Interlaken Family Holiday Guide: Switzerland on a budget with kids!

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This article is the complete guide to our Interlaken family holiday with Eurocamp – including the best things to see and do in and around Interlaken, what we spent and tips on how to visit Switzerland on a budget with kids from the UK. (It is possible – I promise!) In September 2022, we embarked on another three week road trip – this time covering Paris, the South of France and Switzerland. Switzerland had been on my bucket list FOREVER, and it didn’t disappoint! So, I’ll hopefully be answering all your questions to help you to plan your trip to this beautiful country.

I’ll give you the road map to all the incredible places that we visited during our holiday, and how best to plan your time in and around Interlaken. We stayed with Eurocamp at Manor Farm Campsite as it offered affordable family accommodation in the perfect location – if you’re visiting Interlaken with kids it’s a brilliant base. From Jungfraujoch Mountain (the highest point in Europe), to the city of Bern, to Giessbach Waterfalls, Lake Thun, Interlaken and the caves at St Beatus – here’s everything that you need to know and details about all of the places you’ll want to visit as part of your Swiss family holiday itinerary. (Plus all of our photos – so that you can see exactly what to expect.) So, here’s how to have a family holiday in Switzerland on a budget – Interlaken is the perfect spot for a Swiss adventure with the kids.

Why visit Switzerland – is it worth it?

Switzerland is such a stunning and unique country – every view looks like it should be printed on a postcard. It’s definitely somewhere that everyone should visit once if they can, and totally worth it for the beauty, the nature and a holiday like no other. Not only is it an incredible experience for the kids, but as adults we were blown away too. I’d say waiting until your kids are a little older would be beneficial to get the most from the excursions, but it’s definitely a place that can be enjoyed by people of all ages if you’re desperate to visit with little ones.

Is visiting Switzerland expensive?

I’ll be honest, Switzerland is notorious for being an expensive place to visit – and you’ll see this clearly with the cost of food etc when you’re there – even a Mcdonalds is expensive! The wages in Switzerland are much higher, so I guess it’s all relative to them, but for those of us from the UK the prices can be shocking. However, we actually only spent around £1,000 on our week in Switzerland (for two adults, two kids) so it’s definitely possible to have a great family holiday in Interlaken without a massive budget. And, if you keep reading, I’ll share with you how we had the most amazing trip without spending a fortune, despite how expensive this country can be. So, here’s what we got up to, and how we kept our costs down.

Is it easy to drive to Switzerland from the UK?

Driving to Switzerland from the UK is straight forward, European motorways are great – there never seems to be the traffic jams nor the road works that come with a staycation in the UK. We actually did the trip back to the UK from Switzerland in one day, but you could stop over in France, or go through Belgium and Germany to avoid the costs of the French tolls if you’re taking a few days to get there anyway. When it comes to travel, it’s much cheaper to travel by car in Switzerland than France! Instead of frequent tolls, you can purchase a vignette (which is valid for a year) on your way into the country when you cross the border. At £35.50, it’s great to know that you can then go wherever you like without incurring any extra charges.

Please note that the speed limits are very strict in Switzerland, and there are speed cameras dotted frequently along the roads – so make sure that you read up on this before you go. The fines are heavy if you get caught speeding. Check out my articles: Family road trip essentials: 13 things to pack on a road trip with kids to make sure that you have everything you need for a stress free family road trip before you set off. And, How to road trip on a budget around Europe – the ultimate family guide! will help you to keep costs down!

When should I visit Switzerland?

A lot of people will wonder why people visit Switzerland in the summer, as it’s obviously a popular snowy destination for the winter time too. But, I actually think it’s a country that really lends itself to all times of the year. In summer, it’s much easier to get around without being inhibited by the weather and, if you want to get out in nature and explore, sunshine always helps. Having said that, because it’s not a sunbathing type of holiday, spring and autumn offer benefits too – the weather may still be mild but the crowds will be less, and the cost of the trip will likely be less too.

We visited Interlaken mid-end of September and found that no-where was too crowded, we had gorgeous sunshine and the temperature was still around 17-20 degrees each day – it seemed to be the perfect time for having an adventure of this kind. Obviously in the winter you’ll have the option of skiing, which may be what you’re after in a family holiday to Switzerland, but it would make it harder to get about to see the sights. For us, the nice weather was such a positive of the trip. And, with snow on top of Jungfraujoch all year round, we were still able to experience that but come back to the warmth afterwards.

Where should I stay on a small budget – is there affordable family accommodation in Interlaken?

As I mentioned at the start, Interlaken is the most fantastic base for a family holiday in Switzerland – not only is the area itself amazing but it’s the perfect spot from which you’ll be able to see most of the places that you’ll want to visit during your trip without too much driving. Interlaken itself has many hotels and B&Bs, but the trick to making a Swiss family holiday affordable is definitely to look for cheaper accommodation – with self-catering facilities so that you can avoid the high costs that would come from eating out in such an expensive country.

We booked with Eurocamp and stayed at Manor Farm Campsite in Bernese Oberland, Interlaken, which is located on Lake Thun, and honestly it couldn’t have been a more magical spot. Watching the sunset in the evenings was absolutely stunning – and what a view to wake up to before you’ve even begun your day. This campsite really was all about the location – not only are the immediate surroundings gorgeous, but all of the places that we wanted to visit were in easy driving distance so it was the perfect base to explore from with the kids.

I would highly recommend Manor Farm Campsite if you’re thinking of taking a trip to Switzerland with the kids. Compared with other family accommodation options, staying at Manor Farm in Interlaken was really affordable – this campsite really gave us the opportunity to fulfil our dream of visiting Switzerland, whilst sticking to what was actually a very small budget for a holiday to this particular destination (with two kids in tow!).

We paid around £400 for the week for our stay at Manor Farm Campsite – which insanely works out at just £57 a night – quite incredible given that we were staying in one of the most expensive countries in Europe. It was certainly one of our favourite holidays, and driving to and around Interlaken and the surrounding area was simple. We thought that 7 days was the perfect amount of time to really experience everything that it had to offer. For more info on this budget family accommodation option, check out my full review: Eurocamp Holiday Review: Manor Farm Campsite, Interlaken, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.

What’s Interlaken like – and how can I get around?

Interlaken is a fantastic location to explore from and, wherever you stay, I’d highly recommend it as a base. As part of a local tourist perk, when we stayed at Manor Farm Campsite, we were given passes to enable us to travel into Interlaken centre, and around the local area, on the ferry or bus for free – which we did a couple of times, as both picked up directly across from where we were staying. Having said that, the walk into the city centre was so beautiful (and we were so lucky with the weather) that we tended to explore locally on foot and then catch the bus or ferry back across Lake Thun when our legs were tired.

Can you see what I mean when I say Switzerland needs no filter? Yet another postcard perfect snap taken on my phone when we were out for a walk! Just gorgeous – and look at the colour of the water! Having our car was really helpful for exploring Switzerland – we had some incredible days out, all within easy driving distance of Interlaken. Having said that, with the perk of free local travel and the train station within Interlaken centre, getting around without a car would be pretty doable too, without spending a fortune.

The Interlaken area seemed very safe, and everyone was helpful and welcoming. For a city centre it was pretty chilled, though we did visit out of peak season. We even had a nice chilled afternoon watching the paragliders and parachutes land on the field in the middle of Interlaken – whilst munching on Swiss chocolate from the Lindt shop of course! And, in warmer weather, Lake Thun (directly across from Manor Farm Campsite) would have been an incredible place to swim and enjoy water sports too – which I believe are on offer in the height of summer – another reason why visiting Interlaken in Switzerland that time of year could be a good option.

Places to visit – what to see and do with kids in and around Interlaken:

Aside from just making the most of the Interlaken area, we had so much fun exploring and checking items off of our bucket list too! Visit a snowy glacier – check! Go on a train up a Swiss mountain – check! Walk under a waterfall – check! This holiday was unforgettable and one of my favourites to date. So, let me guide you through some of our Interlaken family itinerary so you can see the amazing places that we visited, and I’ll fill you in on the costs too. The real trick is to balance out the expensive days with others which are free or cost next-to-nothing – I think we had the perfect blend. Here are some of the best things to do in Interlaken with kids:

Head to Grindelwald to visit the Jungfraujoch Glacier

One of the places that I was absolutely desperate to visit was Jungfraujoch – the highest point in Europe. We braved temperatures of -7°C for this once in a lifetime experience – which began in Grindelwald – about 30 minutes drive from where we stayed at Manor Farm Campsite. Jungfraujoch mountain peak is so high that it’s covered in snow 365 days of the year – so you’ll never be disappointed whatever time of year you’re visiting. We actually found this really strange, as we had days of 17 degrees+ exploring Switzerland, often stripping down to t-shirts, and then we were transported into a winter wonderland!

We took the Eiger Express gondola on the way up and the train back down the mountain – the journeys were utterly magical. It’s extremely cold so you’ll want to wear lots of layers and pack bits like scarves, hats and gloves – even in the summer months you’ll need to wrap up warm! (And don’t forget your sunglasses too – it’s really bright with the sun bouncing off the snow.) This excursion was definitely our most expensive day out ever – around £370 for our family of four – but it was something that we were desperate to check off of the bucket list!

So, though we try to keep our budget down whenever we travel, this was something that we just had to save up for. I’ve written a full review, with lots more information about visiting the Jungfraujoch Glacier with kids, so check that out for everything you’ll need to know before you go: Switzerland with Kids: Jungfraujoch review – is it worth the money? Or, for some cheaper alternative Swiss mountain experiences, you might want to look at trips to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Mount Titlis, Mont Blanc or Schilthorn.

Wander around the city of Bern

After our expensive Jungfraujoch excursion, we had to make sure the rest of our days out were cheap or free. So, we packed up a picnic and decided to explore the city of Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The drive to Bern from Manor Farm Campsite in Bernese Oberland, Interlaken, was about 45 minutes – and the train journey from Interlaken to Bern would be a similar length too if you’re travelling without a car. Bern is a quirky place – famous for its bear sanctuary / pit that runs alongside the river, where you can see the resident bears for free. Bern is definitely somewhere that you can easily see in a day, and it’s a very walkable city so it works well for a visit with the kids. For more info on the best things to see and do in Bern, check out my article: How to spend a day in Bern on a budget with kids.

Relax at Giessbach Waterfalls in Brienz

A real highlight of our Switzerland holiday was a visit to Giessbach Waterfalls – a magical waterfall with the most incredible views over Lake Brienz which is about 30 minutes by car from Manor Farm Campsite in Interlaken. Switzerland can be an expensive place to visit, so this gorgeous waterfall is an inexpensive gem! There’s no entrance fee for Giessbach Waterfalls, so you can visit for just the cost of parking, which was around £9/10 per car for the day. We’d never been anywhere like Giessbach Falls before, it’s definitely worth a visit. The views across Lake Brienz from Giessbach were incredible and it was without a doubt one of the most beautiful places that we’ve ever been.

The short walk through the woodland from the parking area only added to its beauty. Nature at its best! The kids thought that it was brilliant to be able to walk under the waterfall – it was a really magical experience. Once you’ve completed the trail around the waterfall, you’ll come out by a hotel and restaurant overlooking the lake – perfect for some refreshments if you’ve haven’t brought any with you. This view was incredible – it looked so much like a postcard that it just didn’t seem real! It was such a relaxing place to be, and yet another incredible place to add our list of amazing picnic spots! Find out more in my article: Switzerland with kids: A guide to visiting Giessbach Waterfalls, Brienz.

Explore underground at St Beatus Caves and Waterfalls

We actually hadn’t planned to visit St Beatus Caves, but found it after a quick google of the area, and I’m so glad that we did! We’d queued to visit Harder Kulm that morning, as you can visit for free with a Jungfraujoch ticket, but it was so slow moving as the transport up the mountain doesn’t hold many people. So, we gave up and ended up at the caves which cost around £43 for a family pass, and this afternoon out was a favourite of the kids.

St Beatus Caves was an easy five minute drive from Manor Farm Campsite in Bernese Oberland, Interlaken. It’s definitely worth visiting St Beatus Caves and Waterfalls – if you don’t you’ll be missing out on this incredible (and unexpected!) view over Lake Thun – which we discovered from the entrance of the caves. It’s a steep climb up to get into the caves, but the views were absolutely stunning – yet another place that looked more like a postcard than a reality! For more details, check out my article: Switzerland with kids: A guide to visiting St Beatus Caves and Waterfalls, Lake Thun.

Enjoy the views at Harder Kulm Mountain

Harder Kulm Funicular is in the centre of Interlaken and you can visit for free with your Jungfraujoch ticket! However, the transport up the mountain is very small so the queues are long – which is something to be aware of. Even visiting during September, there was a very long queue, and it moved so slowly because the funicular doesn’t carry many people at a time. So, take some snacks and try to avoid visiting at peak times if it’s on your to do list. You can also hike the 4km route to the top instead in around 2 hours – this one is a moderate climb but certainly doable if you have the time. So, is a visit to Harder Kulm worth it? I’m not sure as we got bored in the queue and never made it to the top! 😂 (You’ll have to let me know, but the views do look amazing!)

For more ideas on things to see and do in and around the Interlaken area, make sure you read my article: Interlaken family holiday itinerary – the best things to see and do with kids.

How to visit Switzerland on a budget with kids – keeping costs down:

As I mentioned before, Switzerland can be a very expensive place to visit for a family holiday, but it is doable on a small budget if you’re well prepared. We knew this before we left, so we bought some bits from home, and also shopped in France before we crossed the border, using cool bags to keep the food fresh. We bought food to cover all of our meals – as well as things like part-baked rolls to cook up for lunches, and even treats like sweets and chocolates for when we wanted something yummy. We likely spent around £100 in France stocking up, and I’m 100% sure that doing this saved us a small fortune compared with Switzerland’s high food prices. We actually got away with buying next-to-nothing in Switzerland itself – which is definitely the trick to doing Switzerland on a small budget.

We just purchased a few bits and bobs as needed locally from budget supermarkets. The budget stores were so much cheaper than the other shops, so if you do need to shop avoid Interlaken city centre and hunt out Aldi instead! We didn’t eat out at all, and cooked every night back at the mobile home. We lived on picnics during the day, and made sure to take snacks and water bottles with us too so we barely spent a penny aside from the excursions. This made our week so much more affordable and it’s definitely something to plan ahead for if you’re going to visit Switzerland. Definitely, make sure that your accommodation has facilities for self-catering – or you’ll need a small mortgage! 😂

I would definitely recommend a stay with the kids at Eurocamp’s Manor Farm Campsite – both for it’s ideal location and to keep costs down if you’re on the hunt for budget friendly family accommodation in the Interlaken area of Switzerland. There aren’t many places you can find to stay in the UK for under £60 per night, let alone in a country as expensive as Switzerland, so it really made our trip doable. Read my full review here: Eurocamp Holiday Review: Manor Farm Campsite, Switzerland. If you’re booking with Eurocamp, make sure that you check out Eurocamp Guide for money-saving tips and all of the info you need – we’ve used them so many times that I’m a bit of a Eurocamp expert now – check out: The Ultimate Eurocamp Holiday Guide – and money saving tips!

What we spent:

We had a fantastic family holiday and (aside from the Jungfraujoch excursion) we actually managed to spend very little money. So if you plan well, and you’re careful with your budget, I would highly recommend visiting this beautiful country. All in all we spent around £1000 during our week in Switzerland:

Vignette for Swiss roads: £35.50
Eurocamp Accommodation: £400
Excursions, food and spending money: approx £600 (including our food shop in France)

Because we came to Switzerland from the South of France, I haven’t been able to include accurate costs for fuel or French tolls for this trip – but there are websites to help you to find this information if you’d like a better idea about the travelling costs too. If, like us, you’re trying to travel on a small budget with your kids – check out my article for lots of money saving family holiday tips: Family Holiday Tips: How to travel in Europe on a budget with kids. I hope this has inspired you to explore this incredible country, whatever your budget may be. Happy holidays!

Nat x