12 Lovely Day Trips from Lucerne (+ Day Tour Options!)

Are you looking for the best day trips from Lucerne? This guide has you covered – keep reading!

In this guide, we detail the top Lucerne day trips, from some of Switzerland’s most famous mountains to small villages in the countryside.

A lot of the options below can be done as day tours from Lucerne, which makes planning significantly easier (and usually cheaper!).

Did we miss any of the best Lucerne day tours and trips? Let us know in the comments!

Best Day Trips From Lucerne 

1. Mt Titlis

Distance from Lucerne: 40.7 km (43 minutes)
Duration: 5.5 hours
Meeting Point: Frankenstrasse 2-4
Language: English, Spanish
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Mount Titlis is an impressive mountain located in the Uri Alps and is the highest peak in the range north of the Susten Pass.

It is lodged between a world of glaciers and a fascinating landscape of snow and eternal ice, overlooking the Swiss Alps at a height of 3,238 meters above sea level.

Enjoy the scenery yourself over a duration of five and a half hours with a revolving cable car, a chair life, a walk, and other outdoor recreational activities.

Start your journey in Lucerne where you’ll meet your professional guide and board a coach for a scenic drive from Engelberg toward Titlis Mountain.

This glacier world high in the alpines grants marvelous sights of massive ice boulders and steep crevasses of the glacier, and you’ll be able to see it entirely from a revolving cable car Rotair.

When you reach the top of Titlis Mountain, you’ll be welcomed to an unforgettable panoramic view over the Swiss Alps on a sun terrace.

Afterward, explore the heart of Mount Titlis in its Glacier Cave before taking the Ice Flyer chair lift for a ride to Glacier Park, where you’ll have the opportunity to cross the highest suspension bridge and Europe and snow-tube all your adrenaline until the end of your trip.

Titlis is not only a great day trip from Lucerne, but it is also one of the best day trips from Zurich!

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2. Jungfraujoch

Distance from Lucerne: 61.1 km (4 hours by train)
Duration: 10 hours
Meeting Point: Frankenstrasse 2-4
Language: English, Spanish, Chinese
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Jungfraujoch connects two major summits, the Jungfrau and the Mönch, in the Bernese Alps.

Both of these summits are over 4,000 meters above sea level, whereas the Jungfraujoch glacier saddle reaches an elevation of 3,463 meters above sea level.

Explore majestic views of the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps with a trip to the saddle on its largest glacier.

The 10-hour day trip will commence with a coach journey from Lucerne to the Bernese Oberland, which includes the scenic ride along the Brünig Pass and the shores of Lake Brienz.

Upon arrival in Interlaken, you’ll board a cable car gondola for a 15-minute ride from the Grindelwald Terminal to the Eiger Glacier.

Afterward, you’ll board a cogwheel train that will take you to the peak of Europe’s largest glacier, Aletsch Glacier.

Experience the Jungfrau Railway with the Alpine Sensation adventure tour, which will direct you through a 250-meter-long corridor between the Sphinx Hall and the Ice Palace.

From the former, you can view the glacier from the Sphinx Observation Terrace and Plateau, and with the latter, you can enter into the heart of the glacier.

To complete the trip, you’ll descend to Lauterbrunnen via the resort of Wengen and take a coach back to Lucerne.

>>Click here to check tour rates and availability

3. Mt Rigi With Cable Car Ride

Distance from Lucerne: 22.4 km (36 minutes)
Duration: 7 hours
Meeting Point: Frankenstrasse 2-4
Language: English, German
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Located in the heart of Central Switzerland, Mount Rigi grants an otherworldly scenery of pristine lakes, snow-capped Alpine peaks, and forest-covered, lush-green landscapes.

Over a span of seven hours, you can explore the natural beauty of the terrain with an aerial cable car ride, a boat cruise, and a ride on a cogwheel railway.

The day’s journey will actually begin with a relaxing and scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne.

At its completion, you will depart at Vitznau and start the next part of your journey by boarding the oldest mountain railway in Europe up to the top of Mount Rigi, which dates back to 1871.

From the top of Rigi’s peak, you will be able to overlook the 620 snow-capped Alpine peaks and the 13 lakes of the Swiss Midlands, and take the free time to explore a few of its many hiking trails, enjoy a comforting meal at a restaurant, or sit in silence at the Rigi Kulm mountain chapel.

Afterward, you’ll board a cogwheel train to Rigi Kaltbad village, where you can take some time to wander through.

From there, you can hike to the Känzeli viewing platform, where you’ll descend by cable car and board a cruise to sail back to Lucerne.

>> Click here to check tour rates and availability

4. Grindelwald and Interlaken 

Distance from Lucerne: 86.3 km (1 hour, 25 minutes)
Duration: 10 hours
Meeting Point: Frankenstrasse 2-4
Language: English, Spanish, Chinese
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After a full-day, 10-hour tour in the heart of the Swiss Alps, you’ll never want to leave.

The idyllic Bernese Oberland and Jungfrau region has some of the most scenic landforms and landscapes in all of Switzerland, and you can enjoy them all with a scenic train ride.

To start your full-day excursion, you’ll depart for the mountains of the Bernese Oberland from Lucerne via couch and marvel at the gorgeous countryside as you drive through the resort town.

You’ll stop in Interlaken for orientation before continuing toward Grindelwald, a village over 1,000 meters above sea level.

The peaks of the impressive Jungfrau mountains, Eiger, and Mönch surround this beautiful resort town.

Upon arrival to the village, you can take some leisure time to walk or bike around town with a Troffi bike rental, or even with a funicular ride to the terrace of Grindelwald.

After some time, you will take a train ride back to Interlaken, where you will spend the afternoon browsing the town, its shops, and even the Harder Kulm viewpoint via funicular for amazing views of the surrounding area.

Enjoy the fresh mountain air before boarding a coach back to Lucerne at the close of the tour.

>> Click here to check tour rates and availability

5. Mt Pilatus with Cable Car, Train, and Boat Cruise

Distance from Lucerne: 10.6 km (16 minutes)
Duration: 5.5 hours
Meeting Point: Frankenstrasse 2-4
Language: English
CLICK HERE TO BOOK

Embark on a five-and-a-half-hour day trip up the iconic Mount Pilatus.

You will depart from Lucerne by coach and head towards Kriens, where you will board a panoramic gondola to Fräkmüntegg to board the aerial cable car for a “Dragon Ride” up to Mount Pilatus.

As you journey to the top of the mountain, you’ll be granted breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks. Upon arrival to the top, you’ll have the chance to look over the surroundings of the summit, which soars 2,132 meters above sea level.

From there, you can hike further up to the summit, or down toward the famous Dragon Trail, where the legendary dragons with healing powers from stories of the Middle Ages were said to have lived.

There are numerous other trails available for a variety of difficulty levels as well.

Afterward, relax on a panoramic terrace and enjoy the stunning vistas of the lakes and mountains, perhaps while enjoying lunch at one of the available restaurants.

During the summer, when you descend the mountain, you’ll board the world’s steepest cogwheel railway and arrive in Alpnachstad, where you’ll then embark on a one-hour cruise back to Lucerne.

>> Click here to check tour rates and availability

6. Bern

Distance from Lucerne: 110.4 km (1 hour, 11 minutes)

Bern is the capital city of Switzerland and is where the Swiss Parliament and diplomats meet. The city dates back to the 12th century, and its Old Town, or Altstadt, is a testament to its medieval cultural heritage.

The Aare River borders the old town on three sides on top of a narrow hill. Its layout has remained largely unchanged and still hosts some of the best attractions in the city.

You’ll find the Bundeshaus, the Neo-Renaissance Federal Palace where Swiss politicians officially meet; the massive Französische Kirche, which still holds service to this day; the medieval Zytglogge tower, a city landmark that serves as a clock tower, guard tower, and prison over the course of its existence; the Gothic Cathedral of Bern, which is the tallest in Switzerland and soars to a height of a little over 100 meters; and the Käfigturm Baroque tower, which was initially built as a gatehouse.

There are many museums in Bern as well (which are great for a winter trip), from the Bern Historical Museum, the interactive Museum of Communication, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Einsteinhaus, and the Natural History Museum of Bern, you won’t run out of things to add to your itinerary.

7. Fribourg

Distance from Lucerne: 141.7 km (1 hour, 25 minutes)

Fribourg is one of the largest medieval towns in Switzerland and it is surrounded by the Sarine River on three sides.

It is situated on a rock promontory which allowed its original two-kilometer-long walls to effectively secure around.

Today, only the walls’ turrets and bastions stand, but what is within these walls is what truly matters.

The St. Nicholas Cathedral is one excellent example, with its 74-meter-high tower – which offers fantastic panoramic views overlooking the town – and gorgeous stained-glass windows that continue to ornate the town in excellent condition.

The population of the town itself is filled with students from all over the world since Fribourg is a lively university town.

The historic narrow alleyways are packed with rows of antique shops, little boutiques, restaurants, and student cafés of both local and foreign varieties.

Stroll through the historic city and come across 11 historic fountains with beautiful columns, or follow the Sculpture Trail through the town center to find artwork by Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely, or even go on you through the Modern Art, Puppet, or Natural History Museums.

There is also the Cistercian Hauterive Abbey, which dates back to the early 12th century and was an important stopping place for a pilgrimage route.

8. Lake Uri

Distance from Lucerne: 41.3 km (31 minutes)

Lake Uri extends from the southern end of Lake Lucerne to the glaciers of the Gotthard massif. It is about 12 kilometers long and 2.5 kilometers wide, and it approximately reaches a depth of 200 meters.

The lake is a part of the higher Alps region near Lake Lucerne, which gives a fjord-like appearance to the landscape.

Nearly every village on the lake shore offers boat tours. You’ll also find many sunbathers on the beach, and kitesurfers or windsurfers due to the strong air currents.

This area also has wonderful, scenic hiking routes, such as the William Tell Trail and the Rütli – Seelisberg trail.

The misty mountains and dramatic gorges surrounding the sparkling alpine lake make it a wonderful destination for a variety of activities, such as hiking, picnicking, taking a boat tour or cruise, renting a cottage to escape reality, or enjoying other outdoor recreational activities on the water or along the lake.

9. Basel 

Distance from Lucerne: 100.7 km (1 hour, 8 minutes)

Basel is filled with historical landmarks, stunning architecture, and an abundance of history in general, boasting over 40 museums throughout the city!

It has an old town lined with small boutiques, antique shops, and modern designers, showcasing both traditional and trend-leading characteristics for the world.

The heart of the town is at the large market square, which holds the 500-year-old red sandstone town hall.

Nearby you can also see the soaring Basel Minster Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, with its iconic dual towers, mechanic clock, and sundial.

Explore one of its many museums, such as the Historical Museum, Museum Pantheon, and the Museum of Natural History, or perhaps the internationally recognized Fine Arts Museum. 

Journey into the world of performing arts at the Theater and Playhouse, or stroll through the green city’s Botanical Gardens, the Merian Gärten, or along the Rhine’s banks.

You can also explore the Rhine and the attractions on its banks on one of the four ferries available.

Additionally, to the south of the Rhine toward the countryside, you can visit ancient Roman ruins and a well-preserved ancient settlement and partake in workshops on ancient life.

Make sure to keep your tummy warm with local, traditional honey cake from Läckerli Huus during your adventure!

10. Stanserhorn

Distance from Lucerne: 24.4 km (29 minutes)

Enjoying the wind in one’s face and the perfect view: first on the open funicular – rumbling and bumping just as it did 120 years ago – and then on the rooftop deck of the futuristic CabriO aerial cableway, is a great way to spend the day.

CabriO in Stanserhorn is the world’s first cable car with a roofless upper deck and is capable of carrying up to 90 people to the summit in less than ten minutes.

Standing on a double-deck and roofless panorama cabin gives you unparalleled views of the world like no other.

After the cable car and funicular ride, go for a stroll or a circular walk on the summit. You can examine the various flora and fauna in your vicinity as well as the mountains in the distance.

There is also a restaurant on the summit called “Rondorama” that actually revolves around its axis, changing its surrounding perspective every couple of hours.

There is also a gift shop, snack shop, indoor and outdoor patio, as well as paved walkways and 360-degree viewing platforms.

11. Gruyeres

Distance from Lucerne: 172.9 km (1 hour, 46 minutes)

Gruyères is a small picturesque town situated between the Swiss Plateau and the Fribourg Prealps.

Its iconic 13th-century hilltop fortress called the Château de Gruyères, has an innovative multimedia history show that takes you back in time with numerous exhibitions.

You can also roam through the castle yourself and see the Knights’ Hall, battlements, defensive walls, turrets, and garden, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the Alpine foothills from its terrace.

The town is most renowned for its production of cheese of the same name, thus you should prioritize visiting restaurants to enjoy Gruyère cheese and fondue, like the popular and charming Chalet de Gruyères.

Maison Cailler-Nestlé is another delicious attraction with tours of the chocolate factory, tastings, as well as workshops, and an interactive museum.

The Montreux-Berner Oberland railway is a chocolate train that includes a departure from Gruyères to Broc Fabrique and then to Montreux with a variety of chocolate samples and chocolate croissants.

Some other unique attractions include the Tibet Museum, which has over 300 works of Buddhist artwork that were collected by Alain Bordier, and H.R. Giger’s Museum and Bar, which serves local specialties in an immersive art and biomechanical environment modeled with his own character designs.

12. Meiringen 

Distance from Lucerne: 50 km (46 minutes)

Meringen is a quaint town situated in a lush green valley surrounded by mountains concealing glacial waters.

The Aare River cascades down from these mountains past Meringen, feeding several of the country’s lakes with its signature aqua-colored, glacier water.

Other than the river, the snow-capped mountain peaks can be seen from all throughout town, whereas the limestone Aare Gorge, has tunnels and trails just along the mountainside of town that can be explored.

There are the Gletscher Gorge and Reichenbach Falls for enchanting natural views as well.

The town is a popular outdoor resort because of its impressive landforms and scenery, and thus it holds the Meiringen – Hasliberg Ski Resort, which features a network of gondolas, numerous ski runs, cross-country ski routes, and snowshoe trails.

During the summer, its 300 kilometers worth of trails scattered throughout the area surrounding Meiringen makes it a popular hiking and mountain biking destination also.

You can reward yourself after all the physical activity with some Meringue treats, as the town is considered to be the birthplace of the delicacy.

There are meringue dishes served in cafes and restaurants all throughout town, which often have terraces to enjoy the incredible views, and it is a popular combo with a hot beverage!

Where to Stay in Lucerne

If you’re looking for the top places to stay in Lucerne, these are our top picks!

• Villa Maria (great location!)
• Hotel Felmis (near the lake!)
• Appartements Hofquartier (in the center!)
• Hermitage Lake Lucerne (excellent view!)

Did we miss any of the best day trips from Lucerne?

Let us know your favorite Lucerne day trips in the comments. Thanks!

More Switzerland Travel Guides

• Lucerne in winter
• Top day trips from Zurich
• Zurich in winter
• Zurich to Mt Titlis
• One day in Zurich
• Interlaken in winter
• Things to do in Interlaken
• Kayaking in Interlaken
• Where to stay in Lugano
• Best day trips from Lugano
• Best attractions in Bern
• Winter trip to Bern
• Geneva in winter
• Best small towns in Switzerland

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