Coach Hire Across Switzerland

Lake Lucerne Boats by Coach: the Bahnhofquai Piers

The Lake Lucerne boats leave from piers 1 to 6 on the Bahnhofquai, right in front of the station. A coach cannot park there. It can set the group down a short walk away, under rules that have been strict since April 2025.

The stop that needs no voucher

The Inseliquai, next to the KKL, is the closest coach stop to the piers. A coach may set down, collect and handle luggage there with no voucher at all. It may not park. The walk to the boats takes about four minutes.

Pier 1, beside the Seebrücke, has the ticket and information desk. Pier 7 is the odd one out: it sits across the water at the Schweizerhofquai, so check the pier on the boat booking.

MAN Lion's Coach 49-seat touring coach, front three-quarter view
MAN Lion's Coach 49-seat touring coach, front three-quarter view

Three stops that need a voucher

Since 1 April 2025 a coach may stop at Schwanenplatz, Löwenplatz or Kasernenplatz only with a voucher booked online beforehand. It is valid for the booked day and the booked coach. Schwanenplatz is for getting off only, with no luggage.

The operator books what the day requires. Every further approach, even on the same day, is a new booking.

From the boat to the coach

  • The piers are across the Bahnhofplatz from Luzern station, so groups can change between train, lake boat and coach on foot.
  • The closest coach stopping place to the piers is the Inseliquai, next to the KKL: coaches may stop there without a voucher to let passengers on and off and to load luggage, but may not park.
  • Since 1 April 2025, coaches may stop at the city-centre stopping places Schwanenplatz, Löwenplatz and Kasernenplatz only with a voucher booked online in advance; it is valid only on the booked day and for the booked coach. Schwanenplatz is for setting down only, with no luggage handling.
  • Coaches may not park at any city-centre stopping place. Coach parking is at Brüelmoos and at Rösslimatt in Kriens (both open 24 hours) and at Alpenquai/Landenberg (06:00-22:00, at most 2 hours).
  • The city plans a second phase with slot management for the coach stopping places.
  • Routed from the Bahnhofquai: Zürich Airport about 68 km (about 55 min), EuroAirport about 106 km (about 1 h 20 min) and Genève Aéroport about 262 km (about 2 h 55 min) in light traffic.

Airports for this pier

Where the coach waits during the cruise

No stop in the city centre allows parking. Alpenquai/Landenberg is the nearest coach park, but it shuts from 22:00 to 06:00 and allows two hours at most. For a longer trip on the lake the coach heads to Brüelmoos or to Rösslimatt in Kriens, which never close.

Small groups need a different plan: a minibus of up to nine seats is barred from the city's coach stops, so it stops in a public car park.

Airports and trains

Zürich Airport is about 68 km away, around 55 minutes in light traffic. EuroAirport is about 106 km and Genève Aéroport about 262 km. Groups arriving by train just cross the Bahnhofplatz to the piers.

What organisers ask us

Do we need a voucher to drop the group for the boat?

Not at the Inseliquai. That stop is outside the voucher system, but the coach must drive on once everyone is off.

Are there days when the lakefront roads close?

Yes, during the Lucerne Fasnacht. On 4 and 8 February 2027 the Schweizerhofquai, Seebrücke and Pilatusstrasse are closed from 13:00 to about 17:00. On the evening of 9 February the Seebrücke and Schweizerhofquai close again. Plan other stops for those days.

Can a coach from abroad run a lake day that starts and ends in Lucerne?

No. A round trip from Lucerne stays inside Switzerland, and EU operators may not carry passengers between Swiss places. Coaches may still cross the border with a group in either direction.

Destinations

Vehicles, each with a driver