Blausee from Interlaken: How to Get There by Train & Bus

Blausee is one of those places in Switzerland that almost looks too polished to be real.

A small blue lake, clear water, forest around it, mountains in the background, and an easy location between Frutigen and Kandersteg. It is not the same kind of mountain experience as Oeschinensee, but that is also why it can work well in a Switzerland itinerary.

Blausee is smaller, easier, and more compact. Oeschinensee is bigger, more dramatic and more of a full mountain day.

I have not visited Blausee myself yet, so this guide is not written as a personal review of the lake. It is a practical route guide for travelers who are staying in Interlaken and want to know whether Blausee is easy to reach without a car, how the train and bus route works, and whether it makes sense to combine it with Kandersteg or Oeschinensee.

The short answer: yes, you can visit Blausee from Interlaken without a car. You travel by train toward Frutigen or Kandersteg, then continue by bus to the stop called Blausee BE.

Quick Answer: How Do You Get from Interlaken to Blausee?

The easiest way to get from Interlaken to Blausee without a car is by train and bus.

The basic route is:

Step	Route
1	Train from Interlaken to Spiez
2	Train from Spiez to Frutigen or Kandersteg
3	Bus to Blausee BE
4	Short walk from the bus stop to the lake area

The official Blausee information says to take the train to Frutigen or Kandersteg, then change to the bus and get off at the stop called Blausee BE. From there, it is a short walk to the lake.

For most people starting in Interlaken, the route via Spiez and Frutigen will usually make the most sense. Kandersteg can also work, especially if you are combining Blausee with Oeschinensee or spending more time in the Kandersteg area.

Always check the current connection in SBB before you travel, because the best route can depend on your departure time.

Is Blausee Worth Visiting from Interlaken?

Blausee can be worth visiting from Interlaken, but I would be clear about what kind of place it is.

It is not a big alpine lake hike like Oeschinensee or Bachalpsee. It is also not a full mountain village experience like Mürren or Wengen.

Blausee is better understood as a short, scenic nature stop.

It makes sense if you want:

• a beautiful small lake
• an easier day than a mountain hike
• a relaxed stop near Kandersteg
• something to combine with Oeschinensee
• a place that does not require a long hike
• a route that works by public transport

It makes less sense if you want:

• a long hike
• a free wild alpine lake
• a quiet hidden gem
• dramatic mountain scenery on the scale of Oeschinensee
• a full-day destination on its own

From Interlaken, I would not treat Blausee as the main highlight of a whole Switzerland trip. But as part of a Kandersteg day, or as an easier alternative to a bigger hike, it can make a lot of sense.

Route Overview: Interlaken to Blausee

The route from Interlaken to Blausee is simple, but it usually involves a few transfers.

In most cases, you travel like this:

Part	Transport
Interlaken to Spiez	Train
Spiez to Frutigen	Train
Frutigen to Blausee BE	Bus

Another option is:

Part	Transport
Interlaken to Spiez	Train
Spiez to Kandersteg	Train
Kandersteg to Blausee BE	Bus

Both Frutigen and Kandersteg are useful access points. The official Blausee route information mentions both as train stations where you can change to the bus.

If you are only visiting Blausee, Frutigen is often the more direct option.

If you are also visiting Oeschinensee or spending time in Kandersteg, then Kandersteg becomes more logical.

How much does Blausee cost?

Blausee usually has an entrance fee, and prices can change by season, age group, or ticket type. Check the official Blausee website before you go, especially if you are visiting in high season. Also remember to include the train and bus cost from Interlaken in your total day trip budget.

Step 1: Interlaken to Spiez

Your first step is getting from Interlaken to Spiez.

This is a straightforward train journey along Lake Thun. If you are staying near Interlaken Ost or Interlaken West, both stations can work depending on the connection.

Spiez is an important railway hub for this part of the Bernese Oberland. From there, you continue toward Frutigen or Kandersteg.

This is also why Blausee fits naturally into a no-car Switzerland itinerary. You are not doing anything complicated. You are simply following the train line deeper into the Kandertal area.

Step 2: Spiez to Frutigen or Kandersteg

From Spiez, you continue by train toward Frutigen or Kandersteg.

For Blausee, Frutigen is usually the station I would check first. From Frutigen, you can take the bus toward Blausee BE.

Kandersteg is the better choice if you want to combine Blausee with Oeschinensee. In that case, your day could look like this:

Morning	Afternoon
Interlaken to Kandersteg	Oeschinensee
Oeschinensee visit or hike	Bus to Blausee
Blausee short stop	Return by train

The key thing is not to guess. Open SBB and enter Blausee BE as your destination. That will show you whether Frutigen or Kandersteg is better for your specific departure time.

Step 3: Bus to Blausee BE

The bus stop you want is called:

Blausee BE

The official Blausee FAQ says to take the train to Frutigen or Kandersteg, change to the bus there, get off at Blausee BE, and then walk about 350 meters to the lake.

That last part is useful to know. The bus does not mean you are instantly standing at the lake shore. There is still a short walk from the stop to the entrance and lake area.

The route is still very easy compared with most mountain lake visits in Switzerland. You do not need a cable car, a long hike or a complicated transfer.

How Long Does It Take from Interlaken to Blausee?

As a rough planning estimate, expect the journey from Interlaken to Blausee by public transport to take around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your exact starting station and connection.

The time depends on:

• whether you start from Interlaken Ost or Interlaken West
• your transfer time in Spiez
• whether the best route goes via Frutigen or Kandersteg
• bus timing
• seasonal schedules

Do not plan this only from memory. Use SBB on the day you travel and enter Blausee BE as the final destination.

For a relaxed trip, I would plan Blausee as at least a half-day outing from Interlaken. If you combine it with Oeschinensee, then it becomes a full day.

Can you swim in Blausee?

No, Blausee is not really a swimming lake. It is more of a scenic nature park and photography stop. If swimming is your main goal, you should choose another lake in Switzerland.

Can You Visit Blausee Without a Car?

Yes, Blausee is easy to visit without a car.

That is one of the main reasons it fits well into a Switzerland itinerary based on trains and public transport. You can travel from Interlaken by train via Spiez, continue to Frutigen or Kandersteg, and then take the bus to Blausee BE.

The official Blausee website specifically gives public transport instructions, with Frutigen and Kandersteg as the train stations for the bus connection.

So you do not need to rent a car just for Blausee.

In fact, if you are already traveling around the Bernese Oberland by train, it is probably easier to keep the day public-transport based.

How Much Time Do You Need at Blausee?

Blausee is small, so you do not need a full day at the lake itself.

For most visitors, I would plan around 1 to 2 hours at Blausee. That gives you time to walk around, enjoy the lake, take photos and not feel rushed.

You may want more time if you are eating there, visiting slowly, or combining the lake with the wider nature park.

But compared with Oeschinensee, Blausee is much more compact.

Place	Time needed
Blausee	1–2 hours for most visitors
Oeschinensee easy visit	Half day
Oeschinensee Panorama Trail	Full hiking day
Blausee + Oeschinensee	Full day

This is why Blausee works well as an add-on. It is not necessarily something you need to build an entire day around.

Blausee vs Oeschinensee

Blausee and Oeschinensee are often mentioned together because they are both near Kandersteg, but they are very different places.

Blausee is small, polished and easy.

Oeschinensee is bigger, wilder, and more dramatic.

Comparison	Blausee	Oeschinensee
Type	Small forest lake	Large alpine lake
Access	Train + bus + short walk	Train + walk/bus + cable car + walk
Hiking required	No serious hike needed	Optional, but more hiking-focused
Best for	Short scenic stop	Mountain lake day
Atmosphere	Calm, compact, curated	Dramatic, alpine, more open
Time needed	1–2 hours	Half day to full day

If you can only choose one and want the most impressive mountain scenery, I would choose Oeschinensee.

If you want something easier, shorter and less physically demanding, Blausee is the simpler option.

Can You Combine Blausee and Oeschinensee in One Day?

Yes, you can combine Blausee and Oeschinensee in one day from Interlaken, but it will be a full day.

The best order is usually:

1. Travel from Interlaken to Kandersteg
2. Visit Oeschinensee first
3. Return toward Kandersteg
4. Take the bus to Blausee BE
5. Visit Blausee
6. Return via Frutigen, Kandersteg or Spiez

I would do Oeschinensee first because it takes more time and energy. You may need to coordinate train times, cable car times, walking time and weather.

Blausee is easier to add later because it is smaller and less demanding.

If you are doing the Oeschinensee Panorama Trail, combining both places becomes more tiring. It is still possible in long summer daylight, but I would not rush it unless you really want to see both.

If you want a relaxed day, choose either:

• Oeschinensee as the main destination
• Blausee as a shorter scenic trip
• both only if you start early and keep expectations realistic

Where is the bluest water in Switzerland?

Blausee is one of the places people often mention for very blue water in Switzerland, but Oeschinensee, Caumasee and Bachalpsee are also famous for their color. Blausee is especially known for its small, clear, intensely blue lake surrounded by forest.

Best Time to Visit Blausee

The best time to visit Blausee depends on what you want from the day.

For general travel, spring, summer and autumn are the most obvious seasons. Summer gives you the easiest conditions and longer days, but it can also be busier. Autumn can be beautiful if you want forest colors and a quieter feeling.

If you are visiting from Interlaken, I would pay more attention to timing than season.

Try to avoid arriving at the most obvious midday peak if you want a calmer visit. Early morning or later afternoon will usually feel better than the middle of the day, especially in high season.

Also check opening times and ticket information before you go, because Blausee is not just an open mountain lake. It is part of a managed nature park area.

Is Blausee a Good Day Trip from Interlaken?

Blausee can be a good day trip from Interlaken, but I think it works best as a half-day trip or as part of a Kandersteg/Oeschinensee day.

As a standalone day trip, it may feel a little small unless you really want a relaxed, easy outing.

It works better if you combine it with:

• Kandersteg
• Oeschinensee
• a short walk in the Kandertal area
• Spiez or Lake Thun on the same travel line

If your time in Interlaken is limited and you have never been to Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, Mürren or Oeschinensee, I would probably prioritize those first.

But if you are looking for something smaller and easier, Blausee is a logical option.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The first mistake is treating Blausee like a big mountain lake hike.

It is not that. It is small and scenic, not a major hiking objective.

The second mistake is not checking the public transport connection properly. The route is easy, but the timing of trains and buses matters. Use SBB and enter Blausee BE as the destination.

The third mistake is trying to do too much in one day. Blausee and Oeschinensee can be combined, but if you also want to hike the full Oeschinensee Panorama Trail, eat slowly, take photos and return to Interlaken, the day can become packed.

The fourth mistake is comparing Blausee directly with Oeschinensee. They are not the same type of place.

Think of Blausee as the small, easy, scenic stop.

Think of Oeschinensee as the bigger mountain experience.

Final Thoughts

Blausee is not the place I would build an entire Bernese Oberland trip around.

But it is useful to know about because it sits in a very practical location between Frutigen and Kandersteg. If you are already planning a Kandersteg or Oeschinensee day, Blausee is one of the easiest additions.

From Interlaken, the route works well without a car: train to Spiez, train toward Frutigen or Kandersteg, then bus to Blausee BE.

The main thing is to keep your expectations honest.

Blausee is small, pretty and easy.

Oeschinensee is bigger, more dramatic and more memorable as a mountain day.

Both can make sense. Just do not expect them to offer the same kind of experience.