On the Way to Lauterbrunnen

Bern to Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland is about an hour and 45 minute trip on the train. But, on the way there we think we should do some stuff around Lake Thun.

Our Swiss Rail Pass is good for cruises on Lake Thun between Thun, the lakeside towns and Interlaken West, in both directions. Choose between nine engine-powered ships and one steamer. Hot and cold seasonal meals are served on all scheduled services. The unique landscapes, picturesque parks and unspoilt nature reserves, the historical castles and churches around Lake Thun are a delight to all cruise passengers.

On a sunny day you'll be rewarded with spectacular scenery: Lake Thun surrounded by rolling hills dotted with quaint Swiss chalets, and majestic mountain panoramas. In typical Swiss tradition, ferries are timed so you can combine train and ferry travel. Lake Thun is 10 miles long. There are stops at charming little villages along the way. If you find one that suits your fancy, just get off the ship, explore the town, enjoy a drink waterside, and catch the next ferry. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch and snacks. The Migros grocery store across from the train station has everything you need for a delicious picnic. Bread, cheese, chocolate, pastries, and you'll be set!

Thun is worth a few hours. You'll enjoy a marvelous well-preserved old town featuring cobblestone streets and buildings that date back to the Middle Ages. One of the highlights is Schloss Thun, a castle built in 1200 featuring a historical museum with five floors of exhibits. Schloss Thun is located on the lake, up a hill, with wonderful views in all directions.

Another interesting stop is Oberhofen with its 13th-century castle right next to the boat dock. Schloss Oberhofen hosts a collection of artifacts documenting life in the Bernese Oberlands from the 16th to 19th century. The medieval chapel and gorgeous gardens are definitely worth a visit.


In Spiez the castle was a midieval fortress which served as a residential castle for several families. Every family reconstructed the building partially, resulting in a well preserved overview of the transformations that the castle went through in history. Several rooms can be seen in their original Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque style. The garden and the 1000 year old castle church can be visited as well.

We would get off the boat at Interlaken and take the train the rest the way up to Lauterbrunnen. Interlaken is a small town and is the base for people going into the Bernese. The main street has tourist shops, an old grand hotel, and beautiful old buildings, but not too much more than that.

So, we could see a lot on our way and then still make it up the mountain with a lot of daylight to see the views!