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Season: early April to early December
Recommended season: mid April to mid October
Max. altitude: 566 m (1857 ft)Lake Brienz boats: quick introduction 
Lake Brienz ("Brienzersee" in German) is a lake in the Bernese Oberland. It's located between the towns Interlaken and Brienz. You can travel the entire lake, or part of it, by boat.
The scenery is amazing: the lake is surrounded by mountains. And you'll pass the beautiful Giessbach waterfalls.
➤ Boat prices, tickets and reservations
Lake Brienz: 2026 boat prices
A single boat ride Interlaken Ost-Brienz in 2nd class costs CHF 39 if you don't have a rail pass. The exact price of your ticket depends on the route you pick.
If you want to make several boat trips on one day, a day ticket for Lake Brienz and Lake Thun may be economical. Or look into a Saver Day Pass, which also covers the Lake Brienz boats: if you get it well ahead, it can be cheaper than a day ticket for the lakes.
You can get discounts or even free travel with your rail pass. If you have a rail pass that includes the Lake Brienz boats, such as the Swiss Travel Pass or the Berner Oberland Pass, you don't need additional tickets or day passes.
Where to buy your tickets
Boat tickets are available online. They can also be bought on the boats, right after boarding. From spring to fall, manned ticket desks at the boat docks in Interlaken Ost and Brienz are available as well.
Reservations
You don't have to make reservations for normal boat trips. Just board with your valid ticket or pass.
Reservations for the ship restaurants are optional. However, if you want to join one of the special (culinary) cruises, you should make reservations in advance.
➤ Rail pass discounts for Lake Brienz cruises
The benefits of the passes below apply to standard boat tours. If you book a special (culinary) cruise, additional costs apply.
| Pass | Discount |
|---|---|
| Berner Oberland Pass | Free:
|
| Day Pass | Free:
|
| Eurail Global Pass | Free:
|
| Interrail Switzerland Pass | Free:
|
| Jungfrau Travel Pass | Free:
|
| Saver Day Pass | Free:
|
| Swiss Half Fare Card | Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass | Free:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Free:
|
Lake Brienz map and directions to the main docks
The main docks: Brienz and Interlaken Ost
The main boat docks are in Brienz and Interlaken. The dock at Brienz is just outside the rail station. The dock in Interlaken is right outside the rail station Interlaken Ost.
Both towns can be reached by train or by car. The train is easier, because it stops so close to the docks. You don't have to worry about parking either.
Other docks
There are many more towns at which you can get on or off board. Examples are Bönigen and Iseltwald. The map does not show all the stops, as they are different per trip.
You can find all options in the timetable. Not all routes are displayed on the below map.
Operation dates, schedules and timetable
Operation dates of the boats
The boats on Lake Brienz operate from 3 April to 6 December 2026. Details:
- Low-season schedules apply from 3 April to 22 May, and from 12 October to 6 December 2026. You'll have to plan carefully: only a few cruises a day are available, mostly with limited catering.
- Multiple cruises a day are available during the summer season: from 23 May to 11 October 2026.
How to plan your boat trip in the timetable
You can find specific boat timetables through the links here. Or you can use the general Swiss timetable.
- Use the "Settings" to select boats only.
- Most ship piers can be recognized by the addition "See" to a town's name in the timetable. Examples are "Interlaken Ost (See)" and "Brienz (See)".
Best months for Lake Brienz boat rides
I love a boat ride on Lake Brienz during all operation months, but I'd say that the best time is mid April to mid October. Details:
- From mid-April to June, you'll see beautiful spring nature and there can still be snow on the surrounding mountains.
- July and August are summer. Being seated on the outdoor deck and fully enjoying the views will be more pleasant than in other cooler months.
- From September to mid-October, there are fewer tourists than in July and August. You can have great late-summer weather, or see the autumn setting in.
Weather tips and forecast
Of course, sunny skies are best for a ride on Lake Brienz. That allows you sit on the outdoor deck and enjoy the views. But boat trips are possible in nearly all kinds of weather, even in rain. There's plenty of room to sit inside too.
Services can be suspended in case of extreme weather conditions. Exceptionally high or low water levels can hinder regular boat operation too.
Find the current forecasts for Brienz below.
Other excursions to combine your boat trip with
How to see the Giessbach Falls
The famous Giessbach Falls can be seen from the boat. You’ll see the lower part where the falls splash into the lake.
For a better view you can get out at the Giessbach pier. There’s a footpath along the waterfalls. You can hike or take the funicular up to the Grandhotel Giessbach. After your visit, continue your journey with the next boat at Giessbach.
Other activities you can enjoy on the same day
My suggestions for trips that can well be combined with a boat ride on Lake Brienz:
- Travel one-way between Interlaken Ost and Brienz by boat. Then get back by train.
- Replace the GoldenPass train section between Interlaken Ost and Brienz by a boat tour.
- Visit the Brienzer Rothorn from Brienz.
- Visit the Aare Gorge or the Ballenberg Museum east of Brienz.
- Hike along the lake, for example from Giessbach to Iseltwald.
Lake Brienz or Lake Thun: how to choose
Lake Brienz and nearby Lake Thun can both be explored by boat. If you have time, I recommend to make trips on both lakes: they’re quite different and have their own charm. If you have to choose, pick the one closest to your base town.
Overall, these are the pros of Lake Brienz:
- It’s smaller than Lake Thun. It takes less time to cross the entire lake, so there’s more time for additional trips on the same day.
- It’s surrounded by high hills. To me, this feels like I’m making a boat cruise right amidst the mountains, more so than at Lake Thun.
Lake Brienz boats: FAQ
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Which types of tours are offered on Lake Brienz?
Most cruises are standard ones. The boats cross the lake during the day to transport passengers between the villages on Lake Brienz.
On top of these normal cruises, there are special themed tours, mostly in summer. Examples are dinner cruises. These require advance reservation, and there are extra costs on top of a normal ticket or travel pass.
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What types of boats sail Lake Brienz?
The boats that cross Lake Brienz are large ferries, operated by the company BLS. Most are motor vessels, but there’s also the traditional steamboat called “Lötschberg”. The timetable indicates which kind of boat operates during your tour.
All boats have indoor and outdoor sections with seats. There’s usually a bistro with simple snacks or a restaurant.
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What are the differences between 1st and 2nd class on Lake Brienz boats?
2nd class is at the lower deck. It has indoor and outdoor sections. The smaller 1st class area is at the upper deck. Here too you can be seated indoors or outdoors. It’s usually les crowded.
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Which boat route is best?
I think that all sections of Lake Brienz are equally pretty. Make a boat trip across the entire lake if you can. If not, just pick any section that suits your itinerary.
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Is it allowed to have your own food and drinks on board?
Yes, you can eat and drink your own food, except when seated in the restaurant.
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Is Iseltwald worth a visit?
Iseltwald is a pretty village along the southern shore of Lake Brienz. It has traditional Swiss chalets and the picturesque Seeburg castle on a peninsula. It’s worth a photo stop, but things can get quite crowded. I share my detailed advice here.
➤ Where to buy Lake Brienz boat tickets: my recommendations
Promotions
- www.bls.ch: special (culinary) cruises on Lake Brienz
- www.bls.ch: table reservations for the ship restaurants
- www.giessbach.ch: funicular to Grandhotel Giessbach
Schedules
- www.bls.ch: boat timetables for Lake Brienz and Lake Thun
Prices
- www.bls.ch: standard ticket prices for boats on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun
Free with the Swiss Travel Pass in the Bernese Oberland
Swiss Coupon Pass
Hike Giessbach-Iseltwald
Boat Lake Thun
Brienzer Rothorn
GoldenPass
Brienz
Bernese Oberland
