Lake Thun and Lake Brienz lie on either side of Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland, reached from Geneva Airport by motorway via Bern, which is itself 160 km or about 1 h 50 from GVA. Their castles, turquoise water and the snow-capped peaks rising behind them make them two of Switzerland's most photographed lakes, and AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you directly from your flight to a hotel on either shore.
- Getting there: by motorway via Bern, no border crossing
- Lake Thun: wider and gentler, lined with castles and villas
- Lake Brienz: narrower and wilder, with striking turquoise water
- Between them: Interlaken, gateway to the Jungfrau region
- On the water: lake boats, including a historic paddle steamer on Lake Thun
Lake Thun and its castles
Lake Thun is the larger of the two and has a gentler, more cultivated landscape, with vineyards, gardens and villas along its northern shore. Its town of Thun, at the western end, is crowned by a medieval castle with four corner towers, and its old town has an unusual double-level main street with shops on raised terraces. Along the lake, a chain of castles gives the shore its character. Schadau Castle stands in a park at the lake's edge in Thun, Oberhofen Castle seems to rise directly from the water with its slender tower and gardens, and Spiez Castle sits above a bay with vineyards climbing the slope behind it. Most can be visited in season, and several are linked by boat. The Niesen, a pyramid-shaped mountain above Spiez, is reached by a funicular and offers a wide view over the lake.
Lake Brienz and its turquoise water
East of Interlaken, Lake Brienz is narrower and framed by steep wooded slopes and cliffs. Its water has a vivid turquoise colour caused by fine glacial sediment carried down by mountain rivers, which reflects the light in a way that surprises first-time visitors. The village of Brienz at the eastern end is known for its woodcarving tradition and violin-making school, and its lanes of dark wooden chalets are among the most attractive in the region. On the southern shore, the Giessbach Falls tumble down the slope in a series of cascades, reached by a historic funicular from the boat landing. The small village of Iseltwald, on a peninsula, has become famous for its views. Close to Brienz, the open-air museum at Ballenberg presents traditional Swiss houses from across the country.
Boat trips on both lakes
The most relaxed way to explore is by boat. Lake Thun's fleet includes the Blümlisalp, a historic paddle steamer that sails in summer, alongside modern vessels calling at Thun, Oberhofen, Spiez and Interlaken West. On Lake Brienz, boats run from Interlaken Ost to Iseltwald, Giessbach and Brienz. Many visitors spend a day sailing one lake and the next day the other, stopping at castles or waterfalls. Near Lake Thun, the St Beatus Caves are reached from their own landing stage and combine a cave walk with a legend about a monk and a dragon. Combining a sail with a car is easy: the driver drops you at one pier and picks you up at another, so you never have to return by the same route.
Interlaken and the mountains
Interlaken sits on the strip of land between the two lakes, as its name suggests. It is the gateway to the Jungfrau region, with Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Wengen and Mürren in the valleys behind it, and the trains to the Jungfraujoch high in the mountains. The Höheweg, a wide meadow in the centre of town, offers a famous view of the Jungfrau. From Interlaken, the Harder Kulm funicular climbs to a viewpoint above both lakes, giving a rare chance to see Lake Thun and Lake Brienz in a single panorama. Because the region combines lakes, castles and high mountains within short distances, it suits a stay of several days, with lake days alternating with mountain excursions.
Travelling with AirportsTransfers.ch
From Geneva Airport, a private transfer to the Bernese Oberland avoids changing trains with luggage and drops you at your hotel in Thun, Spiez, Interlaken or Brienz. Booking with AirportsTransfers.ch is quick: enter your details online, see the fixed price per vehicle and pay securely by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur tracks your flight, waits in the arrivals hall with a name sign and does not charge extra if you are delayed. Families and groups travel comfortably in a Mercedes V-Class with up to seven seats and room for skis or bags declared at booking, and child seats are available on request. Return trips can be booked at the same time. For questions, call or message +41 78 346 56 77, 24/7.
