Boat trips on Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne is regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland, and nowhere is it more impressive than from the deck of a boat. On the Schwyz side the scheduled boats leave from Brunnen and Gersau, straight into the fjord-like scenery of Lake Uri with the Rütli, the Tellsplatte and the sheer rock walls of the Uri Alps.
The finest routes
- From Brunnen to the Rütli: a few minutes to the cradle of the Swiss Confederation, ideally combined with the Swiss Path.
- From Brunnen to Flüelen: the voyage along the whole of Lake Uri, past the Tellsplatte, Sisikon and Seelisberg.
- From Brunnen via Gersau and Vitznau to Lucerne: the grand lake crossing, which can be combined with the Rigi railway from Vitznau.
- Steamers: the paddle steamers Uri of 1901, the oldest steamship still in service in Switzerland, and Schiller of 1906 are monuments in motion.
Lake Uri from the water
The southern arm of Lake Lucerne is the most spectacular. Between Brunnen and Flüelen the rock walls plunge almost vertically into the water, the road disappears into tunnels and the railway runs high above the shore. From the boat you see this landscape as it was seen for centuries, because until the nineteenth century the water was the only comfortable way to the Gotthard.
Along the way lie the places bound up with the founding of the Swiss Confederation: the Rütli meadow on the western shore and the Tellsplatte with its chapel on the eastern shore. Both are clearly visible from the boat and have landing stages of their own.
The steamers
Lake Lucerne is home to one of the largest fleets of steamships in Europe. The paddle steamers date from the first half of the twentieth century and still sail today with their open engine rooms, where you can watch the machinery at work.
The «Uri» of 1901 is the oldest steamship still in service in Switzerland, and the «Schiller» of 1906 is also part of the fleet. A trip aboard is transport and museum visit in one. The steamer services are marked in the timetable, so you can plan an outing around them.
Combining boat and hike
The best days come from combining a boat trip with a walk. The Swiss Path runs around Lake Uri from village to village, and because almost every stop has a landing stage, you can walk any stage on its own and sail the rest.
Equally popular is the combination with the mountain railways: by boat to Vitznau and by cog railway up the Rigi, or from Gersau up to Rigi Scheidegg and back over the mountain.
Practical information
The boats run all year round, with a dense timetable in summer. The Swiss GA travelcard and Half Fare card are valid on the scheduled services. Food and drink are available on board.
In winter the timetable is much thinner, but the boats are empty and the visibility often crystal clear. Strong foehn winds can restrict services on Lake Uri, so it is worth checking the latest notices before you set out.
Tip: The summer evening cruises with the sun setting over Lake Uri are among the most atmospheric experiences in central Switzerland.
Getting there
Public transport: Train to Brunnen; the boat landing is a ten-minute walk from the station.
