Lucerne (Luzern)
Lucerne is a gorgeous historic city & rail transport hub in Switzerland. And the one thing that makes an already gorgeous city even more beautiful is a draping of fresh snow. Only a short train ride from Zurich & Engelberg ski resort, a few nights in Luzern should be part of every ski holiday to the Swiss.
Pros & Cons for Lucerne
Pros
- Vibrant city, even in winter - perfect for long walks exploring its many nooks & crannies.
- Fascinating cityscape & historic buildings, bridges & castles.
- Arts & Light Festivals in winter are beautiful after dark & the Lucerne Carnival in February is a sight to behold.
- Wonderful accommodation in the ‘old city’ with excellent availability in winter (except during the Lucerne Carnival).
- Fabulous range of cafes, bars, restaurants & shops.
- Easy public transport access by train from & to anywhere in Switzerland.
- Several excellent Swiss Alps ski resorts are within one hour by train.
Cons
- There are no ski slopes in the city & most resorts are just far enough away that Lucerne isn’t quite useful as a base to explore them!
- Gets a little busy during the day on weekends.
Pro or Con (depending on your perspective!)
- You may fall in love with this city.
- Nightlife is quieter than expected, but you are in Switzerland so what exactly did you expect?
- Some parts of the city feel somewhat touristy, just keep walking - you are a tourist after all!
Skiing & Snowboarding near Lucerne
It is rare across the globe, even in Europe, to be in such an amazing city & have world-class ski resorts within a short train ride. Comparative cities might include the likes of Innsbruck, Salzburg, Bolzano & Montreux - fine company indeed. By train the likes of Engelberg is 45min, the quirky Klewenalp is also 45min (train-bus combination), Meiringen is 1hr 10 min, and Interlaken (& hence the Jungfrau Ski Region) is 1¾hr.
One can use the train to do day trips to Engelberg ski resort , but most others are just a little too far away or convoluted (although Klewenalp is doable if the snow is good), so pack up & move deeper into the hills to go to them. If heading to Interlaken & the Jungfrau, take the scenic train route via Brünig Pass, Meiringen (ski the excellent Meiringen Hasliberg) & Lake Brienz. From Interlaken the brilliant combination of Grindelwald Wengen, Grindelwald First & Mürren Schilthorn are of course best accessed …… by train.
Things to Do in Lucerne
Lovely Lucerne provides the perfect fun, yet relaxing break during any Swiss ski holiday. The city’s classic sites include the two covered bridges Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) & Spreuerbrücke (Spreuer Bridge) plus the Wounded Lion monument, but they provide only a small part of the city’s overall charm. The old town and surrounding hilltop castle towers, walls & fortifications are great for strolling. They are packed with history, views, cafes & bars along the way. In winter there are Arts & Light Festivals adding to the cities many entertainment options. In February, the Lucerne Carnival is a sight to behold with a zanily costumed procession of drum bands being the standout. For fine beer & fare, try the charismatic Bistro Krienbrüggli.
Check out the Lucerne City Map below.
Overlooking the city, the looming peak of Pilatus provides spectacular views and a wonderful overnight experience if staying in one of the mountaintop hotels. To get there, from Lucerne station take the route 1 bus for a 12-minute ride to Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus stop. From there a 10-minute walk up a slight hill will get you to the gondola valley station. The 30-minute gondola ride (a tad slow, but it is a scenic ride!) to Fräkmüntegg (1,416m) combines with a final 5-minute cable car to get you up the mountain at Pilatus Kulm, at around 2,132m altitude. Thats over 1,600m above the surrounding lakes so it has great sense of verticality. There are winter walks, viewpoints, and even a sledding (schlitteln or sledging!) trail that descends 400m vertical in the mid-mountain sector from Fräkmüntegg.
At some point in your journey, spend some time in nearby Zurich. A wander along the river Limmat from the central train station toward Lake Zürich is fantastic. A quick visit into Zurich is easy from the airport as it is only 10 minutes by train. Check your bags early and head in for a few hours.
Where is Luzern (Lucerne) Switzerland?
The city of Lucerne is on the shores of the Reuss River & Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne) just 52km (47min) by road south of Zurich. But the road distance is of no use to most visitors because the local trains do the distance quicker & with less hassle all the way from nearest airport, which funnily enough, is at Zurich (ZRH). From the airport, trains travel direct to Lucerne in around 1hr 10min, or just 45min from the Zurich city centre.
Search & book here for train tickets to Luzern/Lucerne.
Despite the world’s best public transit system at your feet, some may feel it is preferable to take a private transfer to reach the city & surrounding ski resorts. Search & book here for all airport transfers to Lucerne.
Once in the city, we recommend walking to make the most of all the sights. A comprehensive network of local buses & trams can also be utilised.
Lucerne Accommodation
Lucerne’s idyllic lake & riverside location lends itself to lingering long after dark, so staying overnight is a must. The old city straddles the river either side of the Chapel Bridge & is the place to stay. We can recommend the sensational Boutique Hotel KARL (previously known as the Tourist City & River Hotel - such an awful name, no wonder they changed it!). Great combination of awesome riverside location, funky rooms, good availability & affordability. Plenty of other hotels are available to choose from to suit all budgets & tastes.
For an incredible night out that includes dinner & breakfast, head up to nearby Pilatus and stay on the mountain in the luxury, but surprisingly affordable, Hotel Pilatus-Kulm. Wake up to some of the most splendid views in the region.
Search & book here for all Luzern accommodation.
More Reasons to Visit Luzern
If flying in and out of Zurich, there no better way to start or end your Swiss ski holiday than with a few nights in Lucerne. The combination of location, culture & history is one of the best in Switzerland. Being able to take a train directly to or from the airport in a little over an hour is a bonus. Stay in the ‘old town’ centre, wander the streets, see the sights plus eat & drink to the marvels of this fine Swiss city.
Review
The Powderhounds have visited Lucerne numerous times, and always have a wonderful time there taking a break from the mountains. Click on the review link in the left column of the overview (or top page if on a mobile) to read our thoughts.
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