Lucerne in winter is a magical wonderland, offering breathtaking snowy landscapes, festive activities, and family-friendly attractions. This guide covers Days 7 to 10 of your 15-day Switzerland adventure, with a focus on making the most of Lucerne’s winter charm.
Table of Contents
Day 7 – Getting to Lucerne
Located in central Switzerland, Lucerne is easily accessible by train or car. From Interlaken or Zurich, the journey offers stunning views of lakes and snow-covered peaks. With the Swiss Travel Pass, enjoy seamless travel and free access to many attractions.
After an unforgettable stay in Grindelwald, we were excited to spend the next four nights in Lucerne at Hotel Des Balances. We left our luggage for transfer at the concierge and checked out of Hotel Glacier. Do check out on this post for more tips on luggage transfer service in Switzerland. The hotel provided a convenient transfer to Grindelwald station, where we caught the train to Interlaken.
Arriving in Interlaken, we decided to spend the early afternoon exploring this charming town. We deposited our hand luggage at the train station locker, which is a great option if you’re not utilizing a luggage transfer service.
While Interlaken has its own charm, we felt that staying in Grindelwald was the right choice for us—it’s more scenic and has a cozy mountain village vibe that we loved.
Boarding Interlaken-Lucerne Scenic Express
After a bit of sightseeing and grabbing some food, we headed back to the station to catch the Interlaken-Lucerne Scenic Express. This train ride is renowned for its stunning views and is an absolute must-do. For the best views, try to sit on the right-hand side of the train, facing the direction of travel. This way, you’ll have the most unobstructed views of the lakes and mountains as the train winds its way through the picturesque landscape.
The scenic express took us through some of the most breathtaking parts of Switzerland. We passed by serene lakes, towering mountains, and charming Swiss villages, making the journey itself a highlight of our trip.
Where to stay in Lucerne
For a cozy family stay:
- Hotel Des Balances: Central location with family rooms and a view of the Reuss River.
- Radisson Blu Hotel Lucerne: Modern amenities and close to the train station
We opted for Hotel Des Balances for our stay!
Checking in Hotel Des Balance
Upon reaching Lucerne, we walked about 15 minutes to our hotel, Hotel Des Balances. Located in the heart of the city, this hotel is perfectly situated for exploring Lucerne. The hotel itself is beautiful, with a blend of classic and modern decor. Its location by the Reuss River offers stunning views, especially from the hotel’s restaurant and terrace.
Evening Exploration
Lucerne is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, and we were eager to explore its charming old town. The hotel’s central location made it easy to walk to all the major sights, including the Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument, and the Old Town Square.
- Stroll Along Chapel Bridge: Enjoy the iconic wooden bridge lit up at night, with views of snow-covered rooftops and Mount Pilatus in the distance.
- Visit the Christmas Markets (if visiting in December): Explore the markets at Franziskanerplatz and buy handcrafted gifts while sipping warm glühwein.
We had dinner at Restaurant Rathaus Brauerei Luzern, located right by the picturesque Reuss River and just a 5-minute walk from our hotel. We opted for alfresco dining since the weather was pleasantly mild, allowing us to fully enjoy the view. We ordered traditional Swiss dishes like rösti and bratwurst with sauerkraut. As always, the boys indulged themselves with plenty of French fries.
We spent the evening settling into our room and taking a leisurely stroll around the nearby area. Lucerne’s festive atmosphere and beautiful lights made for a perfect end to our first day in this picturesque city.
Day 8 – Adventure to Mt Titlis
The next day, we embarked on an adventure to Mt Titlis.
We had been deciding between Mt Titlis and Mt Pilatus, but ultimately chose Mt Titlis for its kid-friendly advantages. One of the main highlights for the kids was the Titlis Rotair, the world’s first rotating cable car, which offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the stunning alpine landscape as it ascends. Another deciding point is Schmuggli’s family paradise but only if you visit between June and October. Trübsee Schmuggli’s Paradise is located at the Trübsee middle station, easily accessible from Engelberg. The wide range of experiences on offer, including the treasure hunt, Sbrinz trail, playground and Schmugglis Camp, are all within walking distance. A pity that we visited during winter and the paradise is closed.
Starting from Hotel des Balances, we walked to the Lucerne train station, which was just a 10-minute stroll away. From there, we took a scenic train ride to Engelberg, which took about an hour. Upon arrival in Engelberg, we took a leisurely 20 minutes stroll to Titlis Valley Station, where our ascent began.
Upon arriving at the base station, we bought our tickets from an automated machine. If you have a Swiss Half Fare Card, remember to select the half pass discount option to save on the ticket cost. The process was straightforward, and we were soon on our way up the mountain.
Activities at the Top of Mt Titlis
Once at the top, there was no shortage of activities to keep everyone entertained. We explored the mesmerizing Glacier Cave, a tunnel that runs through the heart of the glacier, and took in breathtaking views from the Titlis Cliff Walk, Europe’s highest suspension bridge. The snow park was a big hit with the kids, offering opportunities for snow tubing and playing in the snow.
We had lunch at Titlis Panorama Self-Service and the kids indulged in french fries again. We also discovered a charming chocolate shop where we indulged in some delicious Swiss chocolates, adding a sweet touch to our mountain adventure. The boys enjoyed the variety of treats, and it was a perfect spot to take a break and warm up with a hot chocolate.
Choosing Mt Titlis turned out to be an excellent decision, as it offered a fantastic mix of spectacular views and fun activities for the whole family. The boys were thrilled with the adventure, making it a truly memorable day for all of us.
Day 9 – Swiss Museum of Transport
The following day, we visited the Swiss Museum of Transport, a highly recommended spot for families with kids. The museum is easily accessible from Hotel des Balances. We walked to the Lucerne train station and took a bus to the museum. You can catch bus 6, 8 or 24 to the Luzern, Verkehrshaus/Lido stop, about a 5 min ride. The museum is a 2 min walk from the stop
We purchased our tickets via Klook, which was very convenient. Our Klook tickets included access to additional attractions like the Planetarium and the Swiss Chocolate Adventure.
The museum itself was fantastic. It’s one of the most diverse museums we’ve ever visited, featuring exhibits on road, rail, water, air, and space travel. The boys were thrilled to explore the different vehicles and interactive displays. They especially loved the hands-on activities, such as the flight simulators and the model railways.
Despite our high hopes for the cinema experience, the 3D film turned out to be a bit too much for the boys, and they didn’t stay interested for long. However, the Swiss Chocolate Adventure tour was a massive hit! The tour takes you through the history and production of Swiss chocolate, and the boys were fascinated by the interactive displays.
We walked back to Hotel des Balances via the promenade, enjoying the sunset and soaking in the breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. It was a perfect way to end a delightful day, providing a moment of tranquility and beauty that we will remember fondly.
You can read our review on Swiss Museum of Transport in this post.
Day 10 – Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Lucerne with a special Lake Lucerne culinary cruise
On New Year’s Eve, we wanted to end the year with something special, so we booked a Lake Lucerne tour and added on the New Year’s Eve culinary cruise. We bought our tickets via this link and made sure to select the Half Fare Card discount to save a bit more.
The culinary cruise was an exceptional experience. The boat was beautifully decorated for the holiday, and the atmosphere was festive and warm. We enjoyed a delicious 3-course meal while cruising around the picturesque Lake Lucerne. The meal turned out to be one of the best meal we had in Switzerland.
Ending the year with a bang
In the evening, we ended the day with a delightful Swiss meal at Fondue House Du Pont. This restaurant, just beside our hotel, offers a fantastic view and a cozy atmosphere. We indulged in a traditional cheese fondue, which was rich, creamy, and perfect for the occasion. The boys, of course, loved dipping bread and vegetables into the melted cheese.
After dinner, we headed back to Hotel des Balances to tuck the boys into bed. With them settled in, we stepped out onto our balcony, sipped on some wine, and waited to welcome the new year. As the clock struck midnight, we were treated to a spectacular display of fireworks lighting up the sky throughout the city. It was a breathtaking sight, and we enjoyed it right from the comfort of our balcony.
This New Year’s Eve was truly magical, and celebrating it in Lucerne with our family made it even more special. The combination of a scenic cruise, delicious food, and a stunning fireworks display created memories that we will cherish forever.
Read our post for our adventure in London!
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