Interlaken in May: Weather Guide
“Mild and bright — an underrated time to visit.”
Roughly 20 rainy days across the month, on average.
May settles across Interlaken with a mild bite that eases as the sun climbs — the kind of month when Switzerland's Bernese Oberland shows a clear seasonal face. Averages sit around 17.8°C (64.0°F) by day and 8.9°C (48.0°F) after dark, with rainfall near 206 mm across roughly 19.5 rainy days — a persistent presence that reshapes the pavements. Daylight runs about 10 hours per day, a good working length of light, and the season stamps its signature on details like the glacier tongue of the Jungfrau region.
On the ground, this means layered days. Time around the Schynige Platte trail rewards a morning window when temperatures stabilise, and by afternoon a mid-weight layer earns its keep as you cross between the West and Ost stations and the covered options nearby. Evenings pull back indoors — cafés, small restaurants, the warm middle of the day compressed into memory.
Reading across 11 complete years (2015–2025), May in Interlaken has trended more variable 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 May
With highs around 17.8°C and lows near 8.9°C, layering does the heavy lifting — a single jacket rarely covers a full day. Waterproofing matters this month — expect meaningful rain and plan around it.
- a warm jacket
- layered tops
- waterproof hiking shoes
- gloves for altitude
- a beanie
What to pack for Interlaken in May
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Where to stay in Interlaken
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Compare hotels on Booking.com→Estimated May trip to Interlaken
Shoulder-season pricing — a balance of price and conditions. Rule-based estimates from a couple based in London — actual prices vary.
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Delayed flight to Interlaken?
May sees 206mm of rain here — delays happen. Check if you're eligible for compensation. EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in the EU/UK.
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Things worth doing
Best-fit activities include mountain-village visits, cable-car rides, paragliding, and lake cruises — a mix suited to the month's daylight and weather pattern.
Other places with a similar climate right now
Interlaken in May — FAQ
Q01Is May a good month for Interlaken?
Is May a good month for Interlaken?
It is a challenging month — you may want to consider another time of year. In May, Interlaken averages a high of 18°C (64°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F), with 206mm of rainfall across roughly 20 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 May?
How warm does Interlaken get in May?
The average high temperature in Interlaken during May is 18°C (64°F), with an average low of 9°C (48°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03Does it rain a lot in Interlaken in May?
Does it rain a lot in Interlaken in May?
Interlaken averages approximately 20 rainy days in May, with a total monthly rainfall of about 206mm. 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 May?
What clothes should I bring to Interlaken in May?
For Interlaken in May, pack layered clothing for changing temperatures, 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 May?
Are there many tourists in Interlaken in May?
Tourist crowds in Interlaken during May are typically moderate — shoulder season, a sweet spot between crowds and weather. 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.