Luzern (Lucerne) is a lakeside city in central Switzerland, known for the Kapellbrücke, its medieval Old Town and views of Pilatus and Rigi across Lake Lucerne.
Accommodation overview
Luzern's hotels cluster in a few compact districts. The station district (Pilatusstrasse, Zentralstrasse, Murbacherstrasse) has the widest choice of three- and four-star hotels within a few steps of trains, SGV lake boats and the airport-bound rail line to Zurich. The Altstadt on both banks of the Reuss, around the Kapellbrücke, Weinmarkt and Kornmarkt, holds small boutique hotels in historic houses, while the five-star hotels face the lake on Schweizerhofquai and Haldenstrasse. Hostels and capsule hotels sit near the Löwendenkmal, Alpenquai and Hirschengraben, and quieter, cheaper rooms are found in Tribschen, Neustadt and the districts around the Allmend. Prices are high even by Swiss standards and jump in August and September during the Lucerne Festival and over Fasnacht in February.
- Budget
- CHF 35-200 (~$45-250 USD) per night, from hostel dorm beds and capsules to simple rooms near the station
- Mid-range
- CHF 130-500 (~$165-625 USD) per night, typical for three- and four-star hotels around the station and in the Altstadt
- Luxury
- CHF 330-1,500 (~$415-1,875 USD) per night, for the lakefront five-star hotels and the leading Altstadt and hillside hotels
- Where to stay
- Station district for trains and boats; Altstadt for walking to the Kapellbrücke and the Reuss; Haldenstrasse and Schweizerhofquai for the lake
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Hotel Rothaus Luzern
Simple city hotel with a Peruvian restaurant on Klosterstrasse, five to eight minutes on foot from the station.
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Small guest house of nine rooms on Pfistergasse in the Altstadt; no breakfast is served, and guests can use the pool of the sister hotel across the street.
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Guest house in a villa on the Haldenstrasse lakefront, about 2 km from the station on foot or by bus.
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Three-star self check-in hotel on Zürichstrasse near the Löwenplatz bus hub and the lakefront; entry is by code sent before arrival.
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Moderately priced hotel on Zähringerstrasse outside the tourist centre, about ten minutes on foot from the station; most rooms have shared bathrooms.
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Chain hotel on Friedenstrasse a few minutes from the Altstadt and the lake.
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No-frills chain hotel on Kellerstrasse about 10 minutes on foot from the station.
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Budget hotel in the former Luzern city prison on Löwengraben, where guests sleep in converted cells in the Altstadt.
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Swiss Youth Hostel on Sedelstrasse north of the Altstadt, reached from the station by bus.
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Hostel on the Alpenquai lake promenade, about 1.5 km from the station and near the Swiss Museum of Transport.
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Capsule hotel on the fifth floor of the Hirschengraben innovation building, about 500 m from the Altstadt.
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Capsule hostel on Zürichstrasse within walking distance of the Lion Monument and Kapellbrücke.
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Budget hostel on Zürichstrasse next to the Lion Monument and about five minutes from the lake.
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Self check-in hotel in a small Altstadt street between the Reuss and the Weinmarkt.
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Small self check-in hotel on the Sternenplatz in the Altstadt.
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Small Altstadt hotel at the Kornmarkt near the Rathaus; check-in and breakfast are at the Altstadt Hotel Krone on Weinmarkt 12, and the building has no lift.
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Self check-in hotel in the quiet Münzgasse of the Altstadt, a few steps from the Reuss.
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Hotel in the Littau district, now part of the city of Luzern, west of the centre; take the bus into town.
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Simple guest accommodation on Neustadtstrasse, about ten minutes on foot from the station.
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Serviced studio apartments with kitchenettes on Neustadtstrasse, suited to stays of several nights.
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Homestay-style budget accommodation on Obere Dattenbergstrasse in the residential Dattenberg area, reached by bus from the station.
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Seminar hotel on Kreuzbuchstrasse in eastern Luzern, reached from the station by city bus.
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Serviced studios and apartments with kitchenettes at the Allmend sports and exhibition grounds, about 2 km south of the station.
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Radisson Blu Hotel, Lucerne
Modern lakeside chain hotel on Inseliquai next to the station, the KKL concert hall and the lake boat landing stages.
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Lakeside lifestyle hotel on Seeburgstrasse with its own beach club, restaurant and bar, about 3.5 km east of the station on the lake shore.
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Four-star lakeside hotel on Seeburgstrasse next to the Seeburg park, a quieter base east of the centre reached by bus.
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Four-star hotel a few steps from Luzern railway station, convenient for early train departures and the Altstadt.
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Four-star boutique hotel on Bundesplatz a short walk south of the station, highly rated by guests.
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Historic Romantik hotel on Bahnhofstrasse, a few minutes from the station and the Reuss bridges.
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Four-star hotel directly opposite the main railway station, with immediate access to trains, buses and lake boats.
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Four-star Swiss Quality hotel on Zentralstrasse about 100 m from the railway station.
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Three-star hotel two minutes from the railway station, a practical mid-priced base for rail travellers.
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Four-star hotel on Pilatusstrasse close to the station, with restaurant, bar and fitness area.
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Boutique hotel with restaurant in a historic building on Pilatusplatz, a short walk from the station and Altstadt.
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Traditional hotel on Bruchstrasse about ten minutes on foot from the station and the Altstadt.
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Hotel on the quiet Franziskanerplatz in the Altstadt, beside the Franciscan church.
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Altstadt hotel beside the medieval Basler Tor gate, with a small outdoor pool in summer.
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Altstadt hotel on the Reuss close to the Kapellbrücke.
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Adults-only boutique hotel in a historic Altstadt house on Furrengasse near the Kornmarkt and the Reuss.
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Three-star hotel with about 30 rooms next to the Hofkirche, a few minutes from the Schweizerhofquai lakefront.
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Small hotel above the Pickwick pub directly on the Reuss riverfront between the Rathaus and the Kapellbrücke.
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Traditional hotel in business since 1866 on Alpenstrasse between the lake and the Altstadt.
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Three-star hotel below the Museggmauer city wall with its towers, a few minutes from the lake.
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Hotel on Rigistrasse, a short walk from the Lion Monument and the lakefront promenade.
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Boutique hotel beside the Hofkirche, a few steps from the lake.
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Small hotel on the quiet Haldenstrasse lakefront east of the Lion Monument and the Palace hotel.
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Four-star hotel in the station district, about 450 ft from the station.
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Design hotel by architect Jean Nouvel with large cinematic images in each room, a short walk from the station.
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Marriott-brand hotel on Pilatusstrasse about five minutes from the station and the Altstadt.
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Traditional hotel and restaurant on Burgerstrasse with an annex on Münzgasse and contactless check-in.
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Three-star bed and breakfast in the Tribschen district, around 20 minutes on foot from the station.
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Historic Altstadt hotel on the Weinmarkt, on the same square as the Hotel des Balances.
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Hotel on Morgartenstrasse about 500 ft from the railway station.
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Small Altstadt hotel on Falkengasse a few steps from the Reuss river; the hotel restaurant and bar were listed as closed, so confirm services before booking.
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Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern
Five-star belle-epoque palace hotel of 1906 on the Lake Lucerne shore, run by Mandarin Oriental, with the two-Michelin-star Colonnade, the one-star Minamo and a wellness area.
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Five-star lakefront hotel of 1870 on the Nationalquai, historically linked with Cesar Ritz and Auguste Escoffier, with a heated hotel pool and a day spa open to non-guests.
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Family-owned five-star hotel on the lake promenade, a short walk from the railway station, the Kapellbrücke and the SGV boat piers.
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Castle hotel on the Gütsch hill above Luzern with panoramic views of the city, lake and Alps, a short ride or climb from the centre.
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Four-star hotel in a former guild house on the Weinmarkt and the Reuss river, in the car-free Altstadt beside the Kapellbrücke.
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Four-star-superior Art Deco hotel on a hillside above the Haldenstrasse lakefront with lake and mountain views and private penthouse spa suites.
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Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Station district
Pilatusstrasse, Zentralstrasse and Bundesplatz hold many three- and four-star hotels within a few minutes' walk of Luzern station, the SGV piers and the KKL.
Best for: Rail travellers, early departures, business
Altstadt and the Reuss
Small boutique hotels in historic houses around the Kapellbrücke, Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and Pfistergasse, in a largely car-free area.
Best for: Sightseeing on foot, atmosphere
Lakefront: Schweizerhofquai, Nationalquai and Haldenstrasse
The five-star hotels and a few small lake-side hotels along the northern shore, with promenade walks and boat landing stages.
Best for: Lake views, luxury stays
Löwendenkmal and Zürichstrasse
North of the Altstadt near the Lion Monument and the Glacier Garden, with hostels, capsule hotels and low-cost hotels.
Best for: Budget travellers, museum visitors
Tribschen, Neustadt and Allmend
Quieter residential districts south of the station with a few guest houses, serviced apartments and the Allmend sports grounds.
Best for: Longer stays, lower prices
Seeburg and Alpenquai
Lakeshore east and south of the centre with the Hermitage and Seeburg hotels and the Backpackers hostel, reached by bus.
Best for: Quiet lake setting
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern
Five-star belle-epoque palace hotel of 1906 on the Lake Lucerne shore, run by Mandarin Oriental, with the two-Michelin-star Colonnade, the one-star Minamo and a wellness area.
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Five-star lakefront hotel of 1870 on the Nationalquai, historically linked with Cesar Ritz and Auguste Escoffier, with a heated hotel pool and a day spa open to non-guests.
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Family-owned five-star hotel on the lake promenade, a short walk from the railway station, the Kapellbrücke and the SGV boat piers.
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Castle hotel on the Gütsch hill above Luzern with panoramic views of the city, lake and Alps, a short ride or climb from the centre.
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Four-star hotel in a former guild house on the Weinmarkt and the Reuss river, in the car-free Altstadt beside the Kapellbrücke.
Check rates on Booking.comArt Deco Hotel Montana
Four-star-superior Art Deco hotel on a hillside above the Haldenstrasse lakefront with lake and mountain views and private penthouse spa suites.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book 4-6 months ahead for Lucerne Festival (mid-August to mid-September) and for the Fasnacht carnival in February; rates at every level rise sharply and many hotels sell out.
Cheapest sleeps: Backpackers Lucerne (Alpenquai 42), Hostel Lion Lodge Luzern (Zürichstrasse 57, +41 41 410 01 44), Youth Hostel Luzern (Sedelstrasse 12, +41 41 420 88 00) and the capsule hotels on Hirschengraben and Zürichstrasse, from about CHF 35-55 (~$45-70 USD) for a bed.
Several small Altstadt hotels (Ambassador, The Lubo, Hotel Le Stelle, Hotel Münzgasse, Hotel Goldener Stern annex) use self check-in: the entry code is emailed before arrival, so keep a phone with data or the confirmation printed.
The Altstadt is largely car-free and the old houses often lack lifts, as at Altstadt Hotel Magic; request a lower floor if stairs are a problem.
Hotels and hostels in Luzern normally issue a visitor card that gives discounts on lake boats, mountain railways and museums; ask at check-in. A small per-person tourist tax is added per night.
Luzern Tourismus runs the tourist information at Zentralstrasse 5, next to the station (+41 41 227 17 17); staff there can help find a bed on busy dates.
Rooms in nearby Kriens, Horw and Meggen and on the lake towns are cheaper but are not in Luzern; this list covers only addresses inside the city.
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.