lake cruise lucerne

Lake Lucerne Cruise (Routes, Prices & More)

Lake Lucerne is one of the country’s largest lakes and a popular tourist destination in central Switzerland. Luzern has many things to do and is easily accessible by various mountain railways, including the panoramic trains that are so popular among first-time visitors to Switzerland.

A cruise on Lake Lucerne is even included in the Gotthard Panorama Express experience, and it’s one of the highlights of the entire trip. But you can explore the lake without riding any trains first, and this detailed guide to cruises on Lake Lucerne will tell you all you need to know to plan that adventure!

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Lake Lucerne Tour Suggestions

If you just want to jump on a cruise and enjoy a short trip or a full day out on the lake, then the following three options might be just the ticket.

The first one is a Lake Lucerne Panoramic Sightseeing cruise which you can take at whichever time you like (as long as there is a boat). It is a one-hour affair that shows you all the highlights and an audio explanation in your choice of language.

The second option is an excellent combination of a small group Lucerne Tour , which covers all the highlights and ends with a one-hour lake cruise.

The third option is one of my favorite trips in Switzerland. A boat trip on Lake Lucerne to the lovely lakeside town of Vitznau followed by a ride up Mt Rigi on the stunning cogwheel railway.

Or, you can book a full day on the lake with all your friends on your own private boat , including stops at all the best spots, lunch at a fantastic restaurant and time to jump in the lake and swim. You can drive the boat yourself if you are up for it!

Another flexible and cheap option is this all-day ticket to jump on and off the local boats on Lake Lucerne, which include some fantastic historic steamboats. My favorite way to get to somewhere like Mt Rigi via Vitznau.

If you would prefer to organise your trip on the Lake Lucerne ferries, keep reading below.

Cruising on Lake Lucerne: Overview

The important thing you need to know before you book a boat ride on Lake Lucerne is that there are two main types of lake cruises – culinary and panoramic. Panoramic boat tours take you across the lake, allowing you to discover jaw-dropping views.

On the other hand, culinary cruises are usually themed – think fondue cruises, fajita cruises, etc. You’re seated at a dining table and enjoy a delicious meal while views of the lake and surrounding mountains flash in the background.

Panoramic boat rides are affordable and usually free or discounted with the various travel passes. Culinary boat rides are more expensive because they include a meal and drinks, and you can’t get a huge discount.

Choose a sunset cruise if money isn’t an object. Lake views are more magical when contrasted against the colors of a sunset, and dinner is much more delicious when paired with such stunning views.

Also, it is possible to choose from almost 20 different boats. The fleet includes five paddle steamers and 14 motor vessels, so feel free to board the boat you like the most.

Related Reading

Things to do in lucerne: your ultimate guide, how to get to the pier in lucerne.

Although there are piers in many towns along the lake shore, your best bet for a cruise is to head to Lucerne. There are seven piers in the city alone, and it’s where you’ll have the most options for Lake Lucerne boat trips. Piers 1, 2, and 3 operate boat trips to all the bigger towns on the lake shore.

There’s another reason why Lucerne is the best starting point for lake cruises, and that is easy public transport access. It’s the biggest city on the shore of the lake, and it has the best train connections to other cities in Switzerland. So, if you rely on public transport, you’ll be glad to know that you can easily travel to Lucerne by train from most other towns and cities in Switzerland.

The main train station in Lucerne is directly adjacent to piers 1, 2, and 3. It’s impossible to miss – look for the large steamboats and head in their direction.

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Boats operate on Lake Lucerne year-round, so you can go on a lake cruise whenever you want. The main difference between summer and winter timetables is that the boats are more frequent in the summer. Also, some cruise routes are seasonal, so you won’t be able to do all the routes if you visit in the off-season.

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Here’s a timetable for Lake Lucerne cruises this winter season:

You can check it out more at this link , and see what all the different annotations mean.

Here’s another link for the Spring 2023 timetable , which includes additional routes. I’ll add the summer 2023 timetable to this guide once they post it online!

Generally speaking, cruising on the lake in the summer is best. It’s a much more enjoyable experience when it’s warm and sunny, plus you have many more options for cruise routes. Winter cruises can be just as magical, especially when the boats are adorned with lovely Christmas decorations, but it can be freezing on the open decks.

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices depend on factors and range from 10 CHF to more than 100 CHF. You can get a day pass for the lake that lets you ride multiple boats or purchase point-to-point tickets to hop from one town to the next.

The prices also depend on the season, but the average number I can give you is between 40 CHF and 70 CHF for return tickets. Remember that you can also get all sorts of discounts, so don’t forget to check out your options.

The cheapest option is a one-hour catamaran cruise with no breaks or meals. Tickets start at some 25 CHF for second-class seats, without a discount.

You can use this link to estimate how much your journey on Lake Lucerne would cost.

Opening Hours

The operating hours for cruises on Lake Lucerne depend on the season; you can check the current schedule here .

Cruises occur daily, even in the winter season, but the operating hours are shorter during the colder months. Also, remember that these opening hours are for the various ticket offices along the shore of Lake Lucerne – the boat cruise timetable is entirely different. It depends on the season and weather conditions.

There are usually two daily departures in the winter season for the Lucerne-Fluelen cruise, but more departures for the shorter routes on the lake. Click here for the current timetable of all cruises and ferries on Lake Lucerne.

10 Best Mountains To Visit Near Lucerne: All The Info

Lake lucerne route suggestions.

One of the best cruise routes on Lake Lucerne is from Flüelen to Lucerne. This is the trip included in the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, so if you’re doing that and you’re going to ride the Gotthard Panorama Express Train, this is the route you should take. This cruise covers almost the entire lake, and it is truly a wonderful experience.

Luzern – Hergiswil – Alpnachstad is another popular route, especially with hikers who want to ascend Mount Pilatus, the closest mountain to Lucerne . Trips to Küssnacht and Ennetbürgen are also pretty popular, especially among travelers who want to explore as many lake destinations as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the swiss travel pass valid on the lake lucerne cruise.

Yes, the Swiss Travel Pass is valid for cruises on Lake Lucerne and gets you a free ride on any of the passenger ships. You can’t get a free culinary cruise, but depending on the exact boat, you might be eligible for a discount, so ask around.

If you have the local Tell Pass, that also includes free travel on ferries on Lake Lucerne. Additionally, I have to point out that a Lake Lucerne cruise is included in the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland itinerary. When traveling from Lugano to Lucerne on the Gotthard Panorama Express train, passengers should get out at Flüelen for a panoramic boat trip across the entire lake.

Where can tickets be bought for the Lake Lucerne cruise?

Individual tickets for Lake Lucerne boat trips can be purchased once you’ve boarded a boat. There’s no surcharge for purchasing the ticket once you’re on the boat.

In addition to that, you can also buy tickets at the year-round offices in Weggis and Lucerne. Ticket offices in other towns are open only seasonally. Getting tickets from most railway operators is also possible, and you can even buy them online.

Can I reserve some seats for the Lake Lucerne cruise?

You can reserve seats only in the dining and lounge areas of the boats. You can’t reserve seats for the upper deck; they’re assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also, groups of ten or more people must make a group reservation, but remember that this doesn’t include a fixed seat reservation.

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6 thoughts on “ Lake Lucerne Cruise (Routes, Prices & More) ”

Hello, Is it possible to do a hop on hop off cruise in Lake Lucerne and thus pass between several villages or sites around the lake? Is there any link that explains how it’s done? Thank you

If you get a day pass for the region then you can do what you want. I believe it may also be possible to do it on a return ticket to your final destination, but you should check at the SBB train station or boat counter. Local boats on the lakes are the same as public transport in Switzerland, so the same rules apply as for normal travel passes.

I would like to take Lucerne boat cruise to Stans so I can take cable car to Mt. Stanserhorn. I will purchase Swiss Travel Pass. Where can I catch cruise to Stans? Is there an address for the pier as may be coming from Grand Europe Hotel in Lucerne.

Hi Duane Lee, All the boats in Lucerne leave right opposite the train station on the lake. You should take the bus into town to the train station. It is right on the water there near where the bus will come in. Just type in : Lucerne Bahnhofquai on google maps and you will see. I am not 100% sure which quai the stans boat leaves from, but just ask around once you get there.

we will have STP and want to take a boat ride (for free to either Burgenstock or Fruelen. We are a retired couple age 62 and love being on the water and seeing the beautiful sites. I read in your article that it takes 6 hours round trip to get to Fruelen. Would we just turn around and ride back? Do you think this is a good idea or not. Also How do I book lunch on the boat for the trip to Fruelen? Thanks! I love your articles on Switzerland! You are helping us so much with our first visit there in August.

It’s a full day out for sure. As for lunch, not sure about food on such long trips. They do have limited food available from memory. But if you want a decent food experience you might need a specific cruise.

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Boat trip on Lake Lucerne

Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) AG Werftestrasse 5 Postfach 4265 6002 Luzern Phone  +41 41 367 67 67 lakelucerne.ch

Idyllic bays and dramatic, fjord-like rocky slopes, deep blue, crystal-clear water and snow-covered mountain peaks in the background - all this can be seen on a boat trip on Lake Lucerne.

An excursion to Central Switzerland is just not complete without a boat cruise on Lake Lucerne. Whether a Lunch Cruise on the modern MS Diamant or a romantic cruise at sunset on an antique paddle steamer – it’s a must.

With a wide range of services, the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV) offers the perfect cruise for every taste. Even the Alpine world of Central Switzerland can be explored by waterway. By boat from Lucerne to Vitznau, then on to a cog railway and up to Rigi, and little later savouring the view of Lake Lucerne from above.

Another unique experience is the panoramic journey in the Gotthard Panorama Express. It is the one and only Premium Panoramic Train in Switzerland to combine a train ride with a boat cruise. After a nearly three-hour boat cruise across Lake Lucerne, passengers comfortably change to the waiting panoramic train and set out over the historic Gotthard route towards Ticino with its Mediterranean flair.

Scheduled roundtrips on Lake Lucerne all year round.

Excursion tips

• Majestic Round Trip on Rigi
• Golden Round Trip on Pilatus
• Stanserhorn (1,851 m a.s.l.)
• Connections to mountain railway and cable car stations, incl. Pilatus, Rigi, Bürgenstock, Klewenalp, Seelisberg, Stanserhorn and Titlis
• Free audio guide in 12 languages on sightseeing cruise on “Saphir” panoramic yacht (1 hour)
• Short catamaran cruise daily
• Culinary cruises for individual travellers and groups (i.e. Sunset Dinner Cruise)

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Love deserves a unique place - head for the port of marriage on one of our steamboats or motorboats and celebrate your special day on glittering Lake Lucerne in the heart of the Central Swiss Alps. On board, you and your guests can expect first-class service, culinary delights and a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and the picturesque lakeside landscape.

Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV) AG

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Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) AG Werftestrasse 5 Postfach 4265 6002  Luzern Switzerland

Phone  +41 41 367 67 67 Fax +41 41 367 68 68 [email protected] lakelucerne.ch Show Route

Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) AG Werftestrasse 5 Postfach 4265 6002 Luzern Phone  +41 41 367 67 67 lakelucerne.ch Show Route

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A boat trip in Lucerne

Discover the fjords of Lake Lucerne

Enjoy the fresh lake air on an outing on Lake Lucerne. You’ll be fascinated by the scenery, the attractions of inland navigation and the historical places dotted along the shoreline.

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Combine your hiking excursion with a boat trip

Five paddle steamers, twelve motor vessels, a panoramic yacht, the new Diamant motor vessel and the new Bürgenstock shuttle take visitors around Lake Lucerne throughout the year and in all weathers. All services offer excellent connections with the surrounding mountain railways and cableways.

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The fascinating mountain world is easy to reach by boat and you can enhance your excursion with a hike to the Rigi, Pilatus, Klewenalp or Bürgenstock.

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Lake Lucerne

The German name of the lake has its origin in the four historical “forest cantons” that surround Lake Lucerne: Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne. The oath sworn in 1291 by representatives of these cantons on the Rütli meadow by Lake Lucerne laid the foundations for the Swiss Confederation. For a long time, the lake was the most important transport axis in the region. Until 1863, it was the only means of accessing the Gotthard mountain pass if you had goods to transport.

Lake Lucerne Navigation Company

A trip aboard one of the five historic paddle steamers or 15 elegant saloon motor vessels is one of the highlights of the region. Dating from the Jugendstil period, the paddle steamers sail between Lucerne and Flüelen through some fabulous natural scenery. The meals served up by the galley double the pleasure of the on-board experience.

Cruises and charters

Numerous cruises offer musical entertainment and culinary specialities. Would you like to charter a boat? Book a trip with one of the three charter companies in Lucerne, Charles Bucher , SNG  and SGV  and charter boats of all sizes.

Blue water - green shipping

The Lake Lucerne Navigation Company is the first major shipping company in Switzerland to offset the CO2 emissions caused by its fuel consumption. In this way, the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company is not only committed to the careful use of resources, but also supports social projects for clean drinking water. Customers have the option of offsetting the CO2 emissions of their journey with myClimate. In the future, too, the focus will be on reducing fossil fuel consumption in shipping.

A guide to the Great Lake Cruise on Lake Lucerne

If you are anything like me, you love the water: lakes, rivers, oceans, pools, a puddle in the middle of a street. You get the idea.

Being around water soothes me, grounds me, and relaxes me. For my sanity, I need to be close to the water. No water, no Rex. I believe that Lake Lucerne is one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland. In fact, the lake is one of the chief reasons why I have moved here from Hawai'i.

How boat navigation on Lake Lucerne has changed over time

In the 1800s, boats on Lake Lucerne were mainly used for trade. Yet today, the ferries, steamboats, and passenger ships are both a tourist attraction and a way for local Swiss to commute.

Over time, the ports along Lake Lucerne have attracted hotels, restaurants, cafés, and shops. This added convenience is attracting ever more people to the water - and thus on board the boats.

In Switzerland, riding a boat is an exquisite way of exploring another canton. And especially for getting to a point across a lake, boats are often faster than trains and buses.

The Lake Lucerne Navigation Company operates most of the ships you see on Lake Lucerne. I can highly recommend trying their various experiences. Whether it is simply getting from Lucerne to Bürgenstock or taking your date on a sunset cruise, there are lots of memorable ways to be on the water.

Additionally, the company offers many varieties of boats to ride, from old paddle steamer boats to a state-of-the-art superyacht. All 19 boats, including five historic ones, offer something exceptional and unique.

The Great Lake Cruise on Lake Lucerne

On a lonely Saturday morning, I decide to do the Great Lake Cruise , a roundtrip journey from Lucerne to Flüelen and back. Lucky me: boat rides are included in my SBB GA pass (as well as in the Swiss Travel Pass). I pack my cameras and jump on the 09:12 AM “Gotthard” boat to Flüelen.

The Great Lake Cruise operates all year and requires roughly 5.5 hours. It starts in Lucerne in the morning and runs hourly from 9:12 AM until 1:12 PM. Of course, if your feet are getting antsy during the long ride, feel free to jump off along the way.

The towering Swiss Alps, views of rolling hills, old cottage homes, historic churches, and cafés with lakeside terraces invite you along the way.

I end up planting my feet for the entire ride, enjoying the ever-new vantage point from behind the window and from the deck.

The snow-capped Mount Pilatus looked his best:

Bürgenstock with its wooded slopes reminds me of an island in Southeast Asia.

As we get closer to Flüelen, the stark cliffs of Uri make for quite a contrast to the turquoise lake.

Before I know it, I have stayed for the entirety of the Great Lake Cruise! If the roundtrip seems excessively long, I still recommend taking the boat at least one way on a leisurely day. In this scenario, you could start either in Lucerne or Flüelen and ride the train back.

And some expert advice: embark on the Great Lake Cruise in the early morning. That’s because the lake will be mostly calm and void of most private boats.

More information about Lake Lucerne

Size: 114 km² Depth: 214 m

The most scenic parts of Lake Lucerne:

• Bay of Lucerne
• Bay of Gersau
• Kreuztrichter (the cross-shaped center part of the lake)
• Bay of Weggis
• Bay of Stans
• Bay of Horw
• Lake Alpnach
• Lake Küssnacht

Rex traded his surf shorts for scarves, poke for prosciutto, year long summers for four seasons, the ocean for lakes, and poi for cheese. If you haven't guessed, he is from Hawaii.

Rex is an IT administrator by trade but is finding himself behind a camera more and more and immersing himself in social media and marketing.

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Lake Lucerne Cruises

Switzerland has about 1,500 lakes, and of all these, Lake Lucerne is one of the best known. It’s a uniquely shaped lake, fringed by forest and overlooked by mountains.

Taking a cruise on scenic Lake Lucerne is among the most popular activities for people visiting this area. Consequently, there are many Lake Lucerne boat trips to choose from. 

Though, at 38 kilometres (or 24 miles), it’s not the longest lake in Switzerland, Lake Lucerne is very distinctive, due to the four ‘arms’ and a number of twists. Surrounded by forest, it’s a very scenic place to be. It is the fourth-largest lake in Switzerland. 

It might not even cost you anything extra to take that once-in-a-lifetime boat trip on Lake Lucerne. The Lucerne lake cruise price is covered by certain Swiss public transport passes, as boat travel forms part of the overall network. 

Some mountain excursion tickets also include the Lake Lucerne cruise price, as this is part of the journey. A Lake Lucerne boat ride is even included with one of the most popular Swiss panoramic train trips. 

This guide covers all you need to know about cruising on this lake in Lucerne, Switzerland. 

Listed below are the Lake Lucerne boat tours you can choose between, including key information regarding departure points, the type of vessel, cruise duration, where to book, and more about what to expect on board.

From a free Lake Lucerne boat ride with your Swiss Travel Pass or a Lake Lucerne panoramic sightseeing cruise to a one hour catamaran lake cruise in Lucerne or a Lake Lucerne dinner cruise, here is all you should know before booking the best Lake Lucerne cruise for you.

[ This post may contain compensated links. Please see my  disclosure policy  for more information. ]

What's in this Article

About Lake Lucerne cruises 

Where is lake lucerne.

Lake Lucerne is named after the city Lucerne – locally known as Luzern. The city borders the lake to the west. This is the biggest lake in central Switzerland.

It’s bordered by four cantons – Lucerne, Nidwalden, Schwyz, and Uri. The lake’s German name, Vierwaldstättersee, literally translates as ‘four forest sites’. 

Where do Lake Lucerne boat tours go?

You can take Lake Lucerne cruise tours from the city to Alpnachstad, Brunnen, Bürgenstock, Flüelen, Küssnacht, Vitznau, Weggis, and more. 

A Lucerne lake cruise is also included as part of the Classic Round Trip to Mount Rigi, the Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus, and the Gotthard Panorama Express train trip. 

It’s also possible to buy tickets to Mount Burgenstock that include a Lake Lucerne boat trip, as well as the funicular railway. 

Scenic sightseeing cruises also form part of the regular Lake Lucerne boat schedule. 

Which transport passes include Lake Lucerne boat cruises?

Some boat journeys across Lake Lucerne form part of the Swiss public transport network. 

Therefore holders of a Swiss Travel Pass can travel on these boats for free. The Tell Pass also includes boat trips on Lake Lucerne.

Which tickets include a Lake Lucerne boat cruise?

A Lake Lucerne boat tour can also be part of a mountain excursion. The Classic Rigi Round Trip to Mount Rigi includes a boat cruise between Lucerne and Vitznau or Weggis. 

The Pilatus Golden Round Trip to Mount Pilatus , meanwhile, includes a boat ride between Lucerne and Alpnachstad. 

You can also buy tickets for Mount Bürgenstock which include a lake cruise.

The Gotthard Panorama Express combines a boat cruise across Lake Lucerne with a panoramic train ride to Ticino. 

The Lake Lucerne Cruise Options

Gotthard panorama express.

Operator: Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV AG) 

Summary of cruise: Lucerne to Flüelen, part of Gotthard Panorama Express route which includes train travel from Flüelen to Lugano

Type of vessel: Modern motor vessel or historic paddle steamer

Duration of cruise: 2 hours 45 minutes

What’s included: First class travel on the train, first or second class travel on the boat

Where to book ticket: Buy your train and boat ticket here

Is it covered by Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass? The Gotthard Panorama Express is included with the Swiss Travel Pass – buy yours here .

Discounts: 50% off for Swiss Half Fare Card holders – buy yours here. Children aged 6 to 15 years get 50% off or they travel for free with the Swiss Family Card.

Dates of operation: Late April to late October

Frequency of cruise/service: One service daily except Mondays during operating season

If you travel on the Gotthard Panorama Express, one of Switzerland’s famous scenic railways, then a cruise across Lake Lucerne forms part of the route. The trip is therefore included with your ticket. 

This cruise travels between Lucerne and Flüelen. The boat trip lasts for almost three hours, and delivers passengers to the awaiting train. You will then make your way on to Ticino.

The Gotthard Panorama Express is the sole Swiss Premium Panoramic Train combining a boat cruise with a train journey. You’ll travel with the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company for this leg, either by modern motor boat or vintage paddle steamer. 

Meals are available at the restaurant on board. Trips in both directions take place around lunchtime, giving you the perfect excuse to enjoy a meal on board.

When departing from Lucerne, the boat leaves a little after 11am. When heading in the opposite direction, the boat leaves Fluelen at midday. 

First and second class travel is offered on the cruise sector of the Gotthard Panorama Express. First class passengers can sit on the upper deck, whilst seating for second class passengers is on the lower deck.

Find out all you should know in my complete guide to the Gotthard Panorama Express .

Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip

Summary of cruise: Lucerne to Alpnachstad or vice versa, part of Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip ticket 

Duration of cruise: 1 hour 10 minutes

What’s included: Cruise from Lucerne to Alpnachstad

Where to book ticket: Buy your ticket here

Is it covered by Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass? The entire Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip ticket is included with the Tell Pass – buy your Tell Pass here

Discounts: 50% off for Swiss Travel Pass and Swiss Half Fare Card holders, and children aged 6 to 15 years.

Dates of operation: Late May to late November

Frequency of cruise/service: Daily during operating period (multiple departures)

If you want to visit Mount Pilatus while in Switzerland, then a cruise from Lucerne to Alpnachstad can be included as part of your ticket. 

In fact, passengers can choose between travelling by train or boat between the city and Alpnachstad, before boarding the steepest cogwheel railway in the world to reach the summit. 

The famous Golden Round Trip ticket for Mount Pilatus includes a boat cruise between Alpnachstad and Lucerne (or vice versa). Guided tours may also include a boat trip as part of the journey to and from Mount Pilatus. 

With lots to do once you reach the summit of Mount Pilatus, this is a very popular trip. You can even stay overnight if you’d like to. Find out more in my ultimate guide to visiting Mount Pilatus .

> Click here to buy your Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip ticket

> Click here to book a guided tour to Mount Pilatus including a Lake Lucerne cruise

Summary of cruise: Lucerne to Vitznau or vice versa, part of Mount Rigi self-guided tour route

Duration of cruise: 1 hour

What’s included: Cruise from Lucerne to Vitznau (or vice versa)

Where to book ticket: Buy your tickets here

Is it covered by Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass? The Mount Pilatus ticket is included with both the Swiss Travel Pass and the Tell Pass – buy your pass here

Discounts: 50% off for Swiss Half Fare Card holders, and children aged 6 to 15 years.

Dates of operation: All year round

Frequency of cruise/service: Daily, multiple departures 

Mount Rigi, aka the ‘Queen of the Mountains’, is also a popular mountain excursion from Lucerne. 

While the cogwheel train to Mount Pilatus is the world’s steepest, the Rigi Bahn is Europe’s oldest mountain railway. There are panoramic views over Lake Lucerne from the summit.

You can travel to Mount Rigi via Arth Goldau, Weggis, or Vitznau in Switzerland. If you choose the latter, you can opt to take a boat trip from or to Lucerne as part of the journey. 

A cruise between the city and Vitznau takes just under an hour. You’ll then board the historic rack railway by the shores of the lake, bound for the top. 

Swiss Travel Pass and Tell Pass holders can travel to Mount Rigi for free. A 50% applies for Swiss Half Fare Card holders, and children aged 6 to 15 inclusive. 

The easiest way to travel to Mount Rigi is to buy a ticket for a self-guided tour. This includes the boat cruise to and from Lucerne, plus train and cable car travel. 

> Click here to buy tickets for the self-guided Mount Rigi tour

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Mount Bürgenstock

Operator: Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV AG)  

Summary of cruise: Part of Mount Bürgenstock self-guided tour route

Type of vessel: Catamaran

Duration of cruise: 30 minutes

What’s included: Cruise from Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock

Is it covered by Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass? The Mount Bürgenstock cruise ticket is included, and the funicular ticket is half price, for holders of the Swiss Travel Pass. Buy your pass here.

Frequency of cruise/service: Daily, multiple departures

As a third option alternative to Mount Rigi or Mount Pilatus, you could travel to Mount Bürgenstock. 

Tickets for this self-guided mountain excursion include a boat cruise from Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock. The funicular railway will then transport you to the mountain-top resort. 

For the first sector of the journey, a half hour catamaran trip will take you to the departure point for the mountain railway in Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock.

Once you reach the summit of Bürgenstock, it’s all about the leisure facilities at this world-class resort. 

These include a dozen bars, cafes, and restaurants. There’s also swimming pools, a 9-hole golf course, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a series of walking trails to follow, and the Hammetschwandlift elevator. 

The Bürgenstock mountain resort also boasts a superb spa. 

The return journey is in reverse, involving a funicular descent followed by a second lake cruise.

> Click here to buy tickets for the Mount Bürgenstock excursion

Public Transport Cruises

Summary of cruise: Public transport services 

Duration of cruise: 1 to 5.5 hours

What’s included: Ferry transport

Where to book ticket: Buy tickets here

Is it covered by Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass?   Public transport boat travel is included with the Swiss Travel Pass and Tell Pass – buy your pass here

Discounts: 50% off for Swiss Half Fare Card , Interrail Pass, and Eurail Global Pass holders, and children aged 6 to 15 years.

Frequency of cruise/service:  

• Cruises to Weggis / Vitznau / Brunnen / Flüelen – Up to 1 per hour
• Cruises to Alpnachstad – Up to 7 per day
• Cruises to Küssnacht – Up to 3 per day
• Cruises to Bürgenstock – Up to 2 per hour
• 1-hour Cruise Saphir – Up to 6 per day

Where to board the boat in Lucerne:

• Pier 1: Cruises to Weggis / Vitznau / Brunnen / Flüelen
• Pier 2: Cruises to Alpnachstad
• Pier 3: Cruises to Küssnacht
• Pier 3: Cruises to Bürgenstock / Short Catamaran Cruises
• Pier 7: 1-hour Cruise Saphir

The Lake Lucerne cruise timetable operated by the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV AG) offers various options. This public transport service means you can take a Lake Lucerne cruise with a Swiss Pass or Tell Pass for free. 

If you have a Eurail Pass, an Interrail Pass, or a Swiss Half Fare card, you can get a 50% discount on ticket prices. Kids aged 6 to 15 inclusive also travel at half price. 

Cruises depart up to twice per hour in summer, depending on the route, and operate throughout the year. The duration of the trip depends on your destination. 

There is also a popular Lake Lucerne 1 hour cruise, the Saphir, for sightseers, and this service has the most frequent departures. 

Services depart from piers 1, 2, 3, and 7 in Lucerne. The main destinations are Alpnachstad, Brunnen, Bürgenstock, Flüelen, Küssnacht, Vitznau, and Weggis. Additional stops are also made at lesser known towns and villages. 

The vessels used are a mix of motor boats and historic paddle steamers. Drinks, snacks and meals are available to buy on board. 

For affordable boat trips on Lake Lucerne in winter or summer, it’s difficult to beat the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company public transport boats. 

One hour Lake Lucerne cruise by panoramic yacht

Summary of cruise: 1 hour sightseeing yacht cruise

Type of vessel: Panoramic yacht

What’s included: Sightseeing cruise with audio guide

Is it covered by Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass? This 1-hour Lake Lucerne sightseeing cruise is not included with the Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass, and no discounts are offered for Swiss Half Fare Card holders.

Dates of operation: Check when booking

If you find the Lake Lucerne timetable confusing, or are short of time, then why not book a one hour sightseeing cruise to experience the best of this glittering Swiss lake?

The scenic cruise is operated by the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company, and lasts for an hour. You’ll travel on board a luxury panoramic yacht, ensuring sweeping views throughout. 

An audio guide in a range of languages is included, so you can discover where you are and what you’re seeing. This is accessed via the ‘Listen Everywhere’ app, and you’ll need to bring headphones. 

There are two places to sit back and relax while enjoying the views. The upper deck has a retractable roof, or you can perch above the water on the lower level. 

This cruise departure point is close to the Schweizerhof Hotel, so if you are seeking hotels on Lake Lucerne, this five star property could be the perfect pick. 

> Click here to book this one hour Lake Lucerne yacht cruise

> Click here to book a room at the Schweizerhof Hotel in Lucerne

One hour catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne

Summary of cruise: 1 hour sightseeing catamaran cruise

Type of vessel: Hybrid-powered catamaran

What’s included: Sightseeing cruise

Another simple alternative to poring over the Lake Lucerne cruise map is to book a catamaran cruise. Like the panoramic yacht cruise, it lasts for an hour, during which time you can spot sights such as Mount Rigi, Mount Bürgenstock, and Mount Pilatus. 

The vessel is a modern, hybrid-powered catamaran, operated by local experts the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company. Snacks and drinks can be purchased on board.

> Click here to book this one hour Lake Lucerne catamaran cruise

Two hour Lake Lucerne cruise with lunch

Summary of cruise: 2 hour scenic cruise with 3 course lunch

Type of vessel: Modern motor boat

Duration of cruise: 2 hours

What’s included: Sightseeing cruise, 3 course lunch, and a soft drink

Where to book ticket: Book your ticket here

Is it covered by Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass? This 2-hour Lake Lucerne cruise with lunch is not included with the Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass, and no discounts are offered for Swiss Half Fare Card holders.

Frequency of cruise/service: Daily

This scenic Lake Lucerne cruise departs at lunchtime, and on board you’ll be served a delicious three-course meal while enjoying the sights.

Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are used in the set menu, and you can book the vegetarian version if you prefer. 

The cruise lasts for around two hours, and will take you from Lucerne to either Vitznau or Küssnacht. To wash down your feast, one coffee, tea, or mineral water is included. You can also buy more drinks on board if you want to. 

> Click here to book this two hour lunch cruise on Lake Lucerne

3.5 hour dinner and sunset cruise on Lake Lucerne

Summary of cruise: 3.5 hour sunset cruise with 3 course dinner

Type of vessel: MS Diamant

Duration of cruise: 3 hours 30 minutes

What’s included: Sightseeing cruise, 3 course dinner, aperitif, and musical entertainment

Is it covered by Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass? This 3-hour Lake Lucerne sunset cruise is not included with the Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass, and no discounts are offered for Swiss Half Fare Card holders.

If a Lake Lucerne sunset cruise appeals most, then you must take a look at this one. It includes an aperitif followed by a three-course dinner.

You’ll also be serenaded by a musical duo, making this a romantic experience perfect for couples. 

A key feature of this cruise is the vessel itself. You’ll travel on board MS Diamant, which is the first climate-neutral commercial passenger boat in Switzerland. 

The three tiers include an underwater viewing deck, an aqua terrace, a glass dome, and the top floor Compass Lounge. 

This impressive boat is the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company’s flagship vessel. 

> Click here to book this sunset dinner cruise on Lake Lucerne

Lake Lucerne Cruises | Final thoughts

If you’ll be visiting the Lucerne area while in Switzerland, then taking a cruise on the lake of the same name is simply unmissable. 

With options including one-hour sightseeing trips for those short of time to full-day mountain excursions covering other modes of transport, there’s an option to suit all visitors.

You can also take a lunch or sunset dinner cruise, or include a boat trip as part of your panoramic railway experience. 

If you hold a Swiss Travel Pass or Tell Pass , you might even get to travel for free. With public transport ferry services operating all year round, Lake Lucerne cruises are an option open to everyone.

🇨🇭 Visit our Lucerne Travel Guide to read about the best things to do in Lucerne , best hotels in Lucerne , our suggested 2-day Lucerne itinerary , and more. 🇨🇭

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Carolyn Schönafinger is a frequent visitor to Switzerland, the country she fell in love with more than 30 years ago. She now visits Switzerland every year in her quest to explore every inch of the country. Carolyn is a certified Switzerland Travel Expert and she has achieved the Swiss Travel System Travel Expert diploma. She loves sharing her Switzerland travel expertise and helping others to plan their dream Swiss vacation on this website and the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast. Read more

Home » Activities » Water Activities

Cruising Lake Lucerne

• Last Updated: 25 Jun 2020
• By Tanya, Founder of Swiss Family Fun

If you buy something through a link here, we may earn a commission. See our disclosure policy . Note that p rices and opening times may change without notice.

Lake Lucerne is one of our favorite lakes in Switzerland, with so many mountain peaks towering over the water and so much variety as you twist and turn around each corner. After all these years, it still makes me gasp with delight when we drive by or ride up a gondola to admire it from above.

One of the best ways to enjoy this lake’s many charms is on a lake cruise, where you get all the views without the hard work of hiking. The kids love watching the inner workings of the steam engine and exploring the boat. I love lounging in the sun and watching the fairy tale Swiss landscape float by.

For an easy day, we like the one-way 3 hour tour down the full length of the lake, from Lucerne to Flüelen at the south end. Of course there are many other shorter and longer tours, which I’ll mention below. But this is a great tour to start with and a wonderful choice with visitors.

Note: This outing was sponsored by Lucerne Tourism .

Lake cruise overview

Operating times, combo with mountain journeys, how to get there, getting on the boat & where to sit, leaving luzern, steam boat magic, cruising down the lake, arriving in brunnen, back on the boat to flüelen, food on the ship, arriving in flüelen, back to lucerne.

First a short video from our day by 110 in partnership with Lucerne Tourism .

The Vierwaldstättersee, aka Lake Lucerne in English, is an enormous lake in central Switzerland south of Lucerne city. The map below is from a free brochure you can get the tourist info desk or on the boat. There are lots of cruise options, but for this post, I’ve focused on the full lake tour from Luzern to Flüelen, about 3 hours, with an optional break in Brunnen. 

If you want a shorter day, you could start in Brunnen and just do the 1 hour cruise to Flüelen, which is the best part of the cruise.

For the full lake tour, the boat leaves Lucerne hourly on the xx:12 and takes about 3 hours to reach the end of the lake at Flüelen. But definitely check the current timetable at www.lakelucerne.ch before heading out.

Here is a sample timetable for summer 2020. If you want to ride a steam boat (you do! more about that later), make sure to pick a route with the little boat icon at the top.

Sometimes we like to get off the boat in Brunnen (after 2 hours on the boat) and walk around a bit, get a gelato and let the kids run around at the park (more about that below). The next boat comes in a hour, which goes by quicker than you think. When we finish the boat ride in Flüelen, we take the train back to Lucerne if we came by car or straight home to Zürich if we came by public transport. 

FYI, this is the first half of the popular tourist route: Gotthard Panorama Express , which continues on a panorama train from Flüelen to Ticino. This tour is available starting 4 July 2020.

Ticket Prices

Here are some few 2023 prices. See current prices on www.lakelucerne.ch .

• One way full lake (Luzern to Flüelen) CHF 51. Return to Lucerne by train CHF 21
• Short round trip Lucerne – Beckenried (2.5hr) CHF 58
• Day pass CHF 83. This covers a full day of travel on the lake, any direction.

You can buy your ticket directly on the boat, at the ticket desk at the pier, or online.

They don’t check your ticket as you board the boat, but rather walk around later after the boat is on the water. So just board the boat and walk directly to the ticket booth to purchase your tickets. You can send the rest of your family to grab the best seats while you buy tix. 

Those with a SBB Half-fare card and children 6-16 get a 50% discount. Kids under 6 and those with a SBB Junior Card ride free. If you already have a Tell Pass , SBB Day Pass, or GA pass, the boat rides are included – hooray! You would only need to pay more if you want to upgrade to 1st class. 

These boat cruises are a particularly great use of a SBB Saver Day Pass , which you can buy 2 months in advance, as low as CHF 52 (less with a SBB Half-fare card).

Ride free on your birthday! Bring your ID and you can ride free on the boats on your birthday.

If you are doing any mountain excursions, make sure to buy a combo ticket that gives a small discount on both the boat and mountain transport. Combo offers are available for Rigi, Pilatus, Beckenried, and Treib Seelisberg. See details here.

Most cruises start at the Lucerne piers, just outside the main train station, very easy to find. Of course, you can catch the boat at any of its stops along the lake, which I’ll talk more about below.

By public transport: Simply take a train to Luzern, Bahnhof. Exit through the main entrance, walk through the main arch towards the water. 

By car: Drive to Luzern. It’s most convenient to park at the underground parking at the train station ( Bahnhofpl. 1, 6002 Luzern ). After parking, you walk through the train station and outside directly to the piers.

When you drive in, you’ll see P1 and P2 to your left and P3 to your right, a bit farther away. They all start at CHF 4 for the first hour, but P1 & P2 are slightly more expensive at CHF 2.50 for each additional hour, while P3 is CHF 2 for each additional hour. 

We prefer to park at Parkhaus Altstadt ( Baselstrasse 4, 6003 Luzern ), which is a bit more affordable and more importantly, has easy access to the freeway without having to drive through the city. As an example, it costs CHF 12.50/ 6 hours. It’s a pretty walk along the river, about 15 mins, to reach the piers, as shown below.

See all Luzern parking options   and download a PDF with a price comparison between all garages.

After you exit the train station, simply walk through the arch towards the water. The boat docks are directly in front of you, as shown on this map. When you get to the water, check the boat schedule and go to the numbered dock that matches the boat you want to take. You can always ask at the ticket office for assistance.

Photo story of the boat cruise

There are no seat reservations, so it’s best to arrive a bit early so you can get a good seat. Of course, we like to sit right at the front of the boat, like we are here.

If that seat is already taken, we prefer the eastward facing side. But you can’t go wrong no matter where you sit, the views are great on every side. The sides of the boat are high enough that little kids won’t fall off. But you still need to watch them carefully so they don’t stand up on benches or chairs or crawl through railings.

Let’s start our day. We got on the boat early and got the best seats up front.

Here we are leaving Luzern, watching the beautiful buildings of this historic city pass by as we head out to the open water.

The lake is very wide at near Luzern and the mountains farther apart. You can see Pilatus on the right and Stanserhorn on the left.

We prefer to ride on the steam powered boats, which have an open view on the lower deck to the cool machinery that powers the boat. It’s mesmerizing to watch the wheels in motion and interesting to see the workers maintaining the works, regularly filling up the oil and whatnot. Our boat was the oldest in the fleet, built in 1901 and kept in beautiful shape, running like a dream more than 200 years later.

I love all the old tyme details like this beautiful stairs. I was so happy to a new patch for my backpack!

On this trip, we were on the 1st class upper deck, which has more open seating in the sun.

Plenty of rescue boats and safety supplies on board.

View of the distinctive Mythen peaks above Schwyz. I highly recommend hiking to the top of Grosser Mythen on the right, which I did at sunrise a few weeks ago.

Here’s one of the other boats in the fleet. Not all steam boats look the same. This one was a bit smaller than ours, with no upper deck on the front of the boat.

Passing through Treib . If you get off here, you can take a funicular train up to Seelisberg and get a great view of the lake. There are also nice hikes up there, including the first leg of the Swiss Path .

This is my favorite part, as we approach Brunnen and turn the corner to reveal the most dramatic peaks of the trip. It’s unbelievably beautiful!

We got off the boat in Brunnen and knocked around for an hour before catching the next boat at 12:09. The waterfront is a nice place to stroll and lounge. Along the boardwalk there is giant chess and mühle set you can play with. I forgot to take a pic of that, sorry! We got gelato at the Belmondo cafe .

Here’s a map of the Brunnen area.

If you walk north along the water, you’ll come a big grassy field with a playground, which the kids will appreciate.

There’s also a great playground next to the field. Sorry my pic isn’t so helpful.

We caught the next ferry towards Brunnen. Tschüss Brunnen! 

Approaching Bauen, the end of the first section of the Swiss Path .

So quiet and beautiful in this section, like a scene from a fairy tale.

The best pic is at the back of the boat with the big Swiss flag. You gotta be patient to catch it.

This pic is from a cruise we did on the 31 Dec 2009. It was cold but so beautiful!

We love seeing places we’ve hiked before. We hiked across this mountain on the last section of the Swiss Path from Sisikon to Brunnen .

There is a restaurant on both levels on the boat, with drinks, snacks and full meals. On busy days, you’ll need to reserve a table. They also offer themed culinary cruises, like a sunset dinner cruise. But those are on hold at the moment because of Corona. You are also allowed to picnic on the boat.

The last stop is Flüelen at the southern end of lake. Take a moment to wave goodbye to the ship.

Love these Swiss canton flags at the Flüelen waterfront.

Once you reach Flüelen, you can take the ferry back, but that’s another 3 hours. The boat drops you right at the Flüelen train station, where you can catch the train back to Luzern, about a 1 hr journey. The trains are coordinated with the boat schedule. The boats arrive on the xx:55 and the trains leave on the xx:03. See current schedule on sbb.ch . 

You can also take the express Tell Bus , which is a bit quicker at 50 mins but also a bit more complicated. From the Flüelen pier and train station, you’ll need to walk under the train tracks to the Flüelen, Hauptplatz bus stop . Then take the bus two stops south to Flüelen Eggberge (as shown on the map below). Then transfer to the Tell Bus and ride it to Lucerne. It drops you off at the Lucerne train station.

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Hi! I’m Tanya and our family has been living & hiking in Switzerland since 2005, collecting dozens of fun hikes and activities for all ages and abilities. More about us…

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Round trips on Lake Lucerne

Get on board and enjoy.

Our round trips offer you the opportunity to enjoy some carefree moments on Lake Lucerne. Depending on the duration of your cruise, the Lake Lucerne restaurant will also be happy to treat you on board. The perfect opportunity to relax and take a break from everyday life for a while. The only thing we can't do for you is get you on and off the boat!

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Short round trips - perfect for a little change of scenery, discover lucerne from the boat.

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