Top Lucerne Day Trips

There are plenty of high-quality Lucerne day trips to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews given by previous customers, these are the best trips available right now:

• Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise

• Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne

• Mt. Pilatus Peak & Lake Lucerne Cruise Small Group | From Lucerne

• Best of Bernese Oberlands from Luzern

• Mount Rigi Day Pass + Mountain Spa Day Admission

Lucerne day trips vary greatly in price, depending on duration and inclusions. However, as this is Switzerland, even at the low end of the price range, you can expect to pay a lot. You can find day-trip packages for about US$100 per person, while half-day trips that include transportation to and from Lucerne start around US$200 per person. Private full-day small-group tours that include transportation begin around US$1,400.

Yes, day trips from Lucerne are worth it, especially if you've never been to Switzerland. While the country has a vast network of trains and buses, the most convenient way to see the Alps and countryside is with a local guide who can handle all the travel logistics and provide context during the excursion. Day trips also bundle experiences, so you can do more in less time.

Per one traveler who booked the Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne, "This is such an incredible experience, a must-see when in Switzerland! The tour guide, Ray, and the driver, Marc, were both exceptional! So much beauty and history piled into one tour!"

Before booking day trips from Lucerne, make sure everything listed on the itinerary is available during your visit. For example, some day trips may feature a seasonal lake cruise, only available in the summer months. Also, consider your physical limitations and if you’re prone to altitude sickness. Even bus tours can involve a lot of walking or climbing steps high above sea level, especially if you’re visiting Mt. Pilatus or Mt. Titlis.

To fully enjoy Lucerne day trips, bring a warm outer layer, especially if your trip involves a lake cruise or a summit experience. Some tours don’t allow you to snack on the bus, so try to take advantage of breaks at attractions to refuel. Also, be punctual: Schedules run like clockwork in Switzerland, and your guide will greatly appreciate it if everyone is on time.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Lucerne aside from day trips. According to previous travelers, these are the best tours and activities to book for your next trip:

• Lucerne Cable Car Tours

• Lucerne Chocolate Tours

• Lucerne Rail Tours

• Lucerne Paragliding

• Lucerne Sunset Cruises

Yes, it’s possible to take a day trip to Jungfraujoch from Lucerne. However, it will be a long day—at least 9–10 hours—and you’ll spend much of your time in transit. That said, whether you’re in a car or on the train, you’ll most likely be treated to some of Europe’s finest scenery. Just make sure the day you’re going will be clear: trying to see the views from Jungfraujoch (the “top of Europe”) on a cloudy day can be a bummer at best.

The train ride from Lucerne to Interlaken on the popular Luzern–Interlaken Express takes just under two hours. That’s plenty of time to get a coffee or tea from the train’s bistro or catch up on rest (although you’ll want your eyes open to appreciate the scenery). You’ll be traveling 46 miles (74 kilometers) each way. As you approach Brünig Pass, the train starts to operate on a cogwheel system to conquer the steep climb.

It's not hard to find Lucerne day trips that combine train travel with boat cruises. Here are the best tours to book now, according to past travelers:

• Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise

• Mt. Pilatus Peak & Lake Lucerne Cruise Small Group | From Lucerne

• From Lucerne: Mount Rigi, Lake Lucerne Cruise and Mountain Spa

• Independent Rigi Tour from Lucerne With Cruise

• Mt. Pilatus & Lake Lucerne Cruise Private Tour | From Lucerne

Chocolate Tasting with Lake Trip and City Tour: The Ultimate Lucerne Experience is one of the top-rated half-day trips in Lucerne. It includes a chocolate tasting, a 1-hour cruise on Lake Lucerne, plenty of time to shop for chocolates, and even an add-on option, where you can learn how to make your own. Per one reviewer: "What an awesome experience!! Learning the history of chocolate making and the innovations of modern machinery - incredible!! Combine that with a city tour and boat ride on Lake Lucerne - great day!!"

Whether your day trip itinerary includes Mt. Pilatus, Mt. Rigi, or Jungfraujoch, you’ll want to wear warm layers. Lucerne is at a relatively low altitude, and the weather in the mountains changes rapidly, so the temperatures you start your morning in can be very different from what you experience throughout the day. You’ll also want to wear closed-toe, comfortable shoes: Even if your tour is by train or coach, you’ll still get out and do some walking, including up plenty of steps, to some scenic viewpoints.