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Must-knows about boat trips in Switzerland

  • Spontaneous boat rides are no problem at all. Reservations are not required.
  • If you have a rail pass that includes free lake cruises, you can board without getting a ticket.
  • If you do need a ticket, you can buy it online, at larger rail stations, at the boat docks and sometimes on board.

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Find your boat tour in Switzerland

Boat Lake Lucerne
Boat on Lake Lucerne near the village of Weggis
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Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 1:00
Year-round, you can make all kinds of boat rides on the large Lake Lucerne. Here’s what they cost, how to get discounts, what to expect on board the boats, and … Show more ►
Boat Lake Zurich
Passenger ferry at Bürkliplatz in Zurich
Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 1:00
All you should know when preparing your Lake Zurich boat ride: about short river cruises, full-day lake cruises, schedules, prices, catering, and more. Show more ►
Boat Lake Thun
The Stockhorn and a passenger boat on Lake Thun as seen from Oberhofen.
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Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 2:00
You can explore the large Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland by boat. There are long cruises between Thun and Interlaken, and many short routes between other lakeside towns. Show more ►
Boat Lake Brienz
Boat for lake Brienz waiting near Interlaken Ost
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Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 1:00
Boat trips on Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland can be made from spring to fall. Learn how to get to the docks, which rides are available, and how to … Show more ►
Gotthard Panorama Express
1st class seat in panoramic Gotthard Panorama Express coach
Scenic boat trip, Scenic train tripMin. time required: 5:30
The Gotthard Panorama Express is a scenic boat and train journey between Lucerne and Lugano. Learn about the route, the trains and boats, tickets, reservations, side trips suggestions, and more! Show more ►
Boat Lake Geneva
Steam boat on Lake Geneva seen from Territet
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Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 1:00
Plan your boat ride on the largest lake of Switzerland: Lake Geneva. I explain about the cruises on the western and eastern part of the lake, prices, and reaching the … Show more ►
Boat Lake Lugano
Ferry crossing Lake Lugano between Gandria and Lugano
Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 0:30
Boat trips on Lake Lugano are a relaxed way to see the area, and can be combined with other activities like Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore. Learn all about … Show more ►
Boat Lake Maggiore
Passenger ferry leaving from the Brissago Islands
Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 0:30
This is how to plan a boat tour on the Swiss part of Lake Maggiore. You can even enjoy an international cruise into Italy. Show more ►
One day Ticino
Lake Lugano, green hills and Monte Generoso seen from Monte San Salvatore
City trip, Mountains, Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 7:00
If you are pressed for time, you can see the highlights of the Ticino region in Switzerland in one day. Follow this step-by-step itinerary. Show more ►
Boat Basel
St. Alban ferry and passenger boat on the Rhine in Basel
Scenic boat tripMin. time required: 0:30
How to enjoy multiple-hour boat trips, quick ferry crossing, and culinary cruises from Basel on the river Rhine. Show more ►
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Practical info about boat reservations and tickets

Reservations aren’t necessary for normal boat rides. This means you can just hop on and off with your rail pass or ticket. You may only need reservations for special culinary cruises.

If you don’t have a rail pass that includes free boat rides, you have to buy a point-to-point ticket. You’ll find specifics on each of our boat pages above.

Boat schedules can be found through our boat pages as well. Alternatively, you can find them in the general Swiss timetable. Use the “Settings” to select boats as your travel mode. A full explanation of the timetable is available here.

Related helpful info

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1st class window seat on the Gotthard Panorama Express.

Seat reservations

You don’t need seat reservations for Swiss trains and other public transport. There are exceptions, such as a few panoramic …

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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.