Scenic Trains
Glacier
Express
Bernina
Express
Golden
Pass Line
Gotthard Panorama
Mont
Blanc - St Bernard
Palm
Express
Excursion Trains
Jungfraujoch
Chocolate
Train
Gornergrat
Matterhorn
Mt
Pilatus Railway
Mt
Rigi Railway
Roches
De Naye
Lake Cruises
Lake
Geneva
Lake
Lucerne
Lake
Constance
Lake
Thun & Brienz
Three
Lakes
LAKE LUCERNE CRUISES
Classic Paddle Steamers and Scenic Ferry
Switzerland’s
fourth largest lake is perhaps the country’s
most dramatic, closely surrounded by high steep mountain slopes which
plunge down to the lake edge, presenting stunning vistas from the deck
of a romantic cruise paddle steamer. Formed by the River Ruess, Lake
Lucerne is often shrouded by morning mists or lit by golden sun rays
through drifting clouds. The cruise ships of Lake Lucerne operated by
the Vier Waldstattersee company ply these beautiful waters from the city
of Lucerne at one end, to Fluelen at the other. This is the route of
the Wilhelm Tell Express boat and rail route, named for the legendary
hero of Switzerland, but the cruisers of Lake Lucerne operate on a daily
schedule of stops as a primary mode of transportation to attractions
and villages which line the shores. Take a Lake Lucerne cruise boat to
climb Mt Rigi on the steam cog railway, or to the Alpenachstad station
for the steepest cog train up to the top of Mt Pilatus. Stop in Brunnen
where Mary Shelley stopped with Percy on their Six
Weeks Tour.
A whole variety of boats operate as ferry service along the lake. The
first steam side paddle wheel cruiser, the Uri, was launched in 1901,
and the fleet now consists of five historic paddle steamers. The Unterwalden,
launched in 1902, the Schiller,, which began operation 1906 with
its unique Art Nouveau galley, the Gallia in 1913, the fastest paddle
driven steamer
in Europe, and the line's flagship,
the Stadt Luzern, the largest of the fleet, christened in 1928. Other
modern diesel cruise boat fill out the fleet, passing by each other as
they make their way on the route of stops at villages and towns, lined
with resort hotels and hiking trails.
Lake Lucerne cruise ships operate with two classes of passengers, 1st
Class on the upper decks and 2nd class on lower deck. While the seating
and facilities are generally similar in both classes, second class can
be a bit more crowded. The upper decks offer a high vantage view point,
and first class allows you to go where you want to on the boat. Ticket
prices are based on which class and on the distance traveled with hop-on
hop-off privileges for the day of the ticket, so you can go to a destination
along the lake, enjoy a day of activity and return. 2nd Class tickets
are half the price of 1st Class. There are multiple day tickets as well
for longer stays.
The Lake Lucerne cruise boats can be taken with a Swiss Pass or Eurail
Pass for no extra charge, with travel according to the class of the pass.
Meals on board are extra, unless traveling with a Wilhelm Tell Express
package supplement, or on one of several available theme lunch or dinner
cruise packages. A local pass the Tell-Pass offers travel on trains and
lake boats around Lake Lucerne for multiple days with a 50% discount
of the private cog railways and aerial cable cars. The Swiss Half Fare
Card from the SBB Swiss Railways offers travel at half price, these can
be purchased at any Swiss Railway Station.