Skydiving Over the Swiss Alps in Interlaken — A Solo Traveler’s Experience

Ava’s Interlaken Diary

🏔️ Interlaken: Where Two Lakes Meet the Alps

Interlaken is one of Switzerland’s most scenic mountain destinations, positioned between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Bernese Alps. The town combines a compact alpine setting with easy access to outdoor activities, making it a popular base for travelers exploring the region.

1. Arrival · Day One

The town between two lakes — smaller than expected, bigger than imagined

Arriving in Interlaken by train offers an impressive introduction to the area. As the train approaches the town, the surrounding landscape gradually changes from countryside to steep mountain scenery, creating the feeling of entering an alpine valley.

Interlaken has two main railway stations, Interlaken Ost and Interlaken West, which make it relatively convenient to connect with other Swiss destinations. Once in town, travelers can explore the compact center, walk along the streets, or use Interlaken as a starting point for excursions into the surrounding mountains.

For accommodation, staying near a railway station or the central area can be particularly convenient for travelers planning day trips.

2. Skydiving · Day Two

One moment between the aircraft and the open sky

Interlaken is also well known for adventure activities, including tandem skydiving. The region’s mountain scenery creates a dramatic setting, with views toward some of the most recognizable peaks of the Bernese Alps.

A tandem skydive typically involves a trained instructor accompanying the participant throughout the experience. Because weather conditions can affect outdoor aviation activities, travelers should check the operator’s requirements and allow some flexibility in their itinerary.

For anyone considering an adventure activity in Interlaken, checking age, health, weather, clothing, meeting-point, and cancellation requirements before booking is an important part of planning.

3. Paragliding · Day Two Afternoon

If skydiving is the scream, paragliding is the exhale

Paragliding provides a completely different way to experience Interlaken’s landscape. Flights from the surrounding hills can offer elevated views across the town and toward the blue waters of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Tandem flights are generally conducted with a qualified pilot, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery without needing prior paragliding experience. Beatenberg is one of the areas associated with paragliding experiences around Interlaken, with its elevated position providing an impressive launch setting.

As with other outdoor activities, weather and wind conditions can influence whether a flight operates as planned, so keeping some flexibility in the schedule is useful.

4. The Quiet · Day Three · 6 AM

Lake Brienz before the day begins

Early morning is one of the most peaceful times to experience the lakes around Interlaken. Lake Brienz, known for its distinctive turquoise-blue water and surrounding mountain scenery, can look particularly calm before the day’s activities begin.

Walking along the lakeside or finding a quiet viewpoint provides a completely different experience from the adrenaline-focused activities associated with Interlaken. The contrast between adventure and stillness is part of what makes the destination appealing.

A few days in Interlaken can therefore offer very different experiences within a relatively small area: mountain scenery, lake views, railway journeys, outdoor adventures, and quiet mornings by the water.

Interlaken is not simply a place to pass through on a Swiss itinerary. It can be a destination where travelers experience both the energy of the Alps and the slower rhythm of life between two beautiful lakes.

✈️Flights into Zürich or Geneva

Both connect to Interlaken by train in under 2.5 hrs. Best fares 5–7 weeks out on Skyscanner.
Click here to book your Flight.

🛏️Hostel — Balmers or Funny Farm

Legendary solo-traveller hostels. Rooftop terraces, activity deals, social kitchens. Book early.
Click here to book your Hotel.

🏨Hotel — Interlaken West, mountain views

Book with free cancellation — weather can reschedule activities and you may want extra days.Click here to see the option

🏡Explore where I Stayed.

Wake up inside the mountains. 20 min by train from Interlaken. Worth every franc.
Click here to view this stay.

🪂Skydive Switzerland — book your jump

Licensed, English-speaking, best alpine backdrop on earth. Don’t wait — slots fill by noon in summer.Click here to book your Jump

🛡️ Ava’s Travel Insurance Pick

Travel insurance is worth having on every trip — especially one that includes throwing myself out of a plane. Reliable protection for medical emergencies, delays, and cancellations.
Click here to get Travel Insurance.

3 Mistakes. Learned the Hard Way.

“For sixty seconds I was falling through the Alps at 200 km/h and my mind went completely quiet — no lists, no anxiety, no performance. Just air and altitude and the knowledge that I was, right now, exactly where I was supposed to be.”

Interlaken is a question. The question is: how alive do you actually want to feel?

🧭 More Swiss Alps Guides

The skydive was just one part of the trip. A few more Swiss Alps guides worth reading:

• Zermatt & the Matterhorn
• Jungfraujoch — Top of Europe

Heart still racing — Ava 🪂