Lake Geneva boat tours: what is on offer
The passenger boats of the CGN carry most of the traffic on the lake. Lake Geneva boat tours therefore mean two things: sightseeing cruises that start and end at the same pier, and regular lines that take you from one shore to another. Both use the same fleet and the same landing stages.
Two cruises are described here in detail. One starts at Quai Édouard-Jaccoud in Montreux and has an app audio guide. The other runs for three hours from Lausanne and passes Chillon, Montreux and Vevey. A third, a solar boat in Geneva, suits an evening by the water.
Our picks: Lake Geneva boat trips
Start from Montreux for a cruise with audio guide, or from Lausanne for the longer trip to Chillon, Montreux and Vevey. The solar boat in Geneva is the quieter choice if a welcome drink matters to you. None of the cruises includes entry to Chillon Castle.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in Swiss francs (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three-hour cruise from Lausanne to Chillon, Montreux and Vevey
- 3-hour boat trip
- Chillon, Montreux and Vevey
- Audioguide to download
The upper deck is only open with the first-class option. The boat passes Chillon, so there is no castle visit.
Check availability →
Riviera cruise from Montreux with audio guide
- Cruise
- In-app audio guide
A cruise from the Montreux quay with the audio guide in the app. The boat passes Chillon but does not include entry to the castle.
Check availability →
Geneva solar boat cruise with welcome drink
- Zero-emission solar boat
- Welcome drink and appetizers
- Geneva sightseeing cruise
A quiet solar boat with a welcome drink and nibbles. Look for the grey crane, not the yellow boats that serve as public transport.
Check availability →Lake Geneva cruises
A cruise from Montreux, a three-hour trip from Lausanne and a solar boat in Geneva, with live prices and availability.
Lake Geneva cruise tickets and day passes
The fares of the CGN day card.
| Passenger | Second class | First class |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | CHF 64 | CHF 90 |
| Half-fare card | CHF 32 | CHF 45 |
| Child 6 to 15.99 years | CHF 32 | CHF 45 |
| Child under 6 | free | free |
The Swiss Travel Pass and the GA travel pass are valid on the cruises, except at events, and the half-fare card is accepted. An online purchase does not guarantee a seat. Strong wind can cause cancellations, and access for wheelchairs depends on the ship and on how full it is. The Geneva Transport Card covers buses, trains and the small Mouettes boats in the city, but not the lake cruises.
On the cruises with a ticket and an app audio guide, a charged phone matters. The Riviera cruise passes Chillon without a castle visit, which you buy separately on our Chillon Castle page. The three-hour trip from Lausanne gives access to the upper deck only if you choose first class. "1 day" in a listing means the ticket is valid for a day, not that the trip lasts a day.
Belle Époque paddle steamers
Historic ships still sail.
La Suisse and Montreux usually sail from mid April to mid October. The Rhône and the Savoie sail all year, and so do the diesel-powered Vevey and Italie. A Belle Époque ship is not automatically a steamer, because some of the historic ships now run on diesel. No timetable can promise a specific ship on a specific day, so treat a steamer as a bonus, not as the plan.
Boats to France: Évian and Yvoire
Three regular lines cross the lake.
Line N1 runs from Lausanne to Évian, line N2 from Lausanne to Thonon, and line N3 from Nyon to Yvoire. You cross a border, so carry a valid passport or identity card. Check the current timetable and the fare on the operator's page before you travel, because single fares and journey times depend on the season.
The tourist cruises and the commuter lines are separate services. A sightseeing cruise is a leisure trip, while a line is public transport between the shores.
Cruises from Geneva
The western end of the lake.
From Geneva you can choose a short cruise with an app audio guide, or a quiet hour with snacks and drinks on board and no guide. A solar boat adds a welcome drink and appetisers. Our Lake Geneva tours page sets these cruises beside the walking tours and day trips, and the Geneva guide covers the Jet d'Eau and the old town on shore.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Swiss Travel Pass cover the boats?
Yes, on the cruises except at events. Check the sailing before you go.
Do I get a seat if I buy online?
An online ticket does not guarantee a seat. Come early on busy days if you want a place by the window.
Can I go to France by boat?
Yes. Lines N1, N2 and N3 serve Évian, Thonon and Yvoire. A valid passport or identity card is required.
Will a paddle steamer be on my sailing?
No ship is promised for a given sailing. La Suisse and Montreux usually run from mid April to mid October, and other historic ships run all year.