Added: 07/27/2005 |
Swiss boat transportSwiss boat transport
Generally Swiss transport is represented by railways, cablecars, funiculars, and chair lifts. But there are some places where nearly two-thirds of the surface area is covered by snow, and when it melts in the springtime, large lakes appear. So it is not surprising that Switzerland has developed boat transport network of more than 100 boats on 14 lakes to serve tourists and its own citizens. There are some Swiss residents for whom the country's lake boats are just a very pleasant, unhurried way to get from one point to another. Boats glide over the country's lakes and rivers mainly from April to October.
The boat transportation in Swiss is carried out by lake steamers. They can be either modern diesel-driven boats or traditional steam-driven side-wheelers. These snow-white vessels make a beautiful sight as they sail across the lakes with the red Swiss flag whipping above their wakes.
Every boat is perfectly comfortable. Each has a buffet where you can get drinks and snacks. A few vessels have full-scale restaurants that serve up lunch, dinner, and nighttime entertainment during two- or three-hour cruises. Aboard some of them you can dance to live music, or see a folkloric show. There are car ferry services on lakes Constance, Lucerne and Zurich.
Ticket prices vary with distance and class of service. You can spend anywhere from a few francs for a short crossing to SFr 40 or more for a circular cruise on one of the larger lakes.
Some discounts are available. For example, you can buy passes such as the Half-Fare Travel Card and the Berner Oberland Card that offer various discounts.
The Swiss Boat Pass is useful if you plan to ride boats. It gives you a 50% discount on lake-steamer tickets for a full year, and you can purchase it in any ticket office.
Where to take boats:
Lake Zurich. You can enjoy the pleasant suburbs on both sides of the lake. The longest route includes going to Rapperswil, about two hours away. The season lasts from early April to late October.
Lake Geneva. You can tour this big lake in a single day, but you can also break up your journey with overnight stays in Lausanne, Montreux, or other cities along the shore. This route is available at any time of the year.
Lakes Thun and Brienz. These lakes are on either side of Interlaken ("between the lakes") in the Bernese Oberland. The Thunersee is almost subtropical, while the Brienzersee is hemmed in by mountains and forest. Passenger boats run from April to late October.
Lake Lucerne. Boats on Lake Lucerne can be taken mostly from spring through autumn. The Lucerne-Brunnen route operates throughout the year. If you want to enjoy villages along the shore, simply leave the boat and catch another boat in an hour or two.
Lakes Neuchâtel, Biel, and Murten. These three lakes are joined by canals. You can tour all in one day. Different excursions are available. Some of the boats leave Biel/Bienne at 9:50 a.m., stops at Murten on its way to Neuchâtel, and arrives back at six o'clock. Other boats offer shorter cruises and crossings on the individual lakes.
Lake Lugano. This is a large mountain lake between Switzerland and Italy. The cruising opportunities there vary from local excursions to half-day trips. The season starts in spring finishes in autumn.
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