Cruise on Lake Murten: the boat from Morat
What if Sunday's outing took place on the water? At the Morat landing stage, the boats of the LNM company set off towards the three lakes. Children aged 6 to 16 travel at half price, free on Saturdays, and under-6s pay nothing.
Cruise on Lake Murten: the boat from Morat photo gallery
Practical information
Débarcadère, 3280 Morat
Morat · Fribourg
Lac de Morat water temperature
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Lake Murten seen from the deck of a boat
Morat is a fine town to visit on foot, between its ramparts and its arcades. But it is from the water that the little town takes on its full measure, with its old town lined up along the lake and the Vully rising opposite. From the landing stage, the LNM navigation company serves around thirty stops on the lakes of Neuchâtel, Murten and Biel, linked by the Broye and Thielle canals. You can therefore board for a simple tour of Lake Murten, or push on to Neuchâtel through the landscapes of the Grande Cariçaie. The format adapts to the age and the patience of the children.
What your children will discover
They discover everything that makes a boat trip appealing: the gangway, the upper deck, the wake, the manoeuvres as the boat approaches each landing stage. From the water they watch the shores of the Vully and its vineyards go by, the reed beds, the birds taking off as the boat passes. The crossing of the canals always impresses: the lake suddenly narrows into a slim waterway lined with forest, and you feel you are going up a river before emerging onto another lake.
What you do there and the atmosphere on site
You board, you choose your seat, you watch. The outside deck is the children's favourite spot, the one from which you see everything. The atmosphere on board is calm and family-oriented, a mix of day trippers, cyclists loading their bikes and families out for the trip. Many combine the cruise with a walk or a swim on arrival, or come back by train for variety. A good part of the appeal lies in the format: a few hours are enough to change the scenery completely.
Before you go
- Recommended age: all ages, pushchairs included
- Duration: from an hour's trip to a full day depending on the route chosen
- Price: children aged 6 to 16 at half price, free up to 5 years old; family day pass at CHF 99 for two adults and up to four children
- Free travel on Saturdays: on Saturdays during the season, children aged 6 to 16 travel free, up to a maximum of four children per family, offer not valid for groups
- Booking: depending on the cruise, to be checked on the official website
- Transport: train to Morat then a few minutes on foot to the landing stage
- Best season: the 2026 season runs from 10 April to 18 October
Tips from parents
- Aim for a Saturday: the free travel for children aged 6 to 16 completely changes the budget of a family outing.
- From 10 April to 3 May and from 2 to 18 October, the boats only run from Friday to Sunday; from 8 May to 27 September, they sail every day.
- Bring an extra layer: on the outside deck it is always cooler than on the quay.
- With young children, prefer a short return trip on Lake Murten rather than a long crossing to Neuchâtel.
- Check the return timetable before boarding, especially at the start and the end of the season, when sailings are less frequent.
Useful information
- Address: Morat landing stage, 3280 Morat
- Official website: https://www.lnm.ch/
- Opening hours: 2026 season from 10 April to 18 October; daily sailings from 8 May to 27 September, Friday to Sunday at the start and end of the season
- Access (transport): train to Morat, then a few minutes on foot to the landing stage
Why we recommend it
Because it is one of the rare outings where the journey is the activity, and because the pricing policy is particularly generous to families: half price for 6 to 16 year olds, free travel for the youngest, free Saturdays for children and a family pass at CHF 99. Add the crossing of the canals towards the other lakes, and you have a day of gentle adventure, without effort and without a car.
In a nutshell
A family cruise from the Morat landing stage, on the lakes of Murten, Neuchâtel and Biel, with children at half price and free travel on Saturdays.
Frequently asked questions
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Nearby activities
Looking for a simple and friendly outing with the family? The minigolf in Morat welcomes you outdoors, right by the lake and at the foot of the medieval old town. A relaxed game, an ice cream at the bistro, a stroll along the ramparts: enough to keep both young and old entertained for a lovely afternoon.
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Want a peaceful swim with the family on the north shore of Lake Murten? The Montilier Beach (Muntelier), just a stone's throw from Murten, welcomes you for free to a grassy area by the water, with a lovely view of the Vully. A little nature spot perfect for a stress-free day with the kids.
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What if you spent a relaxing day by the water, without a wallet to pull out? In Meyriez, on the southern shore of Lake Murten and just a stone's throw from the old town of Murten, the public beach welcomes you for free: grass to lay your blanket on, shade under the trees, and fresh water to splash around with the family.
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Want a day by the water with the little ones? Praz beach, at Mont-Vully, welcomes you on the shores of Lake Murten, at the foot of the vineyard. Shallow water near the shore, grass for picnicking, and a playground: a swimming area designed for families.
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