200 Years Boat Trips on Lake Constance

It’s 200 years since the first steamboat took to Lake Constance. While the focus was mainly on goods transport at the start, passenger transport became more and more important over time. Join us on a voyage through history.

1824
Maiden­ voyage:the­“Wilhelm”­ is ­the­ first ­steam ship ­to ­commence­ services­ on Lake Constance, travelling between Romanshorn and Friedrichshafen.

1853
The­ Swiss ­Northeastern ­Railway­ is ­founded,­ offering­ train­ ferries­ on Lake Constance.

1925
The­ first ­motor ­vessel ­on ­Lake ­Constance­–­ the­“MS­ Konstanz”­–­sets ­sail.

1830
The­ steam ship ­company­ for Lake Constance and­ the ­Rhine ­is ­founded­ in Constance.

1913
First voyage of the most well- known­ paddle­ steamer ­on ­Lake­ Constance:­ the­“Hohentwiel”,­ which is still in service today.

1928
The­ opening­ of ­the ­Grand ­Canal ­of­ Alsace ­enables ­connections ­between Lake Constance and the Rhine.
The­ car­ ferry ­between ­Konstanz ­and­ Meersburg­ commences­ services.

2005
The ­Friedrichshafen–Konstanz­ catamaran­ commences ­services, ­providing ­a ­faster­ connection between the two towns.

2024
Planned­ salvage­ of ­the ­steamship­“Säntis”,­ which­ sank­ in­1931­ to ­a ­depth­ of­ 210­ metres.