Why Lucerne is the Perfect Base for First-Time Travellers to Switzerland
- Anju Chandna
- Apr 30, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: May 21
Which city should I pick as the base for my first trip to Switzerland?
This is a pertinent question that pops up whenever you begin planning your Switzerland vacation. After spending time exploring different regions of the country using the Swiss Travel Pass, we found Lucerne to be one of the most convenient and scenic bases for discovering Switzerland.
Why Lucerne is the Perfect Base for Switzerland
Zurich
Zurich has good connectivity, but it is more of a global business city and a prominent hub for banking and technology. A lot of travellers to Switzerland use it as an entry or exit point.
Geneva
Geneva is located close to the French border and can work as a great base for trips to the French-speaking regions of Switzerland. The city has a very efficient transport network, and the vibe you get is very cosmopolitan. It's a beautiful city with a lot to do and see.
I've discussed our 2 days in Geneva
But it's not ideal for first-time travellers because you will not get the classic Swiss vibe in the city.
Why Lucerne Stands Out
Lucerne is quintessentially Swiss!
This charming, historic city is what a classic Swiss destination should feel like.
Situated on the edge of Lake Lucerne, it is surrounded by amazing snow-capped peaks and offers great connectivity to a whole lot of places in Switzerland.
What makes this city a hot favourite for first-time travellers is the warm, touristy, Swiss vibe the city exudes.
There is a lot to do and see within Lucerne itself, and its central location makes it a perfect spot for planning day trips. It's closer to Interlaken and offers easy access to mountain peaks like Mount Pilatus and Titlis.
We spent 8 days in Lucerne.
In this blog, I've discussed the top things we did in Lucerne in the two days that we had allocated for local sightseeing. The remaining 6 days were for 6 daytrips that we did from Lucerne.
Keeping Lucerne as the base point was the best decision ever, and we could avoid lugging our suitcases around.
Things To Do in Lucerne
Walk across the Chapel Bridge
Chapel Bridge or Kapelbrücke is built diagonally over the River Reuss and takes its name from St. Peter's Chapel on the right bank of the river.
It is the oldest covered bridge in Europe, built as early as 1333, to connect the Old Town with the New Town. It has a beautifully carved ceiling.
The entire area around the bridge is very lively.
Explore Lake Lucerne
Surrounded by mountains and charming lakeside towns, Lake Lucerne is one of the most scenic parts of Central Switzerland.
You can take a relaxing boat cruise, walk along the waterfront, or simply enjoy the views.
If you take a boat ride, you will spot picturesque villages and mountain peaks. Many cruises are included or discounted with the Swiss Travel Pass.
Depending on the route you take, you can also combine the cruise with excursions to nearby destinations like Mount Rigi.
We had many cruises coming up in the days ahead, so we just decided to walk along the waterfront and enjoy the serenity of the lake.
Lion Monument
The sculpture of a dying lion is carved into a large rock in remembrance of Swiss soldiers who died during the French Revolution.
Entry to the monument is free, and a beautiful park on the outskirts of the Old Town surrounds it.
Hofkirche (Catholic church)
Very close to the Lion Monument, about a 7-minute walk away, is the Hofkirche.
It's located on a small hill overlooking the Old Town and is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture with its intricately detailed facades and spires.
The twin spires are visible from almost every corner of the city.
Entry is free.
Swiss Museum of Transport
This expansive museum is a delight to visit with its vast collection of vintage cars and old means of transport.
There are exhibits about the history of transport, innovations that have shaped modern transport and its evolution over the past century.
Most attractions are interactive. Our children were thrilled to touch and get a feel of the old rail engines and helicopters. The museum has many themed areas, and you should plan to keep at least 3 hours to explore it.
There is a planetarium and a short video exhibit, too, that you should not miss.
Tips for Visiting the Swiss Museum of Transport
If you're travelling with kids, you cannot miss the Swiss Museum of Transport.
The museum is well-connected by trains and buses. If you're staying around the Old Town, you can walk along the Lakeside promenade for about 30 minutes to the museum.
Swiss Travel Pass holders are eligible for a 50% discount.
Please check the official website for the latest offers on groups and students before your visit
You do not need to make any advance bookings. We visited on a weekday and bought tickets on arrival. However, if you're going on the weekend, it's best to have pre-booked online tickets.
6 Not-to-Miss Day Trips from Lucerne
As I've mentioned earlier in this blog, Lucerne is a great base to plan daytrips. We had planned a day trip for each day and were able to see much of Switzerland with a Swiss Travel Pass.
Day trip to Jungfraujoch
https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-jungfraujochÂ
Day trip to Mount Titlis
https://www.journeys2memories.com/post/6-not-to-miss-day-trips-from-lucerne-switzerland-mount-titlisÂ
Day trip to Brienz and Interlaken
Day trip to Mount Pilatus
Summer Toboggan at Mount Pilatus
Day trip to Lugano and Swiss Miniature
Day trip to Bern
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