Waymark

Switzerland · Central Switzerland

Lucerne travel guide

A medieval lakeside town with mountains on the doorstep

The Chapel Bridge in Lucerne. Photo: Simon Koopmann, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

1h 30mflight from London
ZRHnearest main airport
17° in Julwarmest month
-2° in Jancoolest month

Lucerne is a pretty medieval town on Lake Lucerne, with a covered wooden bridge, painted houses and old town walls.

Paddle steamers cross the lake to Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi, two easy and spectacular mountain trips, and it's one of the best bases for a first visit to Switzerland.

Good forCity breaksLakesMountainsDay trips

What Lucerne is known for

  • Chapel Bridge

    A 14th-century wooden bridge.

  • Mount Pilatus

    The steepest cog railway.

  • Lake steamers

    Historic paddle boats.

  • Lion Monument

    A carving in the rock.

Top things to do in Lucerne

  1. 1

    Chapel Bridge

    Painted panels inside.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Mount Pilatus

    A cog railway up and cable car down.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    Mount Rigi

    The "queen of the mountains".

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    A lake cruise

    Paddle steamers from the station.

    Find tours and tickets

See all tours and tickets in Lucerne

Where to stay in Lucerne

Find a hotel in Lucerne

Best time to visit Lucerne

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. May to September: boats run often and the mountains are clear.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
-2.1 C-2°J-1.4 C-1°F2.6 C3°M7.1 C7°A11.2 C11°M15.5 C16°J17.1 C17°J16.7 C17°A12.7 C13°S8.8 C9°O3.1 C3°N-1 C-1°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Lucerne, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 1h 30m from London to ZRH, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Walk the town. Boats, trains and buses run to the mountains.

Airport transfer to Lucerne

Find flights to Lucerne (ZRH)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • The Golden Round Trip to Pilatus combines boat, cog railway and cable car.
  • The Swiss Travel Pass covers lake boats.
  • Musegg Wall towers are free to climb in summer.
Switzerland guidesVisasPlugs & adaptersWhen to go

Lucerne FAQ

How many days in Lucerne?

Two or three days.

Pilatus or Rigi?

Pilatus is more dramatic, Rigi is gentler.

More places in Switzerland

Back to the Switzerland travel guide + Add Lucerne to your bucket list