Minibus Services Across Switzerland

Lake Lucerne by boat and minibus: a day on the water, a driver at the other end

The lake boats leave from the Bahnhofquai, right across the square from Lucerne station. A minibus with a driver suits the way small groups like to see the lake: sail one way, ride a mountain railway, and find your driver waiting where you come down.

Piers 1 to 6, and number 7

Piers 1 to 6 line the lakefront from the Seebrücke to the KKL concert hall and the Inseli park. Pier 1, next to the bridge, has the information and ticket desk. Pier 7 is on the far shore at the Schweizerhofquai. Groups of 10 or more book the boat in advance; seats are reserved only when the booking includes a meal.

Sprinter 19-seat minibus, side view
Sprinter 19-seat minibus, side view

Lucerne's stopping rules, in plain terms

The handiest stop is the Inseliquai beside the KKL, about four minutes on foot from the boats. No voucher is needed there: passengers get on and off and bags go in or out, but the vehicle then has to move on.

Since 1 April 2025, Schwanenplatz, Löwenplatz and Kasernenplatz need a voucher booked online beforehand, valid only for the booked day and vehicle; at Schwanenplatz passengers may only get off. The rule covers vehicles with more than nine seats. Smaller vans, up to nine seats, are barred from these three stops altogether; Lucerne's tourist office points them to public car parks or loading bays.

Waiting at a stop is not allowed, so between drop-off and pick-up your driver parks at Brüelmoos, at Rösslimatt in Kriens, or at Alpenquai/Landenberg for up to two hours between 06:00 and 22:00.

Where the boats tie up

  • Pier 7 is on the opposite shore at the Schweizerhofquai
  • Pier 1, next to the Seebrücke, has the information and ticket desk
  • Luzern Bahnhofquai, 6003 Luzern: piers (Schiffsstege) 1 to 6 of the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company (SGV) on the lakefront in front of Luzern station, from the Seebrücke to the KKL (Culture and Convention Centre) and the Inseli park

Boat out, railway up, minibus home

For Pilatus, sail to Alpnachstad and take the steep cogwheel railway, which is closed in winter; come down by cable car to Kriens, about 5 km from the centre, where your minibus collects you. For Rigi, sail to Vitznau, where the cogwheel station is 50 m from the pier, and come down another way to be met. Check that each line is running on your date.

From Zurich Airport the drive is about 68 km, around 55 minutes in light traffic.

Questions travellers ask

Do we have to buy a voucher?

Not for the Inseliquai. For the three city-centre stops, the operator books it with the exact date and number plate. It cannot be bought on the spot.

Can the driver wait for us by the pier?

No. After the drop-off the vehicle goes to a coach park and comes back at the agreed time, so tell us roughly when your boat returns.

Should we take a car instead?

For eight people or fewer, a car with driver is often simpler. It may not use the voucher stops either, so the pick-up point is agreed when you book.

More places for your group

Other vehicles with a driver

Plan your Lake Lucerne day

Tell us the boat, the mountain, the date, how many of you there are and where you are staying. We arrange the minibus and driver through a licensed partner operator.

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