52345 posts
The Swiss Pass covers both lakes. If you have a second class pass you have to stay on the lower deck of the boats.
Boats for Lake Thun leave from behind Interlaken West station. Boats for Lake Brienz leave from behind Interlaken Ost station.
In my opinion the Lake of Brienz is more scenic. It has aqua green water and a waterfall at Giesbach. In Brienz you can visit the wood carving shops and factory.
You can return from Brienz, Thun or Spiez by train.
Dick
52345 posts
hi, as Dick says the swiss pass is valid on both lakes so the good thing is you don’t have to choose – you can easily travel on both lakes on the same day! I suggest you catch a train from Interlaken West to Thun arriving in time to catch the 9.40 boat from Thun back to Interlaken West – it arrives in I.W. at 11.49, catch train from I.W. (11.53) to interlaken Ost arrives at 11.57, then catch boat from I.O. at 12.07, arriving in Brienz at 13.20. You can then wander around Brienz for one hour or two and catch boat back to I.O. at either 14.40 or 16.40 arriving back at 15.53 or 17.53. If you prefer to stay longer in Brienz you can catch train from Brienz to Interlaken. (you can find train times on the train timetable for which there is a link from this forum. All travel on boats and trains are covered by pass so this is a very inexpensive day out. You can buy light refereshments on the boats or I can recommend the little bakeries in Brienz for delicious cakes and pastries. Lake Brienz is indeed very picturesque but Lake Thun has interesting castles and harbours to see.so is also to be recommended. I do hope you enjoy your trip.
Maggie
52345 posts
Wow thanks to all.. Good planning…
52345 posts
Hi xunyicao,
I will add to what Maggie has suggested. Since you will be having Swiss Pass from Brienz you can visit beautiful Meiringen. From there visit Aare Gorge and Reichenbach fall. Here you can buy a combined ticket for both. You can do this around 3 hours from 14.00 to 17.00 and catch the train back to Interlaken.
By the way we will be doing this all on 29th May 2012. So let us hope we meet some where.
Atul
52345 posts
Hi AtulBhide, where are you from?? Nice to meet you. Must we buy ticket to enter Aare Gorge and Reinchenbach fall? It is not included in the pass?
52345 posts
Hi Xunyicao,
Sorry to reply you late.
I am from India. Yes you have to buy tickets for Aare Gorge and Reinchenbach fall. It is certainly not included in Pass.
You can buy a combined ticket which will save you some cost. For details please visit following sites.
http://www.aareschlucht.ch/english/preise_e.htm
http://www.reichenbachfall.ch/
Regards
Atul Bhide