2/24/2026 · 7 min read
Search online for Airbnb Interlaken and you will find extensive listings, but map centrality can be misleading. Many travelers book Interlaken by default and then realize they spend much of the trip in surrounding areas.
In peak season, Interlaken pricing often reflects name recognition and demand concentration. Lake Thun towns frequently offer larger spaces, better balcony or lake-view inventory, and more competitive nightly pricing with lower aggregate fees over four or five nights.
Atmosphere is a major differentiator. Interlaken has constant movement from adventure operators, tour groups, and high visitor turnover. That energy works for short stays but can feel saturated after long mountain days.
Lake Thun towns create natural contrast. Evenings in Spiez or Faulensee are quieter and more residential, with lakeside walking and local rhythm rather than heavy tourist flow. For many travelers, this improves recovery and overall trip quality.
Transport differences are smaller than expected. Spiez to Interlaken is about 20 minutes by train, after which Jungfrau connections continue as normal. The extra time versus staying directly in Interlaken is usually modest in the context of a multi-day trip.
Interlaken still makes sense when you stay only two nights, prioritize dense adventure scheduling, or prefer hotel-style convenience over apartment living. Outside those cases, expanding your search radius usually improves value and comfort.
For longer Bernese Highlands itineraries, Lake Thun apartments often deliver a stronger balance of cost, space, and atmosphere without sacrificing access to signature mountain days.