Spiez to Interlaken by Train: A Trip on the Lake Thun Railway Line
This review covers my train journey from Spiez to Interlaken on the Lake Thun railway line, which is part of the longer Golden Pass rail route.
From Spiez to Interlaken by train
After my visit to the highly picturesque town of Spiez, it was time to continue my journey along the Golden Pass rail route from Montreux to Lucerne.
Spiez station
The railway station of Spiez is located on a hill some 10 minutes away on foot from the town centre.
Before you catch your train, make sure to walk towards the balustrade along the pavement in front of the railway station to enjoy some sweeping views over Spiez and Lake Thun.
Spiez railway station has a ticket office, a restaurant, and a small convenience store.
As I was using an Interrail pass, I could take any train I wanted, so I just checked the departures screen on which platform the next train to Interlaken was set to depart.
On board the double deck train
On the standard-gauge railway line between Spiez and Interlaken Ost, there is a variety of trains you can potentially take.
In fact, even the odd InterCity Express (ICE) train from the German Railways (Deutsche Bahn) ply this route on their long journey from Germany to Interlaken and back!
Spiez to Interlaken Ost by RegioExpress Train
Train RE 4224 – Departure: 2.05pm – Arrival: 2.26pm
Duration: 0h21m – Distance: 18 kilometres
Departure from Spiez
At just 19 kilometres distance, the stretch between Spiez and Interlaken Ost is the shortest leg of the Golden Pass rail route.
My Regio Express train takes 21 minutes to traverse this line, which is part of the Lake Thun Railway which links Thun with Spiez and Interlaken.
As the name implies, the railway line follows the shoreline of Lake Thun, and you have some magnificent lakeside views from the train when you travel from Spiez to Interlaken.
Do make sure you sit on the left-hand side of the train in the direction of travel when going from Spiez to Interlaken (or on the right-hand side when travelling in the opposite direction) as that’s where the views over the lake will be.
Almost immediately after departure from Spiez, you are already treated to some gorgeous views over Lake Thun.
Lake Thun views
Lakeside church
Interlaken West
Riding through Interlaken
The short, final stretch from Interlaken West to Interlaken Ost is certainly not boring, as the train will ride straight through Interlaken.
Interlaken Ost
Conclusion
The train journey from Spiez to Interlaken might be short, but it provides some fabulous views over Lake Thun and the surrounding mountains.
If you travel along the scenic Golden Pass rail route, you will also partially traverse the Lake Thun railway on the stretch between Spiez and Interlaken.
Whether you are travelling on board one of the Regio Express services or an InterCity train, you will be treated to some amazing lake views.
This article is part of the ‘Scenic Trains Around Switzerland and the Italian Lakes‘ trip report, which consists of the following chapters:
1. Bergamo: A Visit to Lombardy’s Beautiful Hilltop Town
2. Travelling From Bergamo to Milan by Train
3. From Milan to Varenna and Tirano By Trenord Regional Train
4. A Varenna Visit: A Day Trip to Lake Como’s Most Beautiful Town
5. Tirano: The Italian Gateway to the Bernina Railway
6. Bernina Express Train: Guide to Switzerland’s Most Scenic Railway
7. Review: Swiss InterCity (IC) Train Chur to Zurich and Basel
8. From Zurich to Geneva on a Swiss ICN Tilting Train
9. Cheap Geneva Hotel: Stay Across the Border in Annemasse!
10. Around Lake Geneva by Train: From Geneva to Montreux
11. A Visit to Montreux and the Freddie Mercury Statue
12. Golden Pass: Guide to a Scenic Railway Route Across Switzerland
13. Swiss Chique: The MOB GoldenPass Belle Époque Train
14. From the Mountains to the Lake: Zweisimmen to Spiez by Train
15. Spectacular Spiez: A Visit to a Scenic Swiss Town
16. Spiez to Interlaken by Train: A Trip on the Lake Thun Railway Line (current chapter)
17. Review: Interlaken to Lucerne by Zentralbahn Train
18. Lucerne: Exploring One of Switzerland’s Most Beautiful Cities
19. From Lucerne to Locarno: By Train Across the Gotthard
20. A Visit to Locarno and the Sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso
** rest of the chapters to follow soon **