in the Alps, honestly — any location is great for families because Switzerland is clean, safe, and incredibly easy to get around.

🥾 Best Base for Hiking (Without a Car)

Wengen or Mürren — these are car-free villages with jaw-dropping landscapes, tons of hiking trails, and total immersion in nature. If you want to wake up to mountains every single day, this is the vibe.

❄️ Best Base for a Cozy Winter Village Feel

100%, no doubt: Zermatt. This is postcard Swiss winter village vibes — cozy streets, snowy scenery, and the kind of place that feels made for a cold-weather trip.

🧠 Best Base if You Hate Moving Hotels

Interlaken, no doubt — it has the easiest connectivity to the rest of the Alps and Switzerland as a whole, so you can do tons of day trips without constantly packing up and switching hotels.

✨ Best Base for Luxury Travelers

If you want the full luxury Swiss Alps experience (spa hotels, incredible dining, jaw-dropping scenery), I recommend Zermatt or St. Moritz — especially if you want to take the Glacier Express.

View of mountains in Zermatt; January 2026

🏔️ 1 Week Swiss Alps Itinerary Checklist (Days 1–7)

🏡 Day 1: Arrive + Settle In Arrive in your Swiss Alps city of choice and settle in — there’s truly no rush. Switzerland is about seeing, not constantly doing. Grab groceries or a casual dinner, take a slow walk around town, and enjoy your first mountain views. This is your “deep breath” day before the adventures start.

✨ Pro tip: If you’re tired from travel, don’t force yourself to “maximize” this day — the Alps will still be there tomorrow.

🚞 Day 2: Jungfraujoch (Top of Europe) Day trip to Jungfraujoch — this should be at the top of your list. The views are unreal and it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime places that actually lives up to the hype. Bring layers (even in summer!), and give yourself plenty of time to explore without rushing back down.

❄️ This is a big-ticket day — aim to start early so you can enjoy it before the crowds.

🌿 Day 3: Lauterbrunnen Explore Lauterbrunnen — one of the most jaw-dropping valleys in the Swiss Alps. Think waterfalls, green fields, tiny wooden chalets, and the kind of scenery that genuinely looks fake. Take your time walking around, grabbing coffee, and soaking in the atmosphere.

📸 This is one of the most “Swiss Alps” places you’ll see all week.

🏔️ Day 4: Grindelwald Head to Grindelwald for a full day of that classic “postcard Switzerland” vibe. It’s one of the biggest bases in the Jungfrau region and is perfect for first-time visitors because everything feels easy and accessible. Walk through town, enjoy the mountain views from every angle, and pick a scenic activity (or just wander).

🥾 If you’re craving adventure: Grindelwald is one of the best places to add in a hike or mountain excursion.

🗻 Day 5: Zermatt Day Trip (Matterhorn Views) If you can do it as a day trip, you can even head to Zermatt for the day from the Jungfrau region — which is a little over 2 hours by train each way. It’s absolutely worth it if you want to see the Matterhorn in person and experience the cozy, iconic Swiss village feel.

🚆 This is a longer travel day — but if you want a “WOW” moment outside the Jungfrau region, this is the one.

🌊 Day 6: Lake Villages Day (Slow + Scenic) Explore the smaller villages along the lakes like Brienz, Spiez, Sigriswil, Wilderswil, and Thun. This is your day to slow down and enjoy the “quiet Switzerland” moments — lake walks, cute streets, calm viewpoints, and the kind of scenery that feels peaceful instead of adrenaline-packed.

🍃 This is the day that makes your trip feel more local and less “just hit the highlights.”

🧘 Day 7: Relax + Choose Your Adventure Relax. This is what Switzerland is for. Go skiing, hiking, take a swim in the lake, try paragliding, or do absolutely nothing besides sitting with a coffee and staring at the mountains. Whatever floats your boat — this is your day to end the trip exactly how you want.

✨ Switzerland hits different when you give yourself at least one “do nothing / feel everything” day.

View of Swiss Alps in Thun from Schadaupark; April 2023

🏔️ Swiss Alps Where to Stay FAQs

🏙️ What is the best town to stay in the Swiss Alps?

Personally, if I had to pick one town to stay in the Swiss Alps for a first trip to Switzerland – it would be Interlaken, as it’s simply the most connected city and easy in terms of public transportation and railway system for going to Jungfraujoch , Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and even elsewhere in Switzerland like Lucerne, Bern, or Zermatt.

🗻 Is it better to stay in Zermatt or Grindelwald?

Staying in Zermatt or Grindelwald depends entirely on what you prefer for your trip to Switzerland and the Swiss Alps. I personally find Zermatt to have a cozier charm and more sun than Grindelwald. That being said, Grindelwald has easier access to other cities along Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with more activities for tourists that aren’t just skiing – meaning it really depends what kind of trip you prefer. I would say tourists who like to see as much as possible would prefer Grindelwald as a Swiss Alps base, and Zermatt for longer stays where you don’t want to move for a few days and soak up the singular environment of this charming ski town.

🌿 Is Lauterbrunnen worth staying overnight?

I personally wouldn’t stay overnight in Lauterbrunnen as there’s no need – the town is small and can be walked and explored in a couple of hours before heading back to your accommodation.

🧳 Is it better to stay in one place or move around?

It depends on what you prefer for your trip to the Swiss Alps. I personally love picking a base location and exploring from there, but if you want to see several regions in the Swiss Alps (such as the Jungfrau region where Interlaken is and the Matterhorn region where Zermatt is) then you’ll probably want to move around a bit for easier access everyday.

🚆 What’s the best Swiss Alps base without skiing?

I really hold true to my belief that the best Swiss Alps base without skiing is Interlaken. It’s the most connected city in the Swiss Alps in terms of railway and public transportation, and allows for plenty of day trips that never involve skiing or any other intrepid, sporty adventures.

Final Thoughts: The Best Swiss Alps Base for You

As I mentioned earlier, the best place to stay in the Swiss Alps will really be contingent on what you want out of your trip to Switzerland – but here’s a summary of what I recommend.

🏔️ Choosing the Right Swiss Alps Region (Pick Your Travel Style)

🌄 Scenic Views

If you want iconic scenery, easy connectivity, and a base place to stay while exploring from there: Opt for some of the places I recommended in the Jungfrau Region.

🏡 No-Moving-Around Swiss Alps Vacation

If you want bucket-list views, a cozy cabin vibe, and don’t like vacations where you constantly move around: Opt for the Matterhorn region and Zermatt.

🗺️ Long Stays & Logistics

If you’re planning a longer stay in the Swiss Alps, want easiest logistics and being in bigger cities that allow you to easily explore the rest of Switzerland: Lucerne / Interlaken.

✨ Luxury & Quiet

If you want luxury & serenity away from the rest of Switzerland: Opt for St. Moritz.

If you’re looking for quieter, less touristy places in Swizterland beyond the Alps (lake towns, French-speaking Switzerland, and hidden gems), check out my guide to the most underrated places in Switzerland.

View of Höhematte park in Interlaken in Switzerland; April 2025

Looking for more information on Switzerland as you plan your trip to this beautiful country?

Click here to discover more, as I have several articles like this to help you plan the perfect trip to Zermatt and the rest of Switzerland.

Additional articles you may find helpful include:

6 Things To Do in Lausanne
Your Guide to 24 Hours in Bern
How to Spend 24 Hours in Zurich
6 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lucerne
Is Zermatt Worth Visiting?
Top 10 Most Underrated Places in Switzerland

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Last updated: February 1, 2026