About Lucerne
Lucerne or Luzern is a city and a municipality in central Switzerland, in the German-speaking portion of the country. Lucerne is the capital of the canton of Lucerne and part of the district of the same name. With a population of approximately 86,700 people, Lucerne is the most populous city in Central Switzerland, and a nexus of economics, transport, culture, and media in the region. The city's urban area consists of 19 municipalities and towns with an overall population of about 247,400 people.
Cheap flights to Lucerne
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $515 from Toronto, travelling 22 Nov – 25 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- JFK New York to Lucerne15 Nov – 23 Nov · ZRH from$737
- YTO Toronto to Lucerne22 Nov – 25 Nov · ZRH from$515
- LAX Los Angeles to Lucerne28 Oct – 2 Nov · ZRH from$953
- MIA Miami to Lucerne23 Mar – 30 Mar · ZRH from$924
- ORD Chicago to Lucerne22 Aug – 8 Sep · ZRH from$989
- BOS Boston to Lucerne24 Mar – 30 Mar · ZRH from$870
- SFO San Francisco to Lucerne24 Nov – 30 Nov · ZRH from$961
- IAD Washington to Lucerne1 Dec – 21 Dec · ZRH from$862
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Aer Lingus, ITA Airways, Austrian Airlines, Finnair, Air Canada, Condor Flugdienst.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to LucernePlaces to visit in Lucerne
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Chapel Bridge
LandmarkA covered wooden footbridge across the Reuss River, with a stone water tower and painted panels under its roof. It is quietest early in the morning; many of the original panels were lost in a 1993 fire.
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Lion Monument
LandmarkA dying lion carved into a sandstone cliff to honor Swiss Guards killed during the French Revolution. It takes only a few minutes to see, so pair it with the Glacier Garden right next door.
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Mount Pilatus
Nature · 6 mi from centreA rugged mountain overlooking Lucerne, reached by the world's steepest cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad and by cable car from Kriens. The cogwheel train runs only in the warmer months, and a loop combining boat, train and cable car is popular.
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Rigi
Nature · 8 mi from centreA broad mountain between lakes, nicknamed the Queen of the Mountains, with wide views over the Alps. Cogwheel trains climb from Vitznau and Arth-Goldau; summit walks are easy, and sunrise is worth an early start.
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Lake Lucerne
Nature · 5 mi from centreA winding, fjord-like lake surrounded by mountains, with historic paddle steamers linking its lakeside towns. The Swiss Travel Pass covers most boat routes, so check what your pass includes before buying separate tickets.
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Swiss Museum of Transport
Museum · 1 mi from centreSwitzerland's most visited museum, covering trains, planes, cars and ships, with many hands-on exhibits for children. Plan at least half a day here, and keep it in mind as a good choice for a rainy day.
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Titlis
Nature · 20 mi from centreA glaciated peak above Engelberg with a rotating cable car, a cliff-edge suspension bridge and snow all year round. Take the train from Lucerne to Engelberg to start, and dress warmly even in midsummer.
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Musegg Wall
HistoricA long stretch of medieval city wall with nine towers on the hill above Lucerne's old town. Several towers can be climbed in the warmer months, including the Zytturm, which holds the city's oldest clock.
Things to do in Lucerne by type
12 tours, tickets and experiences across 4 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Outdoor activities & Adventure 4 experiences Grindelwald First - Top Adventure from Lucerne -
City tours 4 experiences Bern Capital and Countryside Tour from Lucerne -
Day Trips & Excursions 3 experiences Explore Grindelwald, Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen from Lucerne - Full-Day Tour -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 2 experiences Explore Grindelwald, Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen from Lucerne - Full-Day Tour
- Flexible 1
- 1-3 hours 1
- Small group 2
- Private 1
Top experiences in Lucerne
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 12 available.
Titlis from Lucerne
From $166 per adult
Jungfraujoch, Train Trip and the Bernese Oberland
From $306 per adult
Mount Pilatus with a Lake Cruise, Cable Car and Cogwheel Rail Ride
From $188 per adult
The Bernese Alps Discovery - Eiger-Jungfrau Glacier Panoramic Tour
From $181 per adult
Explore Grindelwald, Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen from Lucerne - Full-Day Tour
From $126 per adult
Mount Rigi, Queen of the Mountains from Lucerne - Full-Day Tour
From $181 per adult
Lucerne Private Walking Tour
From $379 per adult
Where to stay in Lucerne
Popular hotels in Lucerne, out of 142 properties you can book.
Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora
From $228 per night
Monopol Luzern
From $231 per night
Hotel Waldstaetterhof Lucerne
From $679 per night
Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann Luzern
From $382 per night
Des Balances
From $443 per night
Alpina
From $175 per night
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
From $490 per night
Hotel Drei Konige
From $142 per night
Seerausch Swiss Quality Hotel
From $183 per night
Grand Hotel National Luzern
From $374 per night
Cascada Boutique Hotel
From $258 per night
Radisson Blu Hotel, Lucerne
From $845 per night
Best time to visit Lucerne
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lucerne is May to September, when average daytime highs are around 65–78°F and rain falls on about 18 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Lucerne weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 56° 48° 100%
- Thu 22 Oct 58° 44° 40%
- Fri 23 Oct 58° 45° 78%
- Sat 24 Oct 53° 41° 54%
- Sun 25 Oct 55° 41° 79%
- Mon 26 Oct 55° 44° 63%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Swiss franc (CHF)1 US dollar ≈ Fr0.83
- Languages
- German, French, Italian, Romansh
- Calling code
- +41
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/ZurichUTC+2
- Capital
- Bern
Upcoming public holidays in Switzerland
- Christmas DayWeihnachten
- New Year's DayNeujahr
- Ascension DayAuffahrt
- Swiss National DayBundesfeier
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Lucerne
These are the airports closest to central Lucerne. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- EML Emmen Air Base3 mi (4 km) from the city centre
- BXO Buochs Airfield7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
- ZRH Zurich Airport30 mi (49 km) from the city centre
Getting around Lucerne
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.
By bus
Lucerne has an efficient bus network: Verkehrsbetriebe Luzern (VBL) (German only). It covers the city and its suburbs.
Lucerne travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Lucerne?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Lucerne is May to September, when average daytime highs are around 65–78°F and rain falls on about 18 days a month.
What is the weather like in Lucerne?
August is usually the warmest month in Lucerne, with average highs of 78°F (25°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 32°F (-0°C). The wettest month is typically May, with about 232 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Lucerne?
Emmen Air Base (EML) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (4 km) from the centre of Lucerne. Other nearby airports include Buochs Airfield (BXO, 7 mi) and Zurich Airport (ZRH, 30 mi).
How much are flights to Lucerne?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Lucerne in the last 30 days was $515 from Toronto, travelling 22 Nov – 25 Nov. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $515.
What currency is used in Lucerne?
Lucerne uses the Swiss franc (CHF). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ Fr0.83.
What time zone is Lucerne in?
Lucerne uses the Europe/Zurich time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Lucerne?
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.
What are the best places to visit in Lucerne?
Top sights in Lucerne include Chapel Bridge, Lion Monument, Mount Pilatus and Rigi. A covered wooden footbridge across the Reuss River, with a stone water tower and painted panels under its roof. It is quietest early in the morning; many of the original panels were lost in a 1993 fire.
What are the top things to do in Lucerne?
Popular experiences you can book in Lucerne include Titlis from Lucerne, Jungfraujoch, Train Trip and the Bernese Oberland and Mount Pilatus with a Lake Cruise, Cable Car and Cogwheel Rail Ride. Destina Holidays offers 12 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Lucerne?
The most popular types of experiences in Lucerne are outdoor activities & adventure (4), city tours (4), day trips & excursions (3) and zoo, aquarium & nature (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Lucerne?
Popular areas for hotels in Lucerne include Lucerne. Well-reviewed options include Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora and Monopol Luzern.
How many hotels can I book in Lucerne?
Destina Holidays currently lists 142 properties in and around Lucerne, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
