Interlaken in January: Weather Guide
“Cool and moody. Best paired with warm rooms and long lunches.”
Roughly 16 rainy days across the month, on average.
January settles across Interlaken with a raw chill that settles into stone — the kind of month when Switzerland's Bernese Oberland shows a clear seasonal face. Averages sit around 6.3°C (43.3°F) by day and 0.5°C (32.9°F) after dark, with rainfall near 150 mm across roughly 16.4 rainy days — a persistent presence that reshapes the pavements. Daylight runs about 5.6 hours per day, compact daylight that puts a premium on morning starts, and the season stamps its signature on details like the north face of the Eiger.
On the ground, cold shapes the timing. Time around the West and Ost stations shows best in mid-morning light before the chill deepens; warm interiors — cafés, museums, shops near Grindelwald village — carry the middle of the day. Evenings run short outdoors and long indoors, which suits the local rhythm rather than fighting it.
Reading across 11 complete years (2015–2025), January in Interlaken has trended less predictable in recent seasons, with the last few years pushing daytime highs and rainfall patterns modestly away from the older normals. The 2026 signal so far tracks the recent shape rather than the long-run midpoint — meaning what you see above is weighted to how this month has actually been running, not a smoothed 30-year picture that masks the shift.
For travellers planning around 2026, this profile is the honest baseline. Match the packing list to the numbers — not to the month name — and you avoid the classic mismatch of arriving with the wrong shell, the wrong shoes, or the wrong daylight assumptions. The rest of this page breaks down what to wear, what to do, and how the season tends to run for Interlaken visitors in 2026.
Interlaken itself is a tourist hub; locals live in Unterseen with wooden Kornhaus buildings. Real Swiss cheese fondue in Berner Oberland uses Gruyere and Vacherin; melting into starch water. The Jungfrau railway takes 2.5 hours and costs 220 CHF; skip it for Schynige Platte narrow-gauge for 100 CHF less. Swiss silence at 10pm is legally enforced; no vacuum, no shower. Rosti with fried egg is breakfast, lunch, dinner.
What to pack for Interlaken in January
With highs only near 6.3°C and lows around 0.5°C, cold-weather kit is non-negotiable, especially for long walking days. Waterproofing matters this month — expect meaningful rain and plan around it.
- a heavy insulated coat
- thermals
- waterproof snow boots
- gloves
- a beanie
What to pack for Interlaken in January
- →Lightweight fleeceAmazon · shop this
- →Merino travel socksAmazon · shop this
- →Packable rain jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Waterproof dry bagAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in Interlaken
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Interlaken across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Estimated January trip to Interlaken
Off-season pricing — good value if the weather works for you. Rule-based estimates from a couple based in London — actual prices vary.
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Delayed flight to Interlaken?
Flights to Interlaken in January can be delayed by storms. Claim up to €600 if yours is 3+ hours late. EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in the EU/UK.
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Things worth doing
Best-fit activities include paragliding, lake cruises, alpine hikes, and glacier excursions — a mix suited to the month's daylight and weather pattern.
Other places with a similar climate right now
Interlaken in January — FAQ
Q01Is January a good month for Interlaken?
Is January a good month for Interlaken?
It is a challenging month — you may want to consider another time of year. In January, Interlaken averages a high of 6°C (43°F) and a low of 1°C (33°F), with 150mm of rainfall across roughly 16 rainy days. June-early July catches Alpine meadow bloom before Jungfraujoch summer crowds; Unspunnenfest August only every 6 years, next 2029.
Q02How warm does Interlaken get in January?
How warm does Interlaken get in January?
The average high temperature in Interlaken during January is 6°C (43°F), with an average low of 1°C (33°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive). January -5C but Interlaken sits in a warm windshadow; Grindelwald and Wengen get powder while Interlaken stays green and empty.
Q03Does it rain a lot in Interlaken in January?
Does it rain a lot in Interlaken in January?
Interlaken averages approximately 16 rainy days in January, with a total monthly rainfall of about 150mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days. Late August foehn winds bring 3-day rain systems; paragliding grounds, and Aare river runs brown-white from glacier discharge.
Q04What clothes should I bring to Interlaken in January?
What clothes should I bring to Interlaken in January?
For Interlaken in January, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month. Lightweight microspikes for Jungfraujoch top station where ice terrace has zero grit even in July.
Q05Are there many tourists in Interlaken in January?
Are there many tourists in Interlaken in January?
Tourist crowds in Interlaken during January are typically low — winter is off-season, meaning quiet streets and better hotel deals. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. Interlaken itself is a tourist hub; locals live in Unterseen with wooden Kornhaus buildings. Real Swiss cheese fondue in Berner Oberland uses Gruyere and Vacherin; melting into starch water. The Jungfrau railway takes 2.5 hours and costs 220 CHF; skip it for Schynige Platte narrow-gauge for 100 CHF less. Swiss silence at 10pm is legally enforced; no vacuum, no shower. Rosti with fried egg is breakfast, lunch, dinner.