Lucerne
Discover Lucerne
Lucerne (Luzern in German, Lozärn in Swiss-German) is a beautiful small city which sits on the shores of Lake Lucerne in the heartland of Switzerland. Lucerne is a popular destination for the city itself and the accessible outings around the lake and local Alps that it offers. The first city to join the Swiss Confederation, today Lucerne is a lovely city of 80,000 people with a thriving tourism industry, owing mainly to its status as a gateway to Central Switzerland. The city is a centre of Swiss history and legend: it's across the lake from Altdorf, where legend has it William Tell shot an apple off of his son's head.
What to Experience in Lucerne
Taste of Lucerne...
Lucerne's Old Town is full of tourist trap restaurants serving wildly overpriced fondue in the middle of summer. This being Switzerland, eating out isn't cheap anywhere, but you'll get much better value for money even a block or two off the beaten track. Lucerne has lots of clubs for lots of different tastes. Baselstrasse is a nightlife strip emerging out of a redlight district. There are also raves in industrial buildings that require you to join their "club" as they're not legally allowed to sell alcohol to the public. The three bakery chains, Hug, Heini and Bachmann, have several good cafés spread all over the city. For its size, there are quite a few places to stay in Lucerne, in all price ranges. If you stay overnight, your accommodation should give you a free Visitor Card Lucerne which grants various discounts, most notably free travel within zone 10 (Lucerne city) on all public transport except ferries. This includes transport to your lodgings, just show your reservation if asked. As of June 2022, Lucerne has 5G from all Swiss carriers. WiFi is widely available around the city. Lucerne is a heavily touristed destination, and where there are tourists there are pickpockets, con artists, and other sorts of folks up to no good. As with everyplace else keep your passport and other valuables where people can't get to them. However, Lucerne is a friendly and safe city. Women can move safely almost anywhere, day or night.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Lucerne.
The shopping in Lucerne has improved somewhat since Mark Twain's visit. You'll find several good department stores with acceptable prices for most items, as well as pricey speciality shops. Lucerne's Old Town is full of tourist trap restaurants serving wildly overpriced fondue in the middle of summer. This being Switzerland, eating out isn't cheap anywhere, but you'll get much better value for money even a block or two off the beaten track. Lucerne has lots of clubs for lots of different tastes. Baselstrasse is a nightlife strip emerging out of a redlight district. There are also raves in industrial buildings that require you to join their "club" as they're not legally allowed to sell alcohol to the public. The three bakery chains, Hug, Heini and Bachmann, have several good cafés spread all over the city. For its size, there are quite a few places to stay in Lucerne, in all price ranges.
Climate
Lucerne has cold, dry winters and warm/hot summers. Thanks to its central location 47.0488898.3105561 Lucerne railway station (Bahnhof Luzern) can be reached easily from nearly every other city in Switzerland using the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)). There are hourly trains from Olten and Zürich Airport and half-hourly trains from Zürich, and a direct train every hour from Berne. There is an hourly service from Bellinzona in Ticino, and Pfäffikon and St. Gallen in the North East. The "Zentralbahn" branch of the Swiss Federal Railways also provides hourly trains between Interlaken and Lucerne during daytime. There are no intercity buses in Switzerland as the train system provides ample connections to many destinations in Switzerland. To make trips to the countryside in the mountains where there are no trains, refer to postauto.ch buses are available from some nearby places, such as Rotkreuz.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThanks to its central location 47.0488898.3105561 Lucerne railway station (Bahnhof Luzern) can be reached easily from nearly every other city in Switzerland using the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS)). There are hourly trains from Olten and Zürich Airport and half-hourly trains from Zürich, and a direct train every hour from Berne. There is an hourly service from Bellinzona in Ticino, and Pfäffikon and St. Gallen in the North East. The "Zentralbahn" branch of the Swiss Federal Railways also provides hourly trains between Interlaken and Lucerne during daytime. There are no intercity buses in Switzerland as the train system provides ample connections to many destinations in Switzerland. To make trips to the countryside in the mountains where there are no trains, refer to postauto.ch buses are available from some nearby places, such as Rotkreuz. Lucerne sits at the northwest end of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee), one of the most beautiful waterways in Switzerland....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Able-bodied travellers will find Lucerne a complete joy to get around in on foot. The Old-Town is rather small, and most other interesting sites are within 20 minutes or so walk, there is also a city bus system, as well as assistance for disabled visitors on request from Mobility International Switzerland. The Lido beach and the Swiss Transport Museum are a bit further out but can be reached with a lakeside walk in 30-40 minutes, otherwise they can be reached by bus or by one of several boats per hour from just in front of the central railway station. Visitors staying overnight in Lucerne get a Visitor Card which gives free bus and train travel in Zone 10 for the duration of their stay. All of the points of interest in Lucerne including the Transport Museum and lower cable-car station for Pilatus are within this zone.
Where to Stay
For its size, there are quite a few places to stay in Lucerne, in all price ranges. If you stay overnight, your accommodation should give you a free Visitor Card Lucerne which grants various discounts, most notably free travel within zone 10 (Lucerne city) on all public transport except ferries. This includes transport to your lodgings, just show your reservation if asked. As of June 2022, Lucerne has 5G from all Swiss carriers. WiFi is widely available around the city. Lucerne is a heavily touristed destination, and where there are tourists there are pickpockets, con artists, and other sorts of folks up to no good. As with everyplace else keep your passport and other valuables where people can't get to them. However, Lucerne is a friendly and safe city. Women can move safely almost anywhere, day or night. There are few areas that should be avoided; the area around Basel Street, where you will find a colourful and exciting cultural mix, is relatively harmless.
Money & Budget
The shopping in Lucerne has improved somewhat since Mark Twain's visit. You'll find several good department stores with acceptable prices for most items, as well as pricey speciality shops. Lucerne's Old Town is full of tourist trap restaurants serving wildly overpriced fondue in the middle of summer. This being Switzerland, eating out isn't cheap anywhere, but you'll get much better value for money even a block or two off the beaten track. Lucerne has lots of clubs for lots of different tastes. Baselstrasse is a nightlife strip emerging out of a redlight district. There are also raves in industrial buildings that require you to join their "club" as they're not legally allowed to sell alcohol to the public.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Lucerne is a heavily touristed destination, and where there are tourists there are pickpockets, con artists, and other sorts of folks up to no good. As with everyplace else keep your passport and other valuables where people can't get to them. However, Lucerne is a friendly and safe city. Women can move safely almost anywhere, day or night. There are few areas that should be avoided; the area around Basel Street, where you will find a colourful and exciting cultural mix, is relatively harmless. According to the police it can be dangerous at night in "Tribschen" (Inseli-Ufschötti-Weinbergli-Tribschenstrasse). Most violent crimes and robberies happen in this neighborhood. But compared with other cities in Europe it's a safe area.
Glimpses of Lucerne
A day in Luzern, Switzerland.
'Kapellbrücke – Also know as the Chapel Bridge – is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, as well as the world's oldest surviving truss bridge. It serves as the city's symbol and as one of Switzerland's main tourist attractions.'
a city with a river running through it
Lucerne, Switzerland
body of water near buildings during daytime
View of one of Lucerne's landmarks: the Musegg Wall, which begins with the Nölli Tower.
Buildings on a lakeside in Lucerne
an aerial view of a river running through a city
a city next to a body of water
Sunrise in Luzern (Lucerne, Switzerland). Kappelbrücke Sonnenaufgang
A day in Luzern, Switzerland.
'Kapellbrücke – Also know as the Chapel Bridge – is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe, as well as the world's oldest surviving truss bridge. It serves as the city's symbol and as one of Switzerland's main tourist attractions.'
a city with a river running through it