A Guide to the Best Paragliding in Interlaken Switzerland (2024)
🪂 Looking for an adrenaline-inducing adventure in Interlaken? If the answer is yes, consider paragliding! As someone who has gone paragliding in Interlaken, this is an experience I cannot recommend enough. From marveling at the snow-capped Swiss Alps to admiring the bright blue lakes from hundreds of meters above, it’s an experience that can’t be replicated. To help you out, this post explains the top 3 companies to go paragliding in Interlaken with and useful tips based on my first-hand experiences!
3 Best Paragliding in Interlaken Tours (2024)
1. Tandem Paragliding Experience from Interlaken
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 1225+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 1.5 hours
The Tandem Paragliding Experience from Interlaken includes:
- Embarking on an exhilarating paragliding adventure from Interlaken
- Journeying to the picturesque Beatenberg — the launch site
- Brief safety lesson from your personal expert guide
- Admiring views of Lake Thun & Jungfrau mountain
- Small-group tour limited to 10 guests
- Pick up from your hotel in Interlaken
This is the most popular and one of the most highly-rated paragliding companies based out of Interlaken! It’s also the company I went paragliding with (more on my specific experience later in the post), but in general, I have nothing but positive things to say!
They do a mighty fine job of ensuring you’re comfortable the entire time and that the experience is as enjoyable as possible… even if you have a massive fear of heights like myself! 😅 So, if you’re looking for a company with very efficient operations and over 1225+ 5-star reviews, including one from me 😉, I highly recommend booking this paragliding experience.
“This is a MUST DO! The instructors were great and the experience one-of-a-kind! They took away all of your nerves and it was a very peaceful experience. Highly recommend; they were wonderful.”
– Peter G. (See More Reviews)
2. Interlaken: Tandem Paragliding Flight With Pilot
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – taken by 825+ guests! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 1.5 hours
The Interlaken: Tandem Paragliding Flight includes:
- Discovering the breathtaking Jungfrau Region from an aerial view
- Admiring the stunning panoramic views of the Swiss Alps
- Reaching an impressive height of 1,350 meters
- 10 – 30 mins of paragliding, weather dependent
This is another fantastic company that offers tandem paragliding flights in Interlaken and has a near-perfect 5-star rating! Like the other tour, you’ll be taken to Beatenberg via private transport and prepare for take-off! Once in the air, you can marvel at amazing views of the majestic mountains and serene lakes beneath you. And depending on the weather, your flight time could be anywhere from 10 – 30 minutes! Thus, this is a good company to select for a potentially longer flight!
“Incredible experience! Get to view the city /mountains / region from an amazing view! Tour company is professional. Highly recommend!”
– ruvimbo (See More Reviews)
3. Summer Paragliding Beatenberg in Interlaken
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 75+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 1.25 hours
The Summer Paragliding Beatenberg in Interlaken includes:
- Private Transport from Interlaken to the Beatenberg launch site
- Witnessing the super blue, snow-fed Thun and Brienz lakes from above
- Enjoying views of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains
- Several launch times to pick from
- Limited to 4 guests
This is the third, high-rated company that I recommend checking out for your paragliding needs while in Interlaken. They are a little bit more expensive than the previous two companies I mentioned, but with several time slots offered, this is a great choice if it fits your schedule better!
And much like the other two tours, this tour offers you the opportunity of a lifetime to experience the weightlessness of flying and soaring through the Swiss Alps! So, don’t miss out!!
“Both instructors, Sam and Richie, were personable and reassuring. They both spoke of their extensive history with paragliding (and even skydiving) and that made me feel really comfortable and safe. Throughout my beautiful flight, Sam was kind and conversational but also let me enjoy the peace of being up in the air. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
– CeLINE F. (See More Reviews)
Paragliding in Interlaken Comparison
Want a quick overview of each of the tours I mention? Or maybe you want an easy way to compare the different companies…Either way, I’ve made a little table below that summarizes some of the key points of the tours!
🪂 PRO TIP: If you’re viewing this on your phone, you can improve readability by turning your phone sideways so the information reads across the long side.
| Tour Name | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Tandem Paragliding Experience | 1.5 hrs | > Includes pick up from hotel in Interlaken > 10 – 20 minutes of paragliding > Enjoying views of Lake Thun, Lake Brienz, & Jungfrau |
| Interlaken: Tandem Paragliding Flight | 1.5 hrs | > 10 – 30 mins of flight time, weather dependent > Discovering the Jungfrau region from above |
| Summer Paragliding Beatenberg in Interlaken | 1.25 hrs | > Multiple time slots available > Views of Miger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains > Small group limited to 4 guests |
My Experience Paragliding in Interlaken
To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s a full breakdown of my experience paragliding in Interlaken!
First, my friend and I booked our paragliding experience with the first tour company that I suggested. We selected this company because we hadn’t booked our housing in Interlaken yet, and this company offered transportation. Therefore, regardless of how close or far we would end up from the company, we wouldn’t have to stress about dealing with transportation! Just be sure to select where you want to be picked up from when you book or email them a couple of days beforehand if you go with the same tour operator!
The Day of Your Paragliding Experience
On the day of, my friend and I were picked up promptly at the start of our tour time from Balmer’s Hostel — the place we chose as our home base over our 5 day stay in Interlaken.
🇨🇭PRO TIP: For budget travelers, Balmers Hostel is about as cheap as it gets. But, don’t worry — the hostel is one that I can happily recommend as it’s easily one of the top 5 hostels I’ve ever stayed at…and I’ve stayed in 40+ hostels around the world!
After we were picked up, we were driven to the company’s offices in Interlaken. It ended up being a quick 8-minute drive away. Once on-site, they check you in, make sure you are appropriately dressed, and have you store away any unnecessary items in their cubbies.
Speaking of appropriately dressed, you’ll want to wear pants/leggings, bring a windbreaker, and wear closed-toed shoes. This is because the air temperature is significantly colder when you’re soaring over 1000m above. And if you don’t have a windbreaker or wear appropriate shoes, they can provide you with those for free.
Other items you’re allowed to bring include your phone (if you have a pocket to put it in) and a GoPro. That said, they don’t allow you to bring GoPro mounts. Everything else is stored away, and you can pick it up afterward.
📸 PRO TIP: I recommend investing in a GoPro! I take mine everywhere, and it’s amazing being able to capture pictures while surfing in Tahiti, snorkeling through unbelievably blue waters, and of course, paragliding! Also, over time, a GoPro will likely save you money because you won’t have to buy pictures through the tour operator.
Heading to the Launch Site
After everything is sorted at the office, you’ll hop into a minivan with everyone else who booked the same time slot. Then, you and the pilots will drive 20 minutes to Beatenberg, the launch site! During this drive, the pilots will explain how things will generally run. They’ll also do their final checks, ensuring the weather is good, so don’t be surprised if they don’t interact with you tons.
At the launch site, every person and their designated pilot will find their spot on the mountain and prepare for the flight. This is when your pilot puts on your harness and attaches your GoPro if you have one. Then, when the wind conditions are acceptable, you and your pilot will run down the hill for about 10 seconds and take flight! Fair warning, the mountainside might be packed with 20 people or just a few, so you may have to wait 10-15 minutes.
Soaring High Above
When you take off, you’ll be sitting in a pouch in front of your pilot. I like to think of it as being a joey in a kangaroo pouch or like a baby being swaddled. There’s not a lot of mobility, but you should feel extremely comfortable!
And once you process that you’re in the air, you’ll likely feel quite a lot of emotions. For me, I couldn’t stop smiling and repeatedly kept saying, “This isn’t real!” I mean, the views are just glorious. One of the top sites I got to fly over is Harder Kulm or “the top of Interlaken.” It’s pretty epic to wave at so many people as you glide past them.
For those wondering whether or not you get the drop feeling in your stomach, I have never felt it while soaring through the air. The only time I’ve gotten the drop feeling was while we were doing aero-acrobatics. This is when your pilot twists and turns in the air.
And don’t worry, if you aren’t up for it, you can tell your pilot you don’t want the rollercoaster experience and they’ll skip it. In fact, not doing aero-acrobatics means you’ll get to enjoy a longer flight! Speaking of, depending on weather conditions, the flight will last anywhere from 10 – 20 minutes. Personally, my flight was about 12 minutes as weather conditions were not ideal, but that’s how it goes sometimes!
At the end of the flight, your pilot will give you the option of purchasing the pictures and videos they captured throughout the flight. It costs 40 CHF (~$46 or €42)… so it’s ✨pricey✨, but hey, they’re memories of a lifetime, right!? Finally, you’ll walk back to the offices to grab your stuff and continue with your Interlaken itinerary!
Is Paragliding in Interlaken Worth It?
I’ll cut to the chase — I believe paragliding is 100% worth the money! Look, I know it’s fairly expensive and can be daunting to sign up for a new experience like this one, especially if you have a lovely fear of heights like I do. 😙 But, I genuinely believe paragliding is one of the most incredible and exhilarating adventures you can embark on during your time in Switzerland! I mean, how many people can say that they got to paraglide in the majestic Swiss Alps, above turquoise rivers, and through flourishing valleys? Probably not that many… So, if you have the chance, I urge you to try paragliding, even if it’s a little bit out of your comfort zone! 😉
✅ 🪂 Check rates & availability for the paragliding tour in Interlaken that I loved
Where to Stay in Interlaken
If you’re looking for places to stay in Interlaken, here are some places I recommend checking out! Also, you may want to prepare yourself. My friend and I literally gasped when we saw the prices of even the low-cost housing options in Interlaken. Visiting Switzerland is like signing up to pay just to breathe the crisp air. 🥲
🚨 PRO TIP: I can’t stress enough the importance of booking your housing as far out as possible. Housing prices in Switzerland DRAMATICALLY increase out of nowhere. 🫠 Aim to book at least 3 months out!
Low-Cost Stay
- Balmers Hostel — Super social hostel I loved staying at! | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10
- Hotel Interlaken — beautifully restored 4-star hotel | ⭐️ 8.7 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- Hapimag Ferienwohnungen — aparthotel w/ full kitchen | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Hot tub, sauna, restaurant, children’s playground, central location
- Aparthotel Goldey — Apartments & junior suites w/ kitchen | ⭐️ 9.2 / 10
- Located along the Aare River, a 5-min walk from Interlaken Ost station
Fancy Stays
- Hotel Royal St. Georges Interlaken — Lovely 4-star hotel | ⭐️ 7.8 / 10
- Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa — Luxurious 5-star hotel | ⭐️ 9 / 10
- 3 restaurants on-site, 2 pools, sauna, spa, & sun terrace
Feel free to click these buttons to head to your favorite booking platform and see additional housing options there.
Or, you can explore other housing options on the interactive map below. I recommend inputting your travel dates and the size of your party to see even more accurate prices.
Other Adventures in Interlaken to Do
Alrighty, now that you hopefully have your housing situation locked down, I want to talk about some other things you can look forward to during your stay in Interlaken! After all, Interlaken isn’t famously called the “Adventure capital of Switzerland” for nothing! So aside from paragliding, here are 5 additional thrilling activities worth checking out! You can navigate with the links below and skip directly to specific activity by clicking “details.”
- Enjoying the Views from Harder Kulm — details
- Canyoning Grimsel — details
- Visiting Jungfraujoch — details
- River Rafting Lütschine — details
- Biking Through Lauterbrunnen — details
Enjoying the Views from Harder Kulm
Visiting this mountaintop is the most popular attraction in Interlaken and for good reason — the panoramic views are simply magical. Visitors have the option of embarking on a 2.5-hour, moderate hike or can ride a funicular directly to the top. Once at the top, you can walk around, dine at the sit-down restaurant, and take pictures of the stunning views!
🚨PRO TIP: If you opt to take the funicular, I recommend buying your ticket ahead of time! I walked directly to the turnstile and scanned my ticket instead of waiting in a long, 30+ minute line to purchase a ticket on-site!
✅ 🏔 You can grab your funicular ticket to Harder Kulm here
Canyoning Grimsel
If you happen to be visiting between May and October, an adrenaline-pumping activity that’ll help you cool off is going canyoning in the Swiss Alps at Grimsel! During this 5.5-hour adventure, you’ll rappel down 165 feet into a gushing canyon, zipline into the cool waters below, slide down natural water chutes, & jump off high rock ledges into plunge pools! Not to mention, a free drink and light lunch await you at the end of the day! 😉
Visiting Jungfraujoch
Embark on a full-day excursion to what is often referred to as, “The Top of Europe!” This is a mountainous region that joins two mountains that are over 4000m above sea level, the Jungfrau and the Mönch.
You’ll travel by coach to the fairytale village of Grindelwald and take the state-of-the-art gondola Eiger Express to the Eiger Station. Afterward, you’ll switch to a cogwheel train to reach Europe’s highest railway station, the Jungfraujoch. From there, you’ll be able to marvel at stunning Alpine panoramas, witness the largest glacier in Europe, and explore an enchanting ice palace, all while receiving informative commentary from your knowledgeable guide!
✅ 🏔 Check rates & availability for Visiting Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe
River Rafting Lütschine
Another epic adventure you can sign up to do from Interlaken is white-water rafting down the Lütschine River! On this half-day activity, you’ll tackle class III-IV rapids as you travel through the Interlaken Valley to the serene Alpine waters of Lake Brienz. And to cap off the experience, you’ll have some downtime to relax and unwind at the base camp with coffee or beer!
Biking Through Lauterbrunnen
Last but certainly not least, I highly recommend visiting Lauterbrunnen. Out of all the places I’ve traveled through in Switzerland, this is one of my top 3 favorite destinations. And if you’re looking for a fun way to discover the breathtaking beauty of Lauterbrunnen Valley, consider doing a 6-hour e-bike tour from Interlaken.
This small-group, personalized tour is suitable for everyone. And, with the assistance of motor-powered electric bikes, you can effortlessly pedal through the picturesque ‘Valley of the 72 Waterfalls,’ passing serene forests, sweeping gorges, and charming alpine villages. More specifically, you’ll witness natural wonders like the Lütschine River, Staubbach Waterfall, and Trümmelbach Waterfalls. The adventure then ends with a delightful picnic lunch featuring Swiss specialties!
✅ 🚴♀️ Check rates & availability for biking through Lauterbrunnen
Paragliding in Interlaken: FAQ
It costs ~$207 – $225 USD to go paragliding in Interlaken.
The entire tour usually lasts about 1.5 – 2 hours, but you’ll likely only spend 10-30 minutes paragliding.
While paragliding above Interlaken, you’ll reach an approximate height of 1,350 meters.
You can go paragliding year-round, but summer is the time of the year when you’ll likely have sunny, clear skies. This is also when you’ll have a better chance of having a longer flight as paragliding relies on thermals.
According to the statistics, tandem paragliding is quite safe. Very few accidents happen a year, but you can read more about how safe paragliding is here.
There are plenty of other places where you can go paragliding near Interlaken. Some of the top destinations include Lauterbrunnen, which is known for its dramatic valleys and abundance of waterfalls, Lucerne, which has enchanting medieval architecture, and Zermatt, which is famous for being home to the Matterhorn!
Paragliding in Switzerland generally costs anywhere from $200 – $355. This is because some locations require more groundwork to reach or are in especially stunning locations!
Wrap-Up: 3 Best Paragliding in Interlaken Tours (2024)
For any adventure enthusiasts passing through Interlaken, one must-do experience that I highly recommend is paragliding. As you soar high above the picturesque landscape, you’ll be treated to breathtaking bird’s-eye views of the Swiss Alps, serene lakes, and all the charming timber homes below!
Plus, with professional pilots guiding the way and all the necessary equipment provided, you’ll can sit back and embrace the adrenaline rush and excitement of flying through the skies. So, be sure to add paragliding in Interlaken if you’re seeking an unforgettable journey amidst the beauty of the Swiss Alps!
✅ 🪂 Check rates & availability for the paragliding tour in Interlaken that I loved
Learn More About Switzerland
- Planning a trip to Geneva? Learn a bit of background info about the city and some things to do during your stay.
