Boat tours on Lake Zell
Cruises and boat trips in Zell am See
A boat tour with an incredible mountain panorama is exactly what you want to experience on your holiday or during an event? On Lake Zell, this dream can come true! Enjoy some breath-taking views during a cruise or lake-crossing: the Kitzsteinhorn, the Steinernes Meer range and, of course, Zell’s landmark mountain, the Schmittenhöhe. The best spot for that is up on the ship’s sun deck!
Schmitten’s fleet
MS Schmittenhöhe
| Used for | panorama cruises & special trips |
| Year of manufacture / engine power | 2005 / 495 HP |
| Length / width / draught | 35 m / 7.6 m / 1.2 m |
| Transportation capacity | 255 Pax |
| Seats – lower deck | 90 |
| Seats – upper deck | 55 |
| Seats – open deck | 70 |
| Seats – Sundeck Lounge | 40 |
| Amenities | equipment for presentations (screen, sound system, microphone, projector), toilets |
| Accessibility | the main desk is wheelchair-accessible |
|
Kaiserin Elisabeth
| Used for | panorama cruises & special trips |
| Year of manufacture / engine power | 1972 / 147 HP |
| Length / width / draught | 20 m / 4.5 m / 0.8 m |
| Transportation capacity | ca. 80 Pax |
| Seats – interior | 40 |
| Seats – open deck | 35 |
MS Großglockner
| Used for | lake crossings & special trips |
| Year of manufacture / engine power | 1966 / 147 HP |
| Length / width / draught | 17.9 m / 3.8 m / 0.8 m |
| Seats – interior | 80 |
Nostalgieschiff Libelle ("nostalgia ship")
| Used for | special trips |
| Year of manufacture / engine power | 1947 / 20 kW electric motor |
| Length / width / draught | 14.30 m / 2.9 m / 0.9 m |
| Seats – interior | 20 |
Full steam ahead – during a cruise on Lake Zell
Switch up your perspective and experience the mountains of the Pinzgau region from the water! How about during a stunning panorama cruise aboard the luxurious MS Schmittenhöhe? On the Kaiserin Elisabeth, everything revolves around “Sisi”, Austria’s most famous empress. Another historical experience is a trip onboard Nostalgieschiff Libelle (“nostalgia ship”). You can also cross the lake aboard the MS Großglockner.
Overview Map
You’d like to know how much a certain boat tour is and where the ships depart? Find out everything you need to know about prices and operating hours of Zell am See’s fleet!
Prices & Times
Both the panorama cruises and the lake crossings on Lake Zell are possible at regular departure times. You can choose between different ticket options. Get an overview here!
Cuisine aboard the ships
What could be more enjoyable than a boat tour surrounded by the incredible scenery of the Pinzgau? There’s only one thing that makes it even better: excellent on-board cuisine! On hot summer days, you can look forward to cold beverages and ice cream. You should also try the selection of fine wines and delicacies from the Pinzgau. Our recommendation: the strudel – it’s scrumptious!
Convenient: You can pre-order coffee and cake aboard the ship for your cruise. Perfect for an afternoon excursion!
Events on the boat
Fireworks cruise, full-moon cruise, star-studded cruise and many more – get informed about the spectacular events on the MS Schmittenhöhe!
FAQs
The most frequently asked questions and answers on boat tours on Lake Zell can be found here:
A panorama cruise on Lake Zell lasts around 45 minutes. During the cruise, guests can enjoy views of Lake Zell and the surrounding mountains, whilst the on-board catering service provides refreshments.
Yes, the boats used for the panorama cruise have catering facilities and toilets on board. Guests can enjoy drinks and light refreshments.
Yes, dogs are allowed on board the ships of the Lake Zell fleet. Dogs must be kepot on a leash and war a muzzle whilst on board. On panorama cruises, the fee for bringing a dog on board is € 5,00 per dog, on lake crossings it is € 3,00 per dog (as of 2026).
The main deck of the MS Schmittenhöhe and the electric ship is wheelchai-accessible. Crossings on the MS Großglockner, the Kaiserin Elisabeth and the vintage boat Libelle are not accessible to wheelchair users.
No, it is not possible to board or disembark during the panorama cruise. The cruise starts and ends at the Esplanade in Zell am See. If you wish to board or disembark ar any of the other landing stages, the lake crossing ship is available for this purpose.
Yes, the boats do operate even in bad weather. However, in the event of a severe storm, there may be restrictions or cancellations. Staff at the Esplanade in Zell am See and the boat crew will keep you informed of any changes to the timetable. Please also check the displays at the Esplanade.
The boarding point for the panorama cruise is on the Esplanade in Zell am See, which is situated between Zell am See railway station and the Grand Hotel Zell am See on the western shore of Lake Zell.
The lake crossing stops at up to 6 locations:
- Esplanade (western shore, right in the town of Zell am See)
- Seespitz (southern shore)
- Sonnhof (eastern shore)
- Bellevue (eastern shore)
- Kurpark (eastern shore)
- Seecamp (northern shore)
The panorama cruise takes you takes you all the way around Lake Zell. The boarding point is on the Esplanade in Zell am See, which is situated between Zell am See railway station and the Grand Hotel Zell am See on the western shore of Lake Zell. During a round trip, the boat does not stop at any other stops but returns to the starting point on the Esplanade in Zell am See. The other stops are only serverd by the lake crossing ship.
