Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV) AG

Who they are

The Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees, the SGV, is the shipping company of Lake Lucerne. It is based in Lucerne and has a fleet of 19 boats: fourteen motor ships and five historic paddle steamers, the Uri, the Unterwalden, the Schiller, the Gallia and the Stadt Luzern. They are scheduled boats: they stop at the lakeside villages, like a bus, and are used by locals and by people on an outing alike.

Where they leave from

From the station quay, the Bahnhofquai, opposite Lucerne railway station. From there boats leave for Weggis and Vitznau, where the Rigi rack railway begins; for Alpnachstad, where the Pilatus one begins; and for Brunnen and Flüelen, on the Uri arm, the narrowest and most mountainous part of the lake.

What it sells

• Single-journey tickets, in second class: Lucerne – Vitznau or Lucerne – Alpnachstad, CHF 31; Lucerne – Flüelen, CHF 53. Half price at the reduced rate.
• Day pass to hop on and off where you like: CHF 86 in second and CHF 134 in first, or CHF 43 and CHF 67 at the reduced rate. From 1 November to 31 March there is a cheaper winter pass, of CHF 53 in second.
• Children's pass for ages 6 to 15: CHF 12 in second.
• Cruises with a meal, at midday or in winter, and class upgrades on board.

With the Half Fare Card, the SBB GA travelcard or the Swiss Travel Pass you pay the reduced fare.

First or second

First class occupies the upper deck: there are fewer people and nothing blocks your view. You can move up to first on board, paying the difference.

Before you go

Check the day's timetable on its website: it changes a lot from summer to winter and not all the boats are steamers. In summer it is best to get to the quay with some time to spare if you want a place on deck.