Experience Lake Maggiore and the Brissago Islands

Your journey begins in Locarno, from where you will take a boat to Gambarogno. On warm summer days, the picturesque lido in San Nazzaro is the perfect place to take a refreshing dip in the lake. From the harbour in San Nazzaro, you will continue your boat trip towards Brissago.

After around 15 minutes, the boat docks at the picturesque landing stage in Ascona – right on the famous piazza on the lakeside. There you will be greeted by colourful façades and charming houses that exude a Mediterranean lifestyle. Treat yourself to a light snack in one of the stylish bars on the piazza and then stroll through the winding alleys, past historic courtyards and inspiring art galleries.

Just a quarter of an hour by boat from Ascona lie the Brissago Islands, nestled in Lake Maggiore. This little paradise is famous for its botanical garden, which invites visitors to marvel at and linger among exotic plants from all over the world.

The return trip by boat to Locarno offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on the impressions of the journey. Enjoy the sun, the gentle breeze and the view of the passing shores on deck – and let your mind wander.

Valid for an outward and return journey on all the following routes on the booked days:

• Basel–Olten–Lucerne−Arth-Goldau−Göschenen−Airolo–Bellinzona–Locarno

• Zurich–Zug–Arth-Goldau–Göschenen–Airolo–Bellinzona–Locarno

The outward and return journeys do not have to be on the same day.

To make sure you’re well prepared for your excursion, we recommend checking the boat company’s timetable before you travel.

The day pass is valid on board the boats of the Swiss Lake Maggiore boat company (Swiss side). The sections of Arcobaleno line 351 Locarno–Tenero–Magadino are not included.

• Show your voucher to the inspector when boarding the boat. If you have purchased an offer with a Half Fare Travelcard, please have your travelcard ready for inspection.

• When you show or hand over your voucher at the cash desk for the Brissago Islands, you will be admitted to the island.

To purchase the GA Travelcard offer, you will need:

• a valid GA Travelcard

• a Day Pass for the GA area of validity*

*Customers with a Day Pass for the GA area of validity must also be able to produce a valid Half Fare Travelcard.

With a seat reservation on the Treno Gottardo, Voralpen-Express, Alpenrhein-Express and IR Aare Linth, travelling is even more comfortable. We recommend reserving a seat, especially at weekends and peak times, in first class as well.

You can find all information about booking your seat here.

The boats are wheelchair-accessible, with some restrictions. Please call +41 91 222 11 11 for more information. At the Brissago Islands, accessibility is guaranteed up to Villa Emden (hotel and restaurant), while the garden is partially accessible by wheelchair. We recommend travelling with a companion, as there are steps, slopes and unpaved paths.

Trains on the north-south Gotthard axis will run with an adjusted timetable over the Easter, Ascension and Whitsun holidays. Additional trains will be running in order to offer as many seats as possible.

Individual connections of the IR46 Treno Gottardo will therefore be rerouted between Zurich and Arth-Goldau and will not stop in Zug. Please be sure to check the online timetable.

We recommend that you reserve a seat for all connections. Bicycle transport cannot be guaranteed in the event of high capacity utilization. We ask for your understanding.

SBB is upgrading Flums station to implement the Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG) and enable step-free boarding of trains in future.

From April 21, 2025, from 10.40 pm to May 28, 2025, 5.20 am, there will therefore be no trains stopping at Flums station. Replacement buses will be running.

Please allow sufficient travel time and check the online timetable for alternative connections before each journey.

Further information on the construction work can be found here: SBB

Due to construction work on the SBB rail network, there will be train cancellations and changes to service times in the Basel-Olten region from April 25, 2025 to June 9, 2025.

The Südostbahn IR26 Treno Gottardo will also be affected. IR26 trains will be canceled between Olten and Basel in both directions.

Please allow sufficient travel time and check the online timetable for alternative connections before each journey.

If you have any questions about this SBB construction work, please contact SBB Customer Service: SBB Contact Center

Due to construction work on the SBB rail network, there will be restrictions and train cancellations on various long-distance and S-Bahn lines in St. Margrethen in the evenings and at night.

Please allow sufficient travel time and check the online timetable for alternative connections before each journey.

If you have any questions about this SBB construction work, please contact SBB Customer Service: SBB Contact Center.

Due to construction work on the SBB rail network, there will be restrictions in the Bern-Olten area from May 9, 2025, in the evening until and including May 11. The IR35 will be canceled between Bern and Burgdorf.

Please allow sufficient travel time and check the online timetable for alternative connections before each journey.

If you have any questions about this SBB construction work, please contact SBB Customer Service: SBB Contact Center.

Due to construction work on the SBB rail network, IR26 trains between Basel SBB and Olten will be canceled from August 15, 2025 until August 18, 2025. Travelers from Basel SBB to Olten (and further), take the IC6/61 from Basel SBB and change trains in Olten

Please allow sufficient travel time and check the online timetable for alternative connections before each journey.

If you have any questions about this SBB construction work, please contact SBB Customer Service: SBB Contact Center