Jungfrau Travel Pass & Lake Brienz ferry

Good choice staying in Brienz, great town. I know the Swiss Travel pass includes those boats, but don't know about other passes. There are no reservations, just get on and find a seat (bench seats). Usually it's easy to move around to sit on either side, or front or back. It's a very nice boat ride from Interaken to Brienz, a few brief stops to unload/load passengers. I've always been there in spring or fall and never had any problem finding room for our luggage. There will be a line at Interlaken to board the boat, so arrive a bit early if you can.

In 4 days we'll be at the Weisses Kreuz hotel, about 100 feet from the Brienz train station, where are you staying? Brienzerburli? Also there's a nice Tourist Office right in front of our hotel if you need one.

Travelerguy:

Thank you for the information about the Interlaken-Brienz boat; it will be very helpful. I looked into the Hotel Brienzerburli as well as Hotel Weisses Kreuz. I was surprised to learn there is also a Hotel Weisses Kreuz in Interlaken. Is it a chain? The Hotel B's online information states there are two train stations in Brienz. Is the Hotel WK in Brienz "about 100 feet" from the station stop for the trains from Lucerne?

dcainco, I had to look on a map and zoom in a lot to see the second train stop. It's called Brienzer West, and it's not a station, but a "Train Halt". We've been on the train passing past it many times, rarely have I seen the train stop, so I suppose it would stop if the engineer sees someone on the platform. The hotel would know much better than me. Looks like the Brienzerburli is just a little bit closer to the Brinzer West train halt, than it is from the Main train station. The Boat dock, main train Station and Weisses Kreuze are all about 100 feet from each other in a triangle. And the Rothorn Bahn is right behind the Weisses Kreuz. As for a Weisses Kreuze in Interlaken, I did not know about that. I think the Brienzerburli and Weisses Kreuze (Brienz) may have the same owners, they use the same website. So I could imagine them owning one in Interlaken. Each hotel has it's own restaurant, I'm sure Brienzerburli would be very nice. Personally, we like to be closer to the center of town, and the trains and boats. The Weisses Kreuze has some less expensive rooms (Bed & Breakfast) with a shared bathroom which we like, as we normally stay 7 days.

Either hotel would work well. I'm guessing a 25 minute, very pleasant walk from Brienzerburli to the boat dock. I believe there's a bus stop near the Brienzerburli, but I've never taken any busses, I'd rather walk. You will really enjoy walking around town, and along the lakeside walkway. Wood carving is a big thing in Brienz, the Jobim store/factory is on the main street, check it out. And the Steinbock restaurant is very nice, look for the waiter with the big Elvis hairdo.

What hotel are you staying at? There is only one boat landing in Brienz, and it is next to the station. I don't see how arriving by boat in stead of by train would improve the logistics.

Just made reservations at the Hotel Weisses Kreuz for a room with lake view. Some of the reviews stated the work preparing the Brienz Rothorn steam train for its daily excursion(s) take place behind the hotel and can make the mountain-view rooms a bit noisy in the morning. Now I am looking (yet again! ) at our likely transportation needs, because I just learned the Berner Oberland Pass also allows free travel on the Lucerne-Interlaken Express. Maybe the Half-fare card would add unnecessary expense to our trip given that our only travel outside the BO area involve a day trip from Luzern to Bern and/or Fribourg.

A day trip from Luzern to Bern is also covered in the BO pass if you take the slow (and scenic) route through the Emmental, not if you take the high speed route. The Half Fare Card gives a substantial reduction on the BO passs, so might still be worth it. You'll have to do some math. Depending on how long you stay in Luzern a combinatin HFC + Tell Pass + BO Pass might be a good choice. And once you have the pass, just get the heck out of it. Don't hesitate to do a cable car you liked a second time for example :-)

Regarding logistics: Tourists often don't realize how small and compact most of our towns are. In typical Swiss town everything is within walking distance of the main station. To get around you just use your feet.

Thank you all for your comments. The advice and information you provided will make my planning easier and our visit more relaxed and therefore enjoyable. Thanks again!