Switzerland Guide
Luzern
Getting around
The Vierwaldstättersee, or Lake Luzern, is crossed year-round by the fine old boats of the SGV ( 
041 367 67 67, 
www.lakelucerne.ch ), free to Swiss Pass holders. All SGV boats – including their half-dozen paddle steamers (which incur no extra fare) – depart from the quay directly outside the station, stopping at places on both shores: Alpnachstad gives access to the Pilatus summit; Weggis and Vitznau to Mount Rigi; Kehrsiten to Bürgenstock, and from there to the Hammetschwand summit; and Beckenried to Klewenalp. All of these have limited road and rail connections, but at the far, eastern end of the lake, Brunnen (close to Schwyz) and Flüelen (close to Altdorf) are less than an hour's train journey from Luzern on the Zürich– Lugano main line, making it easy to construct half- and full-day round trips by boat and train.
In summer (June– Sept), at least seven boats daily make the full run from Luzern to Flüelen, with several more serving Brunnen, Vitznau and other intermediate points. In autumn (Oct) and spring (April & May), service is slightly curtailed in the evenings. Winter (Nov– March) sees two boats a day as far as Brunnen, with Flüelen served only by Sunday services. SGV also runs cruises and eat-aboard trips, including a three-hour summer sunset excursion.