About Lake Constance
Available: April - October
Example travel costs
Swiss Travel Pass: FREE boat trips on the Swiss side. 50% discount on trips to the German side.
Half Fare Card: Discounts on the published fare - around 35 Sfr for a 1 day pass to cover all areas of the lake.
Lake Constance is the third largest lake in Central Europe, situated at the point where Switzerland meets Germany and Austria. This is a beauty spot well known for its cruises, walking trails and cycling. You can discover lakeside villages and relax in the most picturesque surroundings.
Get your holiday quotation today
Contact us to book your holiday
Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com
Highlights
Cruising on the lake
The three main harbours of Kreuzlingen, Romanshorn and Rorschach are situated within walking distance of their respective railway stations and are convenient points from which to depart on a cruise. Romanshorn is the largest leisure port on the lake, with the greatest choice of departures.
There is a modern fleet of boats operating on the lake. You may spot the one restored steamer, the Hohentwiel, but this is operated from the Austrian side so your Half Fare Card will not be valid.
Why not cruise between Romanshorn and Kreuzlingen. The journey takes just over an hour if you stay on board, or you can hop off on at one of the villages en route to stretch your legs, take in the scenery and maybe look for a bite to eat. The journey time between Romanshorn and Rorschach is just under an hour - again there are places to disembark en route.
A car ferry has regular departures from Romanshorn to Friedrichshafen on the German side of the lake, while from Rorschach you can visit the German island of Lindau.
The boats have a licensed bar and can offer a selection of light meals which you can enjoy as you cruise.
Culinary cruises
There are a number of these culinary cruises which you can enjoy while you are in the area. We recommend that you pre-book.
On Sundays, you can indulge in a rich brunch on the glamorous MS Säntis, a 60 year old motor vessel which has been restored to the prime of its heyday. The brunch includes a variety of hot and cold drinks, pastries, rolls, muesli, cold meat and cheeses, antipasti, scrambled eggs, rösti, bacon, sausages and a dessert buffet.
On selected summer dates you can take the Full Moon Cruise. The setting sun and the rising moon makes for a wonderful sight on the water. Your meal will be a fine barbecue buffet.
Other themed culinary cruises take place throughout the season.
Lake Constance from the shore
If you are not intending to take a cruise this is a wonderful region to explore on foot, with a large number of walking trails to enjoy, with some lovely scenery.
The gently undulating landscape around Lake Constance is a paradise for active holidaymakers. The region offers countless water sports opportunities and you can swim at Romanshorn. Try one of the cycling trails - there is actually one that leads all the way around the lake!
Rorschach-Heiden mountain railway
The Lake Constance rack railway takes you from Rorschach to the attractive village of Heiden. The mountain railway is a pleasant journey there are lovely views over Lake Constance. In Heiden, you can visit the Henry Dunant Museum (founder of the Red Cross) or climb the church tower. Heiden is also the starting point for the Witzwanderweg trail to Walzenhausen.
Train runs all year and the journey costs around 15 Sfr.
Directions
You can head for various focal points on the lakeshore, depending on which resort you are coming from.
From Schaffhausen, take the train to Kreuzlingen. From St. Gallen and Appenzell head for the lakeside towns of Rorschach or Romanshorn. You can take a boat trip from any of the harbours if you wish to cruise along the Swiss side of the lake. If you would like to cross over to Germany, you will need to go to Romanshorn or Rorschach.
Please check before travel for maintenance closures.
Please remember to bring your passport if travelling across the border.
Request your holiday quotation
Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com