Boat trips
By boat past unique natural landscapes, historic towns and wildly romantic mountain scenery
Switzerland is rich in lakes and rivers and offers many opportunities for romantic boat trips past unique natural landscapes, historic towns and wild, romantic mountain scenery. As early as the late Middle Ages and in the early modern period, there were so-called bathing trips in Switzerland. Specially employed ships took spa guests mainly from Zurich on the Limmat to Baden and back. In the early days of tourism, steamboats became an important means of transport and a contemporary attraction, reaching a peak in the Belle Époque. The first paddle steamer operated on Lake Geneva from 1823. After 1850, steamboat lines were established on all major Swiss lakes. The pleasure ports formed a unit with hotels and lake promenades. This is still clearly visible today in Lucerne or Montreux, for example. It was only in the 20th century that sailing and motorboats became a status symbol of leisure culture. However, sailing as a sport was already practised on Swiss lakes at the end of the 19th century. Even by the Swiss on the high seas: in 2003, a Swiss team was the first European team to win the prestigious America's Cup.
Be inspired by the many opportunities to discover Switzerland's beautiful shores and landscapes on a boat cruise.
The history of shipping
The Nautirama uses light and sound to guide you through the history of shipping in Central Switzerland, and not only in bad weather. You will encounter the turbulent events at the beginning of the steam ship era. Original ships, submarines, ship engines and a model of a ship lock complete the exhibition at the Swiss Museum of Transport.
How to get there: with the Voralpen-Express or Treno Gottardo to Lucerne.
Lake Maggiore
Exploring the Swiss basin of Lake Maggiore and the Brissago Islands is a unique experience in itself. But Bella Italia also beckons, as only the smaller part of the lake lies within Swiss territory. Luino with its market, Cannobio, Stresa, Pallanza and Verbania, as classic tourist destinations, are also attractions worth visiting.
How to get there: take the Treno Gottardo to Locarno.
Lake Constance
Three countries – one lake. The boat connections are correspondingly diverse. There are no limits to excursion ideas. A coastal trip from Rorschach to Kreuzlingen (also in the evening with the last scheduled boat at sunset) or a trip to Lindau in Bavaria are a hit, as is a trip with the Romanshorn-Friedrichshafen ferry.
How to get there: take the S4 to Rorschach.
Lake Lucerne
Many beautiful paddle steamers ply this beautiful lake, but there is also a yacht offering pure cruising pleasure with a convertible roof and free audio tour. On the ‘Saphir’ yacht cruise (1st class only), you can enjoy unrestricted views and learn the most fascinating details about the Lucerne lake basin. The one-hour cruise departs from/to Lucerne, Schweizerhofquai.
How to get there: take the Voralpen-Express to Lucerne.
Lake Walen
The Lake Walen shipping company serves ten landing stages: Weesen, Betlis, Mühlehorn, Quinten, Murg East/West, Au, Unterterzen, Mols and Walenstadt. Take the boat to Betlis and hike to the Seerenbach Falls, the longest waterfall in Switzerland. A boat trip to Quinten can also be easily combined with a hike.
Getting there: take the S4 to Walenstadt.
Lake Zurich
There are five different round trips by boat from Zurich, and each has something special to offer. The shortest one goes from Bürkliplatz to Wollishofen, while the longest takes you to Pfäffikon SZ. If you want to cross the lake from one side to the other, you can travel the entire length of the lake or as far as Schmerikon. Rapperswil is also an ideal starting point for your boat trip. From May to September, the boat departs daily (April to October: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays) at 2:10 pm for the round trip. The intermediate stops on the two-hour trip are the island of Ufenau, the piers of Pfäffikon SZ, Richterswil, Wädenswil, Männedorf, Stäfa and Uerikon.
How to get there: take the Treno Gottardo to Zurich or the Voralpen-Express to Rapperswil.
