Rafting on the Lütschine From Interlaken: Family Trip or Whitewater?
Updated October 20, 2026 · 5 min read
Short answer
Interlaken has three rafting trips in our list. For most adults and teenagers, From Interlaken: Lütschine River Whitewater Rafting is the one to book: €166.12 per person, 4.9 stars from 234 reviews, 4 hours. For children and nervous beginners, look at From Interlaken: Family Rafting, €117.58 for 3 hours, 4.7 stars from 20 reviews.
The three trips compared
| Trip | Price | Rating | Listed duration | Rapids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lütschine Whitewater Rafting | €166.12 | 4.9 · 234 | 4 hours | grade 3 or 4 |
| Family Rafting | €117.58 | 4.7 · 20 | 3 hours | calm waves on the gentle lower Lütschine |
| River Rafting Adventure on Simme River | €149.94 | 4.9 · 30 | 5 hours | class II–III |
The Lütschine trip
The whitewater trip teaches you to steer the boat through the currents and promises grade 3 or 4 rapids. That puts it in the bracket where a guide is essential and where you are expected to paddle, not just sit. The Lütschine is a glacier-fed river, so the water level follows the melt: it runs fullest in summer, when the glaciers feed it. Operators decide each day whether the level is safe, and trips can be changed or cancelled.
The river flows on into Lake Brienz and is one of the two rivers behind the lake’s turquoise colour; there’s more on this in our guide to kayaking on Lake Brienz.
The family trip
The family trip uses the gentle lower Lütschine and ends at Lake Brienz, where the description mentions a swim. It is listed as paddling “through calm waves under expert guidance”. It has only 20 reviews, so the rating tells you less than the 234 behind the whitewater trip.
Operators set minimum ages and swimming requirements, and a family trip and a whitewater trip are unlikely to share them. We don’t state a number here because the listings don’t give one; read the booking page and, if your child is close to the limit, ask the operator before you book.
The Simme trip
The Simme trip is a different river in the Simmental, with class II–III rapids that the description calls “small to mid-sized”. It lasts five hours and includes a drink at the end. Its rapids are rated lower than the Lütschine trip, and it takes an hour longer. It suits people who want a real river trip without the hardest rapids.
Before you book
- Swimming. Rafting can end with a fall into fast water. Check the swimming requirement on the booking page.
- Gear. The booking page lists which equipment the operator provides.
- Weather and water. A heavy rain or hot spell changes the river. Read the cancellation terms and have a back-up plan.
- More adventure. Our page for canyoning and rafting has the full list.
Who should skip it
Skip the whitewater trip if you can’t swim confidently, if you dislike cold water, or if your children are very young. Skip the family trip if your group is all adults who want real rapids. If neither suits, a lake boat or kayak gives you the water without the adrenaline.
Our pick
The Lütschine whitewater trip for adults and older teenagers. The family trip for a group with children.
