cruise at lake brienz

Lake Brienz Cruise- Highlights of a Lake Brienz Boat Tour

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An enjoyable and relaxing way to experience the spectacular scenery of Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland region is by taking a boat cruise on Lake Brienz (Brienzersee).

With vibrant turquoise water, a mountain framed shoreline, and several cute villages to visit on route, the Lake Brienz cruise is a tour to remember. 

About the Lake Brienz Cruise

The Lake Brienz boat tour starts in Interlaken Ost (Interlaken East) and ends in the village of Brienz at the east end of the lake. You can also do the tour in reverse, starting in Brienz and ending in Interlaken Ost. The one-way trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes. You can book a roundtrip cruise or return to Interlaken or Brienz by train (what I did).

As the cruise travels along the 14 km long Lake Brienz, it makes regular stops at villages along the south shore and occasional stops on the north shore. The stops are just long enough to let people embark and disembark. 

There are a variety of Lake Brienz boat trips you can book including breakfast cruises, evening culinary cruises, and regular sightseeing cruises. The main difference between them is the vessel and whether there is a full or limited restaurant menu. The Lötschberg, a renovated Belle Epoque steamship, brings a touch of nostalgia as it travels across Lake Brienz twice a day and on Saturday evenings in the summer. 

My Lake Brienz Cruise- Interlaken to Brienz

I decided to do a Lake Brienz boat cruise as a day trip from Thun , a nearby town opposite Interlaken on the west end of Lake Thun.

In the morning I took the train to Interlaken Ost then boarded the first cruise of the day to Brienz. I hopped off at one stop along the way, disembarking at Giessbach to see the waterfall and have lunch at the historic hotel.

Here’s a look at the highlights of my Lake Brienz tour and some of the things you can see and do at stops along the way.

The first stop on a Lake Brienz boat tour is the village of Bönigen, on the southwest shore. 

Bönigen is nestled between two mountain chains and is home to some wooden houses that date back to the 16th century.

As the boat pulls up to the pier, you can enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and see a handful of lakefront hotels and a pretty waterfront promenade.

Ringgenberg

Ringgenberg, on the northern shore, is one of the occasional stops on Lake Brienz so not every boat will visit here.

The village is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites that was created to protect the country’s cultural heritage. Neolithic graves have been discovered here and a castle was built in the Middle Ages.

From the water it’s easy to see Ringgenberg’s most notable landmark, Ringgenberg Church. The church was built in 1670 on the ruins of Ringgenberg Castle, located on a hill between the lake and the village.

Today Ringgenberg Church and the castle ruins are listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

Even though I didn’t get off the boat at Ringgenberg, it still was my favourite village on Lake Brienz solely for how photogenic it was. Its hilly backdrop partially concealed by a veil of low hanging clouds created a mystical mood that contrasted with, yet enhanced, the lake’s bright and sparkling turquoise water.

After Ringgenberg, the boat made its way across the lake to Iseltwald, a village on the south shore of Lake Brienz.

Like Bönigen, there are wooden chalets and small hotels on the waterfront, and like Ringgenberg, the village is named on the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

What sets Iseltwald apart from other villages on Lake Brienz is that there’s a beautiful little castle on a forested peninsula. The castle was built for the Lords of Matten in the Middle Ages and today it houses the Rehabilitation Centre of Seeburg.

Since the former castle is not open to the public, it’s best viewed from the water during a Lake Brienz cruise. It’s a gorgeous sight to see the castle’s gleaming white walls reflected in the jewel toned water of Lake Brienz. 

The next destination on my Lake Brienz boat trip was Giessbach, on the south shore. 

It’s worthwhile to disembark here because there are several historic and natural attractions, including a massive waterfall and a grand hotel from the late 1800s.

From the landing stage on Lake Brienz, you can choose to hike up a set of switchbacks or take a funicular to the hotel. While I was on the Giessbach funicular, I saw a sign saying it was built in 1879 and is Europe’s oldest mountain cable railway. 

At the top of the funicular, about 100 meters above the lake, is the Grandhotel Giessbach. Built between 1873 and 1874, the hotel retains the elegance and sophistication of a bygone era. It was a lovely place to have lunch and I even got a table with a direct view of Giessbach Falls. 

While you can see the waterfall from the hotel, the best way to experience it is by going on a short hike. There’s a forested path that crosses over the falls in two places, making a loop around one section of the waterfall.

One of the bridges on the trail even goes behind Giessbach Falls. This was my favourite part of the walk because I could really feel the power of all that rushing water as it tumbled down the mountain towards Lake Brienz.

At 400 meters tall with 14 steps weaving through the forest, it’s not possible to view the entire waterfall at once, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. The power and grace of Giessbach Falls made it the highlight of my Lake Brienz tour.

The final stop on the Lake Brienz cruise is the village of Brienz, at the eastern end of the lake. 

Brienz is a great little village to wander around and admire traditional Swiss architecture. I recommend strolling down the Brunngasse because it has several wooden chalets from the 18th century. The balconies and window sills are decorated with flowers too, adding to the beauty of this cobblestone street.

During a visit to Brienz you can also learn about the village’s long standing wood carving tradition by visiting the Swiss Wood Carving Museum (in the Jobin factory). The museum has some incredible works on display and is Switzerland’s only museum 100% dedicated to the art of wood carving.

Even if you don’t check out the museum, you’ll still be able to see wood carvings on the streets and buildings in Brienz.

Before leaving Brienz, I took a walk along the shoreline and enjoyed an afternoon snack on the patio of a lakeside restaurant.

To return to Interlaken, you can either take another cruise on Lake Brienz or hop on a train if you’re short on time.

Final Thoughts About My Lake Brienz Boat Tour

I did several boat tours during my two weeks in Switzerland , but my favourite one was the Lake Brienz cruise.

The mirror-like water reflecting mountains and forests was so calming and the colour was just spectacular. I had seen many beautiful pictures of Lake Brienz before travelling to Switzerland for the first time and it was just as wonderful as I was expecting.

I loved passing by the charming, romantic looking villages around Lake Brienz and the Giessbach Falls were definitely worth getting off the boat to see. I’d love to come back one day and spend the night at the Grandhotel Giessbach and explore more of the area’s hiking trails.

There were a lot of things I could have chosen to do on my day trip from Thun but I’m really glad I decided to go on the Lake Brienz boat tour!

Tips for Going on a Lake Brienz Cruise

Location: Lake Brienz is located in the canton of Bern in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. 

• Cruises depart from Interlaken Ost and Brienz, but you can also get on board at any of the villages with scheduled stops. The main departure docks are located just outside of the Interlaken Ost rail station and the Brienz rail station. 

Cruise Schedule: The cruises on Lake Brienz operate from April to mid-October, 7 days a week with several departures a day. 

• Here is the timetable for Lake Brienz cruises and a map of the boat tour . I recommend downloading the timetable to help plan your lake cruise.

Tickets: Boat tickets are available at the BLS ticket desks at the docks and on the BLS website. Here are the fares .

• If you have a Swiss Travel Pass , you can ride the boat for free and get on and off as you wish. Here is a trusted, leading retailer where you can buy a Swiss Travel Pass .
• You can choose from first or second class tickets. The first class section is usually on the upper deck.

Day Pass: The BLS Navigation Day Pass allows unlimited trips on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun for one day (culinary cruises not included). You can hop on and off as you wish. I did cruises on both lakes and enjoyed each of them.

• Here are two places where you can buy the day pass and have it immediately delivered to your smartphone (no need to print): Get Your Guide or Tiqets .

Information was correct at the time of publishing but can change without notice. Please confirm directly with service providers.

Accommodations Near Lake Brienz

For your convenience, here is a list of hotels in Interlaken , Brienz , and Thun . Please consider booking your Switzerland accommodations through the included link. It costs nothing extra and helps support this website. Thank you!

I was hosted by Switzerland Tourism in order to bring you this story.   As always, I speak only the truth and hosts have no editorial influence on articles.

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Mudpie Fridays >> Boat Trip >> Lake Brienz Cruise from Interlaken – everything you need to know

Lake Brienz Cruise from Interlaken – everything you need to know

When we visited Interlaken, staying in the Jungfrau region over the Easter holidays we knew that we wanted to go on a lake cruise. It is possible to cruise both Lakes Thun and/or Lake Brienz. In fact, it is possible to do it on the same ticket and on the same day. If you do not want to explore any of the stops along the way. However, travelling with kids looking at the timetables there was just no way we would have been able to manage both. So we opted for a day trip on Lago Brienz as the turquoise waters are much more vibrant than its neighbour. We also wanted to get off and view the Giessbach falls and stop by Brienz itself. So how did we get on with our round trip one of the deepest lakes in Switzerland?

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How do you cruise Lake Brienz?

The only cruise operator out of both lakes is BSL . This is the local public transportation company and as such, there is little competition. Therefore expect to pay, after all, nothing is cheap in Switzerland. Although there are ways of reducing these charges (see below). They have a series of different boats and several different boat cruises which they offer. Including a breakfast cruise, lunch and evening cruises as well as themed cruises. In the summer there are also paddle steamers that run. However, as we were visiting in April the steamboat was not running and we did not want to book a meal option with the boys. So instead we opted for a 2nd class day ticket. 

How do you get to Lake Brienz?

I wrote in another post that postcodes don’t seem to work very well in Switzerland. I think this is because they cover such wide areas. Lago Brienz is located near Interlaken with the town at one end, and then to the east Brienz at its other. In the Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland.

As we were staying in Interlaken we decided this should be our starting point and caught the boat from the port area. The best way to reach this is by parking at Interlaken Ost railway station. There is a large and reasonably priced car park we parked in for the day and it cost 7 CHF. Then when you enter the station from the car park go down the first set of stairs and under the underpass to the harbour. If you look for the blue signs they are easy to spot and follow. It is only a couple of minutes’ walk and you will be at the ticket office. 

How do you get tickets for the Lake Brienz cruise? 

As we were travelling out of season we waited until the day and brought tickets from the ticket office which can be found at the port side. I would imagine that you may wish to buy tickets in advance via their website during the summer months and high season. This was our initial plan, although we did have a look online and it was a little complicated. Hence the reason we opted for the ticket office on the day. We found that the staff at the ticket office were very good at telling us if any of the tourist cards or camping cards would give us money off. As it turned out we saved quite a bit of money but this was more by luck than judgement. They spoke broken English and we muddled by since we do not speak German. They were very helpful.

You can buy either a first-class ticket or a second class ticket. First class tickets allow you to sit on the upper deck of the boat and in a special inside area. The second class which is what we opted for allowed you to sit outside at the back of the boat and also inside at the back. Each boat is configured slightly differently but the main advantage of buying first-class tickets at an increased cost would probably be people numbers. As it looked much quieter up on the deck of 1st class during our trip. Saying that you are free to move around the boat as it moved although you must stay in your ‘class’ area.

How much does it cost?

Children under the age of 6 are free, regardless of the route you choose. We happened to take a cruise on a Monday which actually saved us a significant amount of money. As they run a special offer on a Monday which means that you can get a travel card for half price. This allows you to travel all around Lake Brienz and Lake Thun. We made a significant saving by travelling on Monday. A full price day ticket normally costs 72 CHF but by travelling on a Monday it cost 36 CHF in second class. If we had opted for first-class it would have been 53 CHF instead of 106CHF. This worked out the cheapest way for us to do it because of Harry’s age.

They also have family travel cards which do not benefit from the Monday half-price deal. But could potentially work out cheaper depending on the number of children you are travelling with. A family ticket allows up to a maximum of four children to travel. You can find out the latest fares on the website .

It is also possible to buy a combined ticket which will give you a discount on the boat and also visiting St Beatus Caves. You can find out more detail on their website here . This could be an alternative if you can not take advantage of the Monday offer. We visited the caves before we went on the boat and really enjoyed our visit. There is a lot to see and do there.

READ MORE – Our trip to St Beatus Caves.

How long is a cruise on Lago Brienz?

If you do not get off the boat then the complete cruise around Lake Brienz takes two hours and forty minutes. In which case it would be possible to do both lakes in one day. Easily transferring to a boat on Lake Thun and doing a similar round trip there on the same basis.

However, we wanted to get off and explore Lago Brienz. To try and make sure we had as much time as possible we caught the first boat out of Interlaken which was around 9 am and left Brienz on the 2.40 pm boat arriving back in Interlaken around 4 pm. When travelling with kids this is enough for them (and us to be honest) towards the end of the cruise they had definitely had enough. And wanted to get back to camping Interlaken to jump in Lake Thun. Had we found more in Brienz then we would have perhaps stayed longer.

Where did we stop on our Cruise of Lago Brienz?

During our trip, we decided to make two short stops to get out and explore. The boat does not stay in the small villages it visits long. So you need to be pretty quick to get on and off. We spent around an hour and a half at our first stop (Giessbach Falls) which is a popular destination on the boat tour. It has to be one of the most beautiful destinations as well. With views of the swiss alps mountain peak opposite and the calm waters below. With potted blossom trees and plenty of seating, it makes a good early lunchtime stop. We enjoyed riding the funicular railway, having a short hike around Giessbach Waterfall and the historic hotel – Grandhotel Giessbach.

Before getting back on the boat and then straight off at the next stop. The landing stage at Brienz. Here we spent another hour wandering around the town stopping for food and taking it all in.

READ MORE – Our trip to Giessbach Falls

Facilities onboard 

Regardless of the class of ticket, you choose there are good facilities on board. Just as I would expect, the boats are spotless. There are toilets and a bar selling snacks and hot drinks. They also had a selection of sandwiches and hot snacks. The boat we travelled on was not designed as one of their meal cruises so it is still helpful to be able to get this for the boys. There is seating inside and out, with the majority being outside. So if the weather changed you wouldn’t all be able to sit inside. It is worth bearing this in mind during the shoulder seasons when it is colder and dressing appropriately.

Things to do in Brienz

We anticipated that there would be more to do in the town of Brienz than there actually was. It is quite a small town at the far end of the lake. Although this could be in part to the time of year we travel. If we were to visit again then we would like to try out the Brienzer Rothorn train which did not start running until the end of the week we visited. I think this is one of the main attractions.

Right opposite where the boat docks there is a tourist office where you can pick up a map which details the main points of interest as well as all the places you can stop to eat. You can walk along the lakeside to (to the right when facing the lake) the old town which is a lovely calm walk. There are numerous places to stop and sit, play areas and restaurants if you take this route. There is an especially good play area with an archenemies screw in the lake itself. 

We wandered along to the old town where there are many traditional wooden Swiss chalets that date back to the late 1800s. The wood carvings are amazing with so much detail. It does look exactly how you imagine a Swiss town to look. The wood carvings is something that Brienz is known for. There is a small gallery displaying various carvings and some on the lakeside if you want to explore this further. Including a couple of jolly fellows and a line of cows. We decided on a picnic on the benches next to the and picked some cold drinks in the Coop. This is a much cheaper option compared to eating out, as meals generally work out expensive when compared to the UK.

Conclusions of visiting Lago Brienz

If you opt for single tickets on the boat cruise. Then it is also possible to take a train ride back from Brienz train station to Interlaken East. This works out quicker than the return journey on the boat. Alternatively, the train journey is included in the day pass tickets.

We really loved our boat cruise around Lago Brienz, the turquoise gem is a truly beautiful lake. It is the perfect place to sit back and take in the magnificent view of the surrounding mountains as you travel around stopping at the various towns. I would definitely recommend trying to fit this into your Switzerland Itinerary when you visit. You will not regret it.

Related blog posts

If you are considering visiting Interlaken and taking a cruise around Lake Brienz. Then you may be interested in some of the things we got up to during our week of camping in Interlaken.

Ballenburg Open-Air Museum

Our visit to the giessbach falls near interlaken switzerland, visiting harder kulm – top of interlaken, thun castle, st beatus caves , jungfraujoch top of europe – how to plan your visit, grindelwald first , the eiger express grindelwald – everything you need to know, helimwehfuh .

Have you been on a Lake Brienz boat trip? Or been on lake cruises. I would love to hear about what you got up to in the comments below. 

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More stunning photos of your holiday. I would love to visits these beautiful lakes

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Welcome to Mudpie Fridays where I share our travels. Both here in the UK but also across Europe and further afield. My name is Clare and I am married with two mischievous boys, Charlie aged 11 and Harry who is 7. Read along as we find hidden gems, pack as much holiday time in as possible, while working a 9-5 and find amazing and unusual experiences. Proving travel can be fun, educational and hugely rewarding with kids. Grab a coffee and come and join us on our latest adventures.

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Lake Brienz: A Detailed Visitor’s Guide

Lake Brienz is one of the deepest and prettiest lakes in Switzerland . It’s famous for its surreally turquoise color, which manages to attract countless visitors to the shores of this gorgeous lake. If you’re one of those visitors, you’re definitely in the right place because this detailed guide will tell you all you need to know about visiting Lake Brienz!

How to get there, where to stay, and what there is to do in the area are just some of the topics covered in our detailed visitors’ guide to Lake Brienz. Keep reading to get all the information you need, so you can start planning your trip to the wonderful Lake Brienz.

Table of Contents

How To Get To Lake Brienz

Lake Brienz is easily accessible by public transport from all major cities in Switzerland. The easiest way to get to Lake Brienz is to get on a train to Interlaken – the city is nestled between lakes Thun and Brienz, and serviced by a busy train station with connections to many Swiss cities.

If you’re flying into Switzerland, you will most likely land at Zurich airport. This is the best option because the airport has excellent train connections to Swiss towns. You can be in Interlaken in around 2 hours, with just one train change at Bern. It’s also possible to land at either Geneva or Bern airport – it’s around 3 hours from Geneva airport to Interlaken, and a little under 2 hours from Bern airport to Interlaken by train.

From Interlaken, you can either continue by train or ride the bus to the town or village of your choosing. If you just want to spend a day by the lake, you can easily walk to the lakeshore from the main train station in Interlaken.

Things to Do Around Lake Brienz

Lake brienz culinary cruises.

Culinary lake cruises are an excellent way of exploring this turquoise gem. Not only do you get to see a huge portion of the lake and get up close to its beautiful turquoise waters, but you also get to taste some of the best local delicacies from the region.

The breakfast boat runs from April to October, and it’s a great option if you want to see the entire lake while tasting the regional delicacies. These boats run in the morning and afternoon, so you’ve got options for either a breakfast or lunch boat trip.

The boat ride usually takes around three hours to circle the entire lake. Cruises depart from either Brienz or Interlaken, and boats run along the lake shore, allowing you to see all the beautiful villages and landmarks near the water. This includes the beautiful village of Iseltwald, the Giessbach Waterfall, Bönigen, and much more.

Related Reading

10 most scenic lakes in switzerland (for your bucket list), brienzer rothorn.

Brienzer Rothorn is an impressive mountain in the Emmental Alps, which is easily accessible by a steam train of the same name. The mountain summit is approximately an hours ride on the historic cogwheel steam train, direct from Brienz. So, you can easily experience the magical views from the top of the mountain without too much effort.

You can also access the mountain from the northern side near Sörenberg. The ride is a lot faster, but far less spectacular. We have hiked up this side and taken the gondola down again. Either way, the views are the top are magnificent.

The spectacular Rothorn is popular throughout the year. In the winter, it attracts countless skiers and snowboarders to its many pistes, and in the summer it’s the perfect playground for hikers and mountain climbers. There is even a notoriously difficult hike all the way along the spine of these mountains called Hardergrat . It’s an amazing hike, but also very dangerous.

With spectacular viewpoints, accessible accommodations, and mountaintop restaurants, it’s easy to see why so many people decide to visit Brienzer Rothorn. Even if they’re not particularly adventurous, you can still enjoy the views of the Bernese Oberland and the crazy blue lake Brienz below…

Just be aware that the steam train does not run in winter and does not go all the way up until after spring. Typically, it stops at Panalp until the beginning of June, then runs til the end of October. However, you can find up-to-date information on their website .

Water Sports Activities

Many people who visit the towns near lakes Thun and Brienz do so because of the plethora of fun water sports activities that are available in the area. If you want to ride on a jet boat , go parasailing, or stand up paddle , Lake Brienz will not disappoint.

Just keep in mind that all the fun water activities are only available during the summer months. This lake is fed by glacial waters, so the water tends to be pretty cold most of the year. It’s just the right temperature in the later summer months, and that is when most of the companies that organize the water activities are at their busiest.

If you happen to visit the beautiful lake during peak tourist season, it’s highly recommended to plan what you want to do and book your spot in advance. Also, it’s worth noting that Interlaken has the largest selection of water sports for visitors, so consider staying there if you want to be spoiled for choice when it comes to having fun on Lake Brienz.

Iseltwald is a beautiful little village on the southern shore of the lake. It’s a great place to visit on a day trip, but also a good place to stay at Lake Brienz. Iseltwald is a quiet little village surrounded by beautiful nature and a great place to stay if you want to explore the surrounding mountains.

The village is best known for the lakeshore Seeburg castle. Although it’s not open for visits anymore, the castle remains one of the top landmarks in town and you can easily see it during any boat cruise on Lake Brienz.

Visit Iseltwald, Switzerland: A Charming Lakeside Village

Ballenberg open-air museum.

The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum is situated in Hofstetten bei Brienz and it’s about 20 minutes away from Brienz by train. It’s an open-air museum that boasts traditional Swiss houses from different centuries that were brought here from all over the country.

This museum is a unique opportunity to learn more about the lives of villagers in Switzerland throughout the years. The details at the museum are incredible, and it’s absolutely fascinating to witness so many houses from different time periods. Walking through the museum feels like traveling back in time – it’s a surreal experience and one of the best things you can do while you’re exploring the area around Lake Brienz.

It’s worth noting that this is a very large museum and it takes a while to explore it in its entirety. You can easily spend an entire day roaming around the museum grounds, so we recommend this fabulous attraction only to people who have multiple days on Lake Brienz. It’s not one of those museums that you can tour in a couple of hours, so keep that in mind.

Three Waterfalls Trail

The Three Waterfalls Trail is an exciting hike from Bönigen to Brienz via Iseltwald. The total length of the trail is around 17.5 kilometers, and the point-to-point hike can usually be completed in under six hours. You can take a train, bus, or boat back to Interlaken, or stay in Brienz for a while, depending on how tight your schedule is.

The three waterfalls that you see along this hiking trail are Erschwandenbach Falls, Mülibach Falls, and Giessbach Falls. They’re all situated along the southern shore of Lake Brienz, and each is more spectacular than the other.

It’s worth noting that this hiking trail is best experienced in the spring, especially after a rainy day. The terrain might be a bit muddy and slippery, but the waterfalls will be abundant with water and spectacular to observe.

Giessbach Falls

The Giessbach Waterfall is situated near the historic grand hotel Giessbach and it is easily accessible by hiking trails from nearby villages. Most boat cruises on Lake Brienz also pass near the waterfall, so you can see it any way you want.

If you’re staying in Iseltwald or Brienz, you can easily just hike to the waterfall. It doesn’t take more than an hour and some change, and it’s worth it if you want to experience just how magnificent nature in this part of Switzerland is.

It’s worth noting that there is a pier close to the waterfalls, so you can travel here by boat or even bus if you don’t want to hike. Also, keep in mind that waterfalls tend to be a bit underwhelming during the dry season, so maybe skip this attraction if you’re visiting during a particularly dry summer month.

Harder Kulm

Harder Kulm is a stunning viewpoint above Interlaken, easily accessible by cable car. It only takes about five minutes to reach the viewpoint from the Interlaken cable car station, and it’s one of the best things you’ll do during your stay at Lake Brienz.

The cable cars run every 10 minutes or so, so the ultimate length of this trip will depend on how big the crowds are. There’s limited seating in each of the cable cars, so if the queue is particularly long, it might take a while to reach the viewpoint. It will all be worth it in the end, because the view from Harder Kulm is absolutely stunning.

There’s also a restaurant near the viewpoint, where you can enjoy drinks and local Swiss delicacies alongside the fabulous panoramic vista.

Visiting Harder Kulm: Everything You Need To Know

Where to stay at lake brienz.

If you’re planning to spend a few days in the area, it’s best to stay in Interlaken. The lovely mountain gateway town is nestled between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz and it offers a plethora of fun and exciting things to do. You can spend most of your time in Interlaken, engaging in fun water activities and hiking, or you can ride the trains and explore all the lakeside villages and towns.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that Interlaken is the biggest city in the area, so it has the most accommodation options. Quantity means competitive pricing, so you can expect to find some pretty affordable stays in Interlaken. Bönigen is also worth considering – it’s right next to Interlaken, immediately on the shore of Lake Brienz.

If you don’t want to stay in a busy city and you want to be in a place that has a more quiet, lakeside vibe, consider Iseltwald. The lovely town is situated on the southern shore of the lake, and it’s a charming little place. It’s known for beautiful views, great hiking trails, and even a Netflix TV show.

Brienz is a great place to stay on the northern shore of the lake. You can easily travel from Brienz to nearby towns and villages by train, bus, and boat, plus there’s plenty to do in town to keep you entertained for days.

Brienz is popular with campers thanks to a variety of different campsites on the lakeshore, and it’s close to many surrounding mountains, so it’s the perfect base for hikers and outdoor adventurers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Brienz

Why is lake brienz turquoise.

Lake Brienz is known for its surreal turquoise waters, which it owes to the sediment particles that are brought into the lake by glacial waters from Lütschine and the Aare river. That’s the main reason why the color of the lake is so surreal, but it’s also partly because the lake is so incredibly clean.

There are practically no algae in the lake, which is also the reason why the fish population is almost nonexistent. There’s practically nothing for the fish to eat, which is why there is so little of them in this magical lake.

Is it possible to swim in Lake Brienz?

Yes, it is possible to swim in Lake Brienz and there are beaches in most towns and villages on the lakeshore. However, anyone who has already visited Lake Brienz knows that swimming in the lake is only possible in theory.

The lake is fed by glacial waters, so it’s quite cold even during the summer. The water temperature barely rises over 20°C during the warmest summer months – some people enjoy swimming in cold lakes, but if you prefer to swim in warmer water, Lake Brienz will likely be too cold for you.

Wearing a wetsuit is one option – it will be a little warmer, but it’s not quite as enjoyable as swimming in just a swimsuit.

Which is better to visit: Lake Brienz or Lake Thun?

It’s hard to say. Each lake is beautiful in its own right and there are pros and cons to visiting either one. Lake Brienz is prettier than Lake Thun, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s also smaller so offers less content for its visitors. On the other hand, this also means that it takes less time to cruise on the entire lake and that you won’t encounter as many people along the way.

Lake Thun is the bigger of the two lakes, with more towns and villages on its shores. But it’s not as pretty as Lake Brienz, and the bigger surface means it takes more time to explore the entire area.

Ideally, you can visit both lakes and decide which you enjoyed more. It only takes around an hour to walk from the eastern shore of Lake Thun to the western shore of Lake Brienz, so you can visit both lakes in a single afternoon.

Is Lake Brienz worth visiting?

Absolutely! It’s one of the prettiest lakes in Switzerland and is truly a surreal sight. The nature surrounding Lake Brienz is absolutely spectacular, and there are plenty of nature trails that will allow you to explore most of it.

Boat cruises, hiking trails, fabulous mountains, traditional Swiss houses, and numerous waterfalls – all of that is within walking distance of most towns and villages on the shore of Lake Brienz. It’s truly a spectacular place that will wow you with its beauty, and if you’re easily fascinated by nature, there’s no doubt that this is one of the best places to visit in entire Switzerland.

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How To Book Lake Brienz Cruise in Switzerland – A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring This Gorgeous Alpine Lake

In this article, I will be showing you how to book a cruise on Lake Brienz in Switzerland. Before the trip, I was a little confused because there are many types of tickets and cruise itineraries available. However, I managed to figure it out and will be providing you with the details below. This article was last updated on 19 February 2020.

Table of Contents

Lake brienz cruise, where to board the cruise boat.

• Where To Buy Tickets

Swiss Transport Passes

Types of tickets, first class vs second class, cruise timetable, suggested excursions, themed cruises, useful tips.

Lake Brienz is a beautiful lake with turquoise waters in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. It is located near another famous lake, Lake Thun.

The small resort town of Interlaken is located between these two alpine lakes.

Taking a cruise on Lake Brienz is a very popular tourist activity. The cruise boat sails between Interlaken and Brienz, with stops at various towns along the way.

For me, I took the cruise from Interlaken to Brienz, without stopping at any of the towns in between. It was a short 73-minute boat ride that costs CHF32 for a one-way second class ticket. If you have the Swiss Half Fare Card , you can buy the ticket at half price (CHF16).

From Brienz, you can either take the boat again or catch the train back to Interlaken.

The Lake Brienz cruise boats do not operate in winter, other than in December when there is a cruise every Sunday. The cruises on Lake Thun operate throughout the year.

The boats are owned and run by Swiss transport company BLS AG , under the “BLS Navigation” brand.

Lake Brienz has two main boat docks. One is located beside the Interlaken Ost train station , while the other is located beside Brienz train station .

You can also board at smaller lakefront towns between Interlaken Ost and Brienz, such as Giessbach and Iseltwald .

However, most tourists will usually board at Interlaken Ost or Brienz. I took the cruise from Interlaken Ost because I was staying in Interlaken.

Where to Buy Tickets

1. On the Boat You can buy tickets directly on the boat using cash or credit card.

2. At the Dock It is also possible to buy from the ticket counters at the docks (both cash and credit cards accepted). I bought my tickets at the Interlaken Ost boat dock near the train station.

3. Online If you prefer, it is possible to buy tickets online . However, it is not necessary to do so because the boat tickets rarely, if ever, sell out.

1. Single Tickets These are tickets to get from one dock to another, and you can get one-way or round trip tickets.

The ticket fares are indicated in the below picture. Green-shaded fares are for first class tickets.

For me, I bought a one-way first class ticket from Interlaken Ost to Brienz. If you refer to the table below, you will see that this ticket costs CHF53.

To see the latest fares, click here and download the PDF under “Single Tickets”.

2. One Day Ticket If you plan to “hop on and hop off” to explore the various small towns along Lake Brienz, then you should get a 1-day ticket. Depending on how many towns you visit, this may or may not be cheaper than buying multiple Single Tickets. Below are the prices of the one day tickets.

1st Class – CHF 102 (CHF 51 with Swiss Half Fare Card) 2nd Class – CHF 70 (CHF 35 With Swiss Half Fare Card)

If you have a second class Swiss Travel Pass, you can pay CHF 16 to upgrade to the first class day ticket.

3. Upgrades Even if you’ve already bought a second class ticket, it is still possible to upgrade to first class by simply topping up the additional amount required.

For example, if you bought a second class ticket for CHF 25, and a first class ticket costs CHF 40, then you just need to pay CHF 15 to get the upgrade.

The cruise boats offer two seating classes: First Class and Second Class.

The First Class seats are located on the upper deck. Therefore, you will get a better view of the lake and surrounding Swiss landscape. It is also usually less crowded.

The Second Class seats are on the lower deck, and is usually less peaceful than the First Class area.

The wife and I bought First Class tickets. Personally, I feel that it was worth the premium because we enjoyed great views from the upper deck.

It was also significantly less noisy than the lower deck, which was occupied by several families with young children. In addition, we had the Swiss Half Fare Card so we only paid half price (CHF26.50).

1. Firstly, to understand the symbols and colour codes in the timetable, you can refer to the screenshots below. It was taken from the same PDF as the timetable.

2. If the destination does not have a timing stated, it means the boat will not stop there. For example, if you refer to the cruise timetable, you can see that the first boat (departing Interlaken Ost at 10.07am) does not stop at Ringgenberg (See), Niederried (See), and Brienz Dorf.

3. In case you are wondering what “See” means, it is German for lake. Therefore, “Interlaken Ost (See)” refers to the boat dock at Interlaken Ost.

5. I took the first boat of the day, which was the “Breakfast Cruise” (indicated by the lime colour). The menu on this cruise offered a variety of breakfast items. However, the wife and I were quite full after our hotel breakfast , so we only ordered two hot chocolates.

Below are three Lake Brienz itineraries that I find to be more interesting or relevant for tourists. You can refer to BLS’s website to see the full list of excursions.

Itinerary 1: Cruise from Interlaken Ost to Brienz

I took a one-way cruise from Interlaken Ost to the tranquil town of Brienz . I really enjoyed this short 73-minute boat ride where we got to see the entire lake.

Our 1st class Single Ticket cost CHF 26.50 each with the Swiss Half Fare Card . The original price was CHF 53.

After reaching Brienz, we spent about 1 hour taking pictures of the lake and exploring the small village town. After that, we caught the train back to Interlaken Ost, which took about 20 minutes.

Itinerary 2: Visit the Quaint Lakefront Towns

You can also alight at the various beautiful towns along Lake Brienz.

Iseltwald is a quaint lakefront town popular with tourists. The boat stops at Strand hotel, which has a nice restaurant with alfresco seating. There are also many beautiful private gardens in Iseltwald.

If you are the outdoorsy type, you can hike from Iseltwald to Giessbach. This is an easy 5km tranquil hike along the bank with great views of the alps.

Giessbach is another popular stop along the lake. This small town is famous for its roaring waterfall cascading 500 metres down into the lake. It is also home to the very charming Grandhotel Giessbach , built in the Belle Epoque style.

I managed to catch a glimpse of the beautiful hotel and waterfall as our boat was passing by. I recommend getting the 1-day ticket (refer to “Types of Tickets” section above) if you plan to stop at the various lakefront towns.

Itinerary 3: Cruise + Brienz Rothorn Bahn

Along the way, you will get to enjoy spectacular views of Lake Brienz and the surrounding lush landscape.

Once you reach Rothorn Kulm summit, you can revel in breathtaking views of the Swiss alps from an elevation of 2244 metres. Outdoor enthusiasts will be happy to know that there are many challenging hikes from here.

This railway train only operates between June and October. The ride to the summit will take about one hour. Click here for the exact train schedule.

It is cheaper to buy a combined ticket with the cruise. To give you an idea of the price, a 2nd class combined ticket costs CHF 116.80.

Sunset Cruise – Enjoy the Swiss sunset over the lake. There is also a three-course “Sunset Menu”.

Whisky Cruise – This cruise offers exclusive whiskies from the Rugen Distillery.

Swiss Barbecue Cruise / Oriental Cruise / Fajita Cruise   – These are special culinary cruises catered to different palates.

If you have the Swiss Travel Pass , you get to take the cruise for free.

2. BLS Contact Form If you have any other queries, you can just leave BLS a message using their contact form , or email them at “[email protected]”. I asked them several questions via email before my trip and the helpful staff always replied promptly.

Note that other than the “Suggested Excursions” and “Themed Cruises” sections, the rest of the information in this article is also applicable for booking of the Lake Thun cruise.

Based on what I read online, Lake Brienz is supposed to be more scenic than Lake Thun. However, I cannot personally comment on that because I didn’t take the Lake Thun cruise.

BLS Navigation Website: www.bls.ch Helpdesk: www.bls.ch/en/pages/kontakt/formular-fahrplan Email: [email protected] Phone: +41 58 327 4811

This article is part of our completely free and fantastic  Ultimate Jungfrau Region Travel Guide . Why spend days researching when all your holiday information is simply a click away?

Other Related Entries:

• Lake Brienz Cruise from Interlaken to Brienz – An Amazing Way To Experience The Beauty of Switzerland
• 10 Best Things To Do In Brienz, Switzerland - Amazing Hiking Trails, Incredible Views of Swiss Alps, & More!
• How To Get to First Cliff Walk (Switzerland) - Magnificent Views of Swiss Alps From 2166 Metres Above!

21 Comments and Questions

Hi Evan, Your blog was super informative and just helped me plan my day to Brienz! Thank you for taking the time to write this!

Hi Desh, You’re very welcome and I’m really happy that you found the article useful. Have an amazing time in Brienz / Switzerland =)

I seldom comment on other people blog, as I just read and forget about it, but when I read your travel blog, it is just full of information and cleared all my doubts on how to take the cruise from Interlaken.

Thank you very much for the wonderful blog. Another question, where do I take the Brienz Rothorn Bahn? I bought the Swiss travel pass.

Hi Chelsea, thank you for your kind words and I am happy that you found my Lake Brienz cruise article useful.

The Brienz Rothorn Bahn train station is just a 3 minute walk from the boat dock.

Hi Evan, I am so grateful that I bumped into your travel log! They are super detailed and so informative. You surely make my plan to visit Switzerland this coming June 2020, a lot clearer and smoother. Do continue with what you are doing! Great writings Evan!

Ohh..I have a question – is the cruise ticket only valid on the specific time and date? Or is it somewhat like a ‘hop on, hop off’ trip, where we can jump in/out to go to the places it goes, stay a night at the hotel, and take the return trip on a later date?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Cheers! Mdm. Zaine

Hi Zaine! Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s comments like yours that give me the motivation to continue pursuing my passion for blogging =)

The cruise ticket is only valid for the day itself, as you can see from the picture of my ticket which has the date printed on top.

If you would like to hop on / hop off within the day, you can either buy multiple Single Tickets or buy the “One Day Ticket” for CHF102 (1st class) or CHF70 (2nd class). It depends on how many towns you wish to visit along Lake Brienz.

If you will be taking the cruise on separate days, you can consider buying the Swiss Travel Pass , which lets you take the cruise for free unlimited times.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have more questions!

This article is fantastic! I have been searching and searching to figure things out. We are a family of 4 adults, and we want to do the cruise from Interlaken to Brienz, with the hop on and off option (One day pass – I believe). With this ticket, we can take the boat back to Interlaken right?

I didn’t see another option for hop on and off. We won’t have any passes, as I don’t think it is worth it for us if we’re only doing 1 excursion a day. What are your thoughts?

Thanks julie

Hello Julie!

Thanks! I’m happy you found the article useful.

Yes if you wish to hop on and off, one option is to buy the One Day Pass. However, it also depends on how many towns you wish to visit. For example, if you only plan to visit Giessbach and Iseltwald, then it would be more worth it to buy multiple Single Tickets, as you can see from the breakdown below:

Interlaken OST to Iseltwald – CHF14.80 for single ticket Iseltwald to Giessbach – CHF16.60 for single ticket Giessbach to Brienz – CHF14.80 for single ticket Total cost = CHF46.20 (versus CHF70 for One Day Pass)

Therefore, it really depends on your itinerary. Hope this helps and let me know if you have more questions!

Cheers, Evan

Hi there, Your info here is really helpful! Full of details. It really helps me with my planning. A few questions I have, does the one day pass cover Lake Thun as well? Do you know if ferry can go from Interlaken West directly to Brienz? If not, then I might need to take train to Interlaken OST to hop on the ferry there. Thanks.

Hi SY! Thank you, glad you found it useful. 1. No, the Lake Brienz One-Day Ticket does NOT cover Lake Thun and vice versa. 2. No, there is no ferry terminal at Interlaken West. However, if you buy the one-day ticket, it entitles you to free travel between Interlaken West and Interlaken OST.

Thank you for your great detailed info. Im just planning to go but these tickets were bit confusing. Did u go to top of the Europe tour? If so please share your experience.

Hi Davka, yes they are indeed quite confusing.. I took a while to figure it out. Hope the article helped you save some time. No I did not go for the Top of Europe tour.

Hey Evan God bless you! What a lifesaver. The information was cohesively and methodically presented. I was so confused over what should be a simple exercise. Thank you sincerely.

Dear Indi, you are very welcome. Enjoy the cruise! =)

Thank you so much for your help! This blog was an absolute lifesaver! My husband and I were so confused we didn’t know where to begin. We had so many unanswered questions until we came across your informative blog.

Can’t wait for our trip next month. Thank you again =)

Hi Shirley,

Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad you found the article useful and hopefully you managed to save some time. I was really confused at first too! Have a wonderful trip =)

Hello. Is the buffet for breakfast included as long as you get on the first trip? Or is there added cost. Thank you for helping us out.

Hi Leo, the first trip of the day is the “Breakfast Cruise”, but it does not offer a breakfast buffet. It simply offers a variety of a la carte breakfast items.

Thank you so much for sharing these!! Very helpful!! May I know how much time to allot for the ff?

Take Brienz boat cruise from Interlaken Ost Train Back to Interlaken Ost?

Dear Karen,

You’re welcome! Please see below my suggested itinerary:

Lake Brienz cruise from Interlaken Ost: 1 hour Explore Brienz: 1.5 hours to 2 hours Train Back to Interlaken Ost: 30 minutes

If you plan to get off at popular stops like Iseltwald and Giessbach, then you would need to allocate more time.

Hope this helps, Evan

Thank you very much for this article! I have purchased the Berner Oberland Pass, and it only allow free travel on steamboat “Lötschberg”. I checked the timetables, it only has 2 rounds daily. So thought I’d book online. But there’s no place to add Berner Oberland Pass while making the booking. After this article thought I’d not make a booking and go there and figure out.

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Cruise on lake Brienz

For travelers from Interlaken, a wonderful way to discover the beauty of the region is to take a boat trip. In doing so, they are spoilt for choice between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, whose landscapes take visitors’ breath away.

This article deals with the scheduled boats across the picturesque Lake Brienz and is intended to give you an impression of the incredible nature, the different landing places, as well as an overview of providers and offers. The combination of turquoise crystal clear waters and lush green mountains draws travelers from all over the world to Lake Brienz.

Why a cruise on Lake Brienz is an absolute highlight

A cruise on Lake Brienz in Lucerne is an unparalleled experience that cannot be missed when visiting this beautiful Swiss city. As one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland, Lake Brienz offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

During the cruise will be the best way to admire the beauty of nature. The picturesque landscape with snow-capped peaks on the horizon and bright turquoise water, on which you sail along, takes the breath away from every visitor. The peaceful atmosphere of the place invites you to enjoy the beauty of untouched nature and relax.

You can choose from various ships with which you can take a cruise. One of the most famous shipping companies is BLS shipping, which includes the famous ship “Lötschberg”, which can accommodate 800 passengers.

During the cruise there is a possibility to visit and explore different towns and villages around Lake Brienz. For this, passengers always have about an hour. In addition to the old town of Lucerne, the Giessbach Falls, as well as the village of Brienz are also worth a visit.

Culinary delights are also not neglected during the trip. There are restaurants and bars that provide the travelers with delicacies and provide enough entertainment during the travel times.

In summer, additional evening cruises are offered. The setting sun highlights the picturesque landscape and makes the experience even more atmospheric and romantic.

Where can I get on the boat?

There are several landing stages around Lake Brienz from which you can board the ship. The main cruise ship pier is in the beautiful city of Lucerne, from where various ships depart. However, there are many other piers, including those in Brienz and Interlaken. The latter pier is located near the Interlaken Ost train station.

However, the exact departure times and landing places vary depending on the shipping company and the time of year. Therefore, it is advisable to find out in advance about the current schedules and departure points.

Where do you stop on your Lake Brienz cruise?

The cruise offers passengers the opportunity to visit towns and villages located around Lake Brienz and explore them for themselves. In doing so, passengers always have about an hour before the cruise continues.

Also in the south, near Interlaken is the picturesque village of Bönigen, which should not be overlooked next to the larger town. The small settlement is known for its breathtaking views of the lake and the idyllic surrounding landscape.

There are many interesting sights in Bönigen, including the lido. Here you can ideally relax, or jump into the water to cool off on hot summer days.

For nature lovers, this place offers wonderful hiking trails through forests, over meadows and gentle hills. Different viewpoints are worth every effort and take visitors’ breath away. Bönigen is a beautiful place that should not be missed on a cruise across Lake Brienz.

The village of Iseltwald is located on the eastern shore of Lake Brienz and is known for its traditional wooden chalets. The village is surrounded by forests and mountains and offers a quiet and relaxing alpine atmosphere. Interesting sights include Seeburg Castle dating back to the 14th century, as well as the wooden church of St. Peter and Paul, which illustrates the traditional architecture of the region.

Like Bönigen, Iseltwald is an excellent destination for hikers and nature lovers, the surrounding landscape offers countless hiking trails that entice with spectacular views.

In addition, the place is a paradise for all water sports enthusiasts, besides the possibility to swim, you can also enjoy wonderful sailing, surfing and boating. The clear water makes Iseltwald an ideal place for water sports activities.

You might also like the following article:

Iseltwald at Lake Brienz

Grand Hotel Giessbach and Giessbach Falls

As the name suggests, the next stop is in Giessbach, also on the eastern shore of Lake Brienz. It was built in the 19th century and is known for its breathtaking location and view.

Nearby are the famous Giessbach Falls, a must-see on a Lake Brienz cruise. Here, the water masses plunge into the lake from a height of 500 meters and offer visitors a spectacular natural spectacle. A hike from the Grand Hotel Giessbach allows travelers to experience the Giessbach Falls up close.

More detailed information and recommendations can be found in our detailed guide to the village of Giessbach, which also includes details about Hotel Giessbach and the surrounding area.

Giessbach Falls: A must-see at Lake Brienz

Brienz and Brienzer Rothorn

The ship’s next stop is in Brienz, a charming village in the northeast of Lake Brienz. Brienz is known for its traditional woodcarving and idyllic surroundings, the turquoise water together with the surrounding lush mountains paint a fairytale picture.

The cruise across Lake Brienz is very often combined with a trip to the Brienzer Rothorn. Many visitors first enjoy the picturesque beauty of the lake from the ship, and then decide to climb the Rothorn in Brienz.

The Brienzer Rothorn rises as an imposing mountain behind Brienz. The most popular way to reach the Brienzer Rothorn is by historic steam train. From Brienz, it takes visitors to the top of the Rothorn, where you can enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Brienz.

For more information, check out our detailed guide to Brienz and the Brienzer Rothorn. The guide contains detailed information about the sights, activities and tips for your visit to this fascinating region on Lake Brienz.

Cruise tickets

Prices for a cruise on Lake Brienz can vary depending on the provider, season and type of cruise. One can choose from various types of tickets and classes,. The following table serves as a rough overview of the prices of the different tickets.

Tickets for a Lake Brienz cruise can be purchased directly from the shipping companies or at the piers. The best known provider is BLS shipping, which offers various ticket options. Tickets can be purchased on site, but also online to ensure you get the date and seat you want.

In addition to one-way tickets, there is also the option to purchase day tickets or round trip tickets. The latter are especially recommended for cruises of longer duration. Day tickets are unlimited in the number of trips and thus allow spontaneous changes of plans. In addition, there is the possibility to purchase different combination tickets, which combine tickets for the cruise and tickets for different attractions, such as the trip to the Brienzer Rothorn.

The tickets are divided into different classes with different services. For example, some ships offer exclusive lounges or better seats for higher prices

The Brienzer Schifffahrt operates from the end of April to the beginning of October. However, the exact operating hours and schedules may vary, so it is advisable to obtain information from the shipping companies in advance.

Final thoughts

A boat trip across Lake Brienz takes every visitor’s breath away and should not be missed during a visit to this region. Different operators provide different offers and services. Many sights, among others Bönigen, Iseltwald or also the Giessbach Falls, can be visited and marveled at and make the cruise an unforgettable experience.

I'm an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer for Switzerlandical. Let's go on this adventure together as we explore Switzerland. We'll conquer epic trails, soak in jaw-dropping vistas, or stroll down a cobbled street in one of the many beautiful cities. I'll do my best to curate an unforgettable travel experience that leaves you with memories you'll cherish forever.

BLS Boat Cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz

A breath of “sea air”, a whiff of nostalgia – any cruise aboard one of the decorative steam or motor vessels on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz turns into a delightful experience.

The fleet of the BLS Navigation Company counts 12 vessels, two of which are paddle steamers. Whichever boat one chooses, the magnificent view remains as fascinating as ever: The legendary “big three” Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, numerous historic villages and castles, and the unique scenery of the Bernese Oberland are just a few among the many highlights of the cruises. Various themed and culinary cruises nicely round off the offer on the turquoise lakes.

• Area:  Length of Lake Brienz 14 km, length of Lake Thun 17.5 km
• Duration: e.g. Interlaken West–Thun 2 h 10 min
• One-hour cruise (round trip) on Lake Brienz
• Perfectly coordinated connections train/boat at all lake terminals (Thun, Interlaken West/Ost, Brienz); piers directly at the railway stations
• During peak season, a historic paddle steamer operates on each lake
• All main decks with wheelchair access (some boats with lift to upper deck)
• Bicycle transport possible depending on available space due to occupancy rate
• À-la-carte restaurants aboard all boats
• Themed buffets on special culinary cruises
• Lake Thun: year-round operation (peak season May to October with hourly departures, reduced timetable during off-peak season)
• Lake Brienz: seasonal operation (April to October)
• Hop-on / Hop-off at the attractions along the lakeshore possible

All connections here

Ticket This route is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass (Flex) / GA travelcard

There are two classes on most boats: main deck = 2nd class, upper deck = 1st class

Reservation

• Reservation required for groups of 10 or more people (prior selection of one menu for all persons required for groups of 20 or more people in case consumption is intended)
• For individual travellers, a table or seat reservation in the onboard restaurant can only be made with a binding commitment to consume (+41 (0)58 327 48 34))
• On special culinary cruises, a table reservation is strongly recommended for individual passengers as well
• Surcharge for bicycle day pass CHF 14

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Lake Brienz boat cruise

A boat cruise on Lake Brienz is the perfect way to visit this beautiful area! Switzerland is such a stunning country and it can be hard to decide what you should do. Let me tell you why a Lake Brienz boat cruise is a must do activity.

This blog was in collaboration with Switzerland Tourism and Swiss Travel System. All opinions are our own, we are excited to show you this incredible country!

Where is Lake Brienz?

Lake Brienz is located right near Interlaken , an hour from Bern or Zurich. It is easy to explore when staying at Interlaken, from here you can spend a day or two enjoying the town, area and Lake Brienz! We used the public transport system to get around in Switzerland it was so easy! The public transport is so well organised in Switzerland, we used Swiss Travel Passes to get around. They included all our trains, buses and even the boat cruises on the lake! We just purchased our passes and then showed them when requested, it couldn’t have been easier!

Where to stay for Lake Brienz?

You can choose to stay on the lake itself, there are hotels in Brienz, Iseltwald or the Mountain Hotel Rothorn Kulm. We chose to stay in Interlaken at No8 Boutique Hotel . It was the perfect place to base ourselves to explore the area. It is not only affordable but has a cool industrial design, private rooms, shared kitchen and perfectly located near the train station!

What to do at Lake Brienz?

The best way to see Lake Brienz is by jumping on a boat cruise! It is such a great way to spend a day. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass your boat ticket is included so just jump on and show your pass if requested. Otherwise it is 16 CHF for an adult ticket Interlaken to Brienz .

You will leave from Interlaken and travel around the Lake stopping off at 7 little lake towns Bönigen, Ringgenberg, Niederried, Oberried, Brienz, Giessbach See and Iseltwald. We loved pulling into each port. If you have the Swiss Travel Pass you can jump on and off at any town to explore each one. We jumped on the boat at Interlaken Ost and hoped off at Brienz.

Is Brienz worth visiting?

The village of Brienz is so charming, it is definitely worth visiting!

What to do in Brienz

The stunning waterfront promenade and sweet wooden Swiss chalets that fill the town makes it incredibly enchanting place to walk and enjoy. The views out over the lake are incredible and there are tons of restaurants and cafes there to try. We went to the COOP supermarket and bought some cheese and bread for a picnic which is one of our favourite ways to eat in Switzerland. When you visit a country with such amazing natural landscapes its great to eat outside and enjoy them!

Make sure to walk through the town to Brunngasse Brienz which is a very cute little street with gorgeous little decorated chalets. Then walk on to Evangelisch-Reformierte Kirche Brienz this church is so lovely sitting near the lake.

Brienzer Uferweg is the waterfront promenade. Take your time wandering along here. You will find lots of statues and benches to rest. Aussichtspunkt Brienzersee is along here and is a gorgeous viewpoint to stop and take in the lake views.

Giessbach Waterfalls

We hopped back on the boat and went across to Giessbach Waterfalls. We got off there and sat at the waterfront to enjoy our picnic. The views over the turquoise water were so incredible, almost glacial blue.

There is a railway there that was built in 1892. The  Brienz Rothorn Railway  goes uphill along the lakeside with incredible panoramas on the way up to the  Mountain Hotel Rothorn Kulm  for lunch.

The Giessbach Waterfalls are nice as well. They will be the first thing you see as you pull toward the landing on the boat. Then walk to the left from the railway entrance and you will find the stairs that leads to the bridge over the falls. You can stand right in the middle of the falls as they run under the bridge and to the lake.

Hiking along Lake Brienz

We chose to hike along Lake Brienz between Giessbach Waterfalls and Iseltwald. It was an easy hike and the views were picturesque. There is something about hiking, surrounded by lush nature and really feeling part of the environment. This hike took us about one and a half hours but wasn’t strenuous. There was a camping area and tall boulders to walk through along the way.

The village of Iseltwald is as enchanting as Brienz. While it doesn’t have as many of the wooden chalets you will still find them here. Iseltwald is set on a scenic part of the lake with Schloss Seeburg out overlooking the lake. You will also find the famous pier from the Netflix show ‘Crash Landing on You”. This seems to be one of the busiest locations in the whole lake which was really surprising. Apparently it is drawing a big crowd all day and you would need to line up to take a photo here. We waited for the boat to come while watching people standing in line for such a long time!

Visiting Lake Brienz was a fantastic way to spend a day. The boat trip is so easy and pleasant way to get around the lake. We highly recommend the Swiss Travel Pass to make your trip easier. If you have any questions or need any help in planning your trip just leave a comment, we will be happy to help!

Where to next:

Why you should visit Lauterbrunnen

How to visit Murren and Grimmelwald

Should I visit Lucerne or Interlaken?

Why Swiss Travel Pass is the best way to travel Switzerland

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Culinary cruises

Glide across the water and enjoy fine culinary delights

Culinary experience cruises on the lake.

Enjoy fine, regional cuisine and delicious gourmet delights on themed and special cruises at any time of the year. Embark on a delightful voyage of discovery on Lakes Thun and Brienz. The ship’s catering staff will spoil you with delicacies while you are captivated by the charms of the atmospheric ambience and the passing natural scenery. Discover the wide range of possibilities.

Breakfast ship and brunch experiences

Kick off your Sunday morning with an extensive breakfast on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz. Enjoy a lavish breakfast while you glide over the still waters of the lake. The popular Lake Thun brunch is available every Sunday from the end of March to beginning of Novemer. From spring to autumn, a daily breakfast boat operates on Lakes Thun and Brienz.

Enjoy fajitas and the lounge atmosphere on Lake Thun

Viva Mexico! Fancy venturing into another world? In April and June, experience a little piece of Mexico on the Fajita Boat. Enjoy mouthwatering stuffed tortillas and crunchy nachos on board as you cruise across Lake Thun. On those warm summer evenings from July to September, the lounge ship “OaSee” offers you total relaxation, freshly barbecued culinary delights. Spectacular sunsets included!

Burger Feast and all you can eat Fajitas on Lake Brienz

In the evening, you can also take a boat trip and enjoy a delicious dinner on Lake Brienz. Sail towards the sunset with lounge music in your ears. Add refreshing drinks and a light breeze to the mix and you have the perfect experience. Enjoy a little nibble on deck before indulging in a delicious meal. Put your burger together just as you like it and discover the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz on the Burger Boat. You can experience the Burger Feast on selected Fridays in June and August. In autumn, the theme on Lake Brienz is “Viva Mexico”. All you can eat nachos, guacamole and fajitas will ensure that your trip is an experience.

Reliving the steamship era with good food

Tuesday to Saturday from June to September, the steamer Blümlisalp transports guests on a relaxing circular evening cruise on Lake Thun. Unwind on the deck with a glass of fine wine as you soak up the magical evening mood. Savour flavourful dishes or choose from the special Steamer Menu as you glide across the water. Evening steamboat trips are also offered on Lake Brienz, where the steamer «Lötschberg» operates round trips every Saturday evening from end ob June to August. Once aboard, guests are treated to regional specialities or a special menu. As the sun sinks, the shadows of the nearby mountains lengthen across Lake Brienz.

Convivial moments on atmospheric winter evenings

Choose between a range of culinary cruises, even in the winter months. A trip on the Chinese hotpot boat or the fondue boat is a special experience. Spend a leisurely evening on board and enjoy a fine Chinese hotpot or a delicious cheese fondue with friends or family. The fondue cruises take place on Lake Thun on selected Friday and Saturday evenings. The boat departs from the jetty in Thun. Check the departure dates and times in advance. From December to March, the restaurant ship “Ufem Fluss” is moored at the Interlaken Ost jetty. Treat yourself to some delicious Swiss specialities and experience the wonderful atmosphere on the River Aare.

Your highlights at a glance

• Culinary cruises on Lakes Thun and Brienz
• A wide selection of enjoyable trips is available all year round
• Daily breakfast boat from Mai to October/November
• Enjoy culinary delights while gliding past beautiful landscapes
• Experience warm summer evenings and atmospheric winter evenings on the lake

To ensure that your trip is perfect in every way, please note

• Places on culinary cruises are limited
• Reservations are strongly recommended
• Take the dates of the various cruises into account when planning your trip
• Make sure you know where your trip leaves from and its departure time

General Information

Bus stop available

Eligibility

Suitable for any weather

Suitable for the Elderly

Other Furnishing/Equipment

Baby Change

Barrier-free access

Children Entertainment Corner (indoors)

Handicapped accessible WC

Payment Options

contact person

Lachenweg 19 3604 Thun

+41 58 327 48 11

[email protected]

Lake Brienz is one of two lakes separated by the town of lnterlaken. Lake Brienz is located in the region of Bernese Oberland, which is a German speaking part of Switzerland. Lake Brienz is surrounded by beautiful mountains, waterfalls and villages with chalet houses. Brienz is famous as the Swiss center for woodcarving. The lake is primarily fed by the Aare River, the Lutschine River, and the Giessbach Waterfalls. Along the Lake Brienz there is a promenade with a nice view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. There are trees, benches, play area and many wooden sculptures along the promenade. The color of water in Lake Brienz is turquoise & it looks beautiful.

There is a train service from lnterlaken Ost operated by Zentralbhan, running parallel to the river Aare. lt takes 30 min to reach Brienz station. The train station and the ferry dock are right next to each other. The regular boat service links all the little villages and resorts around the lake on its route and cover the trip from Brienz to lnterlaken east in around 30 minutes.

From Brienz you can travel on the cog wheel steam railway with panorama coaches to the summit of the Brienzer Rothorn in roughly one hour. The Brienz-Rothorn Railway is the oldest steam rack railway in Switzerland. From here you will get a panoramic view of the lake.

lf you want to learn more about Swiss history and culture Visit the Ballenberg open air Museum which is near to the Brienz town. This is spread in a very large area with reconstruction of over L00 historic buildings organized by regions of Switzerland with each region showing its history and culture. There is a live cheese making and tasting session, bread making, coal making and demonstration of weaving, handicrafts & woodworking techniques. This place is really big and involve a lot of walking, so wear comfortable walking shoes. Plan at least a full day for this museum. Admission is free with the Swiss Travel Pass.

There is a small bistro on all the cruse with fine selection of food and drink available. Wine and beer is served on almost all the cruse. There is a dinner cruise operating in the evening in either direction  on the steamer.

Other than Swiss travel pass, If you have purchased the cruise ticket still there is an option to hop off at any or each town along the lake and get on the next boat. If you wish you can explore all these small villages at your leisure or else just stay on the boat and enjoy the scenery.

On the way you sail past the magnificent Giessbach Falls. From the pier there is a funicular which will take you to the Giessbach Hotel near the waterfall. Next there are few villages in the mountain backdrop which were looking stunning with their colorful wooden chalets. This trip at the end of the day rejuvenated our mind and souls.

The boat stops at around 5 stops before reaching to lnterlaken Ost. The most interesting part is on the other side of the lake with one waterfall, castle like hotel and a small charming village. The last stop of this ferry ride is Interlaken Ost and Train station is in front of the dock.

If you are staying in Interlaken area, having limited time in Switzerland and you can do only one lake cruise, go for the Brienz lake cruise. This lake with turquoise water surrounded by picturesque villages is more beautiful than the lake Thun. Cruising time is also almost half compared to Interlaken to Thun Cruise.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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THE 10 BEST Moscow Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in moscow.

• Boat Rentals
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Water Sports
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Speed Boats Tours
• Submarine Tours
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3rd Transport Ring (TTK)
• District Central (TsAO)
• Garden Ring
• District Northern (SAO)
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Couples
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Flotilla Radisson Royal

2. Moscow River Boat Tours

3. Sup-Club

4. Akvanavt Diving Centre

5. Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

6. CheapRussia Tours

7. Kite School Kiteclass

8. SUP Center

9. Erwin. Reka

11. Easy Russia Tour Guide

12. Lovely Russia Tours

13. Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre

14. Alfa Centr

15. Diving Club Divers

16. Sup Outdoor

17. MORE MOSCOW

19. Soho Sailing Style

20. Diving Center Crocodile

21. Mosparokhodstvo

22. Dive-Project

24. Kosinskiy Children Marine Club

25. Kayak Moscow

26. DIVECLUB CHE

27. Moswake

28. FLOW Moscow

29. Morskiye Volki

30. S-cruises

What travelers are saying

• CheapRussia Tours
• Easy Russia Tour Guide
• Lovely Russia Tours
• MORE MOSCOW
• Insider Moscow Tours
• Flotilla Radisson Royal
• Moscow River Boat Tours
• Capital River Boat Tours - Moscow Centre
• Diving Center Crocus City Oceanarium

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BLS cruises on Lake Brienz

Lake Brienz Breakfast Cruise

Start your Lake Brienz excursion with an on-board breakfast: Tuck in to freshly baked bread, croissants and local cheeses as your boat gently glides through the emerald-green water while the Alpine panorama quietly passes by.

Timetable April 13 to May 8 & September 16 to October 20, 2024

Timetable may 9 to september 15, 2024, availability.

Daily, April 13 to May 8 and September 16 to October 20, 2024 Course 61 (Interlaken Ost from 10.07 a.m.)

Daily from May 9 to September 15, 2024 Course 59/60 (Interlaken Ost from 09.07 hrs | Brienz from 10.40 hrs)

Food & Drink

Breakfast offer.

Breakfast      

• House bread, 1 croissant
• 2 portions of butter, 1 portion of house jam
• Ham & cheese 1 glass of orange juice
• Coffee, tea, ovo or chocolate (1 hot drink per person is included)

Important notes:

• A table reservation is required.
• Breakfast is served in the interior of the boat.
• Prices and products are subject to change.

Schiffstation Interlaken Ost Lanzenen 1 3800 Interlaken

Travel relaxed by train to Interlaken Ost. From Interlaken Ost railway station it is a 4-minute walk to the Interlaken Ost boat station. The boat station is opposite the station.

46.691661170904, 7.8691935539246

Frequently asked questions, are half-fare travelcards, ga travelcards, junior travelcards, municipality day tickets and the swiss travel pass valid.

The following season tickets are valid on scheduled cruises:

100% discount, no surcharge or free with

• GA travelcard
• Staff rate – general season ticket
• "Seepass" annual season ticket for Lake Thun and Lake Brienz
• Staff rate – day tickets
• 1-day travelpass for the Half-Fare travelcard
• Municipality day tickets
• Saver Day Pass SBB
• 1-day travelpass for children
• Dog day ticket/1-day travelpass for dogs
• Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Travel Pass Flex with date entered, and Swiss Transfer Ticket
• Eurail Pass and Eurail Youth Pass with date entered
• Interrail with date entered
• Junior travelcard: children up to the age of 15.99 accompanied by a parent
• Children’s Co-travelcard: children up to the age of 15.99 accompanied by the cardholder

50% discount with

• Half-Fare travelcard
• Swiss Half Fare Card
• Children (aged 6 to 15 years)

The listed season tickets are not valid on our special culinary cruises; however, you will receive a discount with the GA and Half-Fare travelcards.

Are Fairtiq and EasyRide valid?

Yes, Fairtiq and EasyRide tickets are valid on BLS Lake Cruise. 

Are special tickets available for birthdays?

On your birthday, you travel free of charge all day in 1st class on all scheduled services. You can obtain your free day ticket for Lakes Thun and Brienz on presentation of your identity card or passport at our sales points and on our boats.

Are the boats wheelchair-accessible?

Apart from our smallest boat (MS Interlaken), all vessels are wheelchair-accessible.  The accessways to the outside decks and restaurants in second class are level. Aboard MS Berner Oberland and MS Thun, the first-class area can also be accessed by lift.

All boats (with the exception of MS Interlaken) feature a disabled WC.

What are my payment options in the onboard restaurants?

You have the following payment options in our onboard restaurants:

• Credit card
• Vouchers (issued by Schiffcatering Thuner- und Brienzersee or BLS Lake Cruise)

Can I reserve a specific table or make a request?

We take all requests regarding the choice of table (online via comments) and try to accommodate your wishes as best we can. However, we can unfortunately not guarantee anything, as the wishes are taken into account after the reservation is received (date of request).

Do you have any questions about our offers? Contact us, we will be happy to help you.

You might also be interested in

Fondue Chinoise cruise on Lake Thun

Cheese fondue boat trip

Sunday brunch on Lake Thun

Sunset Cruise Lake Thun

Grandhotel Giessbach combined ticket

Fajita Cruise

Lake Thun Breakfast Cruise

1 August on Lake Brienz

Evening cruise on the «Lötschberg» lake steamer

Parade of the fleet on Lake Thun

After-work cruise on the «Blümlisalp» lake steamer

Lounge-Cruise «OaSee»

Romantic soirée

Burger cruise Lake Brienz

Fajita Cruise on Lake Brienz

Calimeros Fondue Cruise on Lake Thun

New Year’s Eve Concert boat trip with «ChueLee»

New Year’s Eve boat trip with «Chris Samuel»

Christmas boat trip