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Thun is a part of the Jungfrau Region in the Bernese Oberland, one of the most popular Alpine regions in Europe. Sitting on the northern edge of Lake Thun, it is also one of the biggest cities in Canton Bern. In case you are based in Interlaken and would like to go to Thun, then this article is for you.
It is inevitable that logistical concerns will arise. Those who wish to travel by train in Switzerland need to know several specifics before doing so. In this article, we will explore the train journey between Interlaken and Thun.
How do you get from Interlaken to Thun, Switzerland? Let’s find out.
You can start by visiting the SBB website: www.sbb.ch. Using the website, you can type in your departure and arrival destinations. It will then guide you to where and when you need to be. An app is also available for iOS and Android devices.
If you wish to pay half the fare for all your train rides in Switzerland, a Half Fare Discount Card (1-month validity) is available on www.sbb.ch. This allows you to travel for half the price on all SBB routes and most other railways during the duration of your discount card.
Using the Swiss Pass, you get unlimited travel by train, bus, and boat in Switzerland. Over 500 museums are also free or discounted, and there are free or discounted excursions to mountain summits.
>Getting tickets from RailEurope is a convenient option if you’re traveling within Europe and/or visiting multiple countries. Having been in operation since the 1930s, RailEurope‘s extensive history, user-friendly website and mobile apps, flexible currency payment options, commitment to customer satisfaction, and strategic partnerships with leading rail operators, collectively establish it as a reliable and trustworthy platform for booking European train travel.
You can obtain from RailEurope the following travel passes:
- Swiss Travel Pass – choose between continuous or flexible Swiss train passes for 3, 4, 8, or 15 days. The perks? unlimited use in over 90 Swiss cities, free admission to more than 500 museums, and discounts on mountain railways and cable cars. You also get discounts on high-speed Lyria trains between France and Switzerland as well as Nightjet trains that go through Switzerland. See RailEurope for more information.
- Eurail Global Pass – unlimited train travel to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for non-EU residents
- Interrail Global Pass – access to 40,000 destinations in 33 European countries for citizens and permanent residents of the EU
How To Get From Interlaken to Thun
Thun is accessible by car, bus, or ferry. And there are several ways to get from Interlaken to Thun. We will describe each option below.
How to Get from Interlaken to Thun By Train
The quickest and most convenient way to get from Interlaken to Thun is to ride the direct train.
The following trains can bring you from Interlaken West or Interlaken Ost to Thun:
- Intercity 81 going to Romanshorn
- Intercity 61 going to Basel
- ICE going to Berlin Südkreuz
How to Get from Interlaken to Thun By Bus
You also have the option to go from Interlaken to Thun by taking Bus 21. It will take a bit longer compared to riding the train but you will see the villages nearby such as Unterseen, Sundlauenen, Beatushöhlen, Merligen, Beatenbucht, Gunten, Oberhofen, Hilterfingen, and Hünibach before reaching Thun.
How to Get from Interlaken to Thun By Boat
Taking the boat from Interlaken to Thun is the most scenic way to travel. The boat doesn’t leave every hour, though. Check the timetable to see when it leaves.
You should definitely take the boat if you can. It only takes a little longer than taking the bus, but it is much more scenic and relaxing. There will be a bit of walking involved in getting to the caves from the ferry stop.
Interlaken West is the easiest place to start your boat trip to Thun. Take the boat from Interlaken West heading to Thun. After 2 hours and 10 minutes, this boat will stop at the Thun Ship Station.
The most scenic way to get from Interlaken to Thun is to ride the boat. To get to Thun, you will have to:
- If you are coming from Interlaken Ost, take the train or bus going to Interlaken West.
- In Interlaken West, ride the boat going to Thun (See).
- Exit the boat at the Thun (See) stop.
Thun is accessible by boat two to six times a day from Interlaken depending on the season. You can find the boat schedule on bls.ch. I highly recommend taking the boat if you have enough time. You can also opt to take the scenic route going to Thun and the train or bus on your way back.
Impressions from the Boat Ride on Lake Thun
Riding the boat on Lake Thun was really peaceful and beautiful. I really liked the views of Thun, Spiez, Niesen, and the ride in the canal (Schifffahrtskanal) that connects Interlaken to Lake Thun. Here are some of my favorite pictures on the boat ride on Lake Thun:
How to Get from Interlaken to Thun By Car
There are many parking lots in Thun and nearby. Here are the best places to park:
- Parkhaus City South – Mönchstrasse 4, 3600 Thun
- Parking Hofstettenstrasse – Hofstettenstrasse 3600, 3600 Thun
- Parking Train Station – Parkplatz, 3600 Thun
How Long Does the Journey From Interlaken to Thun Take?
Here are the estimated travel times for various modes of transportation from Interlaken to Thun:
| Route | Mode of Transport | Duration (Fastest Connection) |
|---|---|---|
| Interlaken West – Thun | Train | 27 minutes |
| Interlaken West – Thun | Bus | 1 hour 1 minute |
| Interlaken Ost – Thun | Train | 32 minutes |
| Interlaken Ost – Thun | Bus | 1 hour 9 minutes |
| Interlaken West – Thun | Boat | 2 hours 10 minutes |
How Much Will the Ticket From Interlaken to Thun?
As of the time of publishing the article, a single journey ticket costs the following:
| Route | Mode of Transport | Full Fare (CHF) | Half Fare (CHF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlaken West – Thun | Train | 14.00 | 7.00 |
| Interlaken Ost – Thun | Train | 14.00 | 7.00 |
| Interlaken West – Thun | Boat | 45.00 | 22.50 |
Can you drive into Thun?
Yes, you can take your car directly from Interlaken to Thun. There are several parking lots in the village. Here are the best places to park:
- Parkhaus City South – Mönchstrasse 4, 3600 Thun
- Parking Hofstettenstrasse – Hofstettenstrasse 3600, 3600 Thun
- Parking Train Station – Parkplatz, 3600 Thun
Am I allowed to travel from Interlaken to Thun?
Yes, Thun is currently open to visitors. There are no restrictions.
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Darla Uhl is the owner of TouringSwitzerland.com. Her home is in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Having lived almost 20 years in Switzerland, she's traveled extensively all over the country.
Darla's favorite regions to visit in Switzerland include Engadin, Lake Geneva, Bernese Oberland, Ticino, and Valais. She loves spending time with her family, hiking, visiting museums, and reading books.