Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV) · Lucerne, Pier 3
A round trip of about 55 minutes on the SGV's hybrid catamaran, from Pier 3 by Lucerne station out toward Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock and back. It sails every hour, all year, which makes it the easiest way to fit the lake into a day of sightseeing.
The boat leaves from Pier 3, in front of the KKL concert hall next to Lucerne station, and heads out of the bay toward the Bürgenstock headland. At Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock the funicular climbs the cliff to the resort; the catamaran turns and brings you back to Pier 3. SGV puts the round trip at about 55 minutes and runs it hourly, daily, all year. Pilatus, Rigi and Bürgenstock frame the whole ride on a clear day.
This is a scheduled SGV boat, so the Swiss Travel Pass, the Flex on a travel day and the Lucerne Travel Pass already cover it, and the Half Fare card gives 50%. Pass holders simply board; everyone else needs a ticket anyway, and this is that ticket. Children up to 5 ride free. There is no guide and no commentary: guests describe it as a ferry-style ride, and that is the right expectation. Drinks and snacks come from a vending machine on board, and the listing asks you to bring cash.
The listing notes that the boat type can change, so on some departures you may get a different vessel. Seats are not reserved, and in winter the same hourly service keeps running.
Walk out of Lucerne station toward the lake. Pier 3 is the landing stage in front of the KKL; the catamaran leaves hourly.
Seats are first come, and guests say it is easy to move around the boat for photos.
The boat leaves the city waterfront behind, with Pilatus on one side and Rigi on the other.
The catamaran runs toward the Bürgenstock headland, where the funicular climbs to the resort on the cliff, then turns for home.
Return to the station front, ready for the old town or the next train.
★★★★★It was a really beautiful ride and longer than I thought. I wasn't mad at that.
★★★★★The trip was very nice and easy to move around the boat to take pics
★★★★★Beautiful crossing, with great weather and clear air, absolutely recommended
★★★★★It was great! The boat was so much nicer than I was expecting!
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From Pier 3 at Lucerne station, in front of the KKL. It comes back to the same pier.
About 55 minutes, Lucerne to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock and back, per SGV. Departures are hourly.
Yes. It is a scheduled SGV round trip, so the Swiss Travel Pass, the Flex on a travel day and the Lucerne Travel Pass cover it, and the Half Fare card gives 50%.
No. It is a scheduled boat with no guide or commentary, and drinks and snacks come from a vending machine.
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An hour on Lake Lucerne from Pier 3 by the station, toward Bürgenstock and back, in any season.
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