About BLS Lake Cruises
BLS Schifffahrt operates the scheduled boat services on both Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, the twin alpine lakes that flank Interlaken and give the town its name ("between the lakes"). With a fleet of 12 vessels including three lovingly maintained historic paddle steamers, BLS has been carrying passengers across these waters for well over a century, making their lake cruises one of the most iconic tourist experiences in the entire Bernese Oberland. Boats depart from the Schiffstation at Interlaken West, putting the service within easy walking distance of hotels and the train station.
Lake Thun cruises run year-round and pass medieval castles perched on wooded hillsides — Schloss Oberhofen, Schloss Spiez, and the clifftop Schloss Thun — with the snow-capped peaks of the Jungfrau region as a constant backdrop. Lake Brienz services operate seasonally from approximately May to December, calling at the village of Brienz and the Giessbach Falls stop, where passengers can disembark to visit the spectacular waterfall and its historic hotel. Beyond scheduled services, BLS runs themed evening cruises featuring live music, fondue dinners, and sunset cocktail sailings.
The fleet's three paddle steamers — the Blümlisalp on Lake Thun and others in the collection — are floating heritage pieces that have been painstakingly restored and are protected as Swiss cultural assets. Riding one of these steam-powered vessels is an experience in itself, with polished brass fittings, teak decks, and the rhythmic churn of the paddle wheels. Swiss Travel Pass holders ride free, making BLS cruises one of the best-value excursions available from Interlaken.
