Thun Day Trip from Lucerne: Train, Lake Cruise & Tasting

Medieval Thun sits on a lake you cross by boat, not by road.

This full-day tour from Lucerne combines a 1.5-hour train ride to Thun, a guided walk through the old town and castle, a 1 hour 20 minute boat cruise on Lake Thun, and a tasting of local cheese (Monday–Friday) or Swiss chocolate (Saturday–Sunday) in Interlaken, with return train to Lucerne. Train tickets, guide, boat entry and tasting are included. The guide speaks English or Spanish and you choose between a private or shared group at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Thun and Lake Thun cruise

• Meet at Lucerne train station
• Train ride to Thun (1.5 hours)
• Guided walk in Thun Old Town
• Visit Thun Castle and landmarks
• Boat cruise on Lake Thun (1h20)
• Optional lunch on board
• Cheese or chocolate tasting in Interlaken
• Return to Lucerne by train

The experience

You meet at Lucerne train station and ride 1.5 hours through Alpine valleys to Thun, watching the landscape unfold from your seat. The town sits where the lake opens up: medieval streets climb the hillside, and Thun Castle crowns the ridge above. Your guide leads you through the old town on foot, past the centuries-old church and wooden bridges, then up to the castle for views across the Alps and down to the water. The walk covers the town's hidden corners and the stories behind them, not just the postcard angles.

From the shore you board a boat for the 1 hour 20 minute cruise across Lake Thun, with mountains rising on both sides and small villages dotting the banks. Lunch is available to order on board if you want it, but it is not part of the package. The boat moves slowly enough that you can sit and watch, or stand on deck and photograph the peaks as they shift.

The day ends in Interlaken with a tasting: cheese on weekdays, chocolate on weekends. You return to Lucerne by train in the late afternoon. The whole day runs 8 to 11 hours depending on which train you catch back. All train tickets are 2nd class, and the guide is with you from Lucerne through the boat and into Interlaken.

What’s included

• Train tickets in 2nd class from Lucerne to Thun and back.
• a live guide in English or Spanish for the full day.
• entry to Thun Castle and the guided old town walk.
• the Lake Thun boat cruise.
• and a cheese tasting (Monday–Friday) or chocolate tasting (Saturday–Sunday) in Interlaken.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared TourGuide in English or Spanish · 08:40

Private TourGuide in English or Spanish · 08:40Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Monday and WednesdayDeparts at 08:40

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Switzerland Viva Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want the guide and the pace to yourself. Choose shared if you are traveling solo or want to meet other travelers and split the guide cost. Either way, the fixed itinerary and included transport mean the day holds together without you building it: train times, boat boarding and the tasting all connect.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (under 4).

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.

How long is the train ride from Lucerne to Thun?

The train ride from Lucerne to Thun takes 1.5 hours and passes through Alpine landscapes before arriving at the lake.

What happens during the Thun old town walk?

The guided walk through Thun's old town includes the historic streets, the centuries-old church, wooden bridges, and a visit to Thun Castle for views of the Alps and Lake Thun. Your guide shares stories of medieval life and local traditions along the way.

Is lunch included on the Lake Thun boat cruise?

Lunch is not included, but you can order food and drinks on board the boat during the 1 hour 20 minute cruise if you wish.

What is the difference between the cheese and chocolate tasting?

Monday to Friday you taste local cheese in Interlaken. Saturday and Sunday the tasting features Swiss chocolate instead. Both are included in the tour price.

Can I book this as a private tour or a shared group?

You choose at checkout: the private tour option is for your group alone with a guide, while the shared tour joins other travelers with the same guide.