40 Lake Brienz facts and figures in 2026
Compare autumn boat journeys, then find the lake’s dimensions, excursion times and visitor figures.
Lake Brienz editorial team · Published · Last updated
Autumn boat journeys
12 Oct–6 Dec 2026, daily. All times local.
| From → to | Departs → arrives | Minutes | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interlaken Ost → Bönigen | 11:40 → 12:02 | 22 min | 165 |
| Interlaken Ost → Ringgenberg | 11:40 → 12:12 | 32 min | 165 |
| Interlaken Ost → Niederried | 11:40 → 12:24 | 44 min | 165 |
| Interlaken Ost → Iseltwald | 11:40 → 12:35 | 55 min | 165 |
| Interlaken Ost → Giessbach See | 11:40 → 12:56 | 76 min | 165 |
| Interlaken Ost → Brienz | 11:40 → 13:10 | 90 min | 165 |
| Bönigen → Ringgenberg | 12:02 → 12:12 | 10 min | 165 |
| Bönigen → Niederried | 12:02 → 12:24 | 22 min | 165 |
| Bönigen → Iseltwald | 12:02 → 12:35 | 33 min | 165 |
| Bönigen → Giessbach See | 12:02 → 12:56 | 54 min | 165 |
| Bönigen → Brienz | 12:02 → 13:10 | 68 min | 165 |
| Ringgenberg → Niederried | 12:12 → 12:24 | 12 min | 165 |
| Ringgenberg → Iseltwald | 12:12 → 12:35 | 23 min | 165 |
| Ringgenberg → Giessbach See | 12:12 → 12:56 | 44 min | 165 |
| Ringgenberg → Brienz | 12:12 → 13:10 | 58 min | 165 |
| Niederried → Iseltwald | 12:24 → 12:35 | 11 min | 165 |
| Niederried → Giessbach See | 12:24 → 12:56 | 32 min | 165 |
| Niederried → Brienz | 12:24 → 13:10 | 46 min | 165 |
| Iseltwald → Giessbach See | 12:36 → 12:56 | 20 min | 165 |
| Iseltwald → Brienz | 12:36 → 13:10 | 34 min | 165 |
| Giessbach See → Brienz | 12:56 → 13:10 | 14 min | 165 |
| Interlaken Ost → Iseltwald | 15:10 → 15:40 | 30 min | 181 |
| Interlaken Ost → Giessbach See | 15:10 → 15:58 | 48 min | 181 |
| Interlaken Ost → Brienz | 15:10 → 16:10 | 60 min | 181 |
| Iseltwald → Giessbach See | 15:41 → 15:58 | 17 min | 181 |
| Iseltwald → Brienz | 15:41 → 16:10 | 29 min | 181 |
| Giessbach See → Brienz | 15:58 → 16:10 | 12 min | 181 |
| Brienz → Giessbach See | 13:20 → 13:34 | 14 min | 166 |
| Brienz → Oberried | 13:20 → 13:52 | 32 min | 166 |
| Brienz → Iseltwald | 13:20 → 14:06 | 46 min | 166 |
| Brienz → Bönigen | 13:20 → 14:28 | 68 min | 166 |
| Brienz → Interlaken Ost | 13:20 → 14:50 | 90 min | 166 |
| Giessbach See → Oberried | 13:34 → 13:52 | 18 min | 166 |
| Giessbach See → Iseltwald | 13:34 → 14:06 | 32 min | 166 |
| Giessbach See → Bönigen | 13:34 → 14:28 | 54 min | 166 |
| Giessbach See → Interlaken Ost | 13:34 → 14:50 | 76 min | 166 |
| Oberried → Iseltwald | 13:52 → 14:06 | 14 min | 166 |
| Oberried → Bönigen | 13:52 → 14:28 | 36 min | 166 |
| Oberried → Interlaken Ost | 13:52 → 14:50 | 58 min | 166 |
| Iseltwald → Bönigen | 14:07 → 14:28 | 21 min | 166 |
| Iseltwald → Interlaken Ost | 14:07 → 14:50 | 43 min | 166 |
| Bönigen → Interlaken Ost | 14:28 → 14:50 | 22 min | 166 |
| Brienz → Giessbach See | 16:20 → 16:32 | 12 min | 182 |
| Brienz → Iseltwald | 16:20 → 16:49 | 29 min | 182 |
| Brienz → Interlaken Ost | 16:20 → 17:20 | 60 min | 182 |
| Giessbach See → Iseltwald | 16:32 → 16:49 | 17 min | 182 |
| Giessbach See → Interlaken Ost | 16:32 → 17:20 | 48 min | 182 |
| Iseltwald → Interlaken Ost | 16:50 → 17:20 | 30 min | 182 |
No direct journey matches these piers. Choose another pier or reset the filters.
Sources: BLS 2026 timetable, Lake Brienz autumn/winter, page 12 (PDF); lake dimensions from Interlaken Tourism. Each row stays on one service; some piers have service in only one direction. Check BLS notices before travel.
The four end-to-end sailings take 60, 60, 90 and 90 minutes. Shorter times reflect different stopping patterns, not a faster boat guarantee.
Six figures for a Lake Brienz day
- Lake Brienz covers 29.8 km² in the tourism board's lake profile. (Interlaken Tourism, accessed October 2026)
- Lake Brienz reaches a maximum depth of 260 m in the tourism board's lake profile. (Interlaken Tourism, accessed October 2026)
- The Brienz–Rothorn Kulm railway route is 7.6 km long. (Brienz Rothorn Bahn, accessed October 2026)
- A Giessbach funicular adult return ticket, for ages 17 and over, is listed at CHF 14.00 in the operator's ticket shop. (Grandhotel Giessbach, accessed October 2026)
- Hightide's guided winter kayak tour on Lake Brienz takes approximately 3 hours from arrival to departure. (Hightide Kayak School, accessed October 2026)
- PostBus reported 370,000 passenger journeys on route 103 Interlaken Ost–Iseltwald from June to September 2023; journeys are not unique visitors. (PostBus, October 2023)
How big and deep is Lake Brienz?
Physical dimensions describe the lake, not the length of a boat route.
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Lake length | 14 km |
| Lake width | 2.8 km |
| Lake surface area | 29.8 km² |
| Maximum lake depth | 260 m |
- Lake Brienz is 14 km long in the tourism board's lake profile. (Interlaken Tourism, accessed October 2026)
- Lake Brienz is 2.8 km wide in the tourism board's lake profile. (Interlaken Tourism, accessed October 2026)
- Lake Brienz covers 29.8 km² in the tourism board's lake profile. (Interlaken Tourism, accessed October 2026)
- Lake Brienz reaches a maximum depth of 260 m in the tourism board's lake profile. (Interlaken Tourism, accessed October 2026)
How large is the Lake Brienz paddle steamer?
The Lötschberg is one vessel, not the whole fleet. Its capacity does not guarantee a place on a sailing.
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Lötschberg construction year | 1914 |
| Lötschberg passenger capacity | 800 passengers |
| Lötschberg overall length | 56.50 m |
| Lötschberg overall width | 12.60 m |
- Lake Brienz's paddle steamer Lötschberg was built in 1914. (BLS, accessed October 2026)
- The Lötschberg paddle steamer on Lake Brienz has a stated capacity of 800 passengers; this is vessel capacity, not a seat reservation. (BLS, accessed October 2026)
- The Lötschberg paddle steamer on Lake Brienz is 56.50 m long overall. (BLS, accessed October 2026)
- The Lötschberg paddle steamer on Lake Brienz is 12.60 m wide overall. (BLS, accessed October 2026)
How much time and money does the Rothorn railway need?
General journey estimates and published full fares are separate from a specific departure or discounted ticket.
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Rail route length | 7.6 km |
| General uphill rail time | 60 minutes |
| Minimum Rothorn round trip | 2 hours and 30 minutes |
| General Planalp rail time | 30 minutes |
| Full-fare Rothorn return | CHF 98 |
| Additional seat guarantee | CHF 8 |
- The Brienz–Rothorn Kulm railway route is 7.6 km long. (Brienz Rothorn Bahn, accessed October 2026)
- The operator gives 60 minutes as the general uphill journey time from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm; individual departures differ. (Brienz Rothorn Bahn, accessed October 2026)
- The Brienz Rothorn Railway gives a minimum round-trip visit of 2 hours and 30 minutes, including its minimum summit stay. (Brienz Rothorn Bahn, accessed October 2026)
- The Brienz Rothorn Railway gives 30 minutes as the general journey time from Brienz to Planalp. (Brienz Rothorn Bahn, accessed October 2026)
- The published full-fare Brienz–Rothorn–Brienz return ticket for the 2026 timetable costs CHF 98, before the seat guarantee. (Brienz Rothorn Bahn, accessed October 2026)
- The Brienz Rothorn Railway's seat guarantee costs an additional CHF 8 per person under the 2026 published fares. (Brienz Rothorn Bahn, accessed October 2026)
What are the Giessbach distances and funicular fares?
The waterfall loop is separate from the shore walk. The funicular has steps and is not wheelchair accessible.
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Waterfall steps | 14 steps |
| Approximate waterfall drop | 400 m |
| Waterfall loop walking time | 30–45 minutes |
| Adult funicular one-way | CHF 7.00 |
| Adult funicular return | CHF 14.00 |
| Child funicular one-way (6–16) | CHF 3.50 |
| Child funicular return (6–16) | CHF 7 |
- The Giessbach Falls above Lake Brienz descend over 14 steps in Switzerland Tourism's description. (Switzerland Tourism, accessed October 2026)
- Switzerland Tourism describes the Giessbach Falls' total drop as about 400 m; this describes the falls, not a walking ascent. (Switzerland Tourism, accessed October 2026)
- Switzerland Tourism gives 30–45 minutes for the Giessbach waterfall loop from the Grandhotel; wet surfaces can slow a visit. (Switzerland Tourism, accessed October 2026)
- A Giessbach funicular adult one-way ticket, for ages 17 and over, is listed at CHF 7.00 in the operator's ticket shop. (Grandhotel Giessbach, accessed October 2026)
- A Giessbach funicular adult return ticket, for ages 17 and over, is listed at CHF 14.00 in the operator's ticket shop. (Grandhotel Giessbach, accessed October 2026)
- A Giessbach funicular one-way ticket for children aged 6–16 is listed at CHF 3.50 in the operator's ticket shop. (Grandhotel Giessbach, accessed October 2026)
- A Giessbach funicular return ticket for children aged 6–16 is listed at CHF 7 in the operator's ticket shop. (Grandhotel Giessbach, accessed October 2026)
For the longer shore route, use our Iseltwald–Giessbach departure checklist.
How large is Ballenberg, and when is it open?
The museum lies near Brienz. Its grounds and buildings deserve a separate visit rather than a rushed boat connection.
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Museum grounds | 66 hectares |
| Historic buildings | over 100 historic buildings |
| Farm animals in season | over 200 farm animals |
| 2026 museum season | 9 April to 1 November 2026 |
- The Ballenberg open-air museum near Brienz occupies 66 hectares according to the museum's own profile. (Ballenberg, accessed October 2026)
- Ballenberg near Brienz displays over 100 historic buildings relocated from across Switzerland. (Ballenberg, accessed October 2026)
- Ballenberg near Brienz describes over 200 farm animals on its museum grounds during the season. (Ballenberg, accessed October 2026)
- Ballenberg's published 2026 visitor season runs from 9 April to 1 November 2026; its daily opening window is shown in the museum guide. (Ballenberg, accessed October 2026)
What does the Luzern–Interlaken Express involve?
These figures describe the full rail route, which calls at Brienz. A seat reservation is additional to a valid travel ticket.
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Full Express rail journey | 1 hour 50 minutes |
| Normal Express interval | 1 hour |
| Seat reservation, 2 May–1 Nov 2026 | CHF 16 |
| Seat reservation, 2 Nov 2026–30 Apr 2027 | CHF 12 |
- Zentralbahn gives 1 hour 50 minutes for the full Luzern–Interlaken Express journey; this is not the shorter Brienz–Interlaken segment. (Zentralbahn, accessed October 2026)
- The Luzern–Interlaken Express normally runs at intervals of 1 hour in the operator's published service description; check the live timetable for your date. (Zentralbahn, accessed October 2026)
- The Luzern–Interlaken Express seat-reservation fee is CHF 16 for travel from 2 May to 1 November 2026, additional to the travel ticket. (Zentralbahn, accessed October 2026)
- The Luzern–Interlaken Express seat-reservation fee is CHF 12 for travel from 2 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, additional to the travel ticket. (Zentralbahn, accessed October 2026)
How long is a winter kayak tour on Lake Brienz?
These are Hightide’s guided-tour limits and durations, not instructions for independent winter paddling.
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Winter kayak total visit | 3 hours |
| Winter kayak time on water | 2 hours |
| Standard winter group limit | 6 people |
| Private winter group limit | 8 people |
- Hightide's guided winter kayak tour on Lake Brienz takes approximately 3 hours from arrival to departure. (Hightide Kayak School, accessed October 2026)
- Hightide's guided winter kayak tour on Lake Brienz includes approximately 2 hours on the water. (Hightide Kayak School, accessed October 2026)
- Hightide limits its standard Lake Brienz winter kayak groups to 6 people in its published tour description. (Hightide Kayak School, accessed October 2026)
- Hightide lists a group limit of 8 people for private Lake Brienz winter kayak tours. (Hightide Kayak School, accessed October 2026)
What do the official records say about Iseltwald?
The municipality extends far above its lakeside village; its highest point is not a village walking destination.
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Municipality’s highest point | 2,687 m |
| Village first written mention | 1146 |
| Start of boat-linked tourism | 1871 |
- Iseltwald municipality names the Faulhorn, at 2,687 m above sea level, as its highest point; this is not the elevation of the lakeside village. (Municipality of Iseltwald, accessed October 2026)
- Iseltwald municipality dates the village's first written mention to 1146 in its historical portrait. (Municipality of Iseltwald, accessed October 2026)
- Iseltwald municipality dates the start of tourism linked to Lake Brienz boat services to 1871 in its historical portrait. (Municipality of Iseltwald, accessed October 2026)
How busy was the Iseltwald bus route in 2023?
Historical route-level passenger journeys measure transport use. They do not measure unique tourists, pier admissions or current crowding.
| Measure | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Route 103 journeys, Jun–Sep 2023 | 370,000 passenger journeys |
| Route 103 change vs Jun–Sep 2022 | 27% higher |
| Route 103 change vs Jun–Sep 2019 | 31% higher |
| Iseltwald winter demand, Nov–Dec 2022 | 4 times |
- PostBus reported 370,000 passenger journeys on route 103 Interlaken Ost–Iseltwald from June to September 2023; journeys are not unique visitors. (PostBus, October 2023)
- PostBus reported route 103 Interlaken Ost–Iseltwald passenger journeys were 27% higher in June–September 2023 than in the same months of 2022. (PostBus, October 2023)
- PostBus reported route 103 Interlaken Ost–Iseltwald passenger journeys were 31% higher in June–September 2023 than in the same months of 2019. (PostBus, October 2023)
- PostBus reported 4 times the usual seasonal passenger volume on its Iseltwald service in November–December 2022; this is a historical comparison. (PostBus, January 2023)
How this Lake Brienz reference was compiled
This reference retains 40 of 44 checked figures from ten organisations. Official tourism bodies, transport operators, the museum and the municipality supply the figures. Each linked source gives the scope and date of its figure.
The journey table includes every forward pair of stops on each of the four daily BLS autumn services: 48 direct segments across eight piers. Duration runs from departure at the first pier to arrival at the second, using the separate Iseltwald arrival and departure times. The chart shows the four end-to-end journeys. Transfers, waiting time and visits ashore are separate. BLS can change services; the timetable expires after 6 December 2026.
Other figures retain their original scope. Bus statistics are historical passenger journeys, not visitor counts; approximate attraction counts remain approximate. Undated pages are labelled with an access month, not an invented publication date. The full Express journey time is not the Brienz–Interlaken travel time. Fares exclude unlisted extras and can change.
The autumn timetable is valid through 6 December 2026. For a correction, tell the editorial team which figure and source need attention.
Lake Brienz editorial team. “40 Lake Brienz facts and figures in 2026.” Lake Brienz, 21 October 2026. https://lakebrienz.com/boat-cruises/lake-brienz-facts-and-figures/