Boat trip in Geneva: Seagulls and CGN cruises with family

There are few outings as simple and as magical as a stroll on the lake in Geneva. During a crossing of the harbor or a cruise along the Petit-Lac, your children watch the Jet d'Eau grow, count the sailboats, and feel the wind from the open water: a little trip that requires almost no organization and delights the whole family, from the youngest to the oldest.

Geneva is fortunate to live by Lake Geneva, and the boat is part of daily life. Between the famous yellow Mouettes that connect the two shores and the large CGN boats that speed towards Versoix, Coppet, and Nyon, you have plenty of options to create a customized outing, short or long, depending on the age and mood of the day.

The Geneva Mouettes: crossing the harbor by boat

The Geneva Mouettes are those little yellow shuttles that cross the harbor all year round. They are integrated into the Geneva public transport network (Unireso): a ticket or a valid TPG subscription is enough to board, just like on a bus or tram. This is undoubtedly the simplest and most economical way to let your children experience a boat ride.

The network has four lines:

• M1 connects the Pâquis (right bank) to the Molard (left bank), right in the center, with very frequent service.
• M2 connects the Pâquis to the Eaux-Vives district.
• M3 runs along the left bank, from Pâquis to Genève-Plage.
• M4 continues from Genève-Plage to the De-Chateaubriand landing stage, near the Perle du Lac park.

The crossing lasts only a few minutes, making it an ideal first experience for little ones: just long enough to marvel, never long enough to get impatient. A parent tip: you can easily connect two lines to extend the pleasure and see the harbor from all angles.

CGN Cruises on the lake

For a real excursion, it's time for the large CGN (Compagnie Générale de Navigation) boats. Departing from the Genève Mont-Blanc landing stage, on the Mont-Blanc quay, several cruises set off to explore the Petit-Lac, this part of Lake Geneva located between Geneva and Nyon.

The boat then follows the shores, with their lush parks, castles, and beautiful homes, stopping at places like Versoix, Coppet, or Nyon. Some short options take a tour of the harbor, while others take you further for a half-day trip. It's an opportunity to go up to the upper deck, feel the lake air, and admire the view of the Jura and, on clear days, Mont-Blanc.

The schedules for CGN cruises vary by season (the offer is broader from spring to autumn). To know the departures for the day, the routes, and the prices, the safest bet is to check the official website cgn.ch.

The main landing stages on the Geneva side

The canton of Geneva has several landing stages, both in the city and along the Petit-Lac. Here are the main ones to know:

• Genève Mont-Blanc (right bank): the large CGN landing stage, starting point for cruises, with a ticket office and information.
• Pâquis (right bank): hub for the Geneva Mouettes.
• Jardin Anglais and Eaux-Vives (left bank): convenient for reaching the boats from the center and the old town.
• Pregny-Chambésy and Genthod: on the right bank, near the parks and villas.
• Bellevue: another stop on the right bank, heading towards Versoix.
• Versoix: a lakeside town, regular stop on the Petit-Lac.
• Anières, Hermance, and Corsier: charming villages on the left bank, towards the border.
• Céligny: a Geneva enclave on the right bank.
• La Belotte (Cologny): a small port on the left bank, at the entrance to the harbor.

Good to know: some of these Petit-Lac stops are only served by CGN at certain times, or even on request. Always check that a boat stops there on the day of your outing.

Practical tips for a family boat outing

• Age and stroller: the boat is suitable from a very young age. Both the Mouettes and CGN boats welcome strollers; on the Mouettes, just plan to fold it or hold it during peak hours.
• Safety and life jackets: keep children by the hand when boarding and disembarking, and stay away from the edges. Keep a close eye on the youngest ones on the outside deck.
• Duration: count a few minutes for a crossing on a Mouette, and from thirty minutes to half a day for a CGN cruise. Adjust according to your children's patience.
• Weather and season: the Mouettes operate all year round, while the CGN offer is more extensive from spring to autumn. Bring a light sweater and a windbreaker: it’s always cooler on the water.
• Tickets: for the Mouettes, a ticket or a TPG/Unireso subscription is enough. For CGN, tickets are purchased separately. Check tpg.ch and cgn.ch for more information.

A stroll on Lake Geneva guarantees an outing that feels like a getaway without leaving the city, and plenty of memories to take home. Discover all our activities for children in Geneva.