Top 15 Lake Cruises in Zurich

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

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

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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2.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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3.Zurich Walking Tour With Cruise and Aerial Cable Car

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

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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4.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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5.3 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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6.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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7.Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 59 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $124

Travel from Zurich to Lucerne by air-conditioned coach, hear an introduction to the city, then spend about six hours exploring independently. Visit Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, cafés, and shops, and use your included ticket for a one-hour Lake Lucerne cruise. The tour is partly guided, with multilingual guides such as Adolfo, Raffael, and Miriam appearing on different departures.

“I really enjoyed this day trip as such because we had more free time to explore Lucerne on our own. I like guided tours for the most part, but many times find that we don't spend enough time at some locations. This was a perfect way to get a feel and flavor of the city at our own pace and then meet the bus to go back to Zurich. The Lake Lucerne cruise was lovely although it was a bit overcast. I recommend this option for those who prefer to explore a city on their own.”

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8.Zurich Highlights with Lake Cruise & Optional FIFA Museum Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 56 reviews · 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $59Best value

See Zurich by air-conditioned coach, stroll through the medieval Old Town, and take a one-hour Lake Zurich cruise with an audio guide. The tour covers Bahnhofstrasse, the financial district, Zürichberg, ETH, St. Peter’s, and Fraumünster. Add the FIFA Museum if you want an independent football-focused finish.

“Lake cruise was good however inside the cruise specially in the 88’ F at noon was too hot and the cruise was actually a big boat which was part of public Mari s transportation in Zurich and for that reason it stops at 4 different Piotr to pick up the local people .”

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9.Zürich Private Walking Half-Day Trip with optional Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 26 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $208

Spend about four hours exploring Zurich with a private English-speaking guide. Walk from the main station through Bahnhofstrasse, Lindenhof, the old town, major churches, Limmatquai, and the lakefront, using trams and funiculars when useful. Add a one-hour Lake Zurich cruise for a wider view of the city.

“Our guide quoted an inordinate amount of dates and history at a rapid speed, but failed to give adequate local knowledge and feelings of Zürich. We were unable to get into the main church because of filming during the month - he was unaware of this and did not show us inside any other church as an alternative eg St Peters. In our next tour chocolate tour we learnt that the clock face was the largest in Europe bigger than Big Ben and the building was owned by both the canton and state. Such details are interesfing and memorable - this was not the information we got from our guide.…”

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10.Zurich City, Lake Cruise and Chocolate (Private Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $513

See Zurich by private vehicle, on foot, by boat, and by cogwheel train when operating. Your guide takes you past Bahnhofstrasse, the Opera House, ETH, and Old Town, then on a Lake Zurich cruise to Lindt Home of Chocolate. Guides such as Ricardo, Celio, and Nuno are praised for friendly, flexible service.

“Awesome enjoyed every second guide was friendly and was prompt chocolate factory was worth visiting good”

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11.Zurich Small-Group Walking Tour Including a Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $89

Spend about four hours with a local guide exploring Zurich’s Old Town, Lindenhof, Bahnhofstrasse, Paradeplatz, and Fraumünster. Ride the funicular to Polyterrasse, then finish with a 90-minute Lake Zurich cruise. Guides such as Greg, Patrick, Tyler, and David have led engaging tours, but expect steep streets, stairs, and little guided commentary on the boat.

“Greg was an excellent tour guide giving good facts and keeping watch over the group, so everyone felt safe. We walked, used various means of transportation and even had a spectacular view of the snow covered mountains. The Lake Cruise also had great views. I would highly recommend this tour. You’ll definitely need your walking shoes.”

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12.2-Day Mt Rigi Tour from Zurich Including Mineral Baths and Lake Lucerne Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $622

Travel from Zurich to Mount Rigi by coach, cable car, and cogwheel train, then stay overnight at Hotel Rigi Kaltbad. You’ll have free time at Rigi-Kulm, adult access to Mario Botta’s mineral baths, a four-course dinner, breakfast, and a scenic boat ride to Lucerne. The route is partly guided, with written instructions for independent sections.

“This tour was amazing! Fantastic views of the alps while swiming in the thermal pools !!! Great food at hotel and cable car is so much fun ! Train ride is a joy to be ., and lucern is just incredible ! Full of magical places to see ., we fed the ducks and swan at lake lucern !!!”

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13.LINDT Home of Chocolate, Cruise On Lake Zurich And Old Town Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $182

Start at Zurich’s UBS Polybahn with a one-hour Lake Zurich ferry ride, then walk to Lindt Home of Chocolate for a self-guided audio tour and unlimited tasting. A guide such as Greg may lead you through Bahnhofstrasse, the Old Town, and Lindenhof Hill. Expect hills, cobblestones, public transport, and a flexible finish at Lindt.

“Greg was an outstanding guide: personable, fun, and knowledgeable. He shared the beauty and tidbits that make Zurich special. Besides the history and sights, the Lindt factory was fascinating and delicious! We definitely recommend this tour”

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14.Zurich with Cruise and Lindt Home of Chocolate Private tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $511

See Zurich’s main churches with a private guide, enjoy a 25-minute Lake Zurich cruise, and visit Lindt Home of Chocolate. The tour lasts about four to five hours, includes pickup, and is offered in English. Guides such as David and Jonathan have earned praise for their friendly, informative approach, though guide fluency should be confirmed.

“The city tour was ok, the chocolate tour was great (but you can go cheaper). This was a way to do it in one day. Not really worth the price, but not a bad tour. One issue, our tour pick up was moved up an hour earlier with little notice and then the guide showed up 40 minutes earlier than that and sent someone up to try and hurry us up more to start 100 minutes earlier than scheduled! That was not cool.”

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15.Lucerne Private City Walk and Lake Cruise Day Trip from Zürich

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $509

Meet your private guide at your Zürich hotel, take the Intercity train to Lucerne, explore its bridges, squares, churches, and Lion Monument, then cruise Lake Lucerne for an hour. Guides including Martin, Ueli, Ani, Enzo, and Abraham have led this six-hour outing, which is tailored to your interests.

“Ani was a great host and guide! We had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Apart from being prompt she had a wealth of knowledge and knew all the hidden gems in the city.”

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