Lucerne is exactly what one imagines of a Swiss town. It is riddled with cobbled lanes bordered by half-timbered buildings.

Lucerne sits along an expansive lake that reflects the peaks of the many mountains that envelop the town. A day trip to Lucerne from Zürich is an escape into a fairy tale alpine setting.

Here's all you need to know about Lucerne, one of the most exciting destinations for day trips from Zürich.

How to get to Lucerne from Zürich?

Charming Lucerne is located in central Switzerland, about 50 kilometers southwest of Zürich. At 40 minutes by car and 50 minutes by train, travel between the two cities is simple.

From Lucerne from Zürich by car

Follow route 3 out of Zürich to the south until it becomes route 4 before leaving the city center. Continue for 30 minutes, and take exit 26-Luzern.

From Lucerne from Zürich by train

From Zürich’s central train station, Zürich Hauptbahnhof, lines IR70 and IR75 depart regularly for a ride of less than one hour.

Guided tour to Lucerne from Zürich

Save the trouble of crafting your own itinerary and arranging transportation by booking a guided tour to Lucerne from Zürich. Combine round-trip travel, a semi-guided visit to Lucerne, and even a mountain getaway into one convenient price.

What is the typical itinerary?

Tours to Lucerne from Zürich start in the morning and take advantage of a full-day visit to the city and its surroundings. Hop on a coach or into a private vehicle, and enjoy an hour of alpine scenery accompanied by commentary from a guide.

Upon arrival in Lucerne, most tours begin with an orientation drive around the town before freeing you to explore on your own.

Your guide will give you pointers and suggestions to help you make the most of your excursion. Discover the ancient city walls, step onto the wooden Chapel Bridge and feel the pathos of the Lion Monument.

Some city tours include a 1-hour cruise on Lake Lucerne that you can embark on at your choice of time during the day. Also known as the “Lake of Four Cantons,” a boat ride here can be your link between Lucerne and a mountain adventure.

Float to the base of Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi and ascend the steep slopes in a cable or cog railway car.

If you choose a tour that takes you to a local mountain resort, look forward to adrenaline-pumping rides and challenges at Mount Titlis or Mount Rigi.

Hike the trails around Engelberg, marvel at the 10th-century monastery that’s still in use and refuel with tastings at the town’s cheese factory.

What kinds of tours are available?

Lucerne’s attractions are enough to fill a day or more. There are many options for full-day tours to the town as well as the striking mountains that surround it.

Guided tours to Lucerne from Zürich

Leave from Zürich Bus Station in the morning for a short but gorgeous drive over Albis Pass to Lucerne.

Guides will narrate the journey, filling you with facts about what you see. On arrival in Lucerne, enjoy a short orientation tour of the town before setting out to discover the streets on your own.

Private tour to Lucerne from Zürich

Travel to Lucerne in the luxury of a private vehicle with a guide who provides door-to-door service in Lucerne as well as commentary during the drive.

The guide will orient you to the town and offer suggestions on must-see attractions before giving you free time to explore. There are also private tours to Lucerne that include visits to neighboring mountains.

Day trip to Lucerne plus Mount Pilatus from Zürich

Mount Pilatus is an alpine destination reached by a scenic 1-hour boat ride across Lake Lucerne. Reach the summit in a cable car and cog railway for awe-inspiring views.

The resort at its peak offers accommodations, dining and endless fun. Fly down the “Dragon Run” or dare to cross the “Wipfelpfad,” a series of suspended bridges among the trees.

After your high-altitude adventure, return to Lucerne for sightseeing, shopping or relaxing at an outdoor café while you soak in the town’s charm.

Day trip to Lucerne plus Mount Rigi from Zürich

Mount Rigi rises to 1,290 meters above sea level, and a cable car and cog train journey to its summit affords vistas of the lake, Lucerne and central Switzerland.

Situated near Mount Rigi is Weggis, said by Mark Twain to be the loveliest place he’d ever visited. Some tours make a stop here, where you can stroll through the town and relish in its mild climate.

Shop for locally-produced treats, soak in a mineral bath at Rigi Kaltbad or take a cheese making class!

Day trip to Lucerne plus Mount Titlis from Zürich

See the unmissable sights of Lucerne before heading to quaint Engelberg, a little less than 45 minutes south of Lucerne.

The village has sat on the flanks of Mount Titlis for more than a millennium. Wander the lanes before heading up Mount Titlis on a gondola.

At the peak, a network of trails may lure you into the forest for a hike. To get your adrenaline pumping, try the Ice Flyer, the Glacier Park Snow Slide, or step onto Europe’s highest suspension bridge.

How much does a day trip to Lucerne from Zürich cost?

The prices to Lucerne from Zürich for guided tours start at €60 per person, for a tour that includes round-trip transportation from Zürich and an orientation to Lucerne.

A guided tour with a 1-hour cruise on the Lake of Four Cantons costs €90 per person.

Private tours of Lucerne cost around €460 per person.

Day trips to Lucerne plus Mount Rigi cost from €140 per person, for a group tour, to €570 per person for a private tour. Expect to spend 10 hours on the tour, and tours include a boat ride from Lucerne to Weggis.

Day trips to Lucerne plus Mount Pilatus cost €165 per person for a group tour and €375 per person for a private tour. Packages include a boat ride and cable car and cog train ascent to the summit.

Day trips to Lucerne plus Mount Titlis cost from €175 per person for a group tour and, €230 per person for a winter snow experience that offers skiing, sledding and a visit to the ice caves. Private tours cost €285 per person.

What will you see and do?

Lake of Four Cantons

Also known as Lake Lucerne, the Lake of Four Cantons hems in the city with its jade-colored waters. The lake is encircled with resort towns set among jagged peaks.

A common inclusion in a day trip to Lucerne is a cruise on the lake, and a boat ride is a memorable way to access some mountain fun a short ride away from the city.

The Lion Monument

Built to honor Swiss soldiers who participated in the French Revolution, the “Dying Lion,’ as it’s often called, is a sculpture hewn from a natural rock wall.

Absorb the sorrow carved into the lion’s face as you marvel at the amazing artistry of this sculpture.

Chapel Bridge

Spanning the Reuss River since 1333, the ornate Chapel Bridge - or “Kapellbrucke”- is one of the most recognizable sites in Lucerne.

Stroll across the covered wooden planks as they meander across the river. View the mountainside origins of the river all the way to its destination in the Lake of Four Cantons.

Altstadt

Lucerne’s “Altstadt,” or old town, is a treasure trove of medieval, renaissance and baroque architecture. The pedestrian-friendly quarter is lined with buildings adorned with frescoes.

Pause for a coffee in one of the squares as you take in structures like the 15th-century Rathaus, or town hall.

Musegg Wall

Just steps from Altstadt are the 14th-century ramparts known as Musegg Wall. The stone fortifications are punctuated with nine defensive towers.

Visitors today can walk along the tops of the wall for a unique vantage point and the chances of spotting animals that have made the structure part of their habitat over the centuries.

Museums

Art, human ingenuity, natural history and more are celebrated at Lucerne’s many museums. The Rosengart Museum houses collections of Picasso and Paul Klee.

The city’s Swiss Museum of Transport is Switzerland’s most-visited museum. While it highlights modes of transportation, it also boasts a planetarium and the alluring “Swiss Chocolate Adventure.”

Glacier Garden

Take a journey into the ice age at Lucerne’s Glacier Garden to imagine the region as it was 20 million years ago.

The recently renovated complex features a museum, films, arctic exhibit and the “Felsenwelt” that transports you through Lucerne’s geological and climatic history.

Mountain attractions

Within an hour of Lucerne are mountain resorts that attract visitors for more than skiing. The winter snows make for prime skiing and snowboarding, but in the other seasons there is plenty to do.

Take a cable car ride to the summit of Mounts Pilatus, Rigi or Titlis for spellbinding panoramas and thrills like crossing suspension bridges or touring ice caves.

When is the best time to visit Lucerne?

Any time of year can be great for a visit to Lucerne, however summer and winter are ideal.

In summer, cruise on Lake Lucerne and take the “city train” tour through lesser-known corners of the city. Snow sports in winter are an exhilarating way to experience Lucerne’s peaks.

What other places can be visited from Zürich?

Travel tips

Bring a passport or state-issued ID on tours.
For tours to nearby mountains, be prepared with clothing for varying weather conditions.
Tours do not include meals, so plan ahead with a packed lunch or plan on purchasing a meal during your outing.

Lucerne: Day Trips and Tours from Zürich