Lucerne Holidays

Why choose Lucerne for your Switzerland holiday?

A lakeside resort with Alpine scenery | Culture, history and Old Town charm | Easy rail access to the Swiss Alps

Lucerne is a stunning destination with all the ingredients of a perfect Swiss holiday including a picturesque lake and spectacular mountains with amazing cog railways and cable cars, all within easy reach. There is an impressive Old Town here, with wonderful shops and lovely flower-decked bars and restaurants in a delightful lakeside setting. Lucerne is a great place to walk round - visit the preserved city walls protecting the Old Town, the famous covered Chapel Bridge across the River Reuss or take a stroll along the lakeside at sunset. In the Old Town you will also find a wealth of original decorated historical buildings around the squares and small courtyards. Other attractions include the 200 year old Lion Monument (commemorating the Swiss Guards who died during the French revolution defending King Louis XVI) and the nearby Glacier Garden with its fascinating insight into Lucerne's geological history. 

The town is walkable and well-suited to first-time visitors to Switzerland, making Lucerne holidays ideal for couples, families and independent travellers alike. If you stroll along the river on a Tuesday or Saturday morning, you will find a fantastic farmers' market. A new daily market hall is now open with the station building, where you can find a wide variety of products from farms and family-run companies in the Lake Lucerne region, as well as freshly made takeaway items from the deli and the bakery. Lucerne has a varied nightlife, a wide choice of restaurants to cater for all tastes and the renowned KKL concert hall. As Lucerne is only an hour's train ride from Zurich airport, a fabulous long weekend here is very feasible. Hotel guests benefit from the FREE Lucerne Visitor Card, allowing you to hop on and off the local buses and trains.

NB For those who would prefer a stay in a quieter village with access to all the amenities and transport network of Lucerne, we recommend nearby Weggis. 

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Or speak to our expert team for more Switzerland holiday advice

Call us on 0800 619 1200 or email us at info@swissholidayco.com

A holiday to Lucerne combines natural beauty with cultural highlights. Lake Lucerne cruises offer panoramic views of surrounding mountains, while excursions to Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi provide classic Swiss Alpine experiences. Within the resort, visitors can explore Lucerne’s Old Town, cross the historic Chapel Bridge, or enjoy museums, cafés and lakeside promenades. Lucerne also makes an excellent base for rail journeys to Interlaken, Engelberg and other scenic destinations.

Please click here for our summary of the best the Lucerne region has to offer.

Top of the list are the visits to the local mountains of Pilatus via the world's steepest cog railway and Mount Rigi with its views as far as the Black Forest. Rigi railway celebrated its 150 year anniversary in 2021! A cruise on the beautiful lake is a real highlight with its small picturesque villages such as Weggis and Stansstad, from where you reach the amazing open topped cable car to the Stanserhorn. Beckenried is a stopping off point for the Klewenalp and after Brunnen the lakes flows into Lake Uri where you will be enchanted by the history and legends of Wilhelm Tell. Stoos is also worth a visit, with its amazing new funicular and glorious views.

Why not visit the dramatic Mount Titlis at over 3,000m - just an hour on the train brings you to pretty Engelberg and from here it is an incredible journey to the summit, including an amazing rotating cable car which glides above the glacier. More earthly delights can be found at the Lindt Home Of Chocolate, with plenty of opportunities for tasting!

Read our Lucerne blog article here.

Choose from our handpicked Lucerne hotels for your holiday.

Lucerne offers a wide range of accommodation, from elegant lakeside hotels to charming boutique properties in the Old Town. Many hotels enjoy views across the river or Lake Lucerne or have easy access to the town’s main sights, making them ideal for both short breaks and longer Swiss itineraries.

Whether you prefer a luxury stay, a traditional Swiss hotel or a centrally located base for exploring, our Lucerne holidays can be tailored to match your travel style and budget.

Please note that two of our hotels are in the mountains rather than in Lucerne town: the Pilatus Kulm Hotels are located above Kriens and Lake Lucerne, at the summit of Mount Pilatus.

Hotel Waldstatterhof
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Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann

Hotel Cascada

Pilatus Kulm Hotel

Hotel Continental Park

Hotel Flora

Hotel Seeburg

Art Deco Hotel Montana
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Hotel Des Balances
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Hotel Schweizerhof

Summer holidays in Lucerne (June–September)

This is the most popular time to visit Lucerne, when the city and surrounding Alps come alive with sunshine. The lake sparkles under clear skies, perfect for boat cruises, and the mountains offer excellent walking and outdoor adventures. Summer is also festival season, with cultural events, music, and open-air markets filling the streets. Long daylight hours make it ideal for exploring the Old Town, taking scenic train trips, or enjoying lakeside cafés.

Spring and autumn - nature's highlights

Spring and autumn are quieter, yet incredibly scenic times for a Lucerne holiday. In spring, the surrounding hills and meadows bloom with wildflowers, while autumn brings a tapestry of golden foliage across the Swiss Alps. These months are perfect for alpine day trips, such as Mount Pilatus or the Rigi, where misty mornings that burn off to reveal gentle sun create an unforgettable atmosphere. It’s also an excellent time for travellers seeking a more peaceful holiday experience.

Winter escapes and Christmas Markets

Winter transforms Lucerne into a Swiss wonderland. The town hosts charming Christmas Markets, where twinkling lights, mulled wine, and Swiss treats create a cosy festive atmosphere. Don't miss the ice rink beside the lake! In January, the Lilo lights festival is highly recommended. Should you want to experience a Swiss ski resort, take a day trip to Engelberg and enjoy the snow and stunning views.

Our holidays include the Half Fare Card, which entitles you to a 50% discount on most rail, mountain railways, cable cars, boats and PostBuses across Switzerland.

If you are planning daily outings, it can be well worth pre-booking the Tell Pass, as it saves you a great deal of money - and helps you avoid the queues at the ticket office! If you are planning to travel further afield, you might consider the Swiss Travel Pass as an alternative. We will be delighted to help you choose the one that's right for you. Call us on 0800 619 1200 for more advice.

Enjoy a fantastic two or multi centre holiday, with a scenic rail journey connecting your resorts.

Lucerne is on the route of the GoldenPass Express (for Montreux) or Luzern-Interlaken Express (for Interlaken) and the scenic boat and rail journey of the Gotthard Panorama Express (for Lugano). The Pre-Alpine Express also departs for St. Gallen.

If you prefer to be based solely in Lucerne, there are many lakes and mountains journeys to be enjoyed locally. We can tailor make any itinerary you choose, please contact us for details on 0800 619 1200.

Your ticket wallet will contain comprehensive travel instructions to help you reach your destination with ease, including recommended rail connection times and platform numbers. These are the most common routes for your Lucerne holiday. 

Fly to Zurich

Flights available from London, Luton, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow.

Swiss Railways: Zurich Airport> Lucerne with a transfer time of around 1 hour 10 minutes. 

Fly to Geneva

Flights available from London, Luton, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle.  

Swiss Railways: Geneva Airport> Lucerne with a transfer time of around 3 hours. 

Travel by international rail

Rail from London St. Pancras via Paris to Basel.

Swiss Railways: Basel> Lucerne with a transfer time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.