Things to do in Lucerne

Why go to Lucerne

• Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke)

  Europe's oldest covered wooden bridge adorned with 17th-century painted panels spanning a turquoise river-free to walk across anytime.

• Mount Pilatus

  A jaw-dropping gondola-and-cogwheel railway ascent to 6,995 ft with panoramic Alpine views that justify every Swiss franc spent.

• Swiss Museum of Transport (Verkehrshaus)

  Switzerland's most-visited museum packed with trains, planes, ships, and a planetarium that thrills every age group.

• Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal)

  Mark Twain called it 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world'-a massive rock-carved lion that is completely free to visit.

• Mount Rigi

  The 'Queen of the Mountains' offers sweeping views over five lakes and is fully included on the Swiss Travel Pass, making it a spectacular free ride.

Good to know in Lucerne

• Buy the Swiss Travel Pass if visiting 3+ days-it covers trains, buses, most lake boats, and entry to 500+ museums including the Transport Museum, saving $80+ per day.
• Tipping is not expected in Switzerland; prices include a service charge by law, so rounding up small change is plenty and never obligatory.
• Tap water in Lucerne is exceptionally pure mountain spring water-skip bottled water entirely and refill at any public fountain to save $3-5 per day.
• The Swiss Museum of Transport offers free entry for children under 16 every day, and the Rosengart Collection offers discounted entry on the first Sunday of the month.

Trip essentials