Is there a boat that crosses the entire lake?

No. There are rides on the western part of the lake (between Geneva and Lausanne) and on the eastern part (between Lausanne and Villeneuve). But you can cover the entire lake by boat with a transfer in Lausanne.

What are the ships like?

The boats are large ferries, usually with an upper and a lower deck. There's indoor and outdoor seating. The Lake Geneva fleet consists of several types of boats: from traditional steamboats to modern motorboats. Most boats have a simple bistro or a restaurant. The boats are operated by the company CGN.

What's the difference between 1st and 2nd class?

2nd class is usually at the lower deck. 1st class is at the upper deck. It's smaller and often less crowded than 2nd class. Both decks have indoor and outdoor seats.

Is eating and drinking on board the ships possible?

You can use the bistro or the restaurant. Restaurants are at the upper 1st class deck, so you need a 1st class ticket to enter them. On longer rides there's enough time to enjoy multiple-course meals. If you're not seated in the restaurant, you can eat and drink your own food and beverages.

How to plan your Lake Geneva trip: routes, prices and practical tips

This page was last updated by Annika on 21 October 2023.

Show table of contents

Boat trips on Lake Geneva: the must-knows

Boat trips on Lake Geneva range from short crossings to 4-hour trips.
Between July and September, all routes are available. There’s a reduced timetable during the rest of the year.
Lake Geneva has mild temperatures. So you can often enjoy the scenery from the outdoor deck.
We prefer the eastern part of the lake, as you’ll see the high peaks of the cantons Vaud and Valais there.
All standard trips are for free with a Swiss Travel Pass.

Min. time required: 1:00

Season: all year

Recommended season: early April to late October

Max. altitude: 396 m (1299 ft)

Lake Geneva boats: quick introduction

Lake Geneva ('Lac Léman' in French and 'Genfersee' in German) is in south-west Switzerland. Famous towns such as Geneva, Lausanne and Montreux are located here. The southern shores are largely in France.

The lake is 72 km long, and can roughly be divided in two parts:

the western part between Geneva and Lausanne, with gentle green hills
the eastern part between Lausanne and Villeneuve, with higher mountains

Boat trips can be made on both parts of the lake.

Boat prices, tickets and reservations

Ticket prices for Lake Geneva boat trips in 2023

The price of your ticket depends on the boat ride you'll be making.

Instead of normal tickets, you can buy a 'daily pass' to cross the entire lake as much as you want for CHF 90.

If you have a rail pass, you can get discounts or even free traveling.

Where to get your tickets

If you don't have a rail pass that includes free boat rides, you'll need a ticket. Tickets can be bought online, at the docks on the lake, and often on the boat itself too.

Reservations for boat trips

You don't have to make reservations for standard daytime trips on Lake Geneva. Just board with your valid ticket or pass, that's all. If you want to join a special cruise, such as a dinner cruise, you do need to make reservations in advance.

Get your tickets for Lake Geneva boats

Find tickets and tours for Lake Geneva cruises.

Geneva: 50-Minute Lake Geneva Cruise

Scenic boat trip

Discover the beauty of Lake Geneva’s shores on a fascinating sightseeing cruise. Take in glorious views of the Swiss Alps from the water and learn about local landmarks with the help of an audioguide.

Offered by GetYourGuide: www.getyourguide.com

Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
Best Price Matching: GetYourGuide will pay the difference if you find a lower price.
Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.

From Vevey: Riviera Tour boat trip

Scenic boat trip

Embark in Vevey and relax on the round trip across Lake Geneva. You will pass Chillon Castle and the nature reserve Les Grangettes.

Offered by Swiss Activities: www.swissactivities.com

Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.

From Montreux: Riviera Tour boat cruise

Scenic boat trip

Board the boat in Montreux and relax on the round trip across Lake Geneva. You will pass Chillon Castle and the nature reserve Les Grangettes.

Offered by Swiss Activities: www.swissactivities.com

Easy, online, free cancellation in most cases
Extra Support: if you buy here, MySwissAlps can also assist if you have questions about your order.

This list includes external links to our trusted partners.

There are currently no promotions available.

Find other promotions

Rail pass discounts for Lake Geneva boats

The benefits of the passes below apply to standard boat tours on Lake Geneva. If you book a special (culinary) cruise, additional costs apply.

Pass	Discount
Day Pass	Free: All boats
Eurail Global Pass	Discount 50%: All boats
Interrail Switzerland Pass	Discount 50%: All boats
Regional Pass Lake Geneva-Alps	Free: All boats More information: On a day you do not select: 50% discount.
Saver Day Pass	Free: All boats
Swiss Half Fare Card	Discount 50%: All boats
Swiss Travel Pass	Free: All boats
Swiss Travel Pass Flex	Free: All boats

Do you want to know the other benefits offered by these rail passes? Click on any of them for details.

How to reach the Lake Geneva docks

Many towns on the lake can be reached by train and by car. If there's no rail station, you can travel by bus. Most towns are small, meaning you can reach the boat docks in minutes on foot.

The 4 boat docks of Geneva

Geneva has several docks, so be sure to check from which one your cruise departs: Pâquis, Mont-Blanc, Jardin-Anglais or Eaux-Vives. All of them are within walking distance of each other.

From stations and bus stops to the boat docks

There are many towns along the lake to board the boats. Below are some examples of how to reach the boat docks in several towns:

Bellevue: from the dock to the rail station: 5 minutes on foot
Geneva: from the Pâquis or Mont-Blanc docks to the rail station: 15 minutes on foot
Hermance: from the dock to the bus stop: 5 minutes on foot
Lausanne: from the dock to the rail station: 15 minutes by subway and on foot
Montreux: from the dock to the rail station: 5 minutes on foot
Morges: from the dock to the rail station: 10 minutes on foot
Nyon: from the dock to the rail station: 12 minutes on foot
Vevey: from the dock to the rail station: 10 minutes on foot
Villeneuve: from the dock to the rail station: 3 minutes on foot

Map of Lake Geneva

Not all boat routes are displayed on this map. Consult the timetable for a complete overview.

Maps are available to members only

Check out all the benefits members have access to

Create a free account

Operation dates, schedules and timetable

Operation dates for Lake Geneva boats

The boats operate all year round. High season lasts from 1 July to 3 September 2023. A reduced schedule applies during the rest of the year, especially between November and March.

Please check again later for further dates.

Planning your cruise with the timetable

You can consult the boat timetables at the CGN website here. Or find cruises in the Swiss timetable. Use the "Advanced search" function to search for boats.

Best months

The best period of the year to explore Lake Geneva by boat is early April to late October.

April-May, and September-October are low season, so boats will be less crowded than in July and August. Lake Geneva is at low altitude, so temperatures are usually mild to warm in these periodes.
June to August is high season, so it can get busy. But you'll have the widest choice of trips on the lake. Plus: a relaxed boat trip is great if it gets hot in the towns along the lake.

Weather tips and forecast

Sunny weather is best for your Lake Geneva cruise. That allows you to be on the outdoor deck and fully enjoy the scenery. Boat cruises are good for cloudy and rainy days too. There's plenty of indoor space.

Temperatures in the Lake Geneva area are mild by Swiss standards. But always check forecasts. Take an extra layer of clothes if you want to be outside. The wind at the lake can cool you down.

Current forecasts for Lausanne

Weather reports are available to members only

Check out all the benefits members have access to

Create a free account

The types of boat trips on Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva is very large, so you can choose from lots of boat rides and routes. There are longer cruise-like boat trips and ferry services for quick lake crossings. These are the main ones:

1-hour round trips from and to Geneva via Bellevue;
cruises in the western part of the lake between Geneva, Nyon, Morges and Lausanne (3 to 4 hours maximum);
cruises in the eastern part of the lake between Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux, Chillon Castle, Villeneuve and St-Gingolph (3 to 4 hours maximum);
ferries from Nyon to Yvoire in France;
ferries from Lausanne to Evian and Thonon in France.

How to combine a boat trip with a train or bus ride

You don’t have to make a round trip by boat. You can make a one-way trip by boat and take the bus or train back. Examples:

Take a boat from Vevey to Villeneuve (1 hour), and back by train (10 minutes). Optionally you can visit Montreux and the Chillon Castle along the way.
By boat from Geneva to Lausanne (3,5 hours), and back by train (40 minutes).
By boat from Geneva to Yvoire (1,5 hours), and back by bus (1 hour).

Other activities to do at the same day

If you make a ride on the western part of the lake, we recommend to visit:

If you explore the eastern region of Lake Geneva, you can combine your boat trip with visits to:

Lausanne
Vevey
Montreux
Chillon Castle
a hike in the Lavaux area

The boats also reach beautiful villages on the southern lakeshore in France. Get off to explore Thonon and Evian for example.

Boats Lake Geneva: FAQ

Is there a boat that crosses the entire lake?

No. There are rides on the western part of the lake (between Geneva and Lausanne) and on the eastern part (between Lausanne and Villeneuve). But you can cover the entire lake by boat with a transfer in Lausanne.
What are the ships like?

The boats are large ferries, usually with an upper and a lower deck. There’s indoor and outdoor seating. The Lake Geneva fleet consists of several types of boats: from traditional steamboats to modern motorboats. Most boats have a simple bistro or a restaurant.

The boats are operated by the company CGN.
What’s the difference between 1st and 2nd class?

2nd class is usually at the lower deck. 1st class is at the upper deck. It’s smaller and often less crowded than 2nd class. Both decks have indoor and outdoor seats.
Is eating and drinking on board the ships possible?

You can use the bistro or the restaurant. Restaurants are at the upper 1st class deck, so you need a 1st class ticket to enter them. On longer rides there’s enough time to enjoy multiple-course meals. If you’re not seated in the restaurant, you can eat and drink your own food and beverages.