Boat trips

From Luzern, take the boat to Vitznau, ride the cogwheel train up to Rigi Kulm, at the top of the mountain. There is a restaurant there if it is time for lunch, ornjustngo for a walk and enjoy the views over the lake. Then ride the train back down as far as Rigi Kaltbad. There you board a cablecar for the ride down to the lake at Weggis. Walk down to the dock and catch a boat back to Luzern.

With regard to lake boats, I'd caution you about one thing: Do not assume that if a 1- or 2-hour trip is nice, an all-day trip will be 4 or 8 times as good. I found a couple hours enough at any one time if I was on the boat for the views, as opposed to transportation.

To: Lola. Do you know if all those journeys you suggested are covered by the Swiss Rail Pass?

The entire trip Lola recommended is covered by a Swiss rail pass (boat from Luzern to Vitznau, train up to Rigi Kulm, train down to Rigi Kaltbad, cable car down to Weggis, steep walk downhill from cable car to Weggis boat dock, boat back to Luzern).

I did this exact trip and had a great day out - except for that steep downhill walk. If that bothers you, take the train back down to Vitznau instead, where it's a much shorter and much closer to level walk between the train station and the boat dock.

I also agree that you will get plenty of boat time on this excursion, and don't need a longer one. The ever-changing cloud formations over the mountains were fascinating, and even as a non-photographer I was clicking away before I even got up to Rigi Kulm.

Boats are just 1 part of the integrated Swiss Transport System that also includes buses, trains, funiculars, gondolas and local city trams...all of which are covered by the Swiss Pass. Only the higher private railways such as the Jungfrau and Schilthorn are not entirely covered by the SP, but you will still receive a hefty discount when your purchase tickets on those transports.

Another vote for the Vitznau trip ! Here is a romantic video about the rail journeys of yesteryear , including the Vitznau trip ( and the reference to Mark Twain , as well ) In four fifteen minute segments https://youtu.be/hlZaicAXnFA

Part 2 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z52PJMNJ45g and that's where the Vitznau part is...

The map that comes with your Swiss Travel Pass shows all covered routes as solid lines - red for trains, yellow for buses, and white for boats. It's also online here.