Aareböötle: 10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Floating the Aare River

When people in the Bern region talk about summer, one word comes up again and again: Aareböötle.

If you’ve never heard it before, don’t worry—I hadn’t either before moving to Switzerland. The word combines Aare, Switzerland’s longest river flowing entirely within the country, and Böötli, the Bernese German word for a small boat or inflatable raft. Put the two together and you get one of Switzerland’s most iconic summer traditions: floating down the crystal-clear Aare River on an inflatable boat.

The most popular route starts in Thun and ends in Bern, covering around 27 kilometers (17 miles). Depending on the river’s flow and how many swimming or picnic stops you make along the way, you’ll spend about three to four hours on the water. You’ll drift past lush green riverbanks, small pebble beaches, and countless other boats filled with people enjoying one of the best summer days Switzerland has to offer. For many locals, Aareböötle is simply part of summer.

I’ll admit something, though—we waited a surprisingly long time before trying it ourselves. Even after living in Switzerland for 12 years, we kept putting it off. Our children aren’t new to river adventures; they’d already been canoeing and rafting several times back in the Czech Republic. But this was their very first time floating down the Aare in an inflatable boat.

After finally experiencing it ourselves, I realized there were quite a few things I wish I’d known beforehand. That’s why I decided to put together this guide—from practical tips and logistics to the little things that surprised us along the way.

At first glance, it looks incredibly simple: inflate your boat, jump into the river, and let the current carry you downstream. In reality, there’s a bit more to it. Aareböötle is one of Switzerland’s most popular summer activities, and knowing a few things in advance can make the difference between a good day and a truly unforgettable one.

1. Take the Train

The boat rental companies recommend arriving in Thun by public transport, and after our experience, I couldn’t agree more. Yes, the train from Bern to Thun was packed with other people carrying inflatable boats and dry bags—but it was still by far the easiest option.

The reason is simple: your starting point and finishing point are in two different cities. If you drive to Thun, you’ll have to figure out how to get back to your car after reaching Bern. Parking near the river is also limited and fills up quickly on warm summer weekends.

We got off at Thun railway station and walked to the boat rental company. Both of the main rental companies are about a 10–15 minute walk from the station, making the whole journey easy even if you’re carrying your gear.

If you’re bringing your own inflatable boat, you’re free to enter the river at many different places along the Aare. However, if you want to experience the classic route, I highly recommend starting in Thun and floating all the way to Bern.

2. Book Your Boat as Early as Possible

If you don’t have your own inflatable boat, you’ll need to rent one. There are two main rental companies in Thun, and we chose Aare Bootsvermietung. We were very happy with the service, but here’s one piece of advice: don’t leave your reservation until the last minute.

On sunny days, rental boats book out incredibly quickly—sometimes a week in advance, or even earlier. As soon as you know you have a free day and the weather forecast looks promising, reserve your boat.

To be honest, this is one of the main reasons it took us 12 years to finally experience Aareböötle. We always wanted to go spontaneously, but every time we decided the weather was perfect, all the rental boats were already gone.

This time we got lucky. A last-minute cancellation meant one boat became available, and we finally got to tick one more Swiss summer experience off our bucket list.

3. Expect Queues Before You Even Get on the Water

If you’re planning to float the Aare during the summer holidays or on a sunny weekend, don’t expect to have the river to yourself. As I mentioned earlier, the train from Bern to Thun was already full of people heading for the same adventure—and the scene at the river was no different.

After collecting our boat, we joined the end of a long queue and slowly moved it closer to the water as other groups launched. In total, we waited around 35–45 minutes before it was finally our turn.

This is completely normal, so don’t let it put you off. Just keep it in mind when planning your day. Those extra 40 minutes can easily turn a three-hour float into a much longer outing, especially if you’re planning to stop for a swim or a picnic along the way.

4. Know Where Your Float Ends

If you’re renting a boat in Thun, your journey will end at Camping Eichholz in Bern, where you’ll return your boat. That’s the official finish point for all rental boats.

If you’re using your own inflatable boat, you can continue for another 2 km (1.2 miles) downstream to Marzili, Bern’s famous riverside swimming area just below the Old Town.

Once you’ve returned your rental boat, you’ll still need to make your way back to the train station or wherever you’ve parked your car. You can either walk uphill to the nearest tram or bus stop and continue by public transport…

…or do what we did.

After returning our boat, we jumped straight back into the Aare and let the current carry us all the way to Marzili. It turned out to be the perfect way to end the day—and one of our favorite parts of the whole experience.

If you decide to do the same, don’t forget about safety. Bring a small floating aid or at least an Aare Bag. While it’s primarily designed to keep your belongings dry, many people also use it for extra buoyancy while floating down the river.

5. You’ll Spend About Four Hours in Direct Sunlight

The best CHF 15 I spent that day? Without a doubt, the straw hat sold by an enterprising gentleman near the river entrance.

Honestly, it may have been one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. 😄 Thanks to that hat, I survived four hours in direct sunlight without a headache or heat exhaustion.

So here’s my advice: bring a hat, pack high-SPF sunscreen, and reapply it regularly throughout the day. Don’t just put it on before you leave—after a few swims and several hours in the sun, you’ll definitely need another layer.

Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.

6. Bring More Water Than You Think You’ll Need

Don’t forget to pack plenty of drinking water. A reusable bottle is great, but an insulated bottle or thermos filled with ice is even better—you’ll appreciate having cold water after a few hours in the sun. Drink regularly, not just when you start feeling thirsty. Spending four hours in direct sunlight can be surprisingly exhausting, so staying hydrated is essential.

And whenever you get the chance, jump into the river for a quick cool-down. Just don’t drink the river water! 😄 A refreshing swim, however, is one of the best parts of the whole experience.

7. Alcohol? Less Is More.

For many people, Aareböötle isn’t just about floating down the river—it’s also a chance to relax with a cold can of beer in hand. Glass bottles aren’t allowed on the boats, but even with cans, one rule should always come first: drink responsibly.

The current of the Aare can be stronger than it looks, and your safety should always be the priority. If you can, skip the alcohol altogether—or at least keep it to a minimum. You’ll enjoy the day just as much, and you’ll be much safer on the water.

8. Pack a Picnic

If you really want to make the most of your Aareböötle, bring food for a picnic. Along the way you’ll find plenty of little beaches that are perfect for stopping, swimming, relaxing, and enjoying lunch by the river.

One tip from personal experience: if you’re thinking, “I’ll just grab something at the Coop next to Thun railway station,” trust me—you won’t be the only one. 😄 Chances are that hundreds of people getting off the same train will have exactly the same idea, which usually means long queues and another delay before you even reach the river.

It’s much easier to prepare your food in advance. Pack something light that can handle a few hours in the sun, such as sandwiches, fruit, or other picnic-friendly snacks. Just skip anything that melts or spoils easily… chocolate and cheese, I’m looking at you! 😉

9. It Isn’t an Activity for Very Young Children

Aareböötle is generally not recommended for children under the age of five. With older children, it really depends on their swimming ability, confidence in the water, and previous experience.

Whatever their age, safety should always come first. Every child should wear a properly fitted life jacket—and honestly, I think adults should too. You might feel confident in the water, but the Aare’s current is stronger than it looks, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

10. What to Pack: My Aareböötle Checklist

To wrap things up, here’s a quick packing list of everything I wouldn’t want to do Aareböötle without next time:

• Dry Bag or Aare Bag – Perfect for keeping your phone, wallet, and other valuables dry. Most rental companies provide a waterproof barrel, but I still found a smaller dry bag incredibly useful.
• Waterproof phone pouch – Almost essential if you want to take photos or videos while floating down the river.
• Water shoes – Leave the flip-flops at home. You’ll be walking over pebbles and stones when getting in and out of the river, and water shoes make it much more comfortable. (Of course, if you’re used to going barefoot, that’s up to you!)
• Sunscreen and a hat – Absolute must-haves.
• Something to float on – If you plan to swim in the Aare during or after your boat trip, bring a small inflatable float. An Aare Bag can provide a little extra buoyancy, but it isn’t designed as a safety device.
• Swimsuit and quick-drying clothing – A lightweight UV shirt or other quick-drying top is a great idea if you don’t want to spend hours in direct sunlight wearing only a swimsuit.

Final Thoughts

I hope my experience helps you make the most of your first Aareböötle and saves you from learning some of these lessons the hard way—just like we did. 😊

If you’ve already floated the Aare, I’d love to hear about your experience. Do you have a tip that made your day easier? Or was there something that surprised you?

Leave a comment below and share your advice. Together, we can help future first-timers enjoy one of Switzerland’s most unforgettable summer traditions even more.