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Season: early January and early March to late December
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 39.60 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
If you need tickets, you can get them from manned desks at the ship piers on the lake, for example in Lugano, Gandria, and Morcote.
Seat reservations
Reservations are not possible for the Lake Lugano boats, except for groups and for special lunch or dinner cruises.
➤ 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:
|
| Eurail Global Pass | No discount:
|
| Interrail Switzerland Pass | No discount:
|
| Saver Day Pass | Free:
|
| Swiss Half Fare Card | Discount 50%:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass | Free:
|
| Swiss Travel Pass Flex | Free:
|
| Ticino Ticket | Discount 20%:
|
Directions to the docks, and map of the main boat routes
Not all boat routes are displayed on the map below. The boat timetables provide a full overview of all options.
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 get to 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 stop "Lugano Città (funicolare)", and walk to the boat terminal in 3 minutes.
Piers in other villages
There are many Swiss and Italian villages along the lake in which the ships moor. Learn how to find the piers in the timetable here.
Operation dates, schedule and timetable
Lake Lugano operation dates
A full operation break may apply from early January to late February.
Between late February/early March and December, the schedules differ per season: some boats operate daily, other routes are only available when the summer schedule applies. This is usually from early April until mid-October.
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 on the Italian part of the lake.
The main boat terminal in Lugano is called "Lugano Centrale (lago)". The town has more piers, such as "Paradiso (lago)". This is close to the Monte San Salvatore funicular.
You can get on and off in many Swiss and Italian towns along the lake. Examples are Gandria, Melide, and Morcote. The 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. In addition, the number of available boat tours is restricted in comparison to the summer season.
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.
Details about the boat routes and the fleet
The scenery you’ll see 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.
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 my favorites:
- Make a boat trip from Lugano to Porlezza in the east, 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 1h45) is from Lugano via Porto Ceresio in Italy to Ponte Tresa. A train will take you back to Lugano in 30 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 on foot or by 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. My top tips:
- Get from Lugano to Melide by boat, then walk for 5 minutes to visit Swissminiatur, and travel back by train.
- Combine a short boat ride from Lugano to Cassarate with a trip up to Monte Brè.
- 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.
➤ Secure your Lake Lugano boat tickets here
- www.luganoregion.com: Grotti tours in summer
Schedules
- www.lakelugano.ch: timetables for Lake Lugano boats
Prices
- www.lakelugano.ch: standard prices for Lake Lugano boats
Hike Lugano-Gandria
Town walk Lugano
Monte Brè
Monte San Salvatore
Monte Generoso
