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Season: all year
Recommended season: mid April to mid October
Max. altitude: 566 m (1857 ft)Lake Thun boats: quick introduction 
Lake Thun ("Thunersee" in German) is a large lake in the Bernese Oberland. It's between the towns Thun and Interlaken. You can cross the entire lake, or part of it, by boat. Beautiful scenery, pretty villages, and castles on the shores make this a great excursion.
➤ Lake Thun prices, tickets and reservations
Lake Thun 2026 boat fares
A single boat ride between Interlaken West and Thun in 2nd class costs CHF 54 without a rail pass. This is an example: the exact price of your ticket depends on the route you pick.
Day tickets for unlimited cruises on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz for one day are available too. Mind that a Saver Day Pass, which also includes free boat rides on both lakes, can be cheaper if you buy it well ahead of time.
You can get discounts or even free travel with your rail pass. If your pass grants free boat rides, you don't even need tickets or a day pass: just board and show your pass when asked for.
Where to get your tickets
Boat tickets are available online or on board the boat right after boarding. From spring to autumn, there are manned ticket desks at the docks of Interlaken West, Spiez, and Thun as well.
Reservations
You don't have to make reservations for normal boat cruises. Just board and show your ticket or pass if asked for.
Table reservations in the regular boat restaurants are optional. Only for a special culinary or entertainment cruise, a reservation is usually required.
1st versus 2nd class
2nd class is on 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 less crowded.
➤ Discounted boat tours with your rail pass
The benefits of the passes below apply to standard boat trips. If you book a special themed 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:
|
Map of Lake Thun and directions to the docks
The main docks of Lake Thun: Thun and Interlaken West
The main boat docks are in Thun and Interlaken. Both docks are right next to the train stations of Thun and Interlaken West:
- If you exit the rail station of Thun, turn right along the station square and bus stops. Cross the street to reach the docks on the canal of the river Aare.
- If you exit the train station of Interlaken West, turn left. You may have to cross the railway tracks first.
You can reach these towns by train or by car. I recommend traveling by train, because the trains stop very close to the jetties. And you won't have to deal with parking.
Other docks
There are many more towns in which you can get on or off board. Examples are Oberhofen and Spiez. The map does not show all the stops, as these are different per trip. Consult the schedules for all cruise options.
Operation dates, schedules and timetable
Operation dates of the boats
The boats on Lake Thun operate all year. You'll have the most choice in the summer season, which runs from 9 May to 11 October 2026. There's a restricted schedule during the rest of the year.
How to plan your boat trip in the timetable
You can find specific boat timetables through the BLS links here. Or find cruises in the general Swiss timetable.
- Use the "Settings" option to select boats as the only travel mode.
- The shipping piers can be recognized by the addition "(See)" after the town name. Examples are "Interlaken West (See)" and "Thun (See)".
Best season for Lake Thun
The best months to enjoy Lake Thun by boat are 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.
- In July and August temperatures are highest and you can usually enjoy the scenery from an outdoor seat.
- From September to mid-October, you can have great late-summer weather, or see autumn setting in.
Other months are fine too. Mind that:
- it can get crowded, especially from June to September.
- timetables are restricted in low season (late October until early April).
Weather info and forecasts for Lake Thun
Of course, sunny skies are ideal for a cruise on Lake Thun. It's great to sit outside, enjoy the views and snap pictures. But boat trips are possible in nearly all kinds of weather, even in rain. There's plenty of room to sit inside.
If I plan to be on the outside deck, I make sure I have some extra layers of clothes: even if it's warm, the wind can quickly cool you down. I also have sunglasses and sunscreen at hand.
Services can be suspended in case of extreme weather conditions or high water levels.
Eating and drinking on board the ships
Standard catering offers
Most boats on Lake Thun have an indoor restaurant serving coffee, tea, and other beverages. There are pastries as well, plus a wide choice of cold and warm lunch dishes. If you make a cruise of 1,5 to 2 hours, you can easily enjoy a 3- or even 4-course meal!
Restaurants are often located on the upper deck. This is usually the 1st class section too. In such cases, you’ll need a 1st class ticket or pass to be seated in the restaurant. Some boats have a bistro with a more limited offer snacks.
Outside of the restaurant area, you can have our own food and drinks as well.
Special culinary cruises
In addition to the regular schedule, there are many culinary-themed cruises. Examples are breakfast, brunch, and fondue rides. I advise reserving your spot in advance.
Lake Thun or Lake Brienz: how to choose?
Lake Thun and nearby Lake Brienz can both be crossed by boat. If your schedule allows for it, make a trip on both lakes, as they’re really different. If you have to choose, pick the one closest to your base town.
If you’re still in doubt, these are the pros of Lake Thun:
- It’s larger than Lake Brienz. You can make a longer trip and have a full 3- or 4-course lunch in the restaurant.
- The scenery is more varied. The landscape is wide, open and hilly between Thun and Spiez. It’s more mountainous between Spiez and Interlaken.
- If you like castles, you should opt for Lake Thun. There are 5 castles on the lake: in Thun, Schadau, Hünegg, Oberhofen, and Spiez.
How to combine Lake Thun with other excursions
The combination of a boat ride on Lake Thun and a mountain excursion is a perfect day trip. My suggestions:
- Get out in Spiez and travel up to the Niesen.
- Get off in Beatenbucht and travel to the village Beatenberg or the mountain Niederhorn. It’s less well-known than other mountains in the Bernese Oberland but has amazing views.
- Go up to Harder Kulm in Interlaken.
Other options you can enjoy on the same day:
- Travel one-way between Interlaken Ost and Thun by boat. Then get back: either by train along the southern shore of the lake, or by bus along the northern shore.
- Visit Interlaken, Thun, or nearby Bern.
- Visit one of the castles on the lake.
- Get out in Spiez and have a coffee or lunch break in the marina.
- Travel part of the Lötschberg Mountain Railway. You can board in Bern, Thun, or Spiez.
Lake Thun boats: FAQ
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Which types of boat tours are available at Lake Thun?
Most cruises are standard ones. The ferries operate in daytime to transport tourists and other passengers between the towns on Lake Thun.
There are special entertainment and culinary cruises too. These often require reservations, and there are extra costs on top of a normal ticket or travel pass.
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What types of boats sail Lake Thun?
The boats on Lake Thun are large passenger ferries, all operated by the company BLS. The fleet is a mix of modern vessels and traditional steamboats. The timetable indicates which kind of boat you’ll have 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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Which boat route on Lake Thun is best?
All of Lake Thun is pretty. I recommend making a full trip between Thun and Interlaken West to experience all of the lake. Then you’ll see the gentle hills around Thun, and the high Alps that define the Interlaken area. The full trip also allows you to enjoy a long lunch in the boat restaurant.
If you don’t have time for the full trip, I advise the section between Spiez and Interlaken West: that’s part with higher mountains.
➤ Where to buy Lake Thun boat tickets: reliable websites
Promotions
- www.bls.ch: special (culinary) cruises on Lake Thun
- www.bls.ch: table reservations for the ship restaurants
- www.interlaken.ch: castles on Lake Thun
- www.beatushoehlen.swiss: the St. Beatus caves
- www.niederhorn.ch: the Niederhorn
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 Niederhorn-Waldegg
Boat Lake Brienz
Lötschberg Mountain Railway
Harder Kulm
Thun
Interlaken
