Switzerland is one of the most beautiful places in Europe—but it’s also one of the most expensive. On our family trip to Europe, Brienz, Switzerland was the destination I wanted to build the entire itinerary around. With its turquoise lake, alpine villages, and incredible mountain scenery, it feels like stepping into a postcard.

Using points and miles, we were able to visit Lake Brienz and explore the Interlaken region without the typical Switzerland price tag. Here’s exactly how we did it and the best things to do in Brienz if you’re planning your own family trip.

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Flying to Europe on Points

Our trip started in Kansas City (MCI). While it’s a great airport, smaller airports often have fewer international award options.

To solve this, I used a strategy I teach often: a positioning flight.

Instead of searching for award flights directly from Kansas City to Europe, I booked a separate flight to New York first.

This saved us nearly 100,000 American Airlines miles.

Positioning Flight

Kansas City → New York (JFK)

Booked with Southwest Rapid Rewards and Companion Passes.

Cost for four people:

17,741 Southwest points
$22 total in taxes

Positioning flights can unlock dramatically better award availability when flying internationally.

I break down these strategies in my guide to Booking Flights on Points

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Transatlantic Flights

From JFK we flew nonstop to Rome.

JFK → Rome (FCO)

120,000 American Airlines miles
$25 in taxes for four tickets

It was an overnight flight, and I booked economy seats. Thanks to my American Airlines Platinum status (earned through the shopping portal), we were upgraded to extra-legroom seats which made the red-eye far more comfortable.

For the return flight we flew:

Paris → Kansas City

104,000 American Airlines miles
$297 in taxes

For a family of four traveling to Europe, that was an incredible redemption.

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Traveling Through Europe

After exploring Rome, we continued north through Italy and Switzerland.

Rome → Venice (train)
Venice → Bern, Switzerland (train)

Switzerland’s trains are famous for a reason—they are efficient, clean, and incredibly scenic.

But once we arrived in Bern, we decided to rent a car to explore the lakes and villages surrounding Interlaken and Brienz.

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Booking a Rental Car on Points

We picked up our rental car from the Hertz office in Bern.

I booked the rental using flexible credit card points through a travel portal, which allowed me to cover the entire cost using points instead of cash.

The process works just like booking flights or hotels:

Search rental cars through the portal
Select your dates and vehicle
Choose “Pay with Points”

This allowed us to book with a major rental company while using points to cover the cost.

One tip I always follow: I book rental cars using the Chase Sapphire Preferred because it includes excellent primary rental car insurance coverage.

This means you can decline the rental company’s insurance and still be protected.

I break down these strategies in my guide to Rental Cars on Points

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Driving in Switzerland

Driving in Switzerland turned out to be much easier than I expected.

The roads are extremely well maintained, drivers are courteous, and the scenery is incredible around nearly every corner.

A few helpful tips:

Most rental cars already include the Swiss highway vignette sticker
Gas stations are easy to find and accept credit cards
Some mountain villages have narrow streets
Parking garages are common in towns

Switzerland’s train system is fantastic, but having a car allowed us to visit small villages and castles at our own pace.

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Where We Stayed in Brienz

For this portion of the trip we stayed in an Airbnb overlooking Lake Brienz.

Waking up every morning to that turquoise lake with the Alps rising behind it felt almost unreal.

At the time, I used a 25% transfer bonus promotion that allowed points to be redeemed toward Airbnb purchases.

While that specific promotion no longer exists, there are still several ways to use points for vacation rentals, including:

redeeming flexible points through travel portals
using travel statement credits
offsetting travel purchases with points

I break down these strategies in my guide to Vacation Rentals on Points.

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Things to Do Around Brienz

The Brienz and Interlaken region is an outdoor playground.

Between lakes, castles, and mountain adventures, there’s no shortage of things to do.

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Ride the Brienz Rothorn Steam Train

One of the most iconic experiences in the region is riding the historic Brienz Rothorn Bahn.

This steam-powered train has been climbing from the town of Brienz to the Rothorn summit since 1892.

The train winds through forests and alpine meadows before reaching the summit, where you’re rewarded with sweeping views of Lake Brienz and the Bernese Alps.

Along the way you’ll see grazing cows with their traditional Swiss bells and dramatic mountain scenery in every direction.

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Ballenberg Open-Air Museum

On a rainy morning we visited Ballenberg Open-Air Museum.

This living history museum features more than 100 historic homes and barns transported from across Switzerland.

Kids can explore farmhouses, watch craftsmen at work, and see animals throughout the property.

It’s a great rainy-day activity.

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Thun and Oberhofen Castle

One of our favorite days was exploring Lake Thun.

We started at Thun Castle, built in the 12th century.

Inside, the castle now houses a museum with activities and puzzles designed for kids.

Afterward we walked down to the Aare River where cafés line the waterfront.

One unexpected highlight was watching river surfers riding a standing wave created beneath a bridge.

Next we visited Oberhofen Castle, where my kids loved the medieval dress-up area inside the tower.

After leaving the castle, we rented a small electric boat for about 75 CHF and cruised around Lake Thun.

The fog had finally lifted and the Bernese Oberland mountains were reflected across the water.

It was one of those travel moments I’ll never forget.

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My Son’s Birthday Adventure: Outdoor Switzerland

One of the most memorable days of the trip happened to fall on my son’s birthday.

Instead of cake and presents at home, we planned a full adventure day.

We booked activities through Outdoor Switzerland, a company based in Interlaken that offers guided outdoor experiences throughout the region.

They offer everything from canyoning and rafting to skydiving and mountain climbing.

For my son’s birthday we chose two activities.

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Jetboat Ride on Lake Brienz

The jetboat tour launches from Bönigen near Interlaken.

After a safety briefing we boarded a powerful jetboat and raced across the turquoise waters of Lake Brienz.

The ride includes:

high-speed runs across the lake
360-degree spins
views of Giessbach Falls
stories about the region from the captain

It was loud, fast, and ridiculously fun.

Everyone got a little wet and the kids thought it was the best birthday ever.

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Interlaken Ropes Park

Next we visited the Interlaken ropes park.

This outdoor climbing park includes:

14 climbing courses
over 160 obstacles
rope bridges
zip lines through the forest

The kids spent hours climbing through the trees.

It might not be the typical quiet Switzerland activity, but it was perfect for kids on vacation.

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Lido Brienz

After the jetboat ride we walked to Lido Brienz, a lakeside swimming area locals call “The Beach.”

For a small entrance fee you get access to:

pools
lake swimming areas
water trampolines
kayak rentals
grassy lounging areas

It was the perfect place to relax after a morning of adventure.

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Small Ways We Saved Money in Switzerland

Switzerland is known for being expensive.

But a few simple habits helped keep costs manageable.

We visited Coop grocery stores frequently to grab breakfast, snacks, and picnic supplies.

This allowed us to save money while still enjoying a few restaurant meals.

Some of our favorite bakeries included:

Steininger Bäckerei
Confiserie Rieder
Mohler in Interlaken

Swiss bakeries are worth the splurge.

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What This Trip Would Cost Without Points

Here’s a rough estimate of what this portion of the trip would cost if booked entirely with cash.

Flights for four to Europe
$5,000–$7,000

Airbnb in Brienz
$1,200–$2,000

Rental car
$500–$700

Using points dramatically reduced the biggest travel expenses and made this trip possible.

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How We Actually Earned the Points

Most of the points used for this trip came from everyday spending and a few well-timed welcome bonuses.

Common ways families build points include:

sign-up bonuses from travel rewards cards
everyday spending like groceries and gas
online shopping portals
referral bonuses
travel purchases

The key is earning flexible points that can transfer to airline and hotel partners.

Those points make trips like this possible.

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Best Time to Visit Brienz

Brienz is beautiful year-round.

Summer (June–September)
Best for hiking, lake swimming, and mountain activities.

Fall (September–October)
Fewer crowds and beautiful alpine foliage.

Winter (December–March)
Snow-covered villages and access to ski resorts.

Spring (April–May)
Waterfalls and wildflowers begin to appear.

We visited in summer which was perfect for lake activities and outdoor adventures.

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Hotels in the Interlaken Region You Can Book With Points

If you prefer hotels instead of vacation rentals, the region has several excellent options.

Grandhotel Giessbach
A historic hotel overlooking Lake Brienz next to Giessbach Falls.

Victoria Jungfrau Grand Hotel
One of Switzerland’s most luxurious hotels in central Interlaken.

Hotel Interlaken
A charming hotel close to train connections and local attractions.

Hotel Brienzerburli
A traditional Swiss hotel located directly on Lake Brienz.

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Sample 5-Day Interlaken and Brienz Family Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive in Interlaken and explore the town.

Day 2
Ride the Brienz Rothorn steam train and explore Brienz.

Day 3
Visit Thun Castle and Oberhofen Castle.

Day 4
Adventure day with jetboat ride and ropes park.

Day 5
Visit Jungfraujoch or explore nearby villages.

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Final Thoughts: Why Switzerland Stole My Heart

As someone who loves Lake Tahoe and Glacier National Park, I suspected Switzerland would feel like home.

And it did.

The lakes.
The mountains.
The quiet villages.

But some of my favorite memories were the unexpected ones.

Watching my kids steer a tiny electric boat across Lake Thun.

Celebrating my son’s birthday racing across Lake Brienz on a jetboat.

Climbing through the trees together in a forest ropes course.

And knowing that points and miles helped make the entire experience possible.

Switzerland had been calling to me for years.

And now I understand why.