Independent guide, not Brienz Rothorn Bahn AGFares checked on brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch, November 2026The steam railway is seasonal: May to October only
Steam locomotive 16 of the Brienz Rothorn Bahn

Best time to visit Brienz and the Brienzer Rothorn

The best time for the Rothorn railway is June to mid-October, when trains reach the summit. May trains stop at Planalp, the line closes after 24 October in 2027 and winter has no service.

Photo: Addvisor, CC BY-SA 4.0

By Brienzerrothorn.com editors · Updated

The Brienz Rothorn Bahn decides most of the answer. You cannot ride to the summit before 5 June in 2027 or after 24 October, and winter does not exist for the railway.

Month by month

  • May: Spring in Brienz, but the train only goes to Planalp (from 8 May). Good for a quieter trip if you accept the shorter ride. See timetable.
  • June: Summit service starts on 5 June. Expect some snow patches high up and cooler air.
  • July and August: The most complete timetable, including the extra Saturday and Sunday trains, but also the biggest crowds. The railway warns that sunny days can sell out, so book a seat (prices).
  • September: Often the best balance: full service, long views and fewer crowds. Early-morning weekend trains still run in September.
  • October: The last summit trips run until 24 October 2027. Days are shorter and cold at the top. The last train down is 17:40, so start earlier.
  • November to April: No train. Switch to the winter guide.

How to pick your day

Check the forecast and the webcam on the railway’s site, since the lake can be clear while the summit is in cloud. The railway runs in rain, but you will not see much. If the day is poor, there is plenty to do on Lake Brienz and in Brienz village.

Not year-round. Do not plan a December or March visit around the steam train. It will be closed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to ride the Brienz Rothorn Bahn?

July to September for the most reliable full service. Early June and October can have snow or cloud at the top. Trains run to the summit only between 5 June and 24 October in 2027.

Can I go in May?

Only to the midway station Planalp. In 2027 the railway runs to Planalp from 8 May to 4 June, with four trips a day.

Can I go in winter?

The railway does not run. The village and the lake are open, and some winter lake activities are listed, but the steam trip is a summer-only experience.

How much colder is it at the top?

The operator says it is typically about 10 degrees colder at the summit than in Brienz. Bring a layer even in July.

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Keep planning

Timetable Brienz Rothorn Bahn 2027: Planalp from 8 May, summit from 5 June to 24 October. Departure times from Brienz, last train down at 17:40. Closed in winter. Read guide Winter Brienz in winter: the Rothorn steam railway is closed from late October until May. What is open instead: the lake, winter jetboat and kayak, Giessbach. Read guide Hiking Brienzer Rothorn hikes: Brienz to Planalp (2.5 to 3 h), Planalp to the summit, Brienz to Kulm 5 to 6 h, and an honest warning about the Hardergrat ridge. Read guide Lake Brienz Lake Brienz things to do: boat day pass, jetboat, Giessbach Falls, Ballenberg open-air museum (2026 season 9 April to 1 November) and Brienz village. Read guide Hotels Where to stay for the Brienz Rothorn Bahn: Brienz village, the lakeside, Interlaken, or the Berghaus at Rothorn Kulm. Live map of stays with prices. Read guide The railway Brienz Rothorn Bahn explained: 7.6 km steam cogwheel line to 2,244 m, 60-minute ride, when diesel runs instead, history since 1892 and what to expect. Read guide