By rail
Luzern station, ~45 min from Zurich
Europe · Switzerland
Lucerne, Switzerland
A covered bridge, a lake and Mount Pilatus
Getting there
By air
Zurich (ZRH), ~1 h by train
Best time to visit
May to October — mild
Don't miss
The Chapel Bridge
The Lion Monument
Mount Pilatus
Mount Rigi
Things to do
The Chapel Bridge
A boat on Lake Lucerne
Mount Pilatus or Rigi
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Layers
A quieter corner
The towers of the Musegg Wall
Questions travellers ask
Can I get to Lucerne by train?
Yes. Luzern station is about 45 minutes from Zurich, and Zurich (ZRH) airport is about 1 hour away by train.
How do I make the most of Lucerne?
Walk the Chapel Bridge, see the Lion Monument, take a boat on Lake Lucerne, and head up Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi.
Is there anything off the beaten path in Lucerne?
Visit the towers of the Musegg Wall.
When is the weather mild in Lucerne?
May to October — bring layers. Treat yourself to Swiss chocolate and rösti while you're there.
About Lucerne
- Lakeside
Where it is
Lucerne (Luzern) is the capital of the canton of Lucerne in central Switzerland, where the Reuss river flows out of Lake Lucerne, with Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi rising on either side.
History
Lucerne grew around the Benedictine monastery of St Leodegar, founded around 750, and prospered as a gateway on the Gotthard trade route. In 1332 it joined the Swiss Confederacy, it remained Catholic through the Reformation, and in the 19th century its lake and mountains made it a favourite destination of travellers.
People
Lucerners speak Swiss German. Before Lent the Fasnacht carnival fills the old town with masked figures and Guggenmusik bands playing in joyful cacophony, and each summer the Lucerne Festival brings classical music to the lake shore.
Known for
- The Chapel Bridge and Water Tower
- The Lion Monument
- Mount Pilatus and Mount Rigi
- Paddle steamers on Lake Lucerne
- The Swiss Museum of Transport
Did you know?
The Chapel Bridge, a covered wooden footbridge first built in 1333, is considered the oldest covered bridge in Europe, and a fire in 1993 destroyed two-thirds of its painted panels.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.