Category Lucerne & Lake Lucerne

Switzerland · LUCERNE & LAKE LUCERNE

The 15 Best Lucerne & Lake Lucerne Day Trips from Zurich

86 reviewed

Lucerne is the day trip Zurich does best: a painted medieval town on a mountain lake, with Pilatus and Rigi rising straight off the water. These are the trips worth your fare — which pair the town with a summit, which add a lake cruise, what each costs, and which one to pick for a first visit.

From Zurich: Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour

From Zurich: Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour - Engelberg and the Rotair revolving cable car: watching the Alps change shape

1.Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3,381 reviews · from $214Our pick

Zurich to Lucerne and Mount Titlis in one day: Rotair views, Ice Flyer, glacier caves, Titlis Cliff Walk, and guided alpine stops.

“Lovely well organised trip , driver was fantastic and the two guides carissma n her friend were excellent and very clear, fantastic trip 7 stars”

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

Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Cable Car, Cogwheel Train & Lake Cruise - Up Mt. Pilatus by cable car and the Dragon Ride section: what the view is really like

Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich

Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich - Mt Titlis via Rotair: the revolving cable car effect

3.Mount Titlis and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,960 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $215

Guided day trip from Zurich to Mt Titlis and Lucerne Old Town, with the Rotair cable car, glacier cave, Cliff Walk, and winter snow options.

“I believe this tour would have been great any other time of the year outside of Christmas week. It did start out promptly and our visit to Lucerne was very nice. It was a quick and easy walk through the old city. With that being said, the trip to Titlis was great but cost of the trip anticipated enough time to see the ice caverns, ride the chair lift, walk the suspension bridge and also snow tube. We spent most of the visit waiting in lines and we unable to do any of the paid excursion. The site was so packed it was impossible. Generally most tours I've done you…”

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Lucerne: 1-Hour Cruise on Panoramic Yacht

Lucerne: 1-Hour Cruise on Panoramic Yacht - Getting to Pier 7 (Schweizerhofquai) Without Wasting Time

4.1-Hour Cruise on Panoramic Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,514 reviews · from $39

A relaxing 1-hour Lake Lucerne cruise on a panoramic yacht from Pier 7, with multilingual audio guide, snacks, and stunning shoreline views.

“The scenery was wonderful. The crew just let us take it all in with no upscale pressure”

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Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise

Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise - Getting There: Coach Ride, Clear Timing, and a Real Meeting Point

5.Mount Pilatus Summit from Lucerne With Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,260 reviews · 5 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $223

Ride the Dragon gondola to Mt Pilatus, descend by the steepest cogwheel train, then cruise Lake Lucerne on a guided afternoon.

“Loved this tour! Everything you would want to see in an afternoon. Our tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly going above and beyond to make us feel welcome.”

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From Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Gondola, Cable Car, and Boat Trip

From Lucerne: Mt. Pilatus Gondola, Cable Car, and Boat Trip - Panorama gondola to Krienseregg: views plus a kid-friendly break

7.Mt. Pilatus Gondola, Cable Car, and Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,143 reviews · from $141

Self-guided half-day from Lucerne to Mt. Pilatus with Lake Lucerne boat, cable cars, and the world’s steepest cogwheel train.

“It was good until we got on the bus and it was going in the wrong direction. It cost us to lose an hour worth of time. It might be helpful to indicate on which side of the street you take the bus toward Mt pilatus because front of train station is busy and congested.”

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From Zurich: Lucerne & Mount Pilatus Day Tour

From Zurich: Lucerne & Mount Pilatus Day Tour - The ride from Zurich: how the bus stretch turns into part of the experience

8.Lucerne & Mount Pilatus Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,110 reviews · 10 hours · from $238Top rated

Zurich to Lucerne and Mount Pilatus in one packed day: gondolas, funicular or cogwheel train, and a Lake Lucerne boat ride.

“It was our most expensive excursion, but it included multiple modes of transportation. I believe the cost was fair. The views from Mount Pilatus were breathtaking. It was fun to see the cows on our descent. Our tour guide was impressive speaking multiple languages. I would have appreciated suggestions/information about the hikes at the top. My elderly parents travelled with us. One had a little difficulty with the long walk to/from the Chapel Bridge, and to/from the bus, in Lucerne, but the various modes of transportation were a good way for them to experience Mount Pilatus. They sat inside with great views while we hiked. Our young adult children enjoyed…”

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From Lucerne: Mount Titlis Half-Day Tour with Ice Flyer

From Lucerne: Mount Titlis Half-Day Tour with Ice Flyer - Getting to the glacier world: coach ride, Engelberg, and the alpine approach

Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne

Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne - Lauterbrunnen and Kleine Scheidegg: riding under the Eiger North Face

10.Jungfraujoch Top of Europe Day Trip from Lucerne

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 840 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $366

A guided day trip from Lucerne to Jungfraujoch using trains and the Eiger Express, with Ice Palace and Sphinx Observatory views.

“A breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps and great experience to walk against the strong wind at the glacier ! We have an unique and hilarious tour guide Kid. He handled this big group in an excellent manner. He made sure we (tourists from different countries/ speak different languages) moved in the same phase, travelled on the same carriage (or at least carriage next) and knew all short cut ways to reduce the waiting time. This, we have more time at the glacier and perform all activities promised (Glacier walk, Ice palace, Lunch and toilet breaks) ! He ensured everyone has the best spots for photos and helped in taking…”

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Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise

Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise - Getting to Mt. Pilatus: Kriens, Gondolas, and the Most Efficient Altitude Jump

12.Mt Pilatus and Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich With Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 694 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $250

Zurich day trip to Mt. Pilatus and Lake Lucerne with the Dragon Ride gondola, the world’s steepest cogwheel train, and a lake cruise.

“We had a wonderful experience on our day trip to Mt Pilatus and Lucerne. Our tour guide, Adolfo, was exceptional—very knowledgeable, organised, and always accommodating. His friendly nature and willingness to help made the day run smoothly and added a personal touch to the journey. We also want to highlight Ernesto, our bus driver, who was very professional throughout the trip. His safe and smooth driving made us feel comfortable and well taken care of. The views from Mt Pilatus were absolutely stunning and truly unforgettable. Although the tour did not include a lake cruise (something we were aware of beforehand), the meal voucher provided was a thoughtful and pleasant…”

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From Lucerne: Day Trip to Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen

From Lucerne: Day Trip to Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen - Starting in Lucerne: the bus setup that keeps the day sane

13.Day Trip to Grindelwald & Lauterbrunnen

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 644 reviews · from $119

A full-day Swiss Alps tour from Lucerne to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen for epic Eiger views, waterfalls, and Mt. First options.

“An absolutely amazing day!! Our guide was lovely and so informative. The bus was big and the seat allocation could have been managed better as it was first come first serve and many groups travelling together could not sit together due to our patrons sitting randomly in the bus. The tour into Interlaken and Grindelwald was one I'd return for over and over”

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From Zurich: Lucerne and Engelberg Full-Day Tour

From Zurich: Lucerne and Engelberg Full-Day Tour - Zurich Sihlquai to Lake Lucerne: the ride matters more than you think

14.Lucerne and Engelberg Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 604 reviews · 9.5 hours · from $98

A 9.5-hour Zurich day trip to Lucerne and Engelberg with Lake Lucerne views, a monastery Baroque church, and Alpine meadows.

“Took this day trip and absolutely loved it! Wish we had a little more time in Lucerne as Engelberg doesn’t have as many things to do. Manuel and Bruno were incredibly wonderful and very helpful throughout the day. (Jose our driver was great too) Learned so many things and the drive was smooth and easy. I tend to get altitude sickness so this was the perfect tour for me as Engelberg is only 3K feet. Thanks everyone for a great time!!!”

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From Lucerne: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe

From Lucerne: Day Trip to Jungfraujoch – Top of Europe - The coach ride from Lucerne via Brünig Pass and Lake Brienz