As the adventure capital of Switzerland, no trip to Interlaken is complete without participating in some form of fear-inducing alpine activity. Whether it’s white-water rafting, caving, bungee jumping, hang gliding or paragliding – if you are in Interlaken you need to do something a little crazy! We chose paragliding and can’t recommend it enough.
Paragliding is almost an indescribable experience. The exhilaration of running down the side of a mountain, the wind slowly lifting you off the ground, and gliding through the fresh mountain air with Interlaken stretched out below is truly an unforgettable experience. And to our surprise, easier and safer than you’d think!
In this article, we’ll explain what it’s really like to go paragliding in Interlaken so you can decide for yourself if you’re up for the adventure.
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Paragliding in Interlaken | At a Glance
- Total Cost | Most flights cost around 170 CHF per person (180 USD)
- Estimated Time | In-flight time: 20 minutes, total time: 1.5 hours
- Why you’ll love it | A fun adventure that will get your adrenaline pumping, but still feels reasonably safe. Paragliding is an Interlaken classic!
- Book your adventure | Book your paragliding trip with Skywings Paragliding or Paragliding Interlaken before you go!
Is paragliding in Interlaken worth it?
Yes, 100% worth it! Here are the reasons you should absolutely go paragliding in Interlaken:
- The views. The pictures can’t even do it just. You really can’t beat the view looking straight down over Interlaken.
- The thrill. If you are looking for a little adrenaline, paragliding will satisfy your craving (but maybe leaving you wanting more…)
- It’s really not that scary. Even if you aren’t an adrenaline junky, paragliding is really not as scary as it seems. While the initial takeoff can be intimidating, the flight itself is really quite smooth.
- It’s fun. We had a blast! When we landed, I seriously would have driven right back to Beatenberg and done it all over again.
Paragliding in Interlaken | FAQs
Which tour company should I use?
There are many companies in Interlaken that offer paragliding, so you have some options. Here are a few popular paragliding companies:
We found that most of these companies offer flights at almost exactly the same price for comparable flight times, so cost isn’t really a helpful factor in deciding which company to go with. We ultimately chose AlpinAir Paragliding because they had good reviews and would pick us up near our accommodation, and we were not disappointed with our choice.
Which flight option should I choose?
With most paragliding companies, the most popular flight option takes off in Beatenberg and lands in a field in the center of Interlaken.
The flight we took with AlpinAir was called the Top Flight. The in-flight time ranges from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the wind speed, and the entire trip from pickup to landing takes around 1.5 hours.
Book your adventure | Purchase your tickets for the Beatenburg to Interlaken flight before you go!
How much does it cost to paraglide in Interlaken?
- Standard Flight Cost | 170 CHF per person (180 USD)
- Double airtime | additional 100 CHF per person (113 USD)
Most standard paragliding flights in Interlaken cost around 180 USD per person. We’ve found that most tour companies offered very similar prices for comparable flight times. It may seem like a lot for 20 minutes of air time, but we thought the entire experience was 100% worth it.
AlpinAir offers a few other flight options that cost more than the Top Flight. For example, the Sunset Flight has a longer flight time of 20-30 minutes. The Great James Bond takes off from Schilthorn and has a total flight time of 30-40 minutes. When we visited Schilthorn, we saw people doing the Great James Bond and it looked epic!
Will I be flying alone?
No, as a first-time paraglider, you will have to fly tandem. Your guide will help set up your parachute, give you instructions on how to take off, and steer the parachute during the flight and landing.
Most guides will carry a GoPro and take pictures and video of the entire journey that you can purchase for an additional fee at the end of your flight.
What should I bring paragliding in Interlaken?
You can’t really bring anything with you during the flight, so pack lightly. The tour company will store a small purse, bag or backpack for you while you fly and meet you at the bottom when you land, so you can leave your phone and wallet in a safe place.
You cannot bring your own camera with you on the flight, so this also will need to be left behind.
You will need to wear a helmet for the flight, so leave hats behind.
What should I wear paragliding in Interlaken?
To keep yourself safe and comfortable during flight, its important to dress appropriately:
- Tennis shoes/hiking boots | To takeoff, you will run quickly down a hill, so you need to wear appropriate closed-toed shoes for running. We’d recommend tennis shoes or hiking boots.
- Pants that at least go to your knees | You have to wear a harness, so it’s most comfortable if your thighs are covered. These Athleta Headlands pants are my absolute favorite – great for exercise and the pockets make them more stylish.
- Layers | It can be colder at the top of the mountain and in flight, so we’d recommend packing layers. A warm quarter zip should suffice during the summer. In the spring or fall, you’ll likely want something warmer, like a down jacket.
- Sunglasses | Just make sure you have a strap to secure them. Our favorite sunglasses are Goodr, because they are cheap and non-slip, meaning they stay in place during activity – perfect for adventures like paragliding!
Paragliding in Interlaken | Adventure Guide
Pickup from Interlaken
Our tour guides picked us up from a hotel right next to our Airbnb. They offer a long list of different pickup points around Interlaken and Unterseen, so there is likely an option close to where you will be staying. They picked us up in a van, along with 4 other people and 4 corresponding guides, and drove us about 20 minutes to Beatenberg, where we would be taking flight.
During the drive, they discuss safety guidelines and pair you up with a guide.
Fun fact | Switzerland has four official national language: German, French, Italian, and Romansh, meaning the Swiss speak different languages in different parts of the country. My guide was from eastern Switzerland and spoke German but not French, while Matt’s guide was from western Switzerland and spoke French but not German. They communicated with each other in English! Â
Preparing for Takeoff
Upon arrival, we took a quick 5-minute walk to a wide open field on the edge of the mountain, where we set up our parachutes. Before taking flight, you’ll get clipped into your harness, fitted for a helmet, and help spread your parachute out on the hill making sure the cords are untangled.
I woke up the morning of our flight feeling so anxious, and the nervous excitement continued to build as we stood at the top of the mountain, watching other paragliders before us to take off.
Takeoff
Just before takeoff, you and your guide get into position standing in front of your parachute facing down the mountain. Then, on your guide’s word, you take off running full speed down the hill until your parachute catches wind.
You will start to feel upward pressure and suddenly your feet are no longer touching the ground! Those first few moments when you realize you are flying are exhilarating!
In flight!
Once your feet leave the ground, the flight actually becomes very smooth and you can settle into your seat. As soon as you get past the initial shock that you are flying, you’ll be stunned by the aerial view of Interlaken and it’s vibrant teal lakes.
During the flight, you have the option to try out some spins and flips. If you absolutely don’t want to flip, your guide will respect that choice, but if you are looking for a little thrill you should give it a try.
Even though I was so anxious beforehand, my nerves subsided once in flight and I immediately felt more comfortable. It’s hard to stay nervous when you have such an incredible sight to distract you.
Landing
Your flight will land in a large field in the center of Interlaken. The landing can be a little bumpy, as your feet touch the ground and skid for a few moments across the field.
Matt landed just before me and got to watch me land. We were all smiles after we touched down, as we swapped stories about our flights and marveled over the unforgettable feeling of flying.
We both agreed that it was much less scary than we expected and that we would do it again in a heartbeat!
Other Switzerland resources
Planning a trip to Switzerland? Be sure to check our the following guides to help you plan your trip:
Have you been paragliding? Let us know if you have questions about our experience paragliding in Interlaken in the comments below.
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