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Things to do in Canton Lucerne

Our most recommended things to do in Canton Lucerne

From Zurich: Mount Titlis Day Tour

1. From Zurich: Mount Titlis Day Tour

Enjoy a day trip from Zurich to the winter wonderland of Mount Titlis with a guide. Discover the beauty of Lucerne, enjoy a scenic drive to Engelberg, experience an unforgettable adventure on the Ice Flyer chairlift, and cross the Titlis Cliff Walk bridge suspended over the Swiss Alps. Departing from Zurich, take a bus ride over the Albis Pass and along the shores of Lake Lucerne on the way to the city of Lucerne. Along the way, your tour guide will point out the city's most important sights and include a photo stop at the Lion Monument or the lakeside, depending on traffic. Afterward, enjoy some free time to explore Lucerne on your own. From there, continue the journey to Engelberg. The breathtaking ride up into the high alpine glaciers of Mount Titlis begins here. From the Rotair revolving cable car on your way up to the mountain, get spectacular views of the deep crevasses in the glaciers, and the immense chunks of ice that break off in spectacular fashion. Enjoy incredible views over the Swiss Alps from the Panorama Restaurant on top of Mount Titlis. Visit the Ice Grotto, or take the Ice Flyer chairlift to get up close to the glaciers at an altitude of over 9,800 feet (3,000 meters). Adventure seekers can slide through the snow and down the mountainside on a snow tube – the choice is yours.

Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

2. Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise

Embark on a day trip from Lucerne and ascend Mount Pilatus by cable car. Go on a hike and kick pack on the panorama terrace, descended the mountain by cogwheel railway, and complete your experience with a return journey by boat. Depart Lucerne and relax aboard a comfortable coach on the drive to Kriens. Then, climb aboard the panoramic gondolas and journey to Fräkmüntegg to board the aerial Dragon Ride cable car up the mountain. Get magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks from the panoramic windows. Arrive at the top of Mt. Pilatus, 2,132 meters above sea level and feel like a bird as you survey your surroundings. Hike to the summit or venture down the Dragon Trail where dragons with healing powers were thought to live in the Middle Ages. Relax on the panoramic terrace and take in the magnificent vistas of the mountains and lakes. Eat at one of the restaurants to enjoy lunch on top of the world. Get ready for the ride of a lifetime as you descend the mountain on the world's steepest cogwheel railway. Arrive in Alpnachstad to embark on a one-hour cruise back to Lucerne on the beautiful "Lake of the 4 Cantons" (only during summer).

Kriens: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Cable Car Ticket to the Peak

3. Kriens: Mount Pilatus Roundtrip Cable Car Ticket to the Peak

Visit Lucerne's landmark mountain, Mount Pilatus, with a round-trip cable car ticket. Experience breathtaking views of Fräkmüntegg as you travel up to 2132 meters above sea level. Look out over Lake Lucerne and the Swiss mountains before finding a restaurant at Pilatus Kulm. Start your trip at Kriens valley station and enjoy the 30-minute ride from Kriens to Fräkmüntegg, where you can raise your adrenaline during the visit of the biggest rope park of Central Switzerland. In the winter, try sledding routes and snowshoe trails going from the station Fräkmüntegg down to Krienseregg. At Fräkmüntegg change into the aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" and arrive at Pilatus Kulm, 2132 meters above sea level. Enjoy panoramic views of the Swiss mountains and Lake Lucerne. Walk in the Swiss mountains or on the Dragon Path, named after legends of the mythical creature in the area. You can try some Swiss specialties in any of the restaurants in Krienseregg, Fräkmüntegg, or Pilatus Kulm. Even Queen Victoria stayed at the Pilatus mountain and one of the restaurants at Pilatus Kulm is named after her.

From Zurich: Guided Day Trip to Jungfraujoch with Train Ride

4. From Zurich: Guided Day Trip to Jungfraujoch with Train Ride

Explore the snow-capped mountains of Jungfraujoch, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2007 for its stunning High Alps scenery, and as the site of Europe’s largest glacier and highest train station. Take a scenic bus journey along the Brünig Pass and the shores of Lake Brienz to the Bernese Oberland. After a break in Interlaken, board the cable car at the Grindelwald Terminal for a spectacular 15-minute ride to the Eiger Glacier by gondola. Change to a cogwheel train that will take you to the peak of Jungfraujoch. Enjoy stunning views of the triple peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau as you ride. Immerse yourself in the High-Alpine wonderland of ice, snow, and rock at the top. Learn more about the history of the Jungfrau Railways on the "Alpine Sensation” discovery tour, marking the 100-year anniversary of the Jungfrau Railway. Visit the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau for the most breathtaking views of the Aletsch Glacier. Stroll through the tunnels of the Ice Palace in the heart of the glacier for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Descend via the car-free resort of Wengen to Lauterbrunnen, from where the bus takes you back to Zurich.

From Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Self-Guided Golden Round Trip

5. From Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Self-Guided Golden Round Trip

See the Lake Lucerne area from the clear, blue waters of the lake and from the famous mountains above. Cruise the lake, ride along the world’s oldest cogwheel railway, an aerial cableway, and a gondola at your own pace.  Start your roundtrip excursion on the number 1 bus in Lucerne in the direction of Kriens/Obernau. Get off at the Kriens, Zentrum Pilatus stop and reach the gondola station in Kriens after a short walk. Enjoy a 15-minute ride to the Krienseregg station. Get back on the gondola and hop off at Fräkmüntegg. Board the aerial cableway, the Dragon Ride, and reach the top of Pilatus Kulmafter after an exhilarating 5-minute ride. With its spacious interior, cockpit-like design, and large windows the Dragon Ride feels just like a helicopter. From the top you can enjoy the panoramic views of Lake Lucerne and the Swiss Alps. Take your time and decide if you want to stay inside the panoramic gallery, relax on the terrace, climb one of the peaks, or enjoy a local specialty in one of the nearby restaurants. The world's steepest cogwheel railway, built in 1889, will bring you from Pilatus Kulm past jagged rock faces, sparkling mountain streams, and lush fields of alpine flowers down to Alpnachstad. From there, take a breathtaking one-hour boat trip on Lake Lucerne and arrive where you started.

Lucerne: Round-Trip Catamaran Cruise on Lake Lucerne

6. Lucerne: Round-Trip Catamaran Cruise on Lake Lucerne

Treat yourself to a scenic catamaran cruise on Lake Lucerne. Explore the Alpine landscape and admire sweeping views of untouched nature. Be camera-ready as you pass iconic landmarks and green-covered mountains like Rigi and Bürgenstock. Hop on board a modern hybrid-powered catamaran and depart from the city center to a natural oasis of rugged mountains and vibrant greenery. See Lucerne Bay’s famous landmarks and the awe-inspiring Mount Pilatus, Mount Rigi, and Mount Bürgenstock. Stretch out, capture unique landscape photos, and grab a drink or snack from the vending machine on board. As you make your way round-trip back to the city, soak in the tranquility of the water and the grandeur of the mountains.

From Lucerne: Titlis Half-Day Tour – Eternal Snow & Glacier

7. From Lucerne: Titlis Half-Day Tour – Eternal Snow & Glacier

Enjoy the unique scenery of expansive snowy landscapes and various glaciers on this tour of Mount Titlis. Ride a revolving cable car at 3,000 meters above sea level and glide across glaciers in a chair lift. Board your coach in Lucerne and meet your professional guide. Enjoy a scenic drive from Engelberg up into the high-alpine glacier world of Titlis Mountain. Enjoy the spectacular sight of the glacier's steep crevasses and gigantic ice boulders from the revolving cable car Rotair. The sun terrace on top of Titlis Mountain offers unforgettable views of the alpine panorama of the Swiss Alps. Visit the Glacier Cave and take a ride with the Ice Flyer chair lift to Glacier Park. Pass over Europe's highest suspension bridge and look forward to going snow tubing. Drive back to Lucerne in the late afternoon after an unforgettable winter experience.

Lucerne Walking and Boat Tour: The Best Swiss Experience

8. Lucerne Walking and Boat Tour: The Best Swiss Experience

The city of Lucerne is set against an impressive mountain backdrop. Walk with your guide through the beautiful old town and enjoy spectacular views of the Swiss Alps. On this 3-hour tour, admire architectural gems and centuries-old monuments, including the Chapel Bridge, the most-photographed sight in Switzerland. Experience the charm of Lucerne’s other old bridges, its towers and streets and take in panoramic views of the city from Lake Lucerne on an hour-long boat tour. This is a perfect Swiss adventure in the city of Lucerne – a charming place to visit throughout the year.

Swiss Travel Pass: Swiss All-in-One Pass on Train, Bus, Boat

9. Swiss Travel Pass: Swiss All-in-One Pass on Train, Bus, Boat

Explore the beauty of Switzerland as you travel with a Swiss Rail pass, valid all over the country. Have the benefit of unlimited usage of public transport and free entrance to over 500 museums across the country.  This ticket offers hassle-free and unlimited travel throughout Switzerland on the Swiss Train Network, buses, and public boats. This pass includes the Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, Bernina Express, and others. This pass includes museum admission, boat rides, and discounts on many mountain excursions. Choose between a 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, or 15-day pass and discover the beauty of Switzerland in your own way. 

From Lucerne: Classic Rigi Round Trip

10. From Lucerne: Classic Rigi Round Trip

Discover Rigi, the Queen of the Mountains, from its most beautiful side on a half or full-day tour. Begin with a boat tour on Lake Lucerne to Vitznau. Modern motor boats and nostalgic steamboats (in the summer) bring you over the incredible, fjord-like water to Vitznau. From Vitznau, head to the Rigi Train on the queen of the mountains. Fantastic views of the Swiss Plateau, the Black Forest, the Vosges Mountains, and the Alps await from Rigi Kulm. Descend with the rack railway to Rigi Kaltbad and from there take the cable car to Weggis. Finally, return by boat to Lucerne. Suggested itinerary for a full-day tour: • Departure by boat from Lucerne at 09:12 — arrival at Vitznau at 10:09 • Departure by rack railway from Vitznau at 10:15 — arrival at Rigi Kulm at 10:45 • Free time • Departure by rack railway from Rigi Kulm at 14:00 — arrival at Rigi Kaltbad at 14:15 • Free time • Departure by cable car from Rigi Kaltbad at 15:10 — arrival at Weggis at 15:20 • Departure by boat from Weggis at 16:05 — arrival at Lucerne at 16:47 Suggested itinerary for a half-day tour: • Departure by boat from Lucerne at 12:00 — arrival at Vitznau at 12:54 • Departure by rack railway from Vitznau at 13:15 — arrival at Rigi Kulm at 13:47 • Free time • Departure by rack railway from Rigi Kulm at 16:00 — arrival at Rigi Kaltbad at 16:15 • Free time • Departure by cable car from Rigi Kaltbad at 17:10 — arrival at Weggis at 17:20 • Departure by boat from Weggis at 18:05 — arrival at Lucerne at 18:41

Frequently asked questions about Canton Lucerne

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What people are saying about Canton Lucerne

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 6,195 reviews

If you are staying at Villa honegg or burgenstock this is a direct shot there! I have been using trams and buses to get around and booked this on a whim to realize it’s a straight shot to my next stop for a stay coming up. Beautiful even if you aren’t staying :)

It works to connect almost with every city, I do recommend to download the app " Swiss Travel" to know all the benefits and map of the trains, boats and buses.

My favourite trip of our stay in Switzerland. The snow was absolutely stunning and the cable cars were fab.

A well organised fun day with amazing views. Highly recommend.

Was lovely to see the area from the lake. Clean punctual trip.