Routes: Choose between the Lütschine River (technical alpine rapids), Simme River (longer scenic whitewater), or a Raclette float from Bönigen to Interlaken for a relaxed, beginner-friendly ride.
Rapid levels: Expect Class II–IV rapids, ranging from gentle rolling waves to powerful, fast-moving whitewater that requires active paddling.
Seasonal flow: Water levels are influenced by Alpine snowmelt, making rapids faster and more intense in late spring and early summer.
Starting point: Most experiences begin in Interlaken, with select options offering day trips from Zurich or Lucerne that include coach transfers and rafting on the Lütschine.
• Professional rafting guide • Full safety briefing • Life jacket & technical gear • Safety kayak escort
Intense alpine rapids in a compact valley for a concentrated adrenaline experience.
Interlaken → Simme
Moderate
Moderate
Local river transfers
• Professional rafting guide • Full safety briefing • Life jacket & technical gear • Safety kayak escort
Balanced flow through scenic alpine stretches, offering challenge without extreme technicality.
Interlaken → Raclette Float
Class II–III
Easy
Local river transfers
• Professional rafting guide • Full safety briefing • Life jacket & technical gear • Safety kayak escort
Gentle river float with minimal rapids, ideal for relaxed, scenic enjoyment.
Zurich departure → Lütschine
Class III–IV
High
Round-trip AC coach from Zurich + Local river transfers
• Professional rafting guide • Full safety briefing • Life jacket & technical gear • Safety kayak escort
High-intensity rapids combined with convenient coach transfer from Switzerland’s most connected city.
Lucerne departure → Lütschine
Class III–IV
High
Round-trip AC coach from Lucerne + Local river transfers
• Professional rafting guide • Full safety briefing • Life jacket & technical gear • Safety kayak escort
Raft below the 1,800 m steep Eiger North Face with transfers from one of Switzerland's cultural hub.
What your rafting day looks like
1/5
Meet & transfer
Start in Interlaken, Zurich, or Lucerne. Meet your rafting guides, gear up with helmet and life jacket, and travel to the launch point through the scenic Bernese Oberland.
Safety briefing
Before entering the water, guides walk you through paddling techniques, river commands, and safety procedures so you feel confident navigating the rapids ahead.
The rafting experience
Paddle through glacier-fed alpine rivers, navigating Class II–IV rapids with your guide. Expect splashes, quick turns, and sweeping views of forests, peaks, and turquoise waters.
Post-raft moments
After the final stretch, step out near Lake Brienz or the valley base. Swap stories, check out action photos, and enjoy a few relaxed moments after the adrenaline.
Return to Interlaken
Change into dry clothes and hop on the shuttle back to central Interlaken, or board your coach for the return journey to Zurich or Lucerne.
Confused by the rafting terminology?
Understand every rapid, river, and piece of equipment in minutes with this quick rafting glossary so you know exactly what to expect before hitting the water.
Things to know before you book your river rafting adventure
Booking window: Summer rafting spots fill quickly around Interlaken. Book at least 10 days in advance, especially for high-demand Lütschine River trips.
Eligibility: Minimum age to participate is 14 years, while the maximum weight limit is 125kgs.
Skill level: Options range from beginner-friendly floats to advanced whitewater. Higher-intensity routes require basic swimming ability and moderate physical fitness.
Guided experience: Trips are led by certified rafting guides fluent in English and German.
Safety: Tours include helmets, life jackets, and technical gear. A safety kayak accompanies the group throughout the entire tour for added security.
Weather conditions: Rafting is weather and river-level dependent. Heavy rain or unsafe water conditions may lead to schedule changes.
Optional extras: Professional photographers capture moments during the ride; you can view and purchase your adventure photos after the rafting experience.
Your rafting terminology explained
Term
What it means
Rapids
Sections of a river where water flows quickly over rocks, creating turbulence, waves, and small drops.
Lütschine / Simme / Raclette Rivers
Specific rivers near Interlaken offering different rafting experiences: Lütschine (intense rapids), Simme (moderate scenic), Raclette (calm float).
Safety kayak / Escort
A guide in a kayak who follows the rafting group to ensure safety and provide assistance if needed.
Life jacket / PFD
Personal Flotation Device worn for safety while on the river.
Technical gear
Helmets, paddles, wetsuits, and other equipment required for safe rafting.
Guide
Certified professional who steers the raft, gives instructions, and ensures safety.
River transfer
Transport to and from the river launch point, often included in the experience.
Eddy / Calm pool
A slower-moving area behind rocks where rafts can rest or re-group.
Drop / Waterfall
A vertical or steep section in the river creating sudden fast-moving water.
Compare water based activities in Interlaken
Interlaken river rafting adventure
Paddle through alpine rivers with varying rapids for an exhilarating ride.
Inclusions: • Professional rafting guide • Full safety briefing • Life jacket & technical gear • Safety kayak escort • City transfers from Zurich or Lucerne (optional)
Why pick this: Offers the most hands-on river experience, with customizable intensity levels and rapid variety, ideal if you want active engagement rather than passive sightseeing.
Recommended experience:Interlaken: Lütschine River Whitewater Rafting
Interlaken canyoning tour
Climb, slide, and jump through alpine gorges carved by rivers.
Difficulty level: Moderate–High (Interlaken, Chli Schliere, or Grimsel routes)
Inclusions: • Expert guide • Full safety briefing • Water shoes • Harness & helmet • Refreshment and photos • Round-trip transfers from Interlaken
Why pick this: Combines vertical terrain and river elements, giving a more physically immersive alpine experience than rafting or jetboating.
Recommended experience:Interlaken Canyoning Tour
Lake Brienz jetboat ride
Speed across turquoise lake waters with twists, turns, and splashes.
Difficulty level: Easy–Moderate
Inclusions: • 50-minutes on Lake Brienz • Life jackets & splash jackets • English/German-speaking captain • Souvenir
Why pick this: Delivers high-speed thrills with minimal physical effort and panoramic lake views, ideal if you want scenic adrenaline without needing to paddle or climb.
Peak season (June to September): This is the most popular time for river rafting around Interlaken. Warm summer weather, longer daylight hours, and steady alpine snowmelt create lively rapids and ideal river conditions. Expect vibrant energy on the rivers and high demand—book early.
Shoulder season (April–May & October): Early and late season rafting offers a quieter experience with fewer crowds. Spring snowmelt can make rapids stronger and faster, while October brings cooler temperatures and calmer visitor numbers, though trips may be more weather-dependent.
Most rafting trips start at a river base in Interlaken or nearby Bönigen, where you meet your guides before transferring to the launch point on the river.
Address: Interlaken, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland | Find on Maps
Getting there
By tours: The easiest option is booking a rafting experience with transfers from Interlaken, Zurich, or Lucerne. Simply arrive at the meeting point and your guide will arrange transport to the river base and launch site.
By public transportation: Interlaken is well connected by train. From Interlaken Ost or Interlaken West, take a local bus or short taxi ride to the rafting base or meeting point indicated on your ticket.
By car: If driving, head toward Interlaken or Bönigen and follow directions to the rafting base provided in your booking confirmation. Paid parking is available in most central areas.
Comfortable outdoor clothing
Secure closed shoes suitable for water (no sandals or flip-flops)
Swimwear to wear under rafting gear
Towel and dry clothes for after the ride
Hair tie for long hair
Note: Eat a light meal beforehand and stay hydrated.
Changing areas: Rafting bases near Interlaken usually include basic changing facilities and storage areas for personal belongings before and after the activity.
Photo packages: Professional photographers often capture moments during the rafting session. Photos are available for purchase after the experience.
Food & drinks: Interlaken has numerous cafés, bakeries, and restaurants near the rafting bases where you can grab refreshments before or after your trip.
Minimum age: 14 years (may vary slightly depending on the river route).
Weight limit: Maximum 125 kg.
Swimming ability: Participants should be comfortable in water and able to follow guide instructions.
Personal cameras: For safety reasons, loose items like phones or cameras are usually not allowed on the raft.
Weather policy: River conditions are assessed daily. Trips may be rescheduled if water levels or weather make rafting unsafe.
Frequently asked questions about Interlaken river rafting experience
No experience is required for most routes. Beginner-friendly options are available, while advanced rivers like the Lütschine are best suited for adventurous participants with good fitness.
Yes. Trips are led by certified guides and include helmets, life jackets, safety briefings, and professional supervision throughout the rafting session.
Most rafting experiences last around 3 to 4 hours, including transfers, safety briefing, gearing up, and time on the river.
Yes. Expect splashes and occasional waves while navigating rapids, especially on higher-intensity routes. Getting wet is part of the experience!
Wear comfortable outdoor clothing or swimwear with secure, closed water shoes. Bring a towel and dry clothes to change into after the rafting session.
Rafting depends on river and weather conditions. If conditions are unsafe, tours may be rescheduled or adjusted for safety.
Loose personal items are usually not allowed on the raft for safety reasons. Professional photos may be available to purchase after the trip.
Basic swimming ability is recommended for most rafting routes, especially on moderate or advanced whitewater sections.
Yes. For safety reasons, participants must meet the minimum age requirement of 14 years and stay within the maximum weight limit of 125 kg.
Book River Rafting Tickets in InterlakenCrafted by Headout, a global experiences brand offering curated tours, tickets & experiences. Discover with ease, book with peace.
Flexible rafting adventures based on where you start, from local river runs to seamless city day trips.Starting from
Interlaken: Begin in Interlaken and choose between the Lütschine River (intense class III–IV rapids), the Simme River (moderate scenic whitewater from Boltigen to Därstetten), or a calm raclette float from Bönigen to Interlaken. Local river transfers included. | Difficulty level: Easy to High
Zurich: Get round-trip AC coach from Switzerland’s most connected city to Interlaken with guided whitewater rafting on the Lütschine River, known for continuous class III–IV alpine rapids. | Difficulty level: High
Lucerne: Embark on a round-trip scenic coach from lakeside alpine hub to Interlaken with rafting on the Lütschine River, starting below the Eiger North Face and ending at Lake Brienz. | Difficulty level: High
You’ll get: Professional rafting guides, full safety briefing, life jacket, technical equipment, and all required river transfers.
Inclusions
#
Interlaken river rafting on the Lütschine, Simme, or Raclette route (as per option selected)
Round-trip city transfers from Zurich or Lucerne (as per option selected)
Professional rafting guides fluent in German and English throughout the experience
Full safety briefing before departure
Life jacket and all required technical rafting equipment
Safety kayak accompanying the group for the entire tour
Exclusions
#
Tips
Photo package
What to bring
Please bring swimwear and a towel for after the rafting experience.
Carry some cash for incidental expenses if needed.
Accessibility
The minimum age to participate is 14 years.
The maximum weight limit is 125 kg.
All participants must be strong swimmers.
This activity is not available to people with mobility issues.
Additional information
The rafting experience finishes in the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz.
A safety kayak accompanies the group throughout the entire tour for added security.
A professional photographer joins the tour to capture the most exciting moments (photos available for purchase).
Instructions are available in English and German.
All activities are weather- and water-level dependent, and final conditions are confirmed on the day of the tour.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Outdoor Activities
Interlaken: Lütschine River Whitewater Rafting
Flexible rafting adventures based on where you start, from local river runs to seamless city day trips.Starting from
Interlaken: Begin in Interlaken and choose between the Lütschine River (intense class III–IV rapids), the Simme River (moderate scenic whitewater from Boltigen to Därstetten), or a calm raclette float from Bönigen to Interlaken. Local river transfers included. | Difficulty level: Easy to High
Zurich: Get round-trip AC coach from Switzerland’s most connected city to Interlaken with guided whitewater rafting on the Lütschine River, known for continuous class III–IV alpine rapids. | Difficulty level: High
Lucerne: Embark on a round-trip scenic coach from lakeside alpine hub to Interlaken with rafting on the Lütschine River, starting below the Eiger North Face and ending at Lake Brienz. | Difficulty level: High
You’ll get: Professional rafting guides, full safety briefing, life jacket, technical equipment, and all required river transfers.
