Practical tips to plan your Lake Lugano boat trip

This page was last updated by Annika on 4 July 2023.

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Boat trips on Lake Lugano: the must-knows

The green hills and picturesque villages create a Mediterranean atmosphere on Lake Lugano.
You can make trips on the Swiss part of the lake, on the Italian part, or on both with an international cruise.
If you want a perfect combination of an easy hike and a boat cruise, walk from Lugano to Gandria and return by boat.
The Swiss Travel Pass allows free cruises on the lake.

Min. time required: 0:03

Season: all year

Recommended season: early April to mid October

Max. altitude: 273 m (896 ft)

Lake Lugano: quick introduction

Lake Lugano is a large lake south of Lugano in the Ticino. About 2/3 is Swiss territory, the rest is Italian. Boat tours can be made between the Swiss villages, but international trips are possible too. The 'Grotti' restaurants on some routes provide an additional culinary experience.

Boat prices, tickets and reservations

Prices of Lake Lugano boat tours

A return trip Lugano-Gandria by boat costs CHF 27.40 in 2nd class, without a rail pass. This is just an example: the exact amount depends on the route and class you choose. Many rail pass holders can travel at a discount or for free.

Another option is to book a self-guided or guided tour. In most cases all ticket prices are included and you don't need anything extra.

Where to buy your tickets

Boat tickets are available from the ticket desks at the boat docks along the lake.

Seat reservations

Reservations are not possible for the Lake Lugano boats, except for groups and for special lunch or dinner cruises.

Get your tickets for Lake Lugano cruises

From Milan: Lugano & Bellagio Day Trip & Lake Boat Cruise

Scenic boat tripDay tour

Enjoy a full-day trip to Lake Como, Lugano, and Bellagio. Discover the best of Italy and Switzerland on this guided walking tour. Private Cruise along Lake Como.

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 Milan: Como, Bellagio, and Lugano Exclusive Boat Tour

Day tour

Explore the beauty of northern Italy and enjoy the pearl of Switzerland, Lugano on a guided trip from Milan. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Como, walk the alleys of Bellagio, and delve into Swiss culture.

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 Milan: Como, Lugano, and Bellagio Tour with Lake Cruise

Scenic boat tripDay tour

Travel through the alpine landscapes of northern Italy and southern Switzerland on a day trip from Milan. Explore the charming towns of Como, Lugano, and Bellagio, and ride a boat around Lake Como.

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.

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Discounted Lake Lugano cruises with your rail pass

The discounts below are meant for normal boat rides. Additional costs can apply to special lunch or dinner cruises.

Pass	Discount
Day Pass	Free: All boats
Eurail Global Pass	No discount: All boats
Interrail Switzerland Pass	No discount: All boats
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
Ticino Ticket	Discount 20%: All boats More information: Morcote to Porto Ceresio: free.

How to reach the docks

Getting to the main boat terminal in Lugano

The main boat terminal in Lugano is 'Lugano Centrale (lago)'.

You can reach Lugano by car, but there is no parking directly at the terminal. It's best to reach Lugano by train, then walk down to the city center and the lake in 10 minutes. Or take the funicular from the station to the city and walk to the terminal in 3 minutes.

Docks in other villages

There are many Swiss and Italian villages along the lake. Learn how to find them in the timetable here.

Map: the Swiss part of Lake Lugano

Not all boat routes are displayed on this map. The boat timetables provide a full overview of all options.

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Operation dates, schedule and timetable

Lake Lugano operation dates

Some boats operate daily, other routes are only available when the summer schedule applies: from 2 April until mid-October 2023.

Consulting the Lake Lugano timetables

You can use the separate lake timetables, or find boat connections in the general Swiss timetable. This timetable may not be able to provide accurate information about boat trips in the Italian part of the lake.

The main boat terminal in Lugano is called 'Lugano Centrale (lago)'. The town has more docks, such as 'Lugano Paradiso (lago)'. This is close to the Monte San Salvatore funicular.

You can get off in many Swiss and Italian towns along the lake. Examples are Gandria, Melide, Capolago, and Morcote. Boat stops are usually indicated by the addition "lago" (Italian for "lake") in the Swiss timetable.

Best months for Lake Lugano cruises

The best season for cruises on Lake Lugano is early April to mid October. This is what to expect:

Temperatures in spring (April, May, June) and in mid-September to mid-October can be mild and pleasant. In April-May and in October you'll see most variety in the scenery: the green hills show fresh green vegetation in spring and splendid colors in autumn.
It can get pretty hot in July to early September. A boat trip is one of the most relaxed excursions in high temperatures.

November to March isn't the best time of year to explore the Lake Lugano region. The area is low and relatively warm, and typically doesn't get much snow. Nature can look a bit dull in these months.

Weather forecasts for Lake Lugano

Weather in the Lake Lugano area is mild to Swiss standards. You'll often be able to enjoy boat tours from the outdoor decks. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen, plus an additional layer of clothes. Even in warm weather, you can cool down due to wind.

Always consult the forecasts the evening or morning before your trip.

Weather forecast for Lugano

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More details about the boat routes and the fleet

The scenery to expect during your boat ride

Lake Lugano is a large, deep blue lake south of the town Lugano in the canton Ticino. Part of it is in Swiss territory, the rest is Italian. It’s surrounded by green hills and picturesque villages with a mediterranean atmosphere. The remarkable shape of the lake ensures a new sight around every corner.

What the Lake Lugano boats are like

The fleet of boats of Lake Lugano is a mix of older and newer motorboats, and even a small fully electric vessel. Most serve as passenger ferries crossing parts of the lake. The timetable indicates which boat you’ll be on. Most boats have an indoor and outdoor section. In some cases, there’s a roofed part only, rather than an indoor space.

In most cases, there are 2nd and 1st class sections. 1st class is usually on the smaller upper deck.

Food and drinks on board

Some boats feature a restaurant or sell snacks and drinks. As long as you’re not seated in a restaurant, you’re allowed to have your own food and drinks too.

In addition, you can book lunch or dinner cruises. Availability is limited.

The types of routes on Lake Lugano

There are lots of shorter and longer tours at this lake. The entire area is pretty, so you can choose any option that suits your plans.

Here are some of our favorites:

Make a boat trip from Lugano to Porlezza, to see the lake area that is fully located in Italy (other areas are only partly in Italy, as the border is in the middle of the lake there).
Board a boat from Lugano to the pretty village of Morcote and get back by bus.
The longest non-circular boat ride (about 1h40) is from Lugano via Porto Ceresio in Italy to Ponte Tresa. A train will take you back to Lugano in 30 minutes. You can walk from the boat dock to the train station in 4 minutes.

The culinary ‘Grotti’ on the shores of Lake Lugano

‘Grotti’ are a phenomenon typical for Lake Lugano. A ‘grotto’ is a kind of tavern serving traditional local food, often reachable by foot or boat only. If you like dining and boat rides, make sure to book a special grotto boat tour, available in the summer months.

Other activities to do on the same day

A boat tour on Lake Lugano can be combined with various other activities. A few examples:

Get from Lugano to Melide by boat, then walk for 5 minutes to visit Swissminiatur, and travel back by train.
Take a boat to Paradiso for a visit to Monte San Salvatore.
Travel by boat from Lugano to Capolago to take the cogwheel train to Monte Generoso.
Walk to Gandria and take a boat back from there.