Lake Constance (the Bodensee) is a huge Alpine lake on the Rhine where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet, with the snowy peaks of the Alps rising on its southern horizon. Its German shore is a sunny, gentle landscape of orchards, vineyards, Baroque churches and lakeside towns: Lindau on its island, Meersburg with its castle, Konstanz with its old town, Friedrichshafen with its Zeppelin museum, and the flower island of Mainau. You come to hop between towns by boat, cycle the lake, swim, eat fresh lake fish and pop over the border to Bregenz or Switzerland for the day. It is a classic summer holiday for Germans, and lovely in spring and autumn too.
Right now in Lake Constance (Lindau)
- Wed 11–22°C 53–72°F Partly cloudy
- Thu 11–17°C 53–62°F 19 mm Heavy rain
- Fri 8–12°C 46–53°F 3 mm Cloudy
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB
Top tours in Lake Constance
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Lake Constance at a glance
- Best for: boat trips, cycling, gardens, lakeside towns, swimming, wine and day trips to Austria and Switzerland.
- How long: 3–4 days for the German shore and Mainau; a week to cycle around the lake or add Switzerland and Austria.
- Best time: May to early October, when the passenger boats run their full timetable; late April and May for Mainau’s tulips; September for wine festivals.
- Getting in: Friedrichshafen airport, Zurich or Memmingen airports; trains to Konstanz, Friedrichshafen and Lindau.
- Good to know: the Konstanz–Meersburg car ferry runs 24 hours a day, all year. Carry your passport or ID card to cross the borders.
- Before you go: entry rules, money and general safety are in our Germany travel guide.
The lake, town by town
Lake Constance covers about 536 km², is about 63 km long and up to 251 m deep, and its shoreline of about 273 km is shared by three countries. The main body is the Obersee. In the north-west, the Überlinger See stretches towards Überlingen, and in the west, the Untersee wraps around the island of Reichenau. On the German side, the shore belongs to two states: Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria around Lindau.
Lindau
Lindau’s old town sits on an island linked to the mainland by a road bridge and a railway causeway. Its harbour entrance, guarded by a stone Bavarian lion and a lighthouse with the Alps behind, is the most photographed scene on the lake. Inside are painted merchant houses, the frescoed old town hall and car-free lanes. Best for: romance, the Alpine view and easy trips to Bregenz.
Meersburg
A steep little wine town of half-timbered houses on a hill above the lake. It has two castles: the medieval Burg Meersburg, said to be the oldest inhabited castle in Germany and home of the poet Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, and the Baroque New Palace of the prince-bishops. The car ferry to Konstanz leaves from its edge, and vineyards climb behind it. Best for: castles, wine and views across to Konstanz.
Konstanz
The lake’s largest town, a lively university city right on the Swiss border. The old town escaped bombing in the Second World War because it adjoins Switzerland. See the minster, the Council Building where a pope was elected during the Council of Constance (1414–1418), and the rotating Imperia statue at the harbour entrance. Mainau is just outside the city. Best for: city life, shopping, nightlife and the Swiss side.
Friedrichshafen, Überlingen and the north shore
Friedrichshafen, where Count Zeppelin built his airships, is a modern town with a long lakeside promenade and the Zeppelin Museum. Überlingen has a Gothic minster, gardens along the lake and a spa. Between them lie Hagnau and Immenstaad with vineyards and orchards, the stilt-house museum at Unteruhldingen and the pilgrimage church of Birnau. Best for: museums, families and cycling.
Reichenau and the Untersee
The vegetable-growing island of Reichenau, reached by a causeway, holds three Romanesque churches from its medieval monastery, listed by UNESCO in 2000. Further west are Radolfzell, the Höri peninsula and Stein am Rhein in Switzerland. Best for: quiet, history and cycling.
Top things to see on Lake Constance
Prices, dates and rules below were checked on the official sites in October 2026. They change every season, so check before you go.
Mainau, the flower island
Mainau is a 45-hectare island garden owned by the Bernadotte family, linked to Konstanz by a footbridge. Around a Baroque palace and church grow an arboretum of old trees, an Italian rose garden, dahlias, a palm house, a butterfly house and seasonal flower displays, from about a million spring bulbs in April and May to roses in June and dahlias in late summer. As of October 2026, the main-season admission (21 March to 18 October 2026) cost €26.90 online or €29.50 at the gate for adults and €17 or €20 for students and pupils aged 13 and over. Children aged 12 and under went free, and family tickets cost €72 online for two adults and up to four children. Holders of a Deutschland-Ticket paid €25 at the gate. Parking is €6 a day, and dogs are allowed. In October 2026, the island was open to day visitors 9:00–18:00 until 4 October and 9:00–17:00 from 5 to 18 October. Mainau is open all year; winter prices apply from 19 October (check them on the island’s site), and in winter the palm house and the butterfly house are the main draws. Allow at least half a day, and arrive by boat from Konstanz, Meersburg or Überlingen, or by bus from Konstanz.
Zeppelin Museum, Friedrichshafen
Right on the harbour in the old Bauhaus-style harbour station, the museum tells the story of the rigid airships built here from 1900, with a walk-through reconstruction of part of the Hindenburg’s passenger deck, engines, models and an art collection. It is open daily from May to October, roughly 9:00–17:00, and from November to April on Tuesdays to Sundays, 10:00–17:00. Combine it with a stroll along the promenade. In summer, Zeppelin NT airships still take passengers on sightseeing flights over the lake from Friedrichshafen, at a premium price.
Pile dwellings at Unteruhldingen
An open-air museum of reconstructed Stone Age and Bronze Age houses on stilts over the water, part of the UNESCO-listed prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps. Tours take about an hour, and it is great for children.
Birnau and Salem
The pink and white pilgrimage church of Birnau, above the vineyards near Uhldingen, is a jewel of Baroque and rococo decoration with a famous cherub licking honey. Inland, Salem Abbey and Palace has a great Gothic minster, and the Affenberg nearby is a park where Barbary macaques roam free.
Castles and forts
- Meersburg Castle
Museums
- Pfahlbau Museum (Lake Dwellings)
- Salem Abbey
- Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen
Parks and gardens
- Mainau
Churches and cathedrals
- Birnau Basilica
Other sights
- Reichenau Island
Boats and ferries
The lake’s passenger boats, the “White Fleet”, are run by three national companies. On the German side, that means the Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe (BSB), with Austrian and Swiss operators covering their own shores.
- Scheduled boats (BSB): in 2026, the main season ran daily from 14 May to 4 October. Before and after that, from 3 April to 13 May and from 5 to 18 October, boats ran on weekends and public holidays only. Outside that period there are only special autumn and winter trips. Popular routes link Konstanz, Mainau, Meersburg, Überlingen, Friedrichshafen, Lindau and Bregenz. Combined tickets with Mainau and other sights are sold.
- Low water in 2026: in early October 2026, the BSB reported very low water. Gangways were steep at many landing stages, bikes and wheelchairs could not be carried at some stops, and the Untersee service between Radolfzell and Reichenau was suspended. Check the BSB website before you set out.
- Konstanz–Meersburg car ferry: run by the Konstanz municipal utility, it crosses in about 15–20 minutes, 24 hours a day, all year, roughly every 15 minutes by day and about hourly at night. As of October 2026, a single fare cost €4.30 for an adult on foot (€8.10 return), €4.80 with a bike, €11 for a car up to 3 m long including the driver and €13.20 for one up to 4 m.
- Friedrichshafen–Romanshorn ferry: a car and passenger ferry across the widest part of the lake to Switzerland, in about 40 minutes.
See our boat trips guide, and compare with the ferries on Lake Como.
The Bodensee Card PLUS
The official sightseeing card of the four-country region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein) gives one free entry to about 160 attractions: Mainau, the Zeppelin Museum, the pile dwellings, castles, cable cars such as the Pfänder in Bregenz, museums and baths. It also includes free boat travel on the White Fleet on some of its days. As of October 2026, the 3-day card cost €78 for adults (CHF 83) and the 7-day card €124 (CHF 131), with child cards at €47 and €75. The days do not have to be consecutive and can be spread over the calendar year: the 3-day card includes two days of free boat travel, and the 7-day card four. Do the maths before buying: it pays off if you plan Mainau, a boat day and two or three other paid sights. On the north shore, from Bodman-Ludwigshafen to Lindau, hotels in the member towns also give guests the free Echt Bodensee Card, which covers buses and regional trains in the local bodo transport network and gives discounts at many sights.
Crossing the border: Bregenz, Switzerland and documents
Day trips to Austria and Switzerland are part of the fun, and the borders are easy to cross on foot, by bike, by boat or by car. Konstanz runs straight into Kreuzlingen in Switzerland, and Lindau is 10 minutes from Bregenz in Austria.
- Bregenz (Austria): the Bregenz Festival stages a spectacular opera on a floating lake stage every July and August; book months ahead. Year-round, the Pfänder cable car climbs to 1,064 m for a view over the whole lake and the Alps, and the Kunsthaus Bregenz shows contemporary art.
- Switzerland: the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, are about 45 minutes from Konstanz. Stein am Rhein has painted medieval facades, and the abbey library of St. Gallen is a UNESCO site.
Documents. Germany, Austria and Switzerland are all in the Schengen area, so there is normally no passport control between them. However, as of October 2026, Germany had temporary controls at all its land borders, extended until at least 15 March 2027, and spot checks happen. Always carry your passport or national ID card. Switzerland is not in the EU customs union, so customs limits apply to goods such as meat, alcohol and large purchases, and you may be stopped by customs officers. Switzerland uses Swiss francs: euros are often accepted, with change given in francs. Mobile roaming in Switzerland is not covered by EU “roam like at home” rules, so check your plan. Driving on Swiss motorways requires a vignette (CHF 40 a year), and Austrian motorways require their own vignette. Non-EU visitors should count days in Switzerland and Austria towards the Schengen 90-in-180-day limit. Entry and exit at the Schengen external border are recorded by the EU’s Entry/Exit System. See our Germany travel guide for entry requirements.
Cycling, swimming and more
- Cycling: the Lake Constance Cycle Path (Bodensee-Radweg) circles the lake through three countries in about 260 km, mostly flat and well signposted. Most people ride it in 4–7 days, using boats to cut corners. E-bikes are easy to hire, and luggage-transfer packages are common. See our cycling guide.
- Swimming: lidos (Strandbäder) and free bathing spots line the shore. The water is clean and warms to about 20–24 °C in July and August. See our beaches guide.
- Water sports: sailing, stand-up paddling and kayaking, with rentals in most towns.
- Wine and fruit: Müller-Thurgau and pinot noir from the vineyards around Meersburg and Hagnau, apple juice and fruit brandies, and lake fish (Felchen, a whitefish) on every menu. See our wine tasting guide.
- Hiking: gentle walks through vineyards and orchards, or the Pfänder and the Swiss Appenzell hills for something steeper. See our hiking guide.
Activities and best months
- Beaches and swimmingMayJunJulAugSepThe tourist board says summer brings many open-air pools, lidos and natural bathing beaches on the shore. On the German side, Langenargen lido is open from mid-May to mid-September, with a bathing raft and slide on the lake, two heated pools, beach chairs and views of the Swiss Alps. · source
- Boat tripsAprMayJunJulAugSepOctBodensee-Schiffsbetriebe runs round trips from Konstanz, Meersburg, Lindau, Friedrichshafen and Uberlingen from 3 April to 18 October 2026, with extra summer routes from mid-May to mid-September. Its boats serve Mainau flower island from Easter to October, mainly from Konstanz and Meersburg. The island has over a million tulips in spring, more than 1,000 roses in summer and 12,000 dahlias in autumn. · source
- CyclingMarAprMayJunSepOctThe Lake Constance cycle route circles the lake for 260 km through Germany, Austria and Switzerland, suitable for all ages, in eight suggested stages of no more than 55 km. On the German shore it passes Konstanz, Uberlingen, Meersburg, Friedrichshafen and Lindau. The tourist board says March to June and September or October are the best times, as summer is crowded. · source
- Wine tastingWinemaking in Meersburg is recorded as far back as 1210, and the State Wine Estate there offers tastings for individuals and groups, open Monday to Saturday. It grows Pinot Noir, Muller-Thurgau, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. On its yearly Wine Experience Days you can taste about 40 wines in the lit historic cellar. · source
Getting to Lake Constance
By air. Friedrichshafen airport is on the lake, with a small number of flights. Zurich airport is about an hour from Konstanz by train, and Memmingen and Stuttgart are about 1.5–2 hours away. Munich is about 2.5 hours from Lindau by train or car.
By train. Konstanz is the end of the scenic Black Forest Railway from Offenburg (about 2.5 hours), with Swiss trains from Zurich arriving next door. Friedrichshafen and Lindau are linked by the Bodensee belt railway along the north shore. Long-distance trains from Munich and Zurich stop at Lindau-Reutin on the mainland, while local trains continue to Lindau-Insel station on the island. The Deutschland-Ticket (€63 a month in 2026) covers German regional trains and buses, but not boats or Swiss and Austrian trains.
By car. The A96 from Munich ends near Lindau, and the A81 from Stuttgart reaches the western lake. Use the car ferries to cut across. Summer weekend traffic on the north-shore B31 is slow, and parking in the old towns is limited and paid. For the region next door, see our Black Forest guide.
When to go and how long to stay
The lake softens the climate: summers are warm, autumns mild, and orchards blossom early. The table uses the 1991–2020 normals of the German Weather Service (DWD) for Konstanz (428 m).
| Season | Average high / low | Rain per month | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 11–20 °C / 2–10 °C | 50–90 mm | Fruit blossom, Mainau’s tulips in April and May, boats start in April |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 24–26 °C / 13–15 °C | 95–100 mm | Warm and sunny, swimming and festivals, thunderstorms on hot afternoons; busiest season |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 20 °C falling to 8 °C / 11 °C falling to 3 °C | 55–70 mm | Grape harvest and wine festivals, Mainau’s dahlias; fog over the lake from October |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 4–6 °C / about −1 °C | 45–65 mm | Often grey under low fog, with sunshine up in the hills; Christmas markets; few boats |
Konstanz gets about 1,770 hours of sunshine a year, with more than 230 hours a month from June to August but fewer than 55 in November, December and January, when fog often sits over the lake. On foggy days, the Pfänder or the hills above the lake are often sunny.
Lake Constance in 3 days
Day 1: Konstanz’s old town and harbour, then Mainau in the afternoon. Day 2: the ferry to Meersburg for the castle and wine, then a boat to Friedrichshafen for the Zeppelin Museum. Day 3: Lindau’s island town in the morning, and Bregenz and the Pfänder in the afternoon.
A week on Lake Constance
Add Reichenau and Stein am Rhein, the Rhine Falls, the pile dwellings and Birnau, a cycling day along the north shore, and a swim at a lido. Or ride the Black Forest Railway to the Black Forest, or head east via the Allgäu to the Bavarian Alps.
Weather month by month
Averages from DWD normals 1991–2020, Konstanz · Last reviewed 4 Oct 2026
Where to stay on Lake Constance
- Konstanz: the most hotels, restaurants and nightlife, close to Mainau and Switzerland.
- Meersburg: a romantic small town with castles and wine, with the ferry on the doorstep.
- Lindau (island): beautiful evenings by the harbour, close to Bregenz and the Alps.
- Überlingen: a relaxed spa town with gardens and a lakeside promenade.
- Hagnau or Immenstaad: wine villages with lidos, good for families and cyclists.
Book early for July, August and festival weeks in Bregenz. Hotels on the German shore charge a small tourist tax and often give a guest card with free buses and trains.
Practical tips for Lake Constance
- Buy Mainau tickets online: they were €2.60 cheaper than at the gate for adults in 2026.
- Check boat days: outside mid-May to early October, scheduled boats run only on weekends, or not at all, and low water can cancel stops.
- Carry ID: you may be checked at any border crossing, including on boats arriving from Switzerland or Austria.
- Francs and euros: have a card that works abroad; Swiss prices are higher.
- Bikes on boats: carried for a fee, space permitting; arrive early on sunny weekends.
- Sundays: German shops close, but Swiss and Austrian rules differ, and lidos and boats are busiest then.
What to pack for Lake Constance
Swimwear and water shoes for pebbly lidos, a light rain jacket, a warm layer for boat decks and evenings, comfortable shoes for cobbled old towns, a cycling helmet if you bring your own bike, sunscreen and sunglasses, and your passport or ID card. See our guides to water shoes and rain jackets.
What to pack
- City walking shoesQuinta visits and harvest days mean steep terraces, gravel and cellar floors.
- Day packs and anti-theft bagsCarries water, towel and sunscreen down the long stairways to Algarve coves.
- Dry bags and phone pouchesProtects phones and cameras from sand and spray on beaches reached by ferry or steep paths.
- Fleeces and warm layersIt is cooler at sea than on land, especially on morning whale-watching trips.
- Quick-dry beach towelsA sand-shedding quick-dry towel packs small for beach days and lido visits.
- Rain jacketsA windproof, waterproof shell keeps you warm on open boats, where wind and spray cool you quickly.
- Reef-friendly sunscreenSummer UV is strong on Portuguese beaches and there is little shade below the cliffs.
- Water bottles and hydration packsRiding in the Algarve and Alentejo heat needs more water than you expect.
- Water shoesRocky coves, lava pools and weever fish in shallow sand make water shoes useful.
- WetsuitsOn the west and north coasts the sea stays around 16–18 °C even in summer, so a thin suit helps for long swims.
- Wine bottle travel protectorsPort and Douro wines bought at the quintas travel home safely in checked luggage with padded bottle protectors.
Lake Constance travel FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Mainau?
In the 2026 main season (21 March to 18 October), adult tickets cost €26.90 online or €29.50 at the gate, and children aged 12 and under went free. Separate winter prices apply from 19 October, and the island is open all year.
When do the boats run on Lake Constance?
In 2026, the German BSB boats ran daily from 14 May to 4 October, and on weekends and holidays from 3 April to 13 May and 5 to 18 October. The Konstanz–Meersburg car ferry runs 24 hours a day, all year.
How much is the Konstanz–Meersburg ferry?
As of October 2026, €4.30 one way for an adult on foot, €4.80 with a bike, and from €11 for a car including the driver, depending on its length.
Is the Bodensee Card PLUS worth it?
It can be if you plan several paid sights and a boat day. As of October 2026, the 3-day card cost €78 for adults, with one free entry to about 160 attractions, including Mainau, and two days of free boat travel.
Do I need a passport to go from Konstanz to Switzerland?
Carry a passport or national ID card. There is normally no passport control in the Schengen area, but in 2026 Germany ran temporary checks at its land borders, and Swiss customs can stop you.
Can I use euros in Switzerland and Austria?
Austria uses the euro. Switzerland uses Swiss francs, though many shops and restaurants near the border accept euros and give change in francs. Cards are widely accepted.
What is the best town to stay in on Lake Constance?
Konstanz for city life and Mainau, Meersburg for charm, or Lindau for the Alpine view and easy access to Bregenz. All have boat connections in season.
Can you swim in Lake Constance?
Yes, from June to early September, at the many lidos and bathing spots. The water is clean and reaches about 20–24 °C in high summer.
How long does it take to cycle around Lake Constance?
The circuit through Germany, Austria and Switzerland is about 260 km and mostly flat. Most cyclists take 4–7 days, and boats can shorten stages.
Is Lake Constance worth visiting in winter?
For a quiet break, yes: Mainau’s palm and butterfly houses, museums, Christmas markets and thermal baths stay open. But boats are few, and fog often hangs over the lake.
How do I get from Lindau to Bregenz?
By regional train or bus in about 10–15 minutes, by bike along the lakeside path in about half an hour, or by boat in season. Carry your passport or ID card.
Nearby destinations
- Vaduz59 km
- Zurich66 km
- St. Anton am Arlberg93 km
- Lucerne101 km
- Black Forest113 km
- Stuttgart126 km
- Basel130 km
- St. Moritz134 km
Sources
- © OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL · fetched 4 Oct 2026
- Wikidata · CC0 · fetched 4 Oct 2026
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Mainau prices and hours: Mainau GmbH; boat seasons and low-water notices: Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe (BSB); Konstanz–Meersburg ferry fares and hours: Stadtwerke Konstanz; Bodensee Card PLUS: Internationale Bodensee Tourismus (bodensee.eu); Echt Bodensee Card: Echt Bodensee tourism; German border controls: the European Commission’s list of notified internal border controls; Deutschland-Ticket: the official Deutschland-Ticket site; climate: German Weather Service (DWD) 1991–2020 normals for Konstanz from the WMO climate normals collection. Prices, timetables and rules change, so check the official links before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our Germany travel guide.
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