Destination guides > Europe > Switzerland > Lucerne (Luzern)
Lucerne (Luzern)
This small city in the centre of Switzerland is well placed as a base for day trips to the surrounding region. The city is small and compact, yet it also boasts big city sophistication, some good museums and a charming old town.
Practical information
Luzurn Tourism
Bahnhofstraße 3, Luzurn
Tel (041) 227 17 17
Website www.centralswitzerland.ch
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-noon & 2pm-5pm
Coming & going
There are trains every half-hour to Basel, Berne and Zurich, which are all under 1½ hours away. Other cities in Switzerland are further afield but are accessible with hourly trains.
Buses depart from the square in front of the train station.
Local transport
If you're staying at the HI hostel, chances are you'll use Luzern's bus system frequently.
Hostel accommodation
Backpackers Lucerne
Alpenquai 42, 6005 Lucerne
Tel (041) 360 04 20
Jail Hotel Loewengraben
Löwengraben 18, 6004 Luzern
Tel (041) 410 78 30
Tourist Hotel Luzern
St Karliquai 12, 6004 Luzern
Tel (041) 410 24 74
Youth Hostel Lucerne LU
Am Rotsee Sedelstrasse 12, 6004 Luzern
Bus 18 (stop: Jugendherberge), 19 (stop: Rosenberg)
Tel (041) 420 88 00
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
The Swiss Museums Pass costs SFR 144 and gives you one year free admission to over 440 Swiss museums.
Kapellbrücke
This 660-year-old covered wooden bridge is Lucerne's major landmark. It is the most pleasant way to approach the old town. The bridge caught fire in 1993 but has since been restored.
Spreuerbrücke
This is another covered wooden bridge that is very similar to Kappellbrücke. Spreuerbrücke features the Totentanz paintings by Kaspar Meglinger.
Museggmauer
The ruins of Lucerne's city walls dominate the skyline of the old town. Three of the towers, Männliturm, Schirmerturm and Zeitturm, have stairs to the top that reward you with spectacular views.
Verkerhrshaus de Schweiz (Swiss Transport Museum)
One of Europe's best museums of transport features over 100 original aircraft, automobiles, boats and trains. The complex also includes an IMAX theatre and a planetarium.
Lidostraße 5, Luzern
Bus 6, 8, 24
Tel (041) 370 444
Website www.verkehrshaus.ch
Admission museum SFR 24, IMAX SFR 18, museum & IMAX SFR 32
Open 1 Jan-29 Mar 10am-5pm daily; 31 Mar-3 Nov 10am-6pm daily; 4 Nov-31 Dec 10am-5pm daily
Wagner Museum
Housed in Richard Wagner's lakeside home, this museum features the composer's manuscripts, paintings and a collection of instruments.
Wagnerweg 27, Lucern
Bus 6
Tel (041) 360 23 70
Website www.richard-wagner-museum.ch
Admission SFR 6, students SFR 4
Open 15 Mar-30 Nov Tue-Sun 10am-noon & 2pm-5pm
