Cruise on Lake Thun – adventures on and around the lake

Experience the largest lake in the Bernese Oberland by boat

A boat trip on the clear, blue waters of Lake Thun amid the mountains of the Bernese Oberland is an unforgettable experience. During the unhurried two-hour trip from Thun to Interlaken, you can indulge in fine cuisine while casting admiring gazes at the castles on the banks and the mountains beyond. Leave your daily routine behind and enjoy the passing landscapes.

Boat trips on Lake Thun

The deep blue Lake Thun is the largest lake in the Bernese Oberland entirely located in the Canton of Bern. It offers views of green meadows, forests, the typical alps as well as the eternally white peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau beyond. During the summer months and between Christmas and New Year, the steamship Blümlisalp clatters and puffs its way across the clear blue waters of Lake Thun in the middle of this landscape. Your trip on Lake Thus can start at any jetty round Lake Thun. Select the boat trip on Lake Thun that most appeals in terms of departure time or itinerary. Trips leave from Interlaken West and proceed along the Neuhaus nature reserve, on towards the St. Beatus Caves and Beatenbucht, to Spiez, Gunten, Oberhofen, Hilterfingen, Hünibach and then ultimately on to Thun. The entire trip from Interlaken to Thun takes around two hours and 10 minutes.

Winter magic and fondue fun

The BLS fleet operates daily trips from Thun to Interlaken and back throughout the winter. Take an unforgettable winter boat trip and marvel at the snow-bedecked scenery that surrounds you. The view from the boat is magical. Would you like to spend a cold winter evening combining Swiss tradition with a boat trip on Lake Thun? During the leisurely trip, treat yourself and your loved ones to some delicious cheese fondue or a Chinese hotpot.

The joys of spring and the magic of autumn on the water

Experience a boat trip on Lake Thun, whatever the season. Scheduled services start with the coming of spring at the beginning of April, with several boats continuing to offer daily services on the deep-blue lake until November. During this time, for example, there’s a breakfast boat that departs daily from Thun to Interlaken at 9.40 a.m. Admire the views of the spring blossom on the shores of Lake Thun over a coffee or fall under the spell of the colourful forests in autumn. From spring to autumn, you can also relax on a leisurely afternoon trip and listen to the waves gently buffeting the boat. Snacks and drinks are served on all scheduled passenger ferries, which also offer a delicious selection of meals from the galley at lunchtime and in the evening. Enjoy breathtaking panoramas of the majestic Bernese Oberland mountain peaks. Experience even more pleasure on the culinary cruises – find out about the range of possibilities.

Summer refreshment

In summer, a boat trip is the perfect way to relax on long, hot days. The refreshing breeze and the splashing of the waves help you cool off and provide plenty of atmosphere. In summer, early birds can enjoy themselves on the breakfast boat that departs at 8.40 am. This leisurely start to the morning can easily be combined with another excursion later in the day. For example, take the boat to Beatenbucht, where you can board the mountain railway to the Niederhorn.

Culinary cruises on Lake Thun

Enjoy all-you-can eat crunchy nachos, delicious guacamole and fajitas on the Fajita Boat. Immerse yourself in the Mexican atmosphere and experience an unforgettable evening boat trip with your family or friends. The boat operates on Lake Thun from March to June. Enjoy pure relaxation on the lounge ship "OaSee" from June to September. As the sun sets over the town of Thun and the sky turns a myriad of stunning colours, the catering team will spoil you with a Mediterranean buffet, fine grilled dishes or delicious pizzas. Are you an early riser? If so, get your Sunday morning off to a good start with a lavish Lake Thun brunch, offering delicious regional products every Sunday all year round.

Current offer: Spring special at Lake Thun

Explore incredible hiking trails around the Niesen, Niederhorn and Stockhorn mountains or embark on a voyage of discovery to the impressive St. Beatus caves. Enjoy a leisurely boat trip on Lake Thun and experience total relaxation while gazing at breathtaking mountain peaks. Benefit from this special deal, buy your ticket online until the 19 April 2024 for CHF 59 only and save up to CHF 130. 

Atmospheric evening trips

The sunset trips run daily from May to October. The boat departs from Interlaken West station at 6.10 pm and arrives in Thun two hours later. During the trip, you can enjoy one of the colourful sunsets over Lake Thun and enjoy the culinary offer "Heisser Stein" (hot stone) that awaits you. What better way of rounding off an eventful day than an evening cruise? From May to September, the popular "Blümlisalp" steamboat offers evening trips departing from Thun. Spend a balmy summer evening on wonderfully tranquil Lake Thun, enjoying culinary delights along the way.

Nostalgic steamboat trip

Twice a day during the summer months as well as between Christmas and New Year, the Blümlisalp chugs its way around Lake Thun. The trip will transport you back in time to the days of the Belle Époque. The steamship is ideal for family excursions, as it even has a separate play cabin called "Globi’s Captain’s Club". Have you often dreamt about being the captain of a steamship? Discover the secrets of sailing from an experienced ship’s captain in the Blümlisalp’s wheelhouse.

Admire castles and natural landscapes

Lake Thun is surrounded by five nostalgic castles, each of which is situated within a short distance of a jetty. It is well worth calling in at one or more of the castles on Lake Thun or taking a stroll around one of the beautiful, flower-filled parks. You can, of course, also visit the interiors of these historic buildings. Check the opening times before your visit In addition to the fairytale castles, the shores of Lake Thun are also adorned by vines. A little hike through the vineyards is sure to soothe the soul.

Your highlights at a glance

  • The largest lake in the Bernese Oberland with a surface area of 47.69 km2

  • Plenty of attractive excursion destinations along Lake Thun

     

  • Children travel free on Saturdays

  • All passengers travel free on their birthdays

  • The steamer “Blümlisalp” offers nostalgic trips in summer and between Christmas and New Year

     

  • A wide range of culinary offerings make for the perfect experience

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

  • Find out about the seasonal operating times of the various boats

  • A variety of culinary cruises can be booked at different times of year; reservations are recommended

  • Advance reservations are required for groups of 20 or more

  • Bicycles may be transported – limited space available

  • All the passageways on the main deck and all stops are barrier-free

     

  • The timetable cannot be guaranteed in the event of storms, fog, or if water levels are too high or low

Discover the range of possibilities centring on shipping on Lake Thun:

BLS cruises on Lake Thun

Thun

© CC-BY-SA | Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken, Interlaken Tourismus

Winter cruises on Lake Thun

Thun

© CC-BY-SA | Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken, Interlaken Tourismus

Culinary cruises

Thun

© CC-BY-SA | BLS AG, Interlaken Tourismus

Thun Castle

Thun

© CC-BY-SA | Schloss Thun, Interlaken Tourismus

Spiez Castle

Spiez

© CC-BY-SA | Schloss Spiez, Interlaken Tourismus

Oberhofen Castle

Oberhofen am Thunersee

© CC-BY-SA | Tourismus-Organisation Interlaken, Interlaken Tourismus

Hünegg Castle

Hilterfingen

© CC-BY-SA | Stiftung Schloss Hühnegg, Interlaken Tourismus

Schadau Castle

Thun

© CC-BY-SA | Schloss Schadau, Interlaken Tourismus

Spring special at Lake Thun

Thun

© CC-BY-SA | Thun-Thunersee Tourismus, Interlaken Tourismus

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