Lake Lucerne Boat Travel
 

We will be going to Switzerland in about a month. We will be staying for a week in Weggis and will have an automobile for exploring places but would also like to take a boat on some of our sightseeing trips around the lake.

We want to know how the boat travel from one town to another works. We have done some research but it is very confusing and sometimes there is not enough information.

For example, can we take a boat from Weggis to Lucerne, do some sightseeing there and have lunch and then return to Weggis on a boat when done with our visit? Can we take a boat (or boats) from town to town around the lake for a day purchasing tickets as needed? If we wanted to go by boat to Lucerne or other place for dinner do they do the return trip late at night? Do we need boat passes purchased prior to arrival to do any of these boat trips or can we purchase a ticket on the spur of the moment to go someplace?

Thanks for any information and suggestions you may give us.

I believe you can find information about boat options on the same Swiss Rail web-site that gives information about trains and buses. Use the "advance search" option to select boats only as necessary.
http://www.sbb.ch/en/home.html

No need to book unless special night dinner cruises - boats have two classes - first class on the front open-air upper deck - 2nd class down below - much better view from up top IME and not that much difference.

Boats in season are frequent enough yes to get on and off at will. If doing My Pilatus rather than driving thru Lucerne there take the boat to Alpnachstadt and then one of the world's most thrillingest trains up to the summit.

www.swisstravelsystem.com also has lots of info as do www.ricksteves.com; www.seat61.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com on Lucerne area transports and where to go.

The William Tell Express is a special boat deal from Lucerne and Weggis probably to the end of the lake at Fluelen - meal and commentary served up en route (actually is a regular boat with a special section I believe for the William Tell group).

PalenQ and kjs, thanks for this helpful information.
We are looking forward to our trip - just a short time away!

Here is the link to the steamer timetable which you may find useful:

http://www.lakelucerne.ch/en/timetable-fares/timetable/

You'll notice the lake is referred to locally as (in English) the Lake of the Four Forest Cantons

Here is the link to the steamer timetable which you may find useful:

http://www.lakelucerne.ch/en/timetable-fares/timetable/

You'll notice the lake is referred to locally as (in English) the Lake of the Four Forest Cantons>

Yes I noticed that they used it in the link you gave NOT!

I have been in Lucerne many times and never heard it referred to as that - in English - in German yes that is the name of the lake I believe.

You actually heard some say that to you rather than Lake Lucerne- I say Lake Lucerne is much more commonly used than "the Lake of the Four Forest Cantons" - for one thing that is a mouthful.