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Brienz Rothorn Bahn

Brienz Rothorn Bahn is a seasonal steam cogwheel railway from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm in the Bernese Oberland. Seat guarantee recommended. CHF fares.

Country
Switzerland
Official website
Official website
Train tickets
Direct

Brienz Rothorn Bahn is a steam cogwheel railway that has run from Brienz up to the Brienzer Rothorn since 1892. The journey covers 7.6 kilometres and takes about an hour, finishing at the summit station of Rothorn Kulm, 2,351 metres above Lake Brienz.

A seasonal, limited-capacity railway

The 2026 season runs from 6 June to 25 October, with trains stopping partway at Planalp on their way to the summit. Because the railway still runs on century-old steam locomotives, capacity per train is limited, and on busy summer days trains can sell out or queues can build at the station. Diesel locomotives sometimes cover services if a steam engine develops a technical fault or passenger numbers are especially high. Carriages hold eight people per compartment, and the operator does not offer private compartments.

Given the limited capacity, booking a ticket with a seat guarantee in advance is worth doing if you have a fixed departure in mind, since it gives direct platform access and a confirmed seat for that time. The seat guarantee adds CHF 8 on top of the ticket price when bought ahead, whether online or at the counter.

Tickets and fares

A return trip all the way to Rothorn Kulm costs CHF 98 for a full adult fare or CHF 49 with a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass. A shorter return to the halfway stop at Planalp costs CHF 66 full fare or CHF 33 with the discount. One-way fares cost around two-thirds of the return price, so a return ticket works out proportionately cheaper if you're coming back down by train. Children aged 6 to 15 travel for CHF 10 return, and SBB Junior Card holders ride free.

The Bernese Oberland Pass and the Lucerne Travel Pass both give free travel on this line, though holders are still advised to book a seat guarantee given the limited capacity. One point worth knowing before you travel: SBB tickets, whether printed or in the app, do not work at the Brienz Rothorn Bahn turnstiles, so a seat guarantee purchased through the operator's own shop is the more reliable route if you're arriving on an SBB fare.

Travelling with a dog

Dogs are welcome on board for CHF 10 per journey, one way or return, but the ticket has to be bought at the counter in Brienz rather than online, and no separate seat reservation is needed for the dog. Because the steam locomotive produces noise and steam, choosing a seat away from the engine is sensible for a dog that might find it stressful, and the same applies to young children.

Where to book

Train tickets

Frequently asked questions

When does the Brienz Rothorn Bahn run?

The 2026 season runs from 6 June to 25 October. Outside these dates the steam cogwheel railway does not operate.

How much is a ticket on the Brienz Rothorn Bahn?

A return trip from Brienz to Rothorn Kulm costs CHF 98 for an adult, or CHF 49 with a Half Fare Card or Swiss Travel Pass. A seat guarantee adds CHF 8 when booked in advance.

Do I need to reserve a seat on the Brienz Rothorn Bahn?

A seat guarantee is not compulsory but is recommended, because the railway still uses vintage steam locomotives with limited capacity and trains can sell out on busy summer days.

Is my SBB ticket valid at the Brienz Rothorn Bahn turnstiles?

No, SBB tickets, whether paper or in the app, do not work at the operator's turnstiles. If you hold an SBB fare, buy a seat guarantee through the Brienz Rothorn Bahn shop instead.

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