Do you want to experience something extraordinary? Then treat yourself to a trip on the “Hohentwiel” – the only paddle steamer on Lake Constance – or the Art Deco ship “Oesterreich”.

2 eras, 2 ships

Both ships are operated by Historische Schifffahrt Bodensee and take you on a wonderful, panoramic journey through time. Whether on a lunch and gourmet cruise, jazz brunch, Captain’s Dinner and English Afternoon Tea – a trip on these historic ships is a unique experience. In addition to the official tours, the ships can also be chartered privately.

Steamship “Hohentwiel”

According to the operator, the best restored steamship in Europe is already over 100 years old and still a crowd puller. Before you see the 57-meter-long “Hohentwiel” glide elegantly across the water, you can already hear it: the deep tone from the ship’s horn that Captain Konstatzky sends across Lake Constance makes everyone look curiously at the water.

The true-to-the-original restoration is reminiscent of the ship’s once glorious days as a half-saloon steamer for crowned heads. At that time, the ship needed 6.5 tons of coal on a trip from Bregenz to Constance alone. After the “Hohentwiel” literally ran out of steam in 1962, the ship was taken off the ship list and served as a club home in the Bregenz sailing harbor.

After a complete renovation, the “Hohentwiel” had her second maiden voyage in May 1990, since then she has been sailing on fuel oil. The steamer has even been seen twice in Hollywood films under the Austrian flag: In the James Bond flick “Quantum of Solace,” she brought Bond’s antagonist to the Bregenz Festival stage, and Keira Knightley sailed her across Lake Constance in “A Dark Desire.”

Art deco ship “Oesterreich”

The “Oesterreich” was put into service in 1928 and ushered in the era of motor ships on Lake Constance. The pride of the Austrian fleet at that time bore the epithet “luxury liner”. To this day, the first large motor ship on Lake Constance transports the flair and luxury of that era.

As of fall 2009, the “Oesterreich” lay out of service in the shipyard in Fußach. A major inspection revealed a devastating picture. The entire electrical installation would have had to be renewed, the hull plates were too thin in many places, the engines no longer complied with the applicable emission standards, and fire protection was not guaranteed. The owners at the time decided to scrap the ship. However, resistance was formed against this decision: With a lot of effort, the beautiful ship was repaired in the past years and is now operated together with the historic steamship Hohentwiel.

Enjoy a journey through time on the beautifully renovated Art Deco motor ship – equipped with all the comforts of modern times and bookable at any time of year.

Exclusive charter trips

Hohentwiel

  • Up to 135 persons (on the open deck or in the salons, depending on the weather)
  • regular tours
  • Price on request
  • Duration on request
  • German, English on request
  • Middle of April – middle of October in operation
  • Historic art nouveau paddle steamer, in service for over 100 years
  • WC wheelchair accessible

Oesterreich

  • Up to 140 persons (on the open deck or in the saloons, depending on the weather)
  • Price on request
  • Duration on request
  • Operates all year round
  • Conveys the flair and luxury of the Art Deco era
  • WC wheelchair accessible