Hotels near Lake Thun boat cruise

Lake Thun (Thunersee) stretches 17.5 km west from Interlaken to the town of Thun and is the darker, bluer of the two lakes. BLS runs boats year-round from the Interlaken West pier, including the historic 1906 paddle steamer Blüemlisalp on select summer days. A full round-trip to Thun and back takes about four hours and costs around CHF 76 with a Half Fare Card in 2026 - Swiss Travel Pass holders ride free. Along the way you pass Oberhofen Castle (worth a stop for the moated tower jutting into the water) and Spiez Castle on its vineyard-covered peninsula. Bring a picnic and grab a seat on the sun deck; the on-board restaurant is fine but the views deserve your full attention.

Pro Tip: Take the boat one way to Spiez (90 minutes), tour the castle and its 10th-century Romanesque church, then hop the BLS train back to Interlaken in 20 minutes. You get the scenic ride without spending a full day at sea.