Where to stay in Lucerne

·6 December, 2022
·Samantha - Travelling King

Idyllic Swiss town and lake Lucerne waterfront view, landscapes of Switzerland

Lucerne is a beautiful town in Switzerland, perched on the shores of Lake Lucerne and surrounded by the Swiss Alps. Switzerland is not the most budget-friendly destination in Europe, but it’s worth the splurge! A prime location between Zurich and Interlaken, Lucerne is extremely popular with tourists as it’s easy to reach and quite beautiful.

Despite a plethora of hotels in Lucerne, Switzerland, things book up quickly in the summer, so it’s best to plan ahead and choose your accommodation in advance. We hope this guide will help you find the best places to stay in Lucerne so you can get the most out of your Swiss vacation!

We will cover off all types of Lucerne accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Lucerne hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Lucerne 2023, the best Lucerne hotels, best places in Lucerne to visit, the best places to stay in Lucerne, hotels near Lucerne attractions, Lucerne neighborhood guide and many more.

Plan your trip to Switzerland

Avoid hidden fees in the exchange rate while withdrawing from millions of ATMs abroad, paying in restaurants and shops, and buying your accommodation and flights using the Wise Card. You can hold up to 50+ currencies at once, and convert them in real time with the free Wise app.

Need help planning your trip from start to finish? Check out these:

Read more on Switzerland:

Looking for a particular destination, see below otherwise you can go to Switzerland Travel Guide to view current posts

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Table of Contents

Old Town – Where to stay in Lucerne for Tourists

As with many European cities, Old Town Lucerne, or Altstadt, is the best area for tourists who only have a short time in town and wish to be within walking distance of the major tourist attractions. One of the iconic spots in Lucerne is the Chapel Bridge, or Kapellbrücke, which leads from Old Town across the river to Pilatusplatz.

Besides the Chapel Bridge, there are several noteworthy churches as well as the city walls to explore in Lucerne’s Old Town. Of course, you’ll find a high concentration of Lucerne hotels to choose from in Old Town.

Where to Stay in Old Town Lucerne

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Old Town Lucerne
Lion Lodge Lucerne
Lucerne Youth Hostel
Bellpark Hostel

Budget Hotels in Old Town Lucerne
Bed&Breakfast 9
Hotel Alpha
ibis budget Luzern City
Hotel Spatz

Mid range Hotels in Old Town Lucerne
Hotel des Alpes Lucerne
Annex Luzernerhof
Luzernerhof Hotel
Hotel De la Paix

Family Friendly Hotels in Old Town Lucerne
Hotel Ambassador
Hotel Hofgarten
The Tourist Hotel
ibis Styles Luzern City

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Old Town Lucerne
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
Lucerne Lake View Apartments
Grand Hotel National
Art Deco Hotel Montana Luzern

Old town fountain over the Reuss river in Lucerne old Town, Switzerland

Pilatusplatz – Where to stay in Lucerne on a Budget

Across the Reuss River from Old Town is Pilatusplatz, which is quite near the train station but still within walking distance of Old Town. If you want to know where to stay in Lucerne on a budget, this is a good choice as there are budget-friendly hotels as well as backpacker hostels in this part of town.

As the transportation hub, this area can be a bit noisy with traffic, but it’s a fair tradeoff for finding affordable accommodation, which can be hard to come by in Switzerland. Expect to pay more if you want to stay near the wooden bridge as you’re practically in Old Town at that point.

Where to Stay in Pilatusplatz

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Pilatusplatz
Lion Lodge Lucerne
Bellpark Hostel
Lucerne Youth Hostel

Budget Hotels in Pilatusplatz
ibis budget Luzern City
Hotel Spatz
ibis Luzern Kriens
Seminarhotel Romerohaus

Mid range Hotels in Pilatusplatz
Hotel Wilden Mann
Hotel Stern Luzern
Altstadt Hotel Krone Apartments
Hotel Astoria

Family Friendly Hotels in Pilatusplatz
Baslertor Summer Pool Hotel
Drei Konige Hotel Lucerne
Hotel Anker
Hotel Magic

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Pilatusplatz
Hotel des Balances
The Hotel Lucerne, Autograph Collection
Hotel Chateau Guetsch
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern

Lucerne, Switzerland - Cityscape of Lucerne along Lake Lucerne and the Reuss river. Lucerne is a city in central Switzerland, the capital of the canton of Lucerne.

Tribschen – Where to stay in Lucerne with Family

If you prefer a quieter area and are looking for hotels in Lake Lucerne, Tribschen is a good choice. This family-friendly neighborhood is best known as the one-time home of Richard Wagner the 19th-century German composer. The villa where he lived, which is now a museum, sits on a peninsula jutting into Lake Lucerne.

The neighborhood is largely residential, with everyday conveniences like grocery shops, parks, and restaurants. Swiss Life Arena is open for indoor ice skating as well. Old Town Lucerne is less than three kilometers away, so it’s a healthy walk or a quick drive.

Where to Stay in Tribschen

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Tribschen
Lion Lodge Lucerne
Bellpark Hostel
Lucerne Youth Hostel

Budget Hotels in Tribschen
ibis budget Luzern City
Seminarhotel Romerohaus
Hotel Spatz
Hotel Alpha

Mid range Hotels in Tribschen
Hotel Seeburg
Radisson Blu Hotel, Lucerne
Hotel Beau Sejour Lucerne
Grand Hotel Europe

Family Friendly Hotels in Tribschen
CASCADA Boutique Hotel
Keyforge City Apartments
Hotel Alpina Luzern
Ameron Luzern Hotel Flora

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Tribschen
Penthouse Apartments Lakeside
Seehotel Hermitage Luzern
Art Deco Hotel Montana Luzern
Grand Hotel National

the bird's eye view of the Lucerne city in Switzerland.

Littau – Where to stay in Lucerne for Nature Lovers

Littau covers a large area to the west of Lucerne and only recently merged with the city in 2010. The location is set in the foothills of nearby mountains, allowing easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

If you are visiting Lucerne for natural beauty and prefer a more suburban experience with breathtaking scenery, then a rental in Littau just might be the best option for you. To get to central Lucerne, it’s about a ten-minute drive, with numerous public transportation options as well.

Where to Stay in Thorenberg

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Thorenberg
Lion Lodge Lucerne
Bellpark Hostel
Lucerne Youth Hostel

Budget Hotels in Thorenberg
Hotel Alpha
Bed&Breakfast 9
Hotel Spatz

Mid range Hotels in Thorenberg
The Tourist Hotel
Hotel Pilatus-Kulm
Hotel Anker
Hotel Thorenberg

Family Friendly Hotels in Thorenberg
Hotel-Restaurant Sonnenberg
Drei Konige Hotel Lucerne
Hotel Rothaus
Hotel Pension Rosli

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Thorenberg
Hotel Chateau Guetsch
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
Hotel des Balances
Lucerne Lake View Apartments

View from the mountain on Lucerne and Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

Oberseeburg – Where to stay near Lucerne for Relaxation

Another good option for those wondering where to stay near Lucerne is Oberseeburg. Translated roughly as “over lake district,” Oberseeburg has fabulous views out over Mount Pilatus and Lake Lucerne, with many former villas, converted into hotels dotting the lakeshore.

While there are fewer tourist attractions here, one can visit the Swiss Museum of Transport, which includes a planetarium. At less than four kilometers from the city center, it’s an easy drive or a ten-minute bus trip.

Where to Stay in Oberseeburg

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Oberseeburg
Lion Lodge Lucerne
Bellpark Hostel
Lucerne Youth Hostel

Budget Hotels in Oberseeburg
ibis budget Luzern City
Seminarhotel Romerohaus
Hotel Alpha
Bed&Breakfast 9

Mid range Hotels in Oberseeburg
Grand Hotel Europe
Luzernerhof Hotel
Annex Luzernerhof
ibis Styles Luzern City

Family Friendly Hotels in Oberseeburg
Hotel Beau Sejour Lucerne
Hotel Rebstock
Hotel De la Paix
Hotel Hofgarten

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Oberseeburg
Art Deco Hotel Montana
Grand Hotel National
Lucerne Lake View Apartments
Penthouse Apartments Lakeside

the Lucerne lake view neer Gersau in Autumn, Switzerland.

Mount Rigi – Where to stay near Lucerne for Activities

If you prefer to stay in the mountains, Mount Rigi looms over Lake Lucerne and offers endless recreational opportunities. Like many Swiss ski towns, the main access is by cable car or cogwheel railway. The views from the top of Mount Rigi are unparalleled, as you have several lakes surrounding the mountain and snow-capped peaks in between.

In the summer, hiking and mountain biking are quite popular, while winter snow brings skiers and sledding. There’s even a sledding trail with a shuttle to bring you back up the mountain!

Where to Stay near Mount Rigi

Budget Hotels near Mount Rigi
Hotel Zum Goldenen Hirschen

Mid range Hotels near Mount Rigi
Hotel Seeburg
Rigi-Kulm
Kräuterhotel Edelweiss

Family Friendly Hotels near Mount Rigi
Guebi Schienenfluh
Hotel Bergsonne

Affordable Luxury Hotels near Mount Rigi
Seehotel Hermitage Luzern

Panoramic landscape view of meadows, mountain ranges and snowy mountain peaks from the top of Rigi Klum, Mount Rigi in Switzerland

Mount Pilatus – Where to stay near Lucerne for Adventure

On the west side of Lucerne is Mount Pilatus, a 2,100-meter peak with equally breathtaking views as Mount Rigi. The summit is accessible only by gondola, cable car, or railway, which makes the journey all the more exciting. There is one hotel at the summit, but several others nearby at the base of the mountain.

In addition to hiking trails, this is also home to the longest summer toboggan route in Switzerland, which is fun for the whole family! There’s also an adventure ropes course, so there are plenty of adventures to have on Mount Pilatus. If you plan to spend most of your Lucerne trip enjoying the outdoor adventures, then staying near Mount Pilatus is a good choice.

Where to Stay near Mount Pilatus

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels near Mount Pilatus
Bellpark Hostel

Budget Hotels near Mount Pilatus
ibis Luzern Kriens
Hotel Central Kriens
Keyforge City Apartments Waldstatterstrasse 10

Mid range Hotels near Mount Pilatus
Holiday Inn Express Luzern – Kriens
Hotel Thorenberg

Family Friendly Hotels near Mount Pilatus
Hotel-Restaurant Sonnenberg
Bed & Breakfast Haus im Loechli

Affordable Luxury Hotels near Mount Pilatus
Hotel Pilatus-Kulm

Mount Pilatus aerial cabelway above cliffs and Lake Lucerne landscape, Switzerland

If you’d like to save it for later, please save it to Pinterest.

Where to stay in Lucerne

Article written by: Samantha - Travelling King

Hi, my name is Samantha, Finance Managing Guru by day, Travel Blogging Enthusiast by... well... day too! Haha! Travelling King is the destination hotspot for the wannabe traveller! Showcasing affordable, luxurious getaways for the budget conscious! With the combination of my financial knowledge and travelling experiences I aim to show you, with a little planning, the right budget and a realistic goal you can fulfil your travel fantasies and explore the world whatever your budget or desires may be!