A boat ride on Lake Maggiore: all information you need

This page was last updated by Annika on 8 November 2023.

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Boat trips on Lake Maggiore: the must-knows

About 80% of the large Lago Maggiore is in Italy, so you can make long international boat trips.
If you like towns with a Mediterranean feel, combine a boat ride with our town walks in Locarno or Ascona.
Take the very first boat to the Brissago Islands to explore the botanical gardens in peace and quiet.
The Lago Maggiore Express is a 1-day circular journey from Locarno by Centovalli train and boat.
Boat rides on the Swiss part of the lake are free with a Swiss Travel Pass.

Min. time required: 0:30

Season: early April to early October

Recommended season: early April to early October

Max. altitude: 200 m (656 ft)

Lake Maggiore boats: quick introduction

Lake Maggiore ('Lago Maggiore' in Italian) is a large lake that stretches out from Locarno in Switzerland to Arona in Italy.

You can explore the entire lake by boat. The options range from short transfers to a multiple-hour trip all the way to the southern tip of the lake in Italy.

Boat prices, tickets and reservations

Prices of Lake Maggiore boat tours in 2023

A single 2nd-class trip Locarno-Brissago by boat costs CHF 17,90. 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.

Where to buy your tickets

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

Seat reservations

You don't need reservations for the boats at Lake Maggiore.

Get your tickets for Lake Maggiore boats

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Discounted cruises with your rail pass

The below passes offer discounted or free boat rides on the Swiss part of the lake. This does not apply to special culinary cruises.

Pass	Discount
Day Pass	Free: All boats on the Swiss part of the lake
Eurail Global Pass	No discount: All boats on the Swiss part of the lake
Interrail Switzerland Pass	No discount: All boats on the Swiss part of the lake
Saver Day Pass	Free: All boats on the Swiss part of the lake
Swiss Half Fare Card	Discount 50%: All boats on the Swiss part of the lake
Swiss Travel Pass	Free: All boats on the Swiss part of the lake
Swiss Travel Pass Flex	Free: All boats on the Swiss part of the lake
Ticino Ticket	Discount 20%: All boats on the Swiss part of the lake More information: Locarno - Tenero - Magadino route: free.

How to reach the docks

How to reach the main terminal in Locarno

The boat terminal in Locarno ('Locarno NLM') can be reached from the train station in 3 minutes on foot. There is a parking garage at 2 minutes on foot.

How to get to the boat terminal in Ascona

Ascona can be reached by bus or by car. The boat dock 'Ascona NLM' is 5 minutes on foot from the bus stop 'Ascona, Centro'. Parking is also about 5 minutes from the dock.

Other boat stops

There are boat stops in the villages all along the lake. Consult the timetable to locate them.

Map: the Swiss part of Lake Maggiore

This map does not display all boat routes. Consult the timetables for a full overview.

Maps are available to members only

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Operation dates, schedules and timetables

Operation dates of the Lake Maggiore boats

The boats on the Swiss part of the lake operate from 2 April to 8 October 2023.

Planning your boat cruise with the timetable

You can consult the boat timetables using these links, or find trips in the Swiss timetable. Use the "Advanced search" function to choose boats as your travel mode. You'll often see the addition "NLM", which stands for "Navigazione Lago Maggiore". That indicates boat docks. For example:

The terminal in Locarno is called 'Locarno NLM'.
The dock in Ascona is called 'Ascona NLM'.

Best season for your boat trip

Each month in which boat trips can be made (early April to early October) is suitable for a boat ride. Lake Maggiore is in a low and relatively warm region. 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 have the best chances to see some snow on the higher mountain peaks.
It can get pretty hot from July to early September. You won't see much snow in the scenery, but a boat trip is one of the most relaxed excursions in high temperatures.

Weather forecasts for Lake Maggiore

The boats operate in all sorts of weather, except for extreme circumstances. Of course sunny skies are best to enjoy the views from Lake Maggiore. But the boats have indoor sections, so this can be a perfect trip for cloudy or rainy days as well.

Always check the forecasts shortly in advance and dress appropriately. Take along sunscreen, sun glasses and an extra sweater or jacket: wind can quickly cool you down.

Forecasts for Locarno

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What to expect from the scenery and the fleet

What Lake Maggiore is like

Lake Maggiore is a large blue lake, from which you have wide views over the hills and low mountains of Ticino and northern Italy. The scenic villages along the lake have a Mediterranean look and feel.

What to expect from the passenger ships

There are medium-sized boats with 2nd and 1st-class sections. You can choose between outdoor and indoor (or roofed) seats. It’s often possible to buy snacks on board, or there’s a restaurant.

The types of boat trips on the lake

At this large Swiss-Italian lake, the options range from short trips of half an hour, to multiple-hour rides. Examples:

Very short boat trip: take a boat from Locarno to Tenero NLM. Pass the campground and then walk back to Locarno along the lake.
Short boat trip: take a boat to the village of Brissago and walk along the boulevard.
Medium boat trip: visit the Italian town of Cannobio, with its pretty lakefront and historical town center.
Medium boat trip: take a boat to Luino, Italy, and travel back by train.
Long boat trip: enjoy the Lago Maggiore Express day trip. This is a circular tour from Locarno via the scenic Centovalli Railway to Domodossola, then the regular train to Stresa or Arona, and finally back by boat to Locarno. There are several variants of this trip. The majority of this tour takes place in Italy.

The best boat routes on Lake Maggiore

We mainly know the Swiss part of the lake. These are our absolute favorites, because they’re a combination of boat rides and more sightseeing:

Travel from Locarno to Ascona by boat. Combine this with the town walks we created for Locarno and Ascona. Travel back to Locarno by bus.
Make a boat trip to the Brissago Islands and enjoy the beautiful botanical gardens. Travel back via the village Brissago.