Cruises on Lake Thun & Lake Brienz
Bernese Oberland
With your half fare card you pay only half the published fare. You can either buy individual tickets or a full day cruise ticket. A full day cruise ticket costs approximately 64 Sfr or 32 Sfr with your half fare card based on 2nd class.
With a scheduled boat service on both lakes, you can enjoy an outing on a motor-powered vessel or on an elegant, restored paddle-wheel steamboat. The turquoise Lake Brienz and neighbouring Lake Thun are situated in the spectacular mountain setting of the Bernese Oberland.
Excellent dining facilities are available, as well as themed events and round trip excursions (half or full day trips). All tickets for these trips can be purchased locally from either the local tourist office in resort, the local train station or direct at the boat station.
Lake Thun
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In the midst of the Bernese Oberland, Lake Thun is surrounded by a fabulous mountain scenery and by the charming towns of Thun and Interlaken. There are even Lidos and bathing spots all around the lake which invite you to take a swim and cool off. There are popular paths along the lakeshore which lead from Thun to Hünibach or from Spiez to Faulensee. On the north side of the shore of the lake is the St.Jacobs trail The trail also leads to the St.Beatus Cave. Please click here for a map of the area.
There are many different boat trips available on Lake Thun and could either be a round trip or incorporated as part of an excursion up in to the mountains. There is even a Sunday buffet brunch cruise as follows:
Sunday morning buffet brunch: departs every Sunday and on board the boat you will be offered a hearty brunch buffet including tasty regional products from Balllenberg on the route from Thun to Interlaken West.
Departure: Thun depart 09.03 and arrives in Interlaken West at 11.02
Dates: Every Sunday from the 24th April until 16th October
Prices: For the brunch the price is 32 Sfr per adult and 12 Sfr per child
For the cruise the price is 19.50 per adult, 2nd class (with a half fare card) or 32 Sfr 1st class
Tickets Reservations are non-refundable and can be purchased locally from boat station or tourist office
If you are interested in any of the boat trips the local tourist office, any train station or the boat stations will be able to organise tickets and further information for you.
Lake Brienz
The regular boat service links all the little places around the lake on its route from the resort of Interlaken on the western side to the idyllic little town of Brienz in the east. From Brienz, you can board the oldest steam train in Switzerland, the Brienzer Rothorn railway which takes you to the top of the Rothorn. The top of the Brienzer Rothorn boasts some stunning views of the lakes and mountain chain. It is also the starting point to many hikes. Please click here for a map of the area.
Another destination for a boat trip on Lake Brienz is the Giessbach Falls. The roaring waterfalls thunders down 500 metres into the lake. Immediately beside it is the historic Grand hotel Giessbach, which looks like a fairy tale castle. The oldest funicular leads from the landing stage in Giessback straight up to the waterfall. Another popular excursion is to walk along the southern bank of Lake Brienz from Bönigen via Iseltwald to Giessbach.
Lake Brienz offers some special excursions in addition to the regular service and is particularly popular with visitors from abroad who want to try all the specialities. The cruises available are as follows:
Halal BBQ Cruise: Enjoy a wonderful evening cruising on Lake Brienz and be inspired of the breathtaking surroundings. Taste a delicious halal barbeque, supplemented with several meals out of the Arabian countries.
Departure: 19.45 from Interlaken Ost boat landing and returning approximately 21.30
Dates: Every Wednesday from June 15th to July 27th
Price: 65 Sfr per adult and 30 Sfr per child aged 6-12 years (children 5 years and under are free)
Included: Boat ride, Halal barbeque and ambience. Beverages are not included in the price.
Tickets: Reservations are non-refundable and can be purchased up until 17.00 on the day of the cruise
Swiss BBQ Cruise: The extremely popular barbeque cruise on Lake Brienz is entering its third season. On board, the chef will prepare a delicous barbeque and also vegetarian options. There is something to suit all tastes. Cool drinks and lounge music make the culinary cruise a pleasure on a summer evening.
Departure: 19.45 from Interlaken Ost boat landing and returning approximately 21.30
Dates: Every Tuesday and Friday from 1st July to 30th August
Price: 59 Sfr per adult and 30 Sfr per child aged 6-12 years (children 5 years and under are free)
Included: Boat ride, barbeque and ambience. Beverages are not included in the price.
Tickets: Reservations are non-refundable and can be purchased up until 17.00 on the day of the cruise
If you are interested in any of the boat trips the local tourist office, any train station or the boat stations will be able to organise tickets and further information for you.
Interlaken Hotels
Interlaken Hotels
Lake Thun and Brienz and Wilderswil Hotels
