Interlaken has been considered the adventure capital of Switzerland and Europe for many years. Nestled between the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz and Lake Thun and surrounded by the impressive peaks of the Jungfrau region, the region is a paradise for outdoor and air sports activities. Anyone who spends their vacations here will soon realize: The sky above Interlaken is one of the most spectacular places in Europe for adventures in the air.
There are two activities in particular: paragliding and skydiving. Both offer unique perspectives over the Alps and are among the most popular adventure activities in the region. But many guests ask themselves the question:
👉 What is the difference between paragliding and skydiving – and which experience suits me better?
In this blog, we compare both activities neutrally and show why both paragliding and skydiving in Interlaken have their very own charms.
Interlaken – Europe’s hotspot for adventures in the air
The combination of stable weather conditions, ideal topography and spectacular scenery makes Interlaken one of the best places in the world for air sports.
Several factors come together here:
- the impressive mountains of the Jungfrau region
- the two lakes Brienzersee and Thunersee
- Ideal thermals for paragliding
- optimal conditions for skydiving
So it’s no wonder that thousands of visitors travel to Paragliding Interlaken in Switzerland every year to experience activities such as paragliding, skydiving, jet boating, rafting or canyoning.
When it comes to experiences in the air, two adventures stand out in particular.
Paragliding Interlaken – FLYING LIKE A BIRD
When paragliding, you take off from Beatenberg together with an experienced tandem pilot. After a few steps, you take off from the slope and glide gently over the valley.
The flight usually lasts around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the weather and thermals. In the summer months, strong thermal currents can make even longer flights possible. The Double Airtime flight, for example, lasts 30 to 40 minutes in ideal weather conditions. You can find the details of this paragliding flight here.
During the flight you can enjoy a spectacular view of:
- the lakes of Brienz and Thun
- the famous Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau massif
- the valleys around Interlaken
The flight ends with a soft landing in the center of Interlaken.
The special thing about paragliding
Paragliding conveys a feeling that many guests describe as “flying like a bird”. It’s less about speed or extremes and more about the experience of gliding silently through the air.
Many participants particularly enjoy it:
- the peace and quiet during the flight
- the impressive view
- the feeling of freedom and weightlessness
Of course, your pilot can also add some action if desired – for example with spirals or fast turns.
How extreme is paragliding?
🔥🔥🔥 (3/5)
Paragliding offers excitement and height, but remains a relaxed flying experience overall.
SKYDIVING IN INTERLAKEN – PURE ADRENALINE
With skydiving, the adventure begins in a completely different way. You climb into a helicopter with a tandem master and fly over the Alps at an altitude of around 4,000 meters.
After the jump, you experience about 45 seconds of free fall at speeds of around 200 km/h. Only then does the parachute open and the flight becomes calmer.
The subsequent gliding flight lasts several minutes and also offers fantastic views over the Swiss Alps.
What’s special about skydiving
The appeal of skydiving is clearly the adrenaline rush. The free fall provides an intense mixture of speed, height and emotion.
Many participants describe the moment of the jump as one of the most exciting moments of their lives. You can find more information about helicopter skydiving in Interlaken here and book the activity directly.
How extreme is skydiving?
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 (5/5)
Skydiving is one of the most intense adventure activities of all.
THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PARAGLIDING AND SKYDIVING
Although both activities take place in the air, they differ significantly in terms of the process and the experience.
| FEATURE | PARAGLIDING | SKYDIVING |
| Start | From the mountain | from the helicopter |
| Free fall | no | Yes |
| Speed | moderate | very fast |
| Experience | calm and gliding – optionally with spirals and wingovers also adrenaline-pumping | Extreme and adrenaline-filled |
| Flight time | 10 to 20 minutes – optionally 30 to 40 minutes in summer | approx. 5 to 10 minutes |
| Focus | View and feeling of flight | Adrenaline and speed |
WHICH ACTIVITY SUITS YOU BETTER?
Many guests decide on the basis of a simple question:
👉 Are you looking for the biggest adrenaline rush or a longer flight experience with a view?
Skydiving could fit better if:
- you love extreme adventures
- you are looking for speed and adrenaline
- you want to experience free fall
Paragliding could fit better if:
- you want to enjoy the landscape
- you want to stay in the air longer
- you prefer a quieter flying experience
Both activities are unique in their own way and are among the most spectacular outdoor activities in Interlaken. For helicopter skydiving, we work together with Skydive Interlaken and you can find out all about the company and the numerous skydive options on their website here.
WHY INTERLAKEN IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR BOTH EXPERIENCES
Few places in the world offer as many adventures in such a small space as Interlaken in Switzerland.
Here you can in a single day:
- Experience paragliding over the lakes
- do a skydiving jump
- race across Lake Brienz in a jet boat
- Try rafting on alpine rivers
This diversity makes Interlaken one of the most popular adventure destinations in Europe.
Paragliding packages – combine adventures and save money
If you book with Paragliding Interlaken, you can also combine your experience with other activities. These so-called packages often offer a price advantage and provide even more adventure in one day.
Spin & Fly – Paragliding + Jetboat
This package combines two of the most popular activities in Interlaken:
- Paragliding over the Jungfrau region
- Jetboat action on Lake Brienz
You will first experience the tranquillity and views while flying and then the speed and turns on the water. The jetboat tour takes you past the village of Iseltwald, which should be familiar to many from the Netflix series “crash landing on you”.
The combination of air and water makes Spin & Fly one of the most popular adventure packages in the region. You can find more information about this offer here.
Paddle & Fly – Paragliding + Kayak
If you prefer something a little quieter, you can combine paragliding with a guided kayak tour on Lake Brienz.
This package connects:
- the bird’s eye view over Interlaken
- A relaxed paddle tour on the turquoise lake
The kayak tour leads along impressive mountain landscapes and offers a completely different perspective on the region. The tour takes you past Iseltwald, which should be familiar to many from the Netflix series “crash landing on you”. You can find more information about this package here.
The same applies here: if you combine several activities, you can often save money. If you book various other summer activities on our website at the same time, you will receive a 5% multi-discount!
CAN YOU DO PARAGLIDING AND SKYDIVING IN ONE DAY?
In fact, many visitors decide to try out both activities during their stay in Interlaken.
As both experiences are relatively short, it is perfectly possible to experience them on different days, or even on the same day.
Many adventure fans even say:
👉 F irst skydiving for an adrenaline rush – then paragliding to enjoy. Although of course you can also do it the other way round….
This allows you to experience the Alps from two completely different perspectives.
CONCLUSION: PARAGLIDING OR SKYDIVING?
In the end, there is no right or wrong decision. Both activities have their own fascination.
Skydiving stands for speed, adrenaline and one of the most intense moments you can experience.
Paragliding stands for freedom, views and the feeling of gliding silently through the air.
No matter what you choose, one thing is certain:
The view over Interlaken, the Jungfrau region and the lakes of Switzerland will stay with you for a long time.
And perhaps the best answer in the end is quite simple:
Why not experience both?
TOP FAQ PARAGLIDING
What does a paragliding flight in Switzerland cost?
Usually between CHF 150 and CHF 250, depending on the location, provider and season. Paragliding Interlaken is in the fair mid-range with prices starting at CHF 180 and a top price-performance ratio.
Are there age or weight restrictions for paragliding?
Yes, there are guidelines for safety. Usually, the minimum age is around six years, the minimum weight is around 25 kilograms and the maximum weight is around 100 kilograms. The wind conditions and the pilot’s assessment on the day of the flight are decisive.
Is paragliding also suitable for families, groups or as a gift?
Yes, paragliding can be perfectly planned as a family or group experience. Several pilots can fly at the same time so that friends or family members can take off together. Gift vouchers are also available and can be redeemed flexibly.
Is paragliding possible in rain or wind?
Geflogen wird nur bei sicheren Wetterbedingungen. Bei starkem Wind, Regen oder Gewittern werden Flüge verschoben oder kostenlos umgebucht. Flüge bei leichtem Regen sind problemlos möglich und sicher, sobald die Sicherheit beeinträchtigt wäre, wird kein Flug durchgeführt. Paragliding Interlaken hat jahrzehnte Lange Erfahrungen im Einschätzen der Wetterbedingungen.
Is the price of a paragliding flight the same for adults and children?
TOP FAQ SKYDIVING
What is the difference between an airplane and helicopter skydive?
The flight by airplane to the jump height takes approx. 15-20 minutes, of which the flight by helicopter only takes approx. 5-10 minutes. When jumping from the helicopter we can only offer handcam video/photos, but when jumping from the airplane we can offer handcam as well as an extra cameraman (video/photos). However, the cameraman is subject to availability. With the helicopter you can take 2 tandems per rotation, with the airplane up to 9 tandems and the view is beautiful in both places. You are closer to the mountains when you jump out of the helicopter, but you see less of the entire mountain range. When jumping from the airplane, you have a fantastic view of the mountain panorama of the Swiss Alps and the lakes
Is there an age limit or minimum age for a skydive?
Is paragliding safer than skydiving?
Both activities are considered very safe when done with professional providers, but they differ in the following ways:
Paragliding (tandem) starts on a slope without free fall and at a lower speed; skydiving involves free fall at very high speed. In both activities, the landing is made with a glider or parachute. The decisive safety factors are the same for both: pilot experience, equipment condition, weather window, and discipline in terms of termination criteria.