Switzerland · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Lake Cruises in Switzerland

46 tours  ·  from $26

The boats are public transport with a view, which makes them the cheapest good hour in the country. These 15 cover the Lucerne steamers, the Zurich and Geneva crossings and the Brienz water, priced and timed.

Award-Winning Geneva Chocolate &Old Town Tour with Boat Ride (3h) - Starting near Quai des Bergues
3-Hour Experiences, Chocolate Tours, Chocolate Tours in Geneva, Cruises & Boat Tours, Geneva Tours, Lake Cruises in Geneva, Tour Reviews, Tours

Award-Winning Geneva Chocolate &Old Town Tour with Boat Ride (3h)

1.Award-Winning Geneva Chocolate &Old Town Tour with Boat Ride (3h)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,721 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $131Our pick

Join a small group in central Geneva for a three-hour walk through chocolate shops, pastry stops, and Old Town landmarks. Guides such as Paul, Ethan, Olivia, and Anatole combine chocolate lore with local stories, tastings, the Marmite tradition, and a short boat ride near the Jet d’Eau.

“Everything you wanted to know about chocolate and didn’t. Paul was an amazing and exceptional guide. Great subject matter expert, kept the tour interesting with facts and relevant questions. Highly recommend, ask for Paul!”

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Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise - The Dragon Ride to 2,132 meters
Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Cruises in Lucerne, Lucerne Tours, Mount Pilatus Tours, Tour Reviews

Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise

2.Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,260 reviews · 5 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $223

Travel from central Lucerne to Mount Pilatus with an English-speaking guide, ascending by panoramic gondola and Dragon Ride, then descending by cogwheel train. From May through October, finish with a one-hour Lake Lucerne cruise. Allow about 5 hours 15 minutes, with free time for lunch and short walks at the summit.

“Enjoyed the cable car and gondola up the mountain and the cogwheel down the mountain. Sites on top were amazing!!”

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Zurich Sights: Cruise, Lindt Chocolate and optional FIFA Ticket - The coach tour covers Zurich’s broad outlines
Chocolate Tours, Chocolate Tours in Zurich, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Cruises in Zurich, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Zurich Tours

Zurich Sights: Cruise, Lindt Chocolate and optional FIFA Ticket

3.Zurich Sights: Cruise, Lindt Chocolate and optional FIFA Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,028 reviews · 5 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $108

Spend about five hours touring Zurich’s main sights, walking through the Old Town, cruising Lake Zurich, and visiting Lindt Home of Chocolate with an audio guide and unlimited tasting. Guides such as Daniel, Renate, and Fernando have led this route. Add the FIFA Museum for an independent football-themed visit.

“Renate was very well versed with everything on the trip, the Lindt Museum was very interesting, boat ride was very neat as well!”

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Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise - Riding up Mt Pilatus by gondola and cable car
1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Day Trips in Zurich, Lake Cruises in Zurich, Mount Pilatus Tours, Tour Reviews, Zurich Tours

Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise

4.Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 694 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $250

Spend about 10 hours touring from Zurich to Lucerne and Mt Pilatus. Ride gondolas to 2,132 meters, walk the Dragon’s Path, descend by the world’s steepest cogwheel railway, and cruise Lake Lucerne. Guides such as Adolfo and Rafael have led recent departures, but assignments vary.

“Great tour from Zurich if you want to see Lucerne and Mount Pilatus. We do wish we would have had a little more info from our guide in regards to Lucerne but enjoyed the city on our own. Mount Pilatus was amazing.”

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Zurich Walking Tour With Cruise and Aerial Cable Car - Old Zurich from Bahnhofstrasse to Grossmünster
Cable Car Rides, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Cruises in Zurich, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Zurich, Zurich Tours

Zurich Walking Tour With Cruise and Aerial Cable Car

5.Zurich Walking Tour With Cruise and Aerial Cable Car

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 669 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $111

Spend about six hours with a local English-speaking guide exploring Zurich’s Old Town, Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof, ETH, and Lake Zurich. Ride the Polybahn funicular, public transport, a ferry, and either a cable car to Felsenegg or a train to Uetliberg. Guides such as Greg and Patricia bring history, humor, and practical help to a busy day.

“Our tour guide,Greg, was knowledgeable, kind, and oh, so funny. He took us on a grand tour of Zurich, through old town, the shopping district (fancy) and kept us entertained with stories, interesting facts and historical events. We traveled on a funicular, a train, a bus, a ferry and a cable car. It truly was a perfect day! I would give Greg an A++++!”

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Lucerne Walking & Boat Tour: The Best Swiss Experience - Lucerne’s wall and nine towers add a medieval edge
Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Cruises in Lucerne, Lucerne Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Lucerne

Lucerne Walking & Boat Tour: The Best Swiss Experience

6.Lucerne Walking & Boat Tour: The Best Swiss Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 417 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $118

Explore Lucerne with a local guide such as Luis, Isabella, or Laszlo on a two-hour walk through the Old Town, Chapel Bridge, riverfront, and medieval fortifications. Add a one-hour Lake Lucerne cruise or choose a package with Swiss cheese and wine tasting. Groups are capped at eight, but boat tickets and timing need careful checking.

“We paid €95 EACH for 2 hours walking tour and 1 hour boat cruise. Our ticket said ' no boat' even though we got a confirmation that we HAD a boat cruise. The Russian guide was no help and so our 2 days in Lucerne was spoiled. BE CAREFUL who you book with.”

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Best of Geneva City Tour with optional boat cruise - Meeting the coach near Geneva Bus Station
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Best of Geneva City Tour with optional boat cruise

7.Best of Geneva City Tour with optional boat cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 416 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $76

See Geneva’s international district, Broken Chair, Jet d’Eau, Flower Clock, and Old Town by coach, mini train, or on foot. The optional Lake Geneva cruise adds sweeping views and a light wine-and-snack service. Guides such as Gabriel and Berry have earned praise, but audio, timing, and weather can affect the day.

“Though very friendly, our tour guide was not good. If she introduced herself, we did not hear her name. Her English was barely understandable, and the tour script was read robotically. We could not hear the tour description well despite the AV being turned up. For Viator, overall, instructions are sparse. How do we know which group is yours? Can you have a uniform or sign? It was unclear that the boat trip was later in the day, and not right after the coach tour. We had a nice day, but it could have been better.”

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Lake Lucerne Panoramic Sightseeing Cruise - The audio guide needs a little attention
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Lake Lucerne Panoramic Sightseeing Cruise

8.Lake Lucerne Panoramic Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 363 reviews · from $39

Cruise Lake Lucerne for about an hour aboard a 161-foot yacht from Pier 7 in Lucerne. Enjoy mountain and city views from the open rear terrace or upper deck, use the multilingual audio guide through your phone or onboard headphones, and buy drinks and snacks at the bar. Morning, afternoon, and evening departures are available.

“We loved this hour long tour. Beautiful scenery and views from the water that you just can’t get from land. We didn’t download the audio guide but you definitely could to hear interesting info of the area.”

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Mt Rigi and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Boat Ride - Mount Rigi at 1,800 Meters
1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Day Trips in Zurich, Lake Cruises in Zurich, Mount Rigi Tours, Tour Reviews, Zurich Tours

Mt Rigi and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Boat Ride

9.Mt Rigi and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 297 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $204

Travel from Zurich to Weggis, ride a cable car and historic cogwheel train up Mount Rigi, then cruise Lake Lucerne to Lucerne. This partly guided day trip gives you transport, tickets, and a written plan, while leaving much of the mountain and city time to you. Guides such as Fernando, Bruno, and Cecilia have earned praise for clear instructions.

“Beautiful summer day trip to Mount Rigi and Lucerne! Stunning lake views, scenic train rides, and fresh mountain air. A perfect mix of nature and charm—Switzerland at its best!”

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(STTG04) - Sightseeing Cruise at Geneva with Wine and Aperitif - Bains des Pâquis and Geneva’s local waterfront
Cruises & Boat Tours, Geneva Tours, Lake Cruises in Geneva, Tour Reviews, Wine Tours

(STTG04) – Sightseeing Cruise at Geneva with Wine and Aperitif

10.(STTG04) – Sightseeing Cruise at Geneva with Wine and Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 235 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $38

Spend about an hour on Lake Geneva in a small, zero-emission solar boat with wine, appetizers, and views of the Jet d’Eau, Bains des Pâquis, United Nations district, parks, and Alps. The advertised maximum is five people, and guide commentary can vary, so treat this as a relaxed scenic cruise rather than a formal guided tour.

“The Guide was very good and he explained the close by important sites .The weather was also pleasant which supported our trip.”

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3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg - A fast, story-filled introduction to Swiss life
Cable Car Rides, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Cruises in Zurich, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Zurich, Zurich Tours

3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour – Cruise on the Lake – Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg

11.3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour – Cruise on the Lake – Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 227 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $110

Spend about six hours with guides such as Greg, Patricia, or Vasi, touring Zurich’s Old Town, riding public transport, cruising Lake Zurich, and taking the cable car to Felsenegg. Expect a brisk, varied day with hills, cobblestones, forest paths, and wide views toward the lake and Alps. Lunch is not included.

“This tour is exactly as advertised! The city tour took two hours, we broke for 30 minutes for lunch, then walked to the dock for the ferry - we sailed for 45 minutes - then took a bus to the gondola ride. We stayed at the top for about 40 minutes and then took a train back to Zurich for an in time finish. We took a tram and a funicular too! Some parts of the walk are steeply inclined, and I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone with mobility restrictions. Our tour with Greg was mostly older people and no one had any trouble with it. Greg was very engaging…”

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Mt Pilatus Peak and Lake Lucerne Cruise Small Group from Lucerne - Summit time at 2,073 meters
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Mt Pilatus Peak and Lake Lucerne Cruise Small Group from Lucerne

12.Mt Pilatus Peak and Lake Lucerne Cruise Small Group from Lucerne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 189 reviews · from $260

You’ll combine two Lucerne classics in about 5½ hours: a cable-car ascent of Mt. Pilatus, summit time and a cogwheel descent, followed by a Lake Lucerne cruise. Guides such as Rose, Santiago Rooney, Jonas, and Leighton have led this outing. The advertised group limit is 15, though one departure was larger.

“Tour guide was excellent- she answered our questions and kept the tour flowing in an orderly fashion. Mt Pilatus was beautiful as advertised. The boat tour was an out and back tour - lasting about an hour. Got to see a lot of the riverside scenery-and typical Swiss lodging . Good tour overall.”

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Geneva and Annecy Tour With Optional Lake Geneva Cruise - Geneva by coach: a useful first orientation
Annecy Day Trips, Cruises & Boat Tours, Geneva Tours, Lake Cruises in Geneva, Tour Reviews, Tours

Geneva and Annecy Tour With Optional Lake Geneva Cruise

13.Geneva and Annecy Tour With Optional Lake Geneva Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 151 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $162

Spend about nine hours crossing from Geneva to Annecy, walking Annecy’s medieval center, enjoying free time by the lake, then touring Geneva by coach, tram or mini train, and on foot. Guides such as Gabriel, Hector, Antonio, and Zara have earned praise for lively, clear commentary. Add the seasonal Lake Geneva cruise if available.

“Realizing this town can be seen in 2 hours and we booked more than 1/2 day. Take a few pretty pictures. Walk across two bridges and then you will be bored unless you came here to eat.”

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Audioguided sightseeing cruise of Geneva - The Jardin Anglais and Geneva’s harbor
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Audioguided sightseeing cruise of Geneva

14.Audioguided sightseeing cruise of Geneva

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 144 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $25Best value

Cruise Geneva’s harbor and Lake Geneva for about an hour aboard a CGN boat. You’ll pass the Jardin Anglais, Pierre du Niton, Jet d’Eau, international organizations, and lakeside homes. The audio guide runs through the CGN Tours app on your own phone, so download it before boarding and bring headphones.

“This is quite an ordinary experience….it’s just for someone wanting to get on a boat… Nothing exciting whatsoever!”

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The Great Tour of Zurich by Bus and Boat - The Höhenstrasse and the road to Rapperswil
Cruises & Boat Tours, Lake Cruises in Zurich, Tour Reviews, Tours, Zurich Tours

The Great Tour of Zurich by Bus and Boat

15.The Great Tour of Zurich by Bus and Boat

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 105 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $82

Start with a guided coach tour of Zurich, then head to Rapperswil for its castle, rose gardens, deer park, and Old Town. You return to Zurich by an unescorted Lake Zurich cruise, a scheduled ferry with several stops. Guides may include Jeanine, Hans, Walter, or Thomas, and commentary is in English.

“Nice tour around town and then going to the small town outside of Zurich was very nice. Good guide who made the trip interesting and educational. Loved the slow boat trip back. Time to just relax and enjoy the Swiss countryside.”

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New in Cruises & Boat Tours

★ 4.5Zurich with Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate Private tourFrom $5118 reviews
★ 5.0Lucerne small group walking tour and Lake Cruise from ZürichFrom $4156 reviews
★ 5.0LINDT Home of Chocolate, Cruise On Lake Zurich And Old Town Walking TourFrom $18211 reviews
★ 5.0Lake Zurich boat tour for an afternoon !3 reviews
★ 5.0Lake Zurich mini boat tour / by night!3 reviews
★ 5.0Lucerne Private City Walk and Lake Cruise Day Trip from ZürichFrom $5096 reviews
★ 3.5Round trip cruise from Vevey to ChillonFrom $3715 reviews
★ 5.0Private Sightseeing Boat Trip on Lake Thun, InterlakenFrom $26311 reviews
★ 5.0Cheese platter by Boat on Lake Thun, InterlakenFrom $31610 reviews
★ 4.5Guided Walk from Lugano to Gandria promoted by Lugano Region – return by boatFrom $2615 reviews
★ 5.0Panoramic E-Bike Tour with a Lake CruiseFrom $72910 reviews
★ 4.5Mt. Pilatus with Lake of Lucerne Cruise Private Tour from LucerneFrom $69412 reviews
★ 4.5Lucerne Half-Day Small Group Walking Tour incl. Lake CruiseFrom $17715 reviews
★ 4.5Attraction Ticket: Day Pass for Lake Thun & Brienz Boat CruisesFrom $1467 reviews
★ 3.5Round trip cruise from Lausanne to ChillonFrom $6815 reviews

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Lake Cruises in Zurich18Lake Cruises in Lucerne10Lake Cruises in Geneva7River Rafting6Scenic Train Journeys14
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Out of town

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