Interlaken West Railway Station | Interlaken

Information

Landmark: Interlaken West Railway Station
City: Interlaken
Country: Switzerland
Continent: Europe

Interlaken West Railway Station, Interlaken, Switzerland, Europe

Interlaken West is one of the two primary railway stations in Interlaken, serving as the main transport hub for the western part of the town and providing direct access to the Lake Thun ferry terminal.

Visual Characteristics

The station features a traditional Swiss chalet-style main building alongside modern glass-and-steel platforms. It is more integrated into the urban commercial fabric of Interlaken than the larger Interlaken Ost station. The station is adjacent to the Aare river and the canal where Lake Thun cruise ships dock.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Bahnhofstrasse 1, 3800 Interlaken.

Connectivity: Located on the Lötschberg line. It connects Interlaken to Spiez, Thun, and Bern.

Relationship to Interlaken Ost: It is the first stop for trains arriving from Bern/Thun. Most regional and InterCity (IC) trains stop here before terminating at Interlaken Ost (3 minutes away by train).

Ferry Access: The Lake Thun (Thunersee) boat pier is located immediately behind the station platforms.

Key Highlights & Activities

Gateway to Lake Thun: Primary boarding point for BLS scheduled cruises toward Spiez and Thun.

Commercial Hub: The station is the starting point of the Bahnhofstrasse, Interlaken's main shopping street, leading toward the Höhematte.

Bus Terminal: A major stop for local PostBus lines serving the Lombachalp and Habkern regions.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Services: Ticket counters, SBB travel center, and luggage lockers.

Retail: Contains a Coop Pronto supermarket and small cafes/kiosks.

Accessibility: Fully barrier-free. Platforms are accessible via ramps and level crossings.

Digital: High-speed 5G coverage and public SBB Wi-Fi.

Operational Notes

Crucial Distinction: Unlike Interlaken Ost, Interlaken West is not the starting point for mountain railways (Jungfraubahn, Berner Oberland Bahn). Travelers headed to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, or Jungfraujoch must continue to Interlaken Ost.

Usage: Preferred for travelers staying in the Unterseen district or those connecting directly to Lake Thun boats.