Bernese Alps Private Tour from Zurich: Lake Cruise & Steam Train

Ten hours across three Swiss landmarks without a schedule to follow

A private full-day tour from Zurich into the Bernese Alps combines a turquoise lake cruise on Lake Brienz, a ride up the historic Brienz Rothorn Bahn steam train to alpine views, and free time in Interlaken between two glacial lakes. Your multilingual driver-guide handles the route and all entry tickets. You choose whether to add hotel pickup or arrange your own transport to the starting point.

Step-by-step itinerary

Bernese Alps tour with lake cruise and train

• Drive from Zurich to Bernese Oberland
• Board Lake Brienz scenic cruise
• Ride Brienz Rothorn steam cogwheel train
• Visit Interlaken for walking and shopping
• Return drive to Zurich hotel

The experience

The day starts with a private drive south through Swiss countryside toward the Bernese Oberland, then you board a scenic cruise across Lake Brienz's famous turquoise waters. The boat passes dramatic cliffs and traditional alpine villages along the shoreline before you step onto the Brienz Rothorn Bahn: a cogwheel steam train that climbs through forests and high alpine meadows. The train delivers you to Rothorn peak with 360-degree views of the Bernese Alps. Most travelers spend time at the summit taking photos and absorbing the altitude before the descent.

Interlaken comes next, a mountain town wedged between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun with Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks visible from the streets. You have free time to walk the town center, buy Swiss chocolate or watches, or simply stand and photograph the backdrop. The private return drive to Zurich gives you space to rest before your hotel drop-off or your chosen location ends the day.

The tour runs about ten hours total. Your driver-guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and two additional languages, and all steam train and lake cruise tickets are included in the price. You pick at checkout whether you want hotel pickup or prefer to meet the vehicle at a starting point in or near Zurich.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a premium vehicle.
• multilingual private driver-guide.
• Lake Brienz cruise ticket.
• Brienz Rothorn Bahn steam train ticket.
• round-trip hotel pickup (available on one option).

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to Saturday9 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 12:00

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (4 to 16 years) · Infant (2 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Swiss Epic Tours

Is this one for you?Choose pickup from your Zurich hotel to skip coordinating separate transport, or meet at the central starting point if you're arranging your own way there.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 16 years); Infant (2 to 3 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Brienz Rothorn Bahn and why does it matter for this tour?

The Brienz Rothorn Bahn is Switzerland's famous cogwheel steam railway, a historic train powered by steam that climbs from lake level to Rothorn peak through forests and alpine meadows. It is the centerpiece of the day because it delivers you to high-altitude views of the Bernese Oberland that a car cannot reach, and the ride itself, aboard an operating heritage train, is part of the experience, not just transport to a viewpoint.

Does the tour include lunch, and where do you eat during the day?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. You'll have opportunities to purchase food and refreshments during the lake cruise, at the Rothorn summit, or in Interlaken's town center, where cafés and shops serve traditional local chocolate and Swiss fare.

What is Lake Brienz like, and why is the cruise part of the itinerary?

Lake Brienz is a turquoise alpine lake ringed by dramatic cliffs and traditional villages. The cruise lets you see the shoreline and surrounding peaks from the water (views you cannot reach by road), and it breaks up the day between the drive and the steam train climb, giving you three distinct perspectives on the Bernese landscape.

Can you book this tour with hotel pickup, or do you need to arrange your own transport?

You choose at checkout: the Private Tour with Pickup includes round-trip hotel pickup in Zurich, or you can book the Private Tour without Pickup and meet the vehicle at a starting point. Either way, your driver-guide handles the entire route and all entry tickets are covered.