Holidays in Lucerne

Combine culture and nature on a walking holiday to Lucerne – a little city perfectly placed for exploring the mountainous Lake Lucerne region

The picturesque city of Lucerne is poised on the banks of one of Switzerland’s largest lakes – the sprawling Lake Lucerne. It’s a locale that’s inspired royalty, poets and composers, who have all gathered here, leading to a boom in grand hotels and villas. Lucerne is an incredibly walkable city of barely 250,000 residents, with streets leading past frescoed cafés and museums in the car-free Old Town. Just don’t forget the world beyond while on your wanders. Polished paddle steamers leave Lucerne bound for villages like Weggis and Vitznau, and the local mountains of Rigi and Pilatus Kulm are adorned with exceptional hiking trails.

Here there be dragons: Mount Pilatus

Local people once believed that dragons lived in the caves and crannies of Mount Pilatus. And if you look closely, the set of peaks does look like a dragon spine reclining on the edge of Lucerne. The dragon theme continues on the mountaintop with scavenger hunts, storied trails and kid-friendly zip lines. There are also footpaths like the Flower Trail, and forest tracks and alpine moors, as well as climbs for experienced mountaineers. You can get to Pilatus by gondola and cable car starting in Kriens – or from the village of Alpnach for a ride on the steepest rack railway in the world - you can do it all with the Golden Round Trip which includes a boat trip between Alpnach and Lucerne.

Lake Lucerne

Ferries and historic paddle steamers carry passengers around the many-armed Lake Lucerne, stopping at the small ports that decorate the shores. Hop off at the pretty town of Weggis for Mount Rigi - nicknamed Queen of the Mountains - it's a hiking paradise with 120 kilometres of varied walking trails to explore and lake views to enjoy. Alternatively, book onto a lunch cruise, pick up a paddle board to explore the water at your own pace, or for a day of ultimate luxury, book a trip to the Bürgenstock Alpine Spa.

Lucerne: the city of bridges

Lucerne is one of the most walkable cities in Switzerland. Highlights include the much-loved Chapel Bridge that reaches over the River Reuss, the old city walls, the villa museum dedicated to Wagner, and the Church of St Leodegar, which sits its gothic spires on the site of an old Roman basilica. Need a breather? Take your pick of waterside bars and restaurants for a fruit brandy in view of the mountains, alfresco dining is a bit of a theme in Lucerne. “En guete!” as they say in the Alemannic dialect spoken here.

Getting around Lucerne – and beyond

Trolleybuses trundle around Lucerne’s city streets, while motor buses head into the hilly suburbs and villages beyond the city limits, and a funicular hoists view seekers up to Château Gütsch, the fairy-tale hotel perched above Lucerne. Meanwhile, the railway station is the gateway to big-name Swiss cities such as Zurich and ferries and paddle steamers bob at the quay next to the station - you can't come to Lucerne and not head out onto the water.

Why book a summer holiday in Lucerne with Inghams?

At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of Lake Lucerne's best walking routes and activities at your own pace.

With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to Lucerne include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team overseas can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.

Added value

Half price rail, bus and boat travel with the Swiss Half Fare Card (worth over £100 per person)

Free 'Lucerne Visitors Card' Great for sightseeing with unlimited use of Lucerne's public buses up to zone 10 for access to various attractions (issued locally)

Free travel on Swiss Transport Network for children up to 15 years incl.

Hotels in Lucerne

  • from£1129pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    4.5 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 62 Rooms
9 Beach Club

From Hotel Montana's peaceful hilltop location, you have incredible views over the city and lake to the mountains beyond. Eat in the award-winning restaurant, and enjoy lazy days by the water on the Beach Club terrace. A private elevator gives easy access to the waterfront.

  • from£899pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    3.5 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 96 rooms
Waldstaetterhof Lounge

Right by the train station and near the waterfront is the grand red-brick Hotel Waldstätterhof - a great base if you're planning to explore. Rooms are cosy, modern, and comfortable. Meals are excellent, with a great choice of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

  • from£1224pp
  • @accommodation.PropertyRating

    4 Rating

    We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

  • 48 rooms
Hotel Wilden Mann, Lucerne - Lounge area

In a great location close to the centre is this unique Swiss Historic Hotel. With a 500-year history, the Wilden Mann is full of original features, from the winding corridors to the occasional creaking floorboard; Walk in. Be enchanted. You might well find yourself wanting to come back again!

Swiss Half Fare Card

The Swiss transport network is an excellent combination of trains, mountain railways, cable-cars, boats and buses that make it a pleasure to get around and explore at your own pace. 

Swiss Half Fare Card included for all Inghams guests

The Swiss Half Fare Card is included in the price of your holiday and is sent to you as part of your rail transfer tickets. This card can be used around Switzerland for up to 50% discount on various modes of transport - so make sure you keep it with you. It also gives free travel to children from 6 to 15 years old, when accompanied by a parent with the Family Card.

Resort Combination

Multi-Centres | You can combine your stay in Lucerne with any one or more resort(s) of your choice in Switzerland. We recommend Montreux or Wengen. Flexible durations available Transfers. between resorts via the Swiss transport network are included in your holiday price.

Things to do
  • Lake cruises
  • Walking
  • Hiking
  • Museums
  • Shopping
  • Cycling
  • Watersports
  • Lake swimming
  • Cinema

Lucerne is small enough to discover on foot allowing you to explore the charming streets of the traffic-free "old-town", with its frescoed buildings, delightful cafés, shops and boutiques, or drop by one of the city's museums. A regular fleet of lake steamers call in at the harbour, carrying people on holidays in Lucerne to picturesque lakeside villages such as Weggis and Vitznau, and to Mount Rigi, Bürgenstock, and Pilatus Kulm - reached by the steepest cogwheel railway in the world. There is good scope for walking on many of these local mountains. 

 

Other things to do in and around Lucerne

  • Old town with cobbled streets and beautifully decorated facades
  • Public lake swimming, casino and cinema
  • Several churches with beautiful interiors
  • Great shopping plus regular markets
  • Swiss Army knife making in nearby Brunnen (approx. Sfr25 per person)
  • International Music Festival with some free events (approx 16 Aug - 15 Sep )
  • Trips to surrounding peaks including Pilatus, Mount Rigi, Stanserhorn and Bürgenstock
  • Many museums including the famous Museum of Transport
  • Lucerne Museum Pass available locally (approx. Sfr36 per person)
  • ‘Blue Balls’ music festival with some free concerts (approx 19-27 Jul)

Discount Travel Card included for all Inghams guests (Your travel card is sent to you before departure with your rail transfer tickets).

Save up to 50% with your half-price card on trips of your choice across the Swiss transport network. Included in the price of your holiday, and is sent to you as part of your rail transfer tickets.

Exploring on the Swiss Transport Network

Switzerland's excellent public transport network of mountain railways, cable-cars, steam boats and buses makes it a pleasure to explore the sights, at your own pace.

Great Value Travel Passes

Purchase a travel pass and only pay one inclusive price for your trips:

Prices shown include Travel Card discount.

Tell Regional Pass (pre-bookable)
2 consecutive days, from £135 (2nd class)
5 consecutive days, from £174 (2nd class)

10 consecutive days, from £199 (2nd class)

Individual upgrades to 1st class tickets payable locally.

Discover the region with this great value pass, which gives you unlimited travel on regional boats, buses, trains and cable-cars including:

  • Free travel to summits Pilatus Kulm, Rigi Kulm and Stanserhorn for fantastic views, open-top cable-car and walking.
  • Free unlimited boat trips around the whole of Lake Lucerne to Weggis, Brunnen, Vitznau, Fluelen and Küssnacht
  • Free trains to Meiringen, Engelberg, Zug and Arth-Goldau
  • Free trip on the Mount Titlis revolving aerial cable-car
  • Free unlimited boat trips on Lake Zug
  • Free unlimited use of city buses in Lucerne
  • Free trip on Mount Titlis revolving cable-car
  • Upgrade to 1st class locally

Car hire is available.

Excursions

PRE-BOOKABLE

Tell Regional Pass

2 consecutive days, from £156 (2nd class)
5 consecutive days, from £205 (2nd class)
10 consecutive days, from £262 (2nd class)

Individual upgrades to 1st class tickets payable locally.

Discover the region with this great value pass, which gives you unlimited travel on regional boats, buses, trains and cable-cars including:

  • Free travel to summits Pilatus Kulm, Rigi Kulm and Stanserhorn for fantastic views and walking.
  • Free unlimited boat trips around the whole of Lake Lucerne to Weggis, Brunnen, Vitznau, Fluelen and Küssnacht
  • Free ‘Postbus’ travel in Lucerne, Weggis and Vitznau
  • Free trains to Meiringen, Engelberg, Zug and Arth-Goldau
  • Free trip on the Mount Titlis revolving aerial cable-car
  • Free unlimited boat trips on Lake Zug
  • Free unlimited use of city buses in Lucerne

1st class day ticket on Lake Lucerne

From £44, daily
Spend the day cruising the lake, getting on and off as you please, with unlimited travel on the lovely boats.

‘Mount Rigi Roundtrip

From £45, daily
Take a unique ride up to Mount Rigi on the oldest cogwheel railway in the world, to enjoy marvellous views and some easy scenic walking.

Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip

From £45, daily
A spectacular journey up to the summit of Lucerne’s impressive mountain for wonderful views over the lake.

Guided ‘Classic Walking Tour’ of Lucerne

From £21, daily

2 hour tour of the old town, including Chapel Bridge.

BOOK LOCALLY

‘Cabrio’ open-top cable-car at Stanserhorn*

Many more options available locally through your Representative including:

From £40, daily
Reach the summit on this 120yr old funicular route & cable-car for views over 10 lakes, alpine flowers, marmot park and revolving restaurant.

*Bookable locally - price for guidance only. Prices shown include Travel Card discount.

Please note that we act at all times as selling agent for the suppliers of activities & excursions.

Prices and supplements are correct at time of publishing but may vary up or down; correct prices will be advised at the time of booking.

Walking

Easy Lucerne is perfect for strolls along the lakeside or the colourful old town. Don't miss the city guided walking tour, which points out the city's most important landmarks.

Moderate Nature lovers should take the boat to Breckenreid for the 'Klewenalp Flower Trail'. Once at the top, the signs take you on a short steep section, but then flattens out as you make your way around Klewenalp, following the wide variety of wild flowers which thrive here (approx. 1hr).

Slightly Challenging Head out of Lucerne to the nearby Rigi mountain near Weggis. The cog railway takes you up to Rigi Kulm and you can walk even higher to get stunning panoramic views. Instead of taking the train back down, walk to Rigi Kaltbad (approx. 1hr 20 mins). Ascending Mount Pilatus by cog railways and cable-car is also a must for inspring views of the lake and Alpine range.

Bernina Express.jpg

This 9 night tour is an excellent overview of Switzerland's special highlights, designed for those seeking a true taste of this stunning country, including unforgettable experiences on two of the most spectacular panoramic journeys in the world, the ‘Bernina’ and ‘Glacier Express’.

Good to know

Walking trails: Access to over 120km of varied walking trails across the Lake Lucerne region

Terrain: Diverse terrain from the expanse of the lake, to rugged peaks and Alpine meadows

Best time to go: end of May to mid October. It can get hot in July and August but a dip in the lake is a great way to cool off

Recommended for: Easy walking, families with teens, nature, activities, sightseeing, food and drink

Fly into: Geneva or Zurich (approx. 2 hours)

Transfer time: approx. 1 hour (from Zurich) or 3 hours (from Geneva) by train (journey may require changes of train)

Rep service: Telephone

Resort card: Swiss Half Fare Card included for all hotels - travel passes are available to pre-book

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