Scenic Trains
Glacier
Express
Bernina
Express
Golden
Pass Line
Gotthard Panorama
Mont
Blanc - St Bernard
Palm
Express
Excursion Trains
Jungfraujoch
Chocolate
Train
Gornergrat
Matterhorn
Mt
Pilatus Railway
Mt
Rigi Railway
Roches
De Naye
Lake Cruises
Lake
Geneva
Lake
Lucerne
Lake
Constance
Lake
Thun & Brienz
Three
Lakes
LAKE THUN & LAKE BRIENZ CRUISES
Scenic Lake Tours in Bernese Oberland
Interlaken, the town which has been a popular tourist destination in
Switzerland since the 1800’s and one of the most visited by international
tourists. On the streets of Interlaken you’re likely to hear
the most languages of nationalties anywhere. The name means „between
the lakes“ and the two lakes it lies between are Lake Thun to
the west and Lake Brienz to the east, and both offer beautiful opportunities
for scenic lake cruising. The cruise line of both lakes is actually
the railway company of the Bernese Oberland, the BLS Schiffahrt (Bern
Lötschberg Simplon Shipping Company) which operates both diesel
powered modern cruise boats and historic steam ships on both lakes.
A common way of cruising the lakes is to take the boat in one direction
and return, or continue on by rail. The line offers theme scenic round
trip cruises as well.
The turn-of-the-century historic paddle steamers
of the lakes, restored from the glory days of the past allow the opportunity
to savor a fine
meal and a glass of wine while cruising past mountain views of the Eiger,
Jungfrau and Monch triplet peaks and romantic lakeside villages and majestic
castle, or sit in the central Switzerland sunshine on deck. On Lake Thun,
the lovingly restored Blümlisalp paddle wheel steamship built in
1906 with room for 450 passengers, 171 dining seats and rare double deck
saloon carries passengers between Thun and Interlaken. While on Lake
Brienz, the SS Lötschberg first launched in 1914, offers capacity
for 800 passengers, with 144 dining seats and panoramic restaurant on
the upper deck.
A fleet of motor powered ships including the MS Schilthorn, the MS Stadt Thun, MS Stockhorn and the MS Berner Oberland, offer a regular schedule of cruises and ferry service on the lakes from April through October, shutting down for the winter months, though some theme cruises are offered in winter. Theme cruises with meals include special Sunset Cruises, Dinner Cruises, Buffet Brunch Cruises, even a Swiss Barbecue Cruise. The Swiss Pass and Half Fare Cards are good on the cruise boats of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, with meal supplement pricing for theme cruises.