Packing for the Swiss Alps in summer
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- alps
It is 27C in Interlaken and below freezing at Jungfraujoch on the same afternoon. Here is how to pack for a 30-degree swing without checking a second bag.
Summer in the Swiss Alps is genuinely warm in the valleys and genuinely cold at altitude, often within the same day. The mistake is packing for the average.
The three-layer rule
A merino base layer, a light fleece, and a windproof shell will cover Interlaken at midday and Jungfraujoch at 3,450 metres. Skip the heavy down jacket; it spends the whole trip in your bag.
What people forget
Sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen matter more at altitude than anywhere in the itinerary - snow glare at Jungfraujoch catches out most first-timers. Bring a refillable bottle too; Swiss public fountains are drinkable and bottled water is expensive.
Footwear
Unless you have booked a dedicated hiking extension, trail shoes are plenty. The viewpoints on this itinerary are all reachable by rail or cable car.