Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich: Train, Walking Tour & Lake Cruise

The Chapel Bridge and the Water Tower stand in the Old Town, and you walk between them with someone who knows why they matter.

A day trip from Zurich to Lucerne by train includes a 2-hour guided walking tour through the Old Town with a local guide, free time for lunch, and your choice of a 1-hour Lake Lucerne cruise or extra leisure time in the city. Train tickets and the city tour are included. The lake cruise is optional. The round-trip takes 7 to 9 hours total, with the train ride handling all the driving.

Step-by-step itinerary

Lucerne day trip with train and cruise

• Meet at Zurich HB train station
• Enjoy scenic 1-hour train ride to Lucerne
• Take 2-hour guided walking tour of Lucerne
• Free time for lunch and exploring
• Optional 1-hour Lake Lucerne cruise or extra free time
• Return to Zurich by train around 4 PM

The experience

You meet at Zurich HB station and board a train for a 1-hour scenic ride to Lucerne, watching the Swiss countryside unfold without traffic or navigation. The guide meets you in Lucerne and leads a 2-hour walking tour through the charming Old Town, stopping at the Chapel Bridge, the Water Tower, and the Lion Monument: each one a landmark with a story the guide tells as you stand in front of it. Along the way, views of Lake Lucerne frame the walk, and you learn about the city's history and traditions from someone who lives there.

After the tour ends, you have roughly 1.5 hours free to eat lunch at a restaurant or café, wander the streets at your own pace, or sit by the water. This is your time to move slowly through the city without a schedule pushing you forward. If you booked the lake cruise option, you'll board a boat for a 1-hour float on the water, passing mountain views and lakeside villages. If you chose the city-only option, you can use this time to explore further, shop, or rest before the return journey.

Around 4:00 PM, you return to Zurich by train, the same comfortable route back through the countryside. The whole day (train, guide, walking, free time, and the optional cruise) is arranged so nothing falls to you to plan. No driving, no transfers to book separately, no wondering how to get between stops.

What’s included

• Round-trip train tickets in 2nd class from Zurich HB to Lucerne.
• a 2-hour guided walking tour of the Old Town with a local English-speaking guide.
• a 1-hour Lake Lucerne cruise (if you choose that option at checkout).

Options for this experience

2 options

Lucerne City tourGuide in English · 08:45

Lucerne city tour combined with a lake cruiseGuide in English · 08:45

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:45

Book up to12h before

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Switzerland Viva Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the option with the lake cruise if you want to see the mountains and lakeside villages from the water. Pick the city-only option if you'd rather spend the extra time exploring Lucerne's shops, restaurants and side streets without a schedule.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do you see on the 2-hour walking tour in Lucerne?

The guided tour covers the Old Town, the Chapel Bridge (a covered wooden bridge dating back centuries), the Water Tower, and the Lion Monument. You walk between these landmarks while the local guide explains their history and significance to the city.

Is the lake cruise included, or do I need to book it separately?

The lake cruise is optional and depends on which option you choose at checkout. One option includes a 1-hour Lake Lucerne cruise. The other gives you extra free time in the city instead. Both include the train and the walking tour.

How much free time do you have in Lucerne for lunch and exploring?

You have approximately 1.5 hours after the guided tour ends. This time is yours to spend on lunch, shopping, or exploring the city at your own pace before either the lake cruise or your return train departs.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Zurich to Lucerne?

No. Round-trip train tickets from Zurich HB station are included in the tour price. You meet at the station, board together, and return the same way: no separate bookings or driving required.

What is the total time for this day trip?

The full day takes 7 to 9 hours from start to finish, including the 1-hour train ride each way, the 2-hour guided tour, free time for lunch, and the optional 1-hour lake cruise (if booked).

Can I bring children or infants on this tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants can sit on an adult's lap. Specialized infant seats are available. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.