The Brünig Pass is the main road between Lucerne and Interlaken, a low pass at around 1,000 metres that stays open all year and links central Switzerland with the Bernese Oberland. The route passes Lake Sarnen and Lake Lungern before descending to Brienzwiler, with a branch to Meiringen, and then follows Lake Brienz to Interlaken. For travellers from Geneva who want to see both Lucerne and the Jungfrau region, AirportsTransfers.ch can build the Brünig into a single multi-stop transfer.
- Route: Lucerne – Sarnen – Lungern – Brünig – Brienzwiler – Brienz – Interlaken
- Altitude: around 1,000 metres, a modest pass by Alpine standards
- Season: open all year, with winter tyres needed in snow
- Lakes: Lucerne, Sarnen, Lungern and Brienz along the way
- Link: a short branch leads to Meiringen and the Haslital passes
Leaving Lucerne
From Lucerne the route follows the A8 along the southern arm of Lake Lucerne, past Hergiswil and into the canton of Obwalden. Much of this first section is motorway or expressway, with tunnels that bypass the lakeside villages. Pilatus rises to the right, and on a clear day the views back over the lake are among the classic images of central Switzerland.
The road then runs along Lake Sarnen, a quiet, elongated lake surrounded by farmland and wooded slopes. Sarnen, the cantonal capital, sits at its northern end, and smaller villages such as Sachseln line the eastern shore.
Lake Lungern and the climb
Beyond Giswil, the road climbs a wooded step to Lake Lungern, whose water has a vivid green-blue colour that surprises many first-time visitors. The lake is dammed for hydroelectric power and its level varies with the season. A new tunnel now carries through traffic past the village of Lungern, while the old road along the shore remains a pleasant detour.
The final climb to the Brünig summit is short and gentle. Unlike the high passes of the Valais or Graubünden, the Brünig is forested and modest, more a saddle between two regions than a dramatic crossing. That is precisely why it is open in all seasons and carries a steady flow of traffic, including coaches and lorries.
Down to Meiringen and Lake Brienz
From the summit, the road descends towards Brienzwiler, where it meets the main road along the Aare valley. A branch leads east to Meiringen, the main town of the Haslital, known for the Reichenbach Falls where Arthur Conan Doyle set Sherlock Holmes's struggle with Moriarty. Meiringen is also the starting point for the Grimsel and Susten passes in summer and for the Aareschlucht gorge.
Turning west, the road follows the northern shore of Lake Brienz, past Brienz, known for its wood-carving tradition, and the open-air museum at Ballenberg nearby. The lake is narrow and deep, framed by steep forested slopes, and it leads directly to Interlaken, the gateway to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Mürren.
Year-round conditions
The Brünig is a reliable all-season route. In winter, snow is regularly cleared and the road rarely closes for long, though winter tyres are essential and fresh snowfall can slow traffic on the summit section. Summer brings more holiday traffic, especially on weekends when visitors travel between Lucerne and the Bernese Oberland, and coach traffic can be slow on the climbs.
For travellers who prefer rail, the Brünig railway line runs parallel to the road. A private car, however, avoids changes with luggage and allows stops at the lakes along the way.
Fitting the Brünig into a trip from Geneva
Many visitors arriving at Geneva want to see Lucerne and Interlaken during the same trip. A logical route is to drive from Geneva to Interlaken via Lausanne or Fribourg and Bern, spend a few days in the Bernese Oberland, then continue over the Brünig to Lucerne and on to Zurich, which lies about 280 km and 2 h 55 from Geneva Airport. Reversing the order works just as well for those flying out of Geneva.
- Geneva – Bern – Interlaken: motorway most of the way, entering the Oberland via Thun
- Interlaken – Brünig – Lucerne: lakes and a gentle pass
- Lucerne – Zurich or back to Geneva: motorway across the Plateau
Booking a multi-stop transfer
AirportsTransfers.ch handles one-way and multi-stop journeys at a fixed price per vehicle, displayed before you pay online by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur greets you at Geneva Airport with a name sign, tracks your flight and waits if it is delayed. Child seats are available on request, and skis or extra luggage should be declared at booking so the vehicle suits your party, from a Mercedes E-Class for three passengers to a Sprinter for groups. For itineraries with several stops, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77.
