Lucerne
Travel Guide
Welcome to our Lucerne travel guide, exploring one of the most magical cities in Switzerland with a charming old town surrounded by mountains, lakes and all things nature. Lucerne is the most idyllic image of a Swiss city and it’s close proximity to Zurich and Bern makes it a breeze for any visitors to the country to visit.
Lucerne is a popular tourist destination in Switzerland, and it’s easy to see why. Whether it’s the historical Old Town, the old wooden bridges that cross the Reuss, the stunning lake or the backdrop of mountains and greenery, Lucerne inspires both romance and adventure. A tourist hotspot it may be, but beyond the cobbled streets and souvenir shops, Lucerne has a developing scene for independent shops and restaurants and something more for those who want it.
Lucerne Travel Guide Contents
Check out our other Switzerland Travel Guides:
Basel Travel Guide | Bern Travel Guide | Geneva Travel Guide | Zurich Travel Guide
Lucerne Travel Guide
How to get to Lucerne
Lucerne does not have an airport but it’s very well connected to Zurich, Bern and Basel, all of which do have airports. The most convenient and popular arrival airport of the three is Zurich Airport. Zurich Airport (ZRH) is the largest international airport in Switzerland and many domestic, European and international flights operate in and out of the airport. It is a large, modern airport with great facilities. However, the excellent public transport in Switzerland means that you may arrive at Lucerne from a range of destinations, and this will likely be by train, into Lucerne train station. Lucerne train station is a large station with plenty of shops, eateries and facilities and is located within 5-10 minutes walk of Lucerne city centre and Old Town. We’ve covered how to get to Lucerne from some of the closest Swiss cities and airports to the city:
From Zurich City and Airport – Trains from Zurich Airport and Zurich HB leave for Lucerne twice every hour and take 1hr 13 minutes from the airport and 41 minutes from Zurich HB. Tickets can be bought at the desks or machines at the station. Tickets from the airport to Lucerne cost 30 CHF ($32) one way, per person and 25 CHF ($27) one way, per person from Zurich HB. You can also purchase ‘supersaver’ tickets for a specific train in advance at Trainline and save around 5 CHF ($5.50) per ticket. A taxi from Zurich Airport to Lucerne will take around 45 minutes but will cost in the region of 245 CHF ($262), so is not advisable
From Bern- Direct trains from Bern to Lucerne leave every hour. The journey takes around one hour and standard tickets cost 39 CHF ($42) per person, one way. You can get a reduced price ‘supersaver’ ticket for a specific train for around 30 CHF ($32) per person, one way if you buy the ticket at least a few days in advance online at Trainline. A taxi from Bern to Lucerne will cost a staggering price of around 400 CHF ($430) and will take around 1hr 30 minutes
From Basel – There are two direct train services per hour from Basel to Lucerne, with the journey time ranging from 1 hour to 1 hr 15 minutes, depending on which train you get. Standard train tickets for this journey cost 34 ($36.50) CHF and ‘supersaver’ tickets bought a few days in advance for a specific train range from around 21 CHF ($22.50) to 27 CHF ($29). You can buy either type of ticket online at Trainline. A taxi from Basel to Lucerne will cost in the region of 380 CHF ($410)
Areas to stay in Lucerne
Lucerne is a compact city and most of the main city centre attractions and areas are within 30 minutes walk from each other. However, choosing the right area to stay in any destination is an important part of planning a trip and Lucerne is no exception. Different areas of the city can offer guests different experiences and varying accommodation options. Here is a quick guide to the most popular areas to stay in Lucerne:
Old Town – This is where we’d recommend first-time visitors to Lucerne stay and anyone wanting to be close to everything. This is also the prettiest area of the city and numerous restaurant, shopping and accommodation options make this a convenient and ideal base for exploring Lucerne
New Town – Located on the opposite side of the river to the Old Town and closer to the train station, New Town is a great option for those wanting to stay in a busier and more vibrant area of Lucerne but still wanting to be close to the main attractions
Tribschen – Slightly further out than the Old Town and New Town, but still within easy walking distance, Tribschen is a great area to stay for those on a budget as there is a higher concentration of budget accommodation options and hostels there
Bruch – This is more of a residential area in Lucerne but filled with independent and high-end restaurants and shops. If you’re looking to experience the local side of Lucerne, then this is where to stay
Accommodation in Lucerne
Lucerne is one of the most popular tourist destinations within Switzerland so it is no surprise that there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from in the city. Whether you’re on a budget, looking for a base to explore the city or wanting a luxury weekend stay, Lucerne has it. However, Lucerne isn’t a big city so demand often outweighs supply and accommodation can get booked up months in advance, particularly during peak season. To help you find the perfect place for you, here are just a few of our top picks of where to stay in Lucerne:
Budget Hostel | Backpackers Luzern – Widely considered the best hostel in Lucerne, Backpackers Luzern is located in the Tribschen area of town, perfectly perched on the shores of the lake. This homely, friendly and modern hostel features a shared kitchen and lounge and options from dorms to private rooms
Mid-Range Hotel | Hotel Anker Luzern – Located in Lucerne’s New Town, Hotel Anker Luzern is a solid mid-range hotel option for any visitor to the city. Just 10 minutes walk from the Old Town, the hotel has modern, bright and well-equipped rooms, a good restaurant and a simple but great breakfast offering, all wrapped up in a beautiful historical building
Mid-Range Hotel | Hotel Central Luzern – The Hotel Central Luzern is located in the New Town area of Lucerne and offers guests a comfortable, modern and conveniently located hotel with a good breakfast offering and friendly service
High-End Hotel | Hotel des Balances – For those looking for something more for a reasonable price, the Hotel des Balances offers just that. Located in the Old Town, with views overlooking the river, the hotel offers a romantic and intimate experience for visitors. Rooms are simple yet elegantly decorated and a good Swiss-French restaurant offers dinner with a view
Luxury Hotel | Grand Hotel National Luzern – If you’re looking for luxury in Lucerne then look no further than the Grand Hotel National Luzern, situated overlooking the lake, just a 5-minute walk from the Old Town and train station. Set in a period building, rooms are suitably spacious and elegant and facilities including a swimming pool, great restaurant and a casino offer entertainment and relaxation for anyone wanting it
How to get around Lucerne
Lucerne, like many Swiss cities, has a useful and well thought out public transport system that offers reliable and comfortable transport throughout the city and to the outlying areas. However, Lucerne is quite compact so it’s likely that you may not need any transport while exploring the city, but if you do then here is a guide to transport in Lucerne:
Bus & Trolleybus – This is the main public transport in Lucerne city and reaches most areas of the city centre as well as districts and areas further out than the city centre. The bus and trolleybus network runs daily from 05:00 to 00:30 and there is a night bus service on Friday and Saturday nights. Journeys are priced by zone and Lucerne city centre and many of the most popular areas and sights for tourists to visit are in Zone 10. A day pass for Zone 10 costs 8.20 CHF ($8.75), a single ticket valid for 1-hour costs 4.10 CHF ($4.50) and a short distance ticket (under 6 stops) costs 2.50 CHF ($2.75). Visitors to Lucerne spending at least 1 night in a hotel can get a Lucerne Visitor Card which offers free bus transport for zone 10. You can buy tickets at most stations from the ticket machines
Train – There are both local and intercity trains in Lucerne. Intercity trains leave Lucerne to other cities in Switzerland including Zurich, Basel and Bern, we recommend purchasing tickets for these journeys online via Trainline. Local trains cover Lucerne and outlying areas with tickets priced according to zones. Zone 10 city centre ticket prices are the same as the bus ticket prices above and can be used on both
Taxi – Taxies are readily available throughout Lucerne and prices for taxis are generally a minimum charge of 6 CHF and 3.80 CHF for every kilometre up to 20 CHF, 3.50 CHF per kilometre thereafter. Uber is also available in Lucerne and can be considerably cheaper than standard taxi’s
Things to do in Lucerne
Lucerne has so much charm and with it, lots of great things to see and do. From historical buildings to nature and museums, there is something for everyone in this picturesque Swiss city. To help you plan what to do in Lucerne here is our compact list of the top 5 things to do in Lucerne:
Explore the Old Town – Lucerne’s historical Old Town is beautiful with large squares, small cobbled streets and countless period buildings. Wandering the streets, crossing the many bridges on the river and soaking up the architecture is a must when visiting Lucerne
Lake Lucerne – See Lake Lucerne and its scenic views over the nearby mountains by walking the water’s edge, taking a lake cruise or by doing some water activities in the summer months
Musegg Wall – These tall walls were once built to defend Lucerne and offer visitors great views over the city and lake. You can walk along the walls and go up the various towers to see the views
Lion Monument – Built in the 1820s, the Lion Monument is a bold sculpture carved into a former sandstone quarry. The Lion was formed to represent the Swiss Guard which was killed in 1792 during the French Revolution
Swiss Transport Museum – Switzerland’s most popular museum, the Swiss Transport Museum is a vast collection of trains, cars, aircraft and ships across various exhibits. Standard adult tickets start from 32 CHF ($34)
What to eat in Lucerne
Lucerne has around 350 restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from, with food ranging from Swiss, German, French, Asian and much more. There is a good range of global cuisines to suit just about any taste. Lucerne is close to Zurich and is in a German-influenced part of Switzerland so you’ll find more Swiss German food in Lucerne than Swiss French. Traditional Swiss-German dishes are hearty and focus on meat and potatoes and of course, Swiss cheese. Here are our top picks of what to eat in Lucerne, Switzerland while you’re visiting:
Raclette – Raclette is a type of cheese and it is warmed until gooey and then poured over potato and pickles
Pretzel – Dough which is rolled and made into a knot formation and baked
Nusstorte – This is a sweet-tart consisting of caramelised nuts in a shortcrust pastry
Cheese Fondue – One of the most famous dishes in Switzerland, cheese fondue is melted Swiss cheese in a pot to which bread is dipped and sometimes potatoes and pickles too. It is usually served as one pot for a few to share
Rosti – Rosti is Switzerland’s national dish. It is coarsely grated potato fried into a patty shape. They are great on their own, as an accompaniment or topped with other ingredients
Money - Lucerne Travel Costs
The currency in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF or Fr). Credit & Debit cards are widely accepted throughout Switzerland, including in Lucerne, and there are plenty of ATMs that accept foreign cards. While a service charge is rarely added to the bill in Lucerne and is not expected, leaving a tip of 5-20% is common. You’ll have likely heard that Switzerland is expensive and it is, there is no doubt about that. So, Lucerne is expensive too. You can save on many aspects of travel to Switzerland by booking ahead but eating and drinking out is a hard expense to avoid, so you’ll need to budget for this. Here’s a guide for what you can expect to pay (per person) in Lucerne for:
A local draught beer – CHF 6 – CHF 9 ($6.50-$10)
A coffee – CHF 4 – CHF 6.50 ($4.50-$7)
A bratwurst (Swiss sausage with bread roll and mustard) – CHF 5 – CHF 9 ($5.50-$10)
Budget restaurant meal – CHF 18 – CHF 30 ($19.50-$32.50)
Mid-range restaurant meal – CHF 35 – CHF 60 ($38-$65)
High-end restaurant meal – CHF 70+ ($76+)
When to go to Lucerne and for how long
Switzerland has a lot to offer different types of visitors. Those wanting to ski and enjoy winter sports will want to visit between December and February, however for the best conditions for sightseeing visit Switzerland between April and October. The peak summer season in Switzerland is from June to August, this is also when the weather is warmest, making for great conditions to explore the country. Understandably, accommodation in Lucerne is very expensive in the summer months so visit in April or May to get better prices. While Switzerland is a year-round destination, some outdoor attractions are closed from November to March due to poor weather, so this is something to note if you’re planning on seeing lots of the great outdoors. We would recommend visiting Lucerne as a day trip or for 1-2 nights. If you’re planning to use Lucerne as a base for day trips outside of the city, then you could stay for 3-4 nights.
Local language and phrases
The primary language that is used in Lucerne is German or Swiss-German, although you will still here some Swiss-French too. Some useful German and Swiss-German phrases to use while you are visiting Lucerne are:
Hello – Hallo or Grüezi
Bye – Uf Widerluege or Ciao
Thanks – Danke
Please – Bitte
Yes – Ja
No – Nein
Where is the WC? – Wo isch d’Toilette
Lucerne travel tips
– Lucerne is a very safe city to visit and is safe for lone travellers, including lone females
– There are a range of places to eat including those specialising in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets
Lucerne travel guide written in March 2022
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Lucerne Travel Articles
Lucerne Walking Tour Videos And Maps
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Lucerne Walking Tour Route
A walking tour video highlighting the sights and sounds of the historical city of Lucerne and an accompanying map showing the route walked
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