If you are spending time in the Swiss capital of Bern, odds are you’ll be looking for a day trip out somewhere. Whilst there are some really popular destinations nearby, including Geneva, I would urge you to think about a day trip to Thun. The small town will show you in an instant why Switzerland is regularly voted to be one of the best places to live.
It is nestled right on the foot of the mountains, is immaculately decorated and has to be one of the prettiest towns in the country. Not only that, but it sits on the shores of Lake Thun, making it perfect for boat trips.
If you are planning a day trip to Thun, I hope this quick guide helps you plan your day. If you aren’t planning a day trip here, I urge you to read on to reconsider.
Day Trip to Thun | Your Quick Guide
Getting to Thun
The transport in Switzerland is generally excellent and trains are regular. If you are planning a day trip to Thun, odds are you’ll be staying in Bern – the nearest city.
From the main station, you can catch either regional trains (S1) or the larger intercity trains which run between the two places. In Switzerland, you don’t need to book a seat to travel on an intercity, which is different from the rest of Europe. If you get a day ticket, you should be covered for the entire journey.
Good to Know: Switzerland is very expensive so expect the journey to set you back at least £100.00 for two people. In 2025, the price for us two on this journey (including a return from the nearby Interlaken) was around £125.00. I also included the train fare back from the lake cruise in this, so if you aren’t interested in that then your fare may be cheaper. If this day trip to Thun is part of many train trips in Switzerland, then look into the Swiss Rail Pass – it includes a certain number of days for train travel and it will cover your boat fare later.
Morning
Thun is a small town and a lot of what there is to do and see is done by leisurely strolling about. When you arrive at the train station, head over to the Old Town. What you’ll notice first is just how clean the place is, and how beautiful the water colours are. You’ll also be greeted by sensational views of the mountains across Lake Thun – more on that later.
The Old Town
In the Old Town you’ll find plenty of cute cafés to choose from. I’d opt for one by the river to get the best views of the mountains. The main part of the Old Town is just one street, with shops on two levels either side of you. You’ll find classic tourist / souvenir shops alongside regional produce and clothes. If you’re like me, you could probably spend a good hour just walking about and browsing.
Off of this street is a small tunnel which leads up to Thun Castle. You can’t miss it; there are rainbow-coloured neon lights glaring through it. You’ll first reach a car park, and from here you can catch a lift up to the castle.
In the castle you have some good views and there are again a couple of cafés if you fancy it. The views here are pretty good but, for the best ones, head down the other way towards the church. Along the churchyard walls are little turrets which have seats inside. They also incidentally have the best views of Lake Thun and the surrounding mountains anywhere in the town. If you wanted a takeaway coffee and a place to sit down and soak up the atmosphere, this is where I would go to.
Aare River
After visiting the castle and church, head towards the lake. Along the way, take your time to walk along the Aare River Promenade. You’ll cross classic covered wooden bridges and often can see surfers here!
The waters are also some of the clearest I’ve ever seen. It won’t take you long to spot fish and a plenty of water fowl here. In the summer this is particularly beautiful with the vibrant flower displays which they put on.
Lunch and Afternoon
After a stroll along the river, head back towards the town. You’ll soon see the Ferry Terminal; it is right on the shores of the lake. Before you get here, you’ll obviously need to buy your tickets for the cruise. The prices of these vary depending on what you want to do and can be found here.
I would recommend the journey to Spiez. It is halfway across the lake and will take you around an hour. You’ll still be able to see all of the beautiful scenery on the lake this way and is more than half the price of the full journey to Interlaken.
Top Tip: If you are planning a day trip to Interlaken from Thun, then still get off at Spiez and catch the train. It will again be cheaper.
For lunch, I would heartedly recommend enjoying some food on the cruise. I really enjoyed our lunch on it and it was made even better by the calmness of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
If you arrive in Spiez, there is not loads to do here, but the promenade is very pretty along the lake and there is also Spiez Castle, which again has great lakeside-views.
Final Thoughts | Day Trip to Thun
A day trip to Thun is a calm one and is perfect for those wanting a leisurely day. I loved my trip here, especially my cruise across Lake Thun. It is easily one of the prettiest places in Europe I’ve been to and is an excellent option after 24 hours in Bern. I hope that I’ve convinced you to try a day trip here next time you’re nearby. You won’t regret it.
