When to take the boat

Which month is best for an Interlaken boat trip?

June, July, August and early September. Lake Thun's summer timetable runs from 9 May and Lake Brienz's from 23 May to 11 October 2026, and both steamers sail.

Midsummer gives you the most boats, the longest evenings and the paddle steamers. It also gives you the most company on deck. If that bothers you, late May, June and the first half of September are the sweet spot: the full timetable is running and the midsummer peak isn't.

Early October has a case of its own. The summer timetable still runs until the 11th, the slopes turn gold, and fresh snow can dust the peaks. After that the boats thin out, and on Lake Brienz the last ones sail on 6 December.

When do the boats run in 2026?

Lake Thun all year in five timetable periods; Lake Brienz from 3 April to 6 December in three.

The dates below come from the 2026 BLS timetable. Spring and autumn timetables have fewer courses than summer, and the winter service on Lake Thun is small, so check the day's departures before you plan around one.

Sources: BLS Schifffahrt 2026 timetable; Berner Oberland Pass page for the Lake Brienz season.

When do the paddle steamers sail?

The Lötschberg sails on Lake Brienz Wednesday to Sunday from 23 May to 27 September 2026. The Blümlisalp sails on Lake Thun from 13 June to 11 October.

On Lake Brienz, a motor ship covers the Lötschberg's course on Mondays and Tuesdays, and runs daily from 28 September. On Saturday evenings the Lötschberg also does an evening round trip from 23 May to 29 August, except on 1 August.

The Blümlisalp, built in 1906, is the older of the two. Besides its daytime course, it runs a Tuesday-to-Saturday after-work cruise until 29 August (not on 1 August) and again from 1 to 19 September. Both steamers are scheduled courses, so your Swiss pass covers them.

Are spring and autumn good for a boat trip?

Yes, if you can live with fewer boats. April and November also bring the deepest BLS day ticket discounts: half price in April and 30% off in November.

Lake Brienz opens on 3 April with a spring timetable, and BLS sells its April day tickets at 50% off online, in limited numbers each month. From 12 October both lakes switch to autumn timetables. BLS takes 30% off in November and 10% in the other months, on the same limited basis.

One detail for autumn: the Lake Brienz part of the boat day pass on GetYourGuide is listed for early April to mid-October, while Lake Thun is covered all year. Lake Thun in late October, with yellow trees down to the water and few people on board, is one of the calmer boat days of the year.

Can you take a boat trip from Interlaken in winter?

Yes, on Lake Thun, where a reduced winter timetable runs between Interlaken West, Spiez and Thun. On Lake Brienz the scheduled boats stop from early December to early April, but the winter kayak and winter jetboat run.

The winter service on Lake Thun is small, a handful of courses with extra Sunday sailings, so plan the day around the timetable rather than the other way round. Lake Brienz is quiet in a way summer never is, and two operators in Bönigen work with that:

• The winter kayak tour: November to April, 3 hours, expedition drysuit, neoprene boots, tea and cookies, ages 12 and up.
• The winter jetboat: 35 minutes in all, about 20 on the water, with a waterproof layer, gloves and a beanie.

Our Lake Brienz winter post tracks what runs this season.

Lake Brienz under snow from a kayak, with a drysuit, boots and a guide, November to April.

★ 4.9 · 3 hours · from $169

Explore the winter kayak tour → Tour details

When is Lake Brienz most turquoise?

Interlaken Tourism calls the colour especially strong in spring and autumn. Glacial silt from the Lütschine and the Aare gives it, and sunshine deepens it.

The particles are fine enough to hang in the water for a long time, which is why the lake glows rather than looking clear. Lake Brienz is the deeper and more turquoise of the two; Lake Thun, the bigger lake, is a little more blue-green. A sunny morning after a few dry days is when the colour pops in photos.

In high summer the surface water is around 20 °C (Interlaken Tourism gives 17 to 21 °C on average), which is why the kayak season runs from May to October. The kayaks are also the closest you can get to the colour: you sit about a hand's width above it.

What should I wear on a boat cruise?

Layers. Even on a warm day the wind on deck is cooler than the shore, so bring a light jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen and shoes with grip.

The tour listings spell out what each trip needs:

• Steamer or day boat: a jacket for the upper deck, a hat and sunscreen; the sun bounces off the water.
• Jetboat: comfortable shoes, no high heels, no large bags; a life jacket and splash jacket are provided, and handheld cameras are not allowed.
• Kayak: swimsuit, change of clothes, waterproof footwear, sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen.
• Fondue float: warm clothes, gloves, a hat and warm shoes; blankets are on board.
• Winter trips: thermals under the drysuit for the kayak, ski pants and a winter jacket for the jetboat.

What time of day is best for a boat trip?

Morning for space on deck and calm water, evening for the light. The first summer boat leaves Interlaken Ost at about 9:07.

The first course of the day from Interlaken Ost is the one to take for Giessbach and Iseltwald before the midday crowd; Lake Thun boats from Interlaken West start later in the morning. Afternoons are the busiest time on both lakes.

Evenings have their own options: the Saturday evening cruise on Lake Brienz, the Blümlisalp's after-work cruise on Lake Thun, evening departures of the kayak tour, and the chocolate fondue float drifting back towards Interlaken.

Chocolate fondue, warm tea and white wine on a slow float from Bönigen to Interlaken, with blankets.

★ 4.8 · 2 hours · from $120

Explore the chocolate fondue float → Tour details

Frequently asked questions