Ultimate Guide to Best Paragliding in Switzerland + Tips! (2024)
Have you ever wanted to go paragliding over the Swiss Alps? Or maybe paragliding is on your bucket list like it was mine? Either way, paragliding in Switzerland is one of the most incredible experiences that I sincerely hope everyone does at least once in their life! That said, if you’ve never been to Switzerland or been paragliding before, you probably aren’t sure where to start… Fret not — as someone who has gone paragliding in Switzerland multiple times, I’ve got answers! In this post, I’ll share the top 7 places to go paragliding in Switzerland and everything you need to know!
7 Places With the Best Paragliding in Switzerland
Before I dive into where you should go paragliding in Switzerland, let me give you a brief background on why Switzerland is such a popular destination for paragliding and skydiving.
First, Switzerland is drop-dead gorgeous! With its views of the Swiss Alps and the other breathtaking landscapes in the country, it’s no surprise that everyone loves a good view. But, these mountains don’t just provide spectacular scenery, they’re also great points to take off since you need to start off pretty high up.
The other reason is that Switzerland experiences pretty favorable weather for paragliding most of the year. For those who don’t know, paragliding is largely propelled by thermals and wind. Thermals are essentially pockets of hot air that rise when the sun heats them up. And when you combine thermals with the help of gentle winds, you get the perfect conditions to stay up in the sky and enjoy a long flight!
Alright, without further ado, here are the 7 best places in Switzerland to go paragliding! You can see where they are in relation to one another on the map below. And if you know where you’ll be staying, feel free to click ‘details’ – to go to that specific section. Otherwise, I’ll go down the list, providing details for the best paragliding experience in each city!
- Paragliding in Interlaken — details
- Paragliding in Lauterbrunnen — details
- Paragliding in Zermatt — details
- Paragliding in Davos — details
- Paragliding in Lucerne — details
- Paragliding in Engelberg — details
- Paragliding in Zürich — details
1. Paragliding in Interlaken Switzerland
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – taken by 1225+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 1.5 hours
The Tandem Paragliding Experience from Interlaken includes:
- Hotel pickup in Interlaken
- Round-trip transport from Interlaken to Beatenberg
- Safety briefing at the launch spot
- Use of required paragliding equipment
- Tandem flight with an expert guide
- Experience can accommodate up to 7 people
This is one of the highest-rated, most popular paragliding experiences in Switzerland, and it’s the company I booked my Interlaken paragliding experience with! In addition, this company also is one of the more affordable options out there, so you genuinely get your money’s worth!
Add in the fact that Interlaken is known as the adventure capital of Switzerland and paragliding here calls to anyone who loves a good adrenaline rush! Thus, if you’re ready to glide high above the beautiful landscapes of the Interlaken, check out this epic paragliding experience!
“A fun and exhilarating experience with breath-taking views of Interlaken not to be missed. The friendly staff makes it very fun as well. Highly recommend and would do this again!“
– OMAR K. (seE MORE REVIEWS)
✅ 🏔 Check availability for this popular experience paragliding in Interlaken
2. Paragliding in Lauterbrunnen
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 360+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 1 hour
The Paragliding Over the Swiss Alps from Lauterbrunnen includes:
- Walking together to the launch point in Murren
- Paragliding equipment and facility fees
- Short orientation on what to expect
- Flying tandem with an experienced pilot
- Gorgeous views of the Schilthorn & Lauterbrunnen U-Valley
- Option to briefly fly the glider under the careful supervision of a guide!
This is the highest-rated activity and a crowd-favorite paragliding experience over Lauterbrunnen! Once you reach the meeting point, everything is taken care of for you from start to finish, and the team is super friendly. During this experience, you’ll even have the opportunity to control the glider for a bit — supervised, of course. 😉So, if you’re in Lauterbrunnen or even the Grindelwald area, check out this paragliding option!
“Wow! You MUST do this! What an amazing experience! Truly breathtaking views, amazing local guides who are highly qualified. Would do this every single day if I could! My first time but definitely not my last! There is no better way to see Switzerland!”
– Briana H. (seE MORE REVIEWS)
✅ 🏔 Check availability for this highly-rated experience paragliding in Lauterbrunnen
3. Paragliding in Zermatt
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 — only 5 star reviews by guests! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 2 hours
The Paragliding tandem flight in Zermatt includes:
- A fully Swiss-trained pilot
- Half-hour tandem paragliding flight from Rothorn
- Sweeping views of the Matterhorn and surrounding 4000m tall peaks
- Opportunity to steer the glider
- Possibility of doing acrobatics in the air
This is an unbeatable paragliding experience in Switzerland with only five-star reviews left by its 125+ tour guests. You’ll have a longer flight than most other options, so you’ll have plenty of time to admire the spectacular views.
Not to mention, the team goes above and beyond to ensure you feel safe and comfortable. You may even do some acrobatics in the air for an extra rush of adrenaline, which I can personally testify is one of the most exhilarating feelings! So, if you’re staying in Zermatt, you don’t want to miss out on this paragliding experience!
“Super easy, great vibes, great pilot, and fantastic view!! These guys are professionals. They provide you with all the extra clothing you need for a warm ride. I had very slippery shoes, and they were able to give me some grips for the run. Loved my ride, I couldn’t believe how comfortable I was. I got the best out of both worlds the chill relaxed sightseeing and the rollercoaster ride!“
– Guest (seE MORE REVIEWS)
✅ 🏔 Check availability for this 2-hour paragliding experience in Zermatt
4. Paragliding in Davos
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 — nearly all 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 2 hours
The Davos Absolutely Free Flying Paragliding Tandem Flight includes:
- Cable car ride from Jakobshorn
- Quick safety briefing
- 15 – 35 minute tandem paragliding flight
- Soaring 1000m high above the peaks and valleys in Davos
- Option of doing thrilling acrobatics while flying
- Land in the heart of gorgeous Davos
- Exclusive activity that’s just for your group!
This is the most popular paragliding experience available in Davos and has received 5-star reviews from nearly every guest! In addition, during your flight, you’ll have the option of doing a few thrilling loops (acrobatics) or just coasting through the air. Plus, if you’re traveling with a group or want something more exclusive, this is a private activity! Thus, it’ll just be your group and nothing else around except the surrounding beauty. So, if you’re in Davos, this is the best paragliding experience available.
“It was fun and easy. Everything is prepared for you and it’s really beautiful. Be prepared to hike a little bit on the mountainside to the takeoff point.”
– Alatheia S. (seE MORE REVIEWS)
✅ 🏔 Check availability and rates for paragliding in Davos!
5. Paragliding in Lucerne
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 — almost all 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 2.5 hours
The Tandem Paragliding Flight in the Lucerne Region includes:
- Private pick up from agreed upon location
- Riding up the mountain via cable rail (ticket not included)
- All necessary paragliding equipment included
- Tandem paragliding flight from Lucerne
- Spend 10 and 20 minutes in the air
- Fly above stunning lakes, valleys, mountains, and rivers
- Photography Service available for an extra CHF 35.- or ~$38 USD
- This is a private activity with only your group
This paragliding experience in Lucerne has almost all 5-star reviews from its guests, so you know it’s worth your while! During the flight, you’ll see all kinds of stunning landscapes and sceneries around Lucerne. And, if you want proof of your incredible paragliding experience to show loved ones back home, photography and videos are available for purchase after the flight. So, if you’re looking for an exciting and exclusive paragliding experience in Lucerne, this is the one!
“Toni was an amazing guide that ensured our safety and great time! Would definitely come back and highly recommend to anyone coming to Switzerland! Once in a lifetime experience!”
– Jason p. (seE MORE REVIEWS)
6. Paragliding in Engelberg
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 — only 5 star reviews by guests! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 2 hours
The Paragliding Tandem flight Lucerne – Engelberg includes:
- Private transport from the meeting point to the mountain
- Short Safety briefing
- Up to 60-minute tandem paragliding flight
- Enjoying marvelous views of Lake Lucerne
- Fly high above Engelberg’s imposing peaks and valleys
- Exciting spins and turns through the air (acrobatics)
- Maximum of 2 people per booking
- **Cable car ticket up the mountain not included
This intimate experience paragliding in Engelberg comes highly recommended by 50+ previous guests, who all gave it a 5-star review. During the flight with your professional and local guide, you can marvel at the captivating beauty of Switzerland’s Lucerne and Engelberg regions. And the best part is that the flight can last up to an hour, so you’ll get tons of air time! Thus, if you’re keen on a paragliding adventure in Engelberg, this is the one to go for!
“If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! My kids (14 & 11) and I flew with Urs and 2 of his fellow pilots on July 22. All 3 were super friendly and very experienced. The flights were exhilarating, the scenery was stunning and we all agreed this will be the highlight of our 12 day trip to Europe…“
– Michele w. (seE MORE REVIEWS)
✅ 🏔 Check availability for this paragliding experience in Engelberg!
7. Paragliding in Zurich
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 1.5 hours – whole day
The DragonView Tandem Paragliding Adventure includes:
- Clear directions on where to meet (various locations available)
- Wide selection of flight durations (8 mins – 1 hr — weather dependent)
- Extremely personable and expert pilot
- All the necessary equipment
- Pictures and Video available for additional purchase
- If your flight is shorter than what you signed up for, you’ll be charged an adjusted amount!
This is a paragliding experience I did before, and I can happily recommend it to anyone in the Zurich area! Yoshi is excellent at communicating and gives clear instructions on how to get from Zurich city center to wherever you’re flying for the day. He is also ridiculously experienced and does everything possible, including providing anti-motion sickness medicine, to ensure you’re comfortable and safe. He is open to adjustments in the experience and is such a cool person. You can read my full review here.
“This was the best experience and I’m so glad I did it! The views are amazing and Yoshi is awesome. I felt very safe and informed of the entire process. He even gave us recommendations about Lucerne and Zurich for the rest of our time in Switzerland. Such a worthwhile excursion!“
– Chelsea G. (seE MORE REVIEWS)
✅ 🏔 Check availability for this paragliding experience with Yoshi!
Paragliding Cost and Comparison
I know keeping track of all the details can be hard, so here’s a lil table that summarizes each of the experiences I mentioned!
🪂 PRO TIP: If viewing on a mobile device, try turning your cell phone sideways for better readability!
| Tour Name | Price (USD) | Duration | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlaken | ~$218 | 1.5 hours | > Hotel pick up + transport > See Lake Thun & the Jungfrau mountains > Small-group tour with up to 10 people |
| Lauterbrunnen | ~$224 | 1 hour | > Round-trip transportation > Fly above Lauterbrunnen U-Valley & Schilthorn > Voucher for a free beverage afterward |
| Zermatt | ~$345 | 2 hours | > 20 – 25 min flight > Fly high above the famous Matterhorn > Opportunity to do acrobatics and steer |
| Davos | ~$218 | 2 hours | > Almost all 5-star reviews! > Paraglide above Lucerne and Engelberg > Intimate group experience |
| Lucerne | ~$240 | 2.5 hours | > 10-20 minute flight > Fly above mountains, valleys, lakes, and rivers > Photography & video services available for $$ |
| Engelberg | ~$224 | 2 hours | > Up to a 1 hour-long flight! > Only 5-star reviews left by its guests > Paraglide above Lucerne and Engelberg > Intimate group experience |
| Zürich | ~$195 – $540 | 1.5 hours to all-day | > Option of 8 min – hours long flights > Soaring above mountains, lakes, and valleys > Photography & video services available for $$ |
What to Bring Paragliding in Switzerland
Alright, now that you have a solid sense of what’s available for paragliding in Switzerland, let’s talk about what you should bring with you on the day of your flight!
- 🥾 Closed-toed shoes: I would recommend wearing closed-toed shoes that tie because you don’t want them falling off mid-flight! Additionally, make sure they are comfortable enough for running when you take off!
- 🥶 Windbreaker jacket: Bring at least a windbreaker jacket, if not a heavier-duty one. It gets quite chilly during the flight because you’re literally soaring at the same level of mountains.
- 💊 Dramamine: If you’re prone to motion sickness, anti-motion sickness medicine is a must! You don’t want to end up like my friend who threw up 10 minutes into her flight!
- 💧 Water: Don’t forget water so that you can stay hydrated after your incredible experience!
- 🍎 Snacks: I would bring something light, like a granola bar or apple to eat after your experience. Personally, I never travel without a few snacks lol — never know when hunger will strike! 😋
- 📸 Camera: Last but not least, make sure you have a camera with you to capture all of the beautiful views! I brought my own GoPro and it was great because I captured my own video and pictures for free…😉
🏔 PRO-TIP: Ladies, don’t forget to tie your hair back before you take off! Your pilot will thank you for not having hair flapping around in their faces lol.
Where to Stay in Switzerland
If you’re traveling from outside of Switzerland, you’ll likely need housing. I won’t try to guess where you are staying, but you can use these buttons to head to your favorite booking platform and find housing.
Paragliding in Switzerland: FAQ
Yes, paragliding is safe! Professional pilots undergo rigorous training and usually have over 10 years of experience, so you don’t have anything to worry about. Additionally, for all the experiences, you’ll go through a brief safety training explaining what to expect, and each pilot ensures you feel safe and comfortable during your flight. Oh, and speaking from my personal experience, I’ve never felt unsafe or fearful while paragliding. And if you knew how massive my fear of heights is…you know how crazy it is for me to be able to say that lol.
I think this question has been sufficiently covered…but the answer is YES! In this post, I’ve listed only 7 of the best places to go paragliding in Switzerland, but there are several more. If you want to explore other options, feel free to click to see other paragliding in Switzerland experiences available.
This depends on what you want to see. For example, if you want to paraglide through steep valleys then Lauterbrunnen is best. If you want to see rugged mountains, I would pick Zermatt or Davos! For lots of lakes, Zurich or Interlaken is probably a better fit. Truly, any place you choose will undoubtedly be an experience of a lifetime!
Again, this depends on which package you select, but generally, you can expect to pay about $200 USD for a 20-minute flight. Check the recap table for price comparisons.
100% YES!! Paragliding in Switzerland is nothing short of otherworldly and magical. The views are phenomenal and you’re constantly in awe of the world around you.
Wrap-Up: Best Paragliding in Switzerland (2024)
With its magnificent mountain views, brilliant blue lakes, and a wide array of paragliding options available, Switzerland is one of the best places to go on a heart-pumping adventure! Whether you’re a first-timer, an experienced flyer, or someone with a fear of heights, this is an experience you won’t want to miss out on. Truly, I believe everyone should experience the pure bliss of paragliding!
But, regardless of your decision, I hope this post has been helpful and given you some insight into the beautiful world of paragliding in Switzerland! And if you need help creating the perfect Instagram caption, I have a few ideas…
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