From the Rhine to Lake Constance: this is how you can experience Eastern Switzerland from the ship

Advertising: Contribution in cooperation with the Association of Swiss Shipping Companies

From April to October, the 50-kilometre-long route from Schaffhausen up the Rhine to Kreuzlingen can be best discovered by boat. From there, an almost seamless transfer from one of Europe’s most beautiful river trips to the “Swabian Sea” is guaranteed. Far-reaching views over Lake Constance, listed town centres with beautiful lakeside promenades, local wine and freshly caught fish – with the following tips you are well prepared for an enjoyable boat trip in Eastern Switzerland.

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In cooperation with the Association of Swiss Shipping Companies, I present you a selection of excursion ideas and culinary tours from Lake Constance to Lake Zurich this summer season. After a detour to the Ticino lakes, a romantic evening cruise on the candlelight steamer on Lake Lucerne and three brunch tips, we focus in this article on shipping experiences in Eastern Switzerland.

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From Stein am Rhein upstream towards Lake Constance

Since 1865, the Swiss Shipping Company Untersee und Rhein (URh) has been sailing the route from Konstanz / Kreuzlingen to Schaffhausen, connecting pretty villages embedded in an intact natural landscape. For the entire route, the scheduled boats need just under four hours. Depending on your mood, you can look for a cozy spot on board on a nice day and while the bow of the ship ploughs through the waves up the Rhine, simply enjoy the postcard scenery left and right. Or you can combine the boat trip with a visit to one or more sights along the way. Particularly rewarding: Stein am Rhein!

I like to visit the charming town every now and then. The pedestrian zone of the old town centre, lined with half-timbered buildings, is located right next to the boat landing stage on the Rhine. Perfect for continuing your journey from Stein am Rhein towards Lake Constance after a short stroll through the city.

Excursion Tip Ship & Fish

The scheduled boats on the Rhine and Untersee have a gastronomic offer on board, which also includes various “Rhy classics”. In addition, URh has launched “Ship & Fish“, a great combined offer with a gastro partner on land. The experience includes a day trip by boat and a good fish dish in a restaurant of your choice for a flat rate of 69 CHF for adults (with GA travelcard 35 CHF).

Of the eleven restaurant partners between Schaffhausen and Ermatingen, we decided to stop for a bite to eat at the Frohsinn restaurant (now unfortunately closed) in Steckborn. The Frohsinn restaurant is a five-minute walk from the Schifflände, also directly on the lake. It is therefore worthwhile to reserve a place on the sun terrace when the weather is nice. So close to the shore of the Untersee, there is hardly any other restaurant in the area.

There are various fish dishes on the menu. The best thing to do is to inquire about the daily catch from Lake Constance. Particularly recommended: the Steckborn fish salad with smoked fish fillets.

By boat from one attraction to the next

After a fine lunch in the cheerful spirit, we walk through the center of the village back to the landing stage and “board” the next scheduled boat in the direction of Kreuzlingen. And now? The possibilities are manifold: a detour to the Arenenberg near Ermatingen, a visit to the monastery island of Reichenau or a stroll through the port of Constance. Of course, you can also just sit comfortably on the scheduled boat to Kreuzlingen.

Where you get the feeling of the sea

However, it is not only the ships of the URh that dock at the port of Kreuzlingen, but also those of the Swiss Lake Constance Shipping Company. Here, the season lasts from the beginning of May to mid-October. In addition to the regular scheduled cruises, Lake Constance Shipping also offers various seasonal event and themed cruises (including a weekly Sunday brunch cruise). I always enjoy being out and about on Lake Constance – simply because the Swiss shore presents itself very differently from the lake than we usually perceive from land. The view of the Alpstein massif never ceases to fascinate me! In addition, the scheduled boats are a fairly practical means of transport between Rorschach, Romanshorn and Kreuzlingen.

Atmospheric Fyrobig and sunset cruises

Lake Constance is particularly beautiful on warm summer and late summer evenings. These can be experienced, among other things, on the regular evening trip from Rorschach to Romanshorn (course no. 7013). Alternatively, in the summer months of July and August, Lake Constance Shipping offers a two-hour boat trip from Romanshorn on the completely renovated MS St. Gallen. The cost for this is 25 CHF including a drink of your choice. In addition, various delicious appetizers are served for an additional fee. My tip: Make a note of this for next summer. So you already know where you can end a hot summer day so cool.

Practical tips for your boat trip on the Rhine and Lake Constance

• The season on the Rhine and Untersee usually lasts from mid-April to mid-October. While in spring the ships sail from Thursday to Sunday, they sail daily from the end of June to October (number of courses per day depending on the seasonal timetable).
• The “Ship & Fish” offer can be redeemed daily, depending on the opening hours of the restaurant partners. The offer is available at the ship’s ticket office (e.g. also in Stein am Rhein) or can be ordered via the website as a voucher. Please note that the restaurants must be reserved.
• On Lake Constance as well as on the Untersee and Rhine, the GA/Half-Fare travelcard is valid on most scheduled boats. However, this does not apply to special trips (such as the Fyrobig trip).
• The timetables and price information for the circuits on Lake Constance can be found here: Timetable & Prices
• On both Lake Constance and Untersee / Rhine, a day ticket (without discount) costs 49.50 CHF.