Interlaken Adventure Sports Guide: Skydiving, Paragliding & Canyon Swing Operators Compared

Interlaken sits on a flat strip of land between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau forming a backdrop that looks almost too staged. It is also where Switzerland keeps most of its organised adrenaline: tandem skydives, paragliding flights that land in the middle of town, and a canyon swing that drops you into a gorge. This guide compares how the main activities work, what they cost in 2026 (in approximate US dollars), how operators differ, and how to build a trip around Interlaken’s unpredictable mountain weather.

Interlaken’s Personality: A Small Town With a Big Adrenaline Habit

Interlaken is smaller and calmer than its reputation suggests. About 6,000 people live in the town itself, and the wider area (the Bödeli, as locals call the plain between the lakes) holds a few thousand more. For most of the 19th century it was a refined resort for British and European travellers who came for the views and the clean air. The grand hotels along the Höheweg, the wide promenade facing the Jungfrau, are the legacy of that era.

The adventure industry grew from the 1990s onwards, when rafting and canyoning companies discovered that the glacial rivers and limestone gorges nearby were perfect for guided trips. Skydiving, paragliding and bungee-style jumps followed. Today the town works as a base camp. You will see backpackers in wetsuits walking to minibuses at 8 a.m., Indian and Korean tour groups taking photos on the Höhematte meadow, and Swiss families on a weekend trip to Harder Kulm. The mix is part of the charm.

If you are planning a wider trip, Interlaken fits naturally into a route through central Switzerland, linking Lucerne, Bern and the Valais. But it rewards at least three nights, because adventure sports here depend on the weather, and a flexible schedule is the single best way to protect your budget and your experience.

Skydiving Over the Bernese Oberland

The skydive is the headline activity and the most expensive. Tandem jumps here leave from the Interlaken airfield, and the dominant operator, Skydive Switzerland (often marketed as Skydive Interlaken), handles most of the jumps in the region. Other tour agencies and hostels sell the experience, but they are generally reselling the same flights, so you are choosing between packages rather than between aircraft.

The format is standard for tandem skydiving. You are fitted with a harness, meet your instructor, and ride a small plane to altitude. Jumps usually come in two heights, roughly 10,000 and 13,000 to 15,000 feet. The higher option buys you more freefall time, about 45 to 60 seconds compared with about 30 seconds from the lower altitude. The canopy ride afterwards lasts five to seven minutes, and you land on the airfield on the edge of town.

What the Scenery Is Like

You get views of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, the town laid out like a model, and the big Oberland peaks on a clear day. This is the real selling point. The plain is surrounded by mountains, so almost any altitude offers a layered, three-dimensional view that you do not get over flatter landscapes.

Prices and Add-Ons

• Standard tandem jump (lower altitude): roughly $480 to $550
• Higher altitude jump: roughly $540 to $620
• Photo and video package: usually around $120 to $170 extra, sometimes with a discount for a bundled option

These are approximate figures based on Swiss franc pricing, so check the operator’s website for the current rate before you commit. The photo and video package is the one add-on most people regret skipping. A handheld camera operator films you in freefall, and the footage is far better than anything a GoPro on the instructor’s wrist can capture.

Practical Details

Most operators have a weight limit for tandem jumps, typically somewhere around 100 to 110 kg, and some have minimum ages. Rules vary, so read the terms at booking. Health conditions such as heart problems or recent injuries can disqualify you. Bad weather cancels jumps frequently, particularly in spring and autumn, and the fog layer that sometimes sits over the lakes in winter can ground flights for days.

Paragliding: The Most Flexible Way to Fly

Paragliding is the most competitive market in Interlaken, with several established operators including Paragliding Interlaken, Skywings, Fly Paragliding and others. Prices are lower than skydiving, flights are longer, and the experience is gentler. For many travellers it is the better value, and for anyone nervous about freefall it is the obvious choice.

The Standard Interlaken Flight

The classic flight launches from the slopes above Beatenberg, a village on the sunny terrace over Lake Thun, and flies down to a landing in Interlaken. Many flights finish on the Höhematte, the large meadow in the centre of town, with tourists and locals watching from the grass. Flights last about 15 to 25 minutes depending on thermals and the pilot, and the ride down is smooth and quiet. You mostly sit back in a seat harness while the pilot does everything.

Other Launch Sites

Operators also fly from Grindelwald First, from higher points near Mürren, and from Lauterbrunnen Valley sites. These flights are scenic in a different way. Grindelwald launches look straight at the Eiger north face, while Lauterbrunnen flights are surrounded by cliffs and waterfalls. They cost more and often require a separate transfer or cable car ride. Choosing between these depends on your priorities: the Beatenberg flight is the easiest and cheapest, while the other launches trade convenience for drama.

Comparing Operators

• Pricing: A standard tandem flight is usually around $200 to $260. Higher or longer flights run $260 to $330. Operators often charge the same base price, so differences show up in extras.
• Video and photos: Often $50 to $90 extra. Some operators include a basic photo set. Others use a pilot-mounted camera, which makes the footage more personal but less polished.
• Group size and pickup: Smaller operators may offer hotel pickup and small vans. Larger ones may have a central meeting point and larger groups.
• Flexibility: Some will let you move your booking up until the morning if the weather is unclear. Others have stricter windows.
• Pilot style: Some pilots are happy to do spins and wingovers if you ask. Others keep it mellow. Tell them your preference before launch.

The best way to compare is to look at recent reviews, check what is included, and see whether the operator mentions pilot qualifications. Swiss commercial tandem pilots must hold a licence regulated by national aviation authorities, so legitimate operators will tell you this plainly.

Canyon Swing and Gorge Jumps

The canyon swing is the one Interlaken activity that gives you a proper freefall without a plane or a mountain launch. You are strapped into a harness, walk or jump off a platform over a gorge, drop for several seconds, and then swing in a huge pendulum arc across the canyon. The drop is typically 100 metres or more, and the swing is long enough that the first fall feels like a genuine plunge before the rope catches.

Several adventure companies in Interlaken, including Outdoor Interlaken and Alpin Raft, sell canyon swing packages, and the swing site is a short transfer from town. Confirm the exact location and pickup point when you book, because transfers vary between operators and seasons.

Styles of Jump

You can usually choose how to go off the platform. Options generally include a standard forward jump, a backward fall, a running leap, or sitting on the edge and being pushed or dropped. Tandem swings with a friend are also common. The jump style changes the mood considerably: the backward fall is the one people tell stories about afterwards, and the running jump gives the least time to think.

Cost and Timing

• Single swing: roughly $150 to $200
• Combined with canyoning or rafting: often $230 to $300 for a bundle, which can save money
• Season: The swing generally runs from spring to autumn, with warmer months being the most reliable. Winter operation depends on conditions.

The canyon swing is less weather-sensitive than skydiving or paragliding, which makes it a good backup when cloud ceilings or wind close the sky. It is also the easiest of the three to fit into a half-day, since the whole experience can be finished in two or three hours including transfers.

Choosing Between Them: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Many visitors try to do all three, but the budget adds up quickly, and each experience delivers something different.

• Skydive: the biggest rush, the shortest experience, the highest cost. Choose this if freefall is the whole point.
• Paragliding: the longest and calmest, with the best chance to look around and take photos. Choose this if scenery matters most, or if you want the best value.
• Canyon swing: intense and short, with a very different adrenaline profile from the other two. Choose this if you want a thrill but are not keen on heights from the air, or if the weather is poor.

Safety Checks Worth Making

Switzerland has a strong safety culture, and the major operators have solid records, but a few quick checks are still worthwhile.

1. Ask whether the operator has insurance and what the cancellation policy is for weather.
2. Check that the pilot or instructor is licensed. Reputable companies state this openly.
3. Read recent reviews rather than relying on the operator’s own website.
4. Check your travel insurance. Many standard policies exclude skydiving or paragliding unless you buy an adventure add-on.
5. Be honest about weight, health and fitness when you book. Operators rely on accurate information to plan equipment and staffing.

Booking Strategy

Book your accommodation with free cancellation, then book activities once you can see the forecast. In summer, popular time slots fill up a day or two ahead, particularly mornings when the air is calmest. In shoulder seasons you can often book the evening before. Early-morning flights are generally smoother and less cloudy, so ask for the first slot of the day. If you are staying only two nights, book the most weather-sensitive activity first and leave the canyon swing as your flexible option.

Where to Stay in Interlaken

Interlaken is compact, so no area is far from the action, but the character shifts from one neighbourhood to the next.

Höheweg and the Centre

The Höheweg promenade is the postcard Interlaken, with big hotels, the Höhematte meadow, shops and restaurants. It is close to Interlaken West station and the paragliding landing zone. Prices are higher, but you are central and the views are excellent. This is the best area for first-time visitors who want everything on foot.

Matten

Matten, on the southern side, is where many hostels and budget lodgings cluster, including well-known backpacker places like Balmer’s Herberge. It has an easygoing, sociable feel, and many adventure operators pick up from here. If you are travelling on a budget or want to meet other travellers, this is the area to choose.

Unterseen

Across the Aare river, Unterseen has an older, quieter, more local feel, with a small historic centre, wooden houses and a calmer pace. It is a good choice for couples or anyone who prefers a less touristy base while still being a short walk from the main station and promenade.

Interlaken Ost and Bönigen

Near Interlaken Ost station you get easy access to mountain trains and Lake Brienz boats, though the immediate area is more functional than pretty. A few minutes further, Bönigen is a lakeside village with a lovely waterfront and a more relaxed atmosphere, handy if you have a car or do not mind a short bus ride.

Wilderswil and Beyond

Wilderswil, just south of town, is a small village with direct access to the Schynige Platte cog railway and a quieter setting. If you want mountain air and fewer crowds, it is a good alternative, though you will rely on a short train or bus ride to reach Interlaken’s activity pick-up points.

Eating Well After the Adrenaline

Interlaken’s dining scene leans toward Swiss comfort food, international fast options for hungry backpackers, and a handful of properly good restaurants. Prices are high by European standards, so plan accordingly.

Swiss Staples to Look For

Rösti (crispy grated potato) with fried egg or cheese is the classic hearty meal. Cheese fondue and raclette are available year-round, though they feel most natural in cooler weather. Älplermagronen, a rich dish of pasta, potatoes, cheese and onions served with apple sauce, is the mountain comfort food that locals actually eat at home. Finish with meringue and thick Gruyère double cream, a dessert common in the region.

Where Locals and Guides Eat

Look for restaurants slightly away from the main promenade, particularly in Unterseen and Matten, where prices are lower and the menus are more traditional. Many adventure guides recommend casual spots near the stations for quick dinners. For coffee and sweet things, Confiserie Schuh on the Höheweg is a well-known local institution, famous for its chocolate and pastries.

Eating on a Budget

• Supermarkets such as Coop and Migros near both stations sell sandwiches, salads and hot food at far lower prices than restaurants.
• Kebab and Asian takeaways near the stations are among the cheapest hot meals in town, usually around $12 to $18.
• Hostel kitchens are common in Matten, and cooking for yourself can save a lot over a few days.
• A restaurant main course typically costs $28 to $45, with fondue often around $35 to $50 per person.

Getting Around and Arriving

From the Airport

Interlaken has no major commercial airport, so most visitors arrive via Zurich, Geneva or Basel. From Zurich Airport, trains run via Bern and take about 2 hours 10 minutes to Interlaken Ost, with one change. From Geneva Airport, expect about 2.5 to 3 hours with at least one change. From Bern, the journey is under an hour. The Swiss rail network is punctual and well signposted, and the scenery between Spiez and Interlaken, along Lake Thun, is excellent.

Within Town

Interlaken is easy to walk. The two main stations, West and Ost, are about 2 kilometres apart, a comfortable 25-minute walk along the river or a short train or bus ride. Local buses connect the stations, Matten, Unterseen and surrounding villages. Many hotels provide a guest card that offers discounts on local transport and some attractions, so ask at check-in.

Trains, Boats and Passes

From Interlaken Ost, trains run up to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and onward to the Jungfrau region. Boats run on both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, and Swiss Travel Pass holders can often use them without extra charge. Passes can be useful if you plan several day trips, but check the maths. Mountain railways often charge extra even with a pass, and a few short journeys may be cheaper as individual tickets.

Do You Need a Car?

Not really. Most places of interest are reachable by train, bus or boat, and parking in the centre is limited and pricey. A car helps only if you want to explore more remote valleys or have a lot of luggage.

When the Weather Shuts the Sky: Day Trips and Backup Plans

Cloud, wind or the Föhn can ground flights for a day or more. Interlaken is an excellent base for a flexible plan because so many worthwhile excursions are an easy train ride away.

• Lauterbrunnen Valley and Trümmelbach Falls: A 20-minute train ride brings you to a valley of 70-plus waterfalls. Trümmelbach, inside the mountain, is especially good in bad weather because the falls are enclosed.
• Grindelwald and First: Take the gondola up to First for the cliff walk and views toward the Eiger. It works best on clear days, but the village is pleasant regardless.
• Jungfraujoch: The famous high-altitude station is a major excursion with a high price tag, often well over $200. Check visibility before you go, because the experience depends heavily on clear conditions.
• Lake Brienz and Brienz village: Take a boat to Brienz, known for woodcarving, and visit the nearby Ballenberg open-air museum for a look at traditional Swiss rural life.



• Thun: A medieval town with a castle, covered walkways and a lively old town, about 25 minutes by train.
• Harder Kulm: A funicular ride from the edge of town to a viewpoint above both lakes, ideal as a short half-day trip.
• Bern: About 50 minutes away, Switzerland’s capital has an arcaded old town, bear park and river swimming in summer. It makes a good full-day outing when the mountains are in cloud.

Practical Tips and What to Avoid

Timing Your Visit

Summer (June to September) offers the most reliable flying and swing conditions but also the largest crowds and highest prices. Spring and autumn are quieter, with more variable weather but often spectacular clarity after storms. Winter brings snow, ski access and clear days, though the lakes can be foggy and some summer-only activities pause.

Money and Costs

Switzerland is expensive. Expect to spend considerably more than elsewhere in Europe on meals, transport and activities. Cards are widely accepted, and tap water is excellent, so carry a refillable bottle.

What to Avoid

• Booking everything in advance: Fixed non-refundable bookings are a recipe for lost money when the weather turns.
• Choosing purely on price: A slightly cheaper flight is no bargain if safety standards, pilot experience or cancellation terms are unclear.
• Eating on the main promenade every night: Prices are inflated. Walk a few streets away for better value.
• Jamming everything into one day: Skydiving, paragliding and a canyon swing in 24 hours is tiring and rarely enjoyable. Spread them out.
• Ignoring the forecast: Check conditions the night before and again in the morning. Operators will usually call you if they cancel.

Explore more
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📷 Featured image by Josef Ivan Jimenea on Unsplash.