Hello! We will be in Luzern this Saturday and wanted to take a boat ride--ideally on one of the historic paddle steamers. Any itinerary suggestions for a relaxed shorter round trip excursion (1-3 hours)? We will be jetlagged and just want to enjoy pretty scenery. Thanks so much for any guidance! (and thanks to all of the kind folks who are always helpful on this forum. It's been such a huge assistance in planning our trip!)
Posted by
San Diego, California
4866 posts
You can go out and back to several towns on the lake, Vitnau, for example, is an hour each way. However, once you're there, it's a shame not to go up to Mt. Rigi on the cogwheel train.
As for the paddle steamers, once you're on the boat, it doesn't make much difference what type of boat it is- they are all very nice.
Enjoy this beautiful country!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
16389 posts
Take a look at the map and the various places you can stop, then use the timetable to find out what stop works best for you. Vitznau is a good suggestion; so is Weggis which would be the prior stop on most routes, 47 minutes from Luzern.
Whatever you choose, maybe explore the village a bit and have lunch if the time is appropriate.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
Thank you! So now I'm open to knowing everyone's favorite town to visit and lunch spot. ;) Vitznau sounds like the top option?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32909 posts
Vitznau is a good choice for a short excursion by boat. Or out by boat over the mountain by train, back from the other side
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8509 posts
When we were there, we walked from our hotel to the lakeshore dock area where a large number of cruise boats were docked, and just perused the offerings. The four of us ended up being the only passengers on one boat that took us out for a couple of hours. They would have customized for us if we had any specific request, but we were content just cruising along.
If it were just me, I'd have taken the ferry around the lake, as I had done on a previous trip.
Posted by
Lake District, England
5982 posts
From the timetable you can see how to combine the steamer trip with a visit to Vitznau.
And if you go back to the home page you can see about both dining on board the steamer and about the Queen of the Mountains Steamer and rail round trip (although that is probably more than you want to do in time terms).
Posted by
West Michigan
159 posts
Cynthia,
On two of our Swiss trips we have arrived in Luzern before check-in time at our lodging. We have chosen to spend our jet lag time cruising around the lake enjoying the scenery. In our opinion, the farther away from the city, the more beautiful the scenery. The far end of the lake is especially beautiful and is actually called the Urnersee. I do not recall the duration of a round trip from one end of the lake back.
It is possible to enjoy a delicious meal aboard the boat. On the boats we've traveled on there has always been an area with tables and chairs. This is area is for persons enjoying a drink, snack or meal. Not everyone understands this. On our May trip this year I heard a member of the waitstaff tell a passenger "This area is for persons who are ordering something." We have always ordered at least a coffee. However, if the boat is nearly empty no one seems to mind if people sit in this area. I have been pleased with the quality of food available on the Swiss lake boats.
We are comfortable leaving our luggage in the designated spots. When I get up to wander around I always check on them. There has never been a problem with someone taking them or getting into them.
We have taken the paddlewheel boat in the past. My husband is always impressed with how clean the steam engine is. He enjoys watching it operate.
There are many opportunities to disembark and have a meal or wander around. Of course, going up to the Rigi is a wonderful stop but we have always made a day of a trip up the Rigi. Vitznau is a nice town but I've not found a lot to do there. Maybe I haven't looked around enough.
Whatever you decide to do I hope you have a great time. Hard not to in Switzerland.
Traveler Girl
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7361 posts
On a hot day, a replica steam boat can be hotter to ride. I had that experience on the Elbe, not at Luzern.
We stayed a few nights at a boutique hotel in Vitznau, to facilitate rental car excursions. Since then, the big old luxury hotel nearby has re-opened, which may have rebuilt tourism nearby. But because we walked (1.5 miles ???) from the cable car descent, back to the cogwheel train ascent we used (by the boat dock, and the dock was near our hotel), I can say there was relatively little retail or restaurants (other than inside hotels) on that particular walk. We could have eaten on the mountain, but I think we did find one restaurant across the road from the cable car base station, but it felt like a lucky find. I'd expect strict adherence to European lunch hours, except on the mountain top buffet.
Note the opportunity to check visibility on mountain tops with a webcam. It was not exactly clear on our summer day.