Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG) Lake Cruises

The Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft, or ZSG, runs the passenger boats on Lake Zurich and is one of the easiest ways to see the city from a different angle. The company goes back to 1890 and 1891, when the Zurich steamboat company was formed, and took its present name in 1957. Today it operates a fleet of 17 vessels, including two historic paddle steamers, the Stadt Zürich of 1909 and the Stadt Rapperswil of 1914, and carries more than 1.5 million passengers a year.

The main pier is at Bürkliplatz, at the lake end of Bahnhofstrasse. The shortest option is the Mini round trip, which takes about an hour to Wollishofen and back. The Kleine round trip lasts about 90 minutes and turns at Thalwil and Erlenbach. For a longer outing, the Grosse round trip takes four and a half hours to Rapperswil and back, and it can also be done in the reverse direction.

The lake boats call at piers including Zürichhorn, Küsnacht, Meilen, Thalwil, Horgen, Wädenswil, Stäfa and Rapperswil. The ZSG also runs three low-profile Limmat boats, Turicum, Felix and Regula, each carrying 51 passengers and built to pass under the low bridges of the city centre, which travel along the river with stops near the Landesmuseum and at Enge. In addition, themed cruises include fondue, barbecue, brunch and party boats, which make a lake trip into an evening out.

The timetable is busiest in summer, when there are many daily round trips from Zurich; spring, autumn and winter have a reduced service. Low water levels can occasionally restrict operations, so check the current timetable on the ZSG website before you go. The Mini and Kleine round trips are free with the Zürich Card, and the company has been part of the ZVV transport network since 1990, which means regular ZVV tickets are accepted.

A lake cruise suits almost everyone, from families and older travellers to anyone who wants to rest their feet after a morning of sightseeing. Bürkliplatz is a short walk from Paradeplatz and the Fraumünster, and the Baur au Lac and the lakeside promenade are right next to the pier.