Comparison · Hallstatt vs Lucerne · Austria / Switzerland
Hallstatt vs Lucerne
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Hallstatt for Lakeside village views, Salt mine and lower day-to-day costs; choose Lucerne for Kapellbrücke, Lake Lucerne steamers and nightlife. Hallstatt is generally less expensive, and the two are about 407 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 407 km
- Less expensive
- Hallstatt
- Best time for Hallstatt
- May–June and September
- Best time for Lucerne
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Hallstatt | Lucerne | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Austria | Switzerland |
| Known for | Lakeside village views, Salt mine and UNESCO World Heritage | Kapellbrücke, Lake Lucerne steamers and Mount Pilatus |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 2 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $250–$420 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 23°C (73°F) | July, 24°C (75°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 2°C (36°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | SZG, LNZ, VIE | ZRH, BSL |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Hallstatt for…
Lakeside village views, Salt mine and lower day-to-day costs. Hallstatt is a village of about 750 people squeezed onto a ledge between the Hallstätter See and steep mountainsides in the Salzkammergut, about 75 km southeast of Salzburg. Salt has been mined in the mountain above for some 7,000 years, giving its name to…
Choose Lucerne for…
Kapellbrücke, Lake Lucerne steamers and nightlife. Lucerne sits where the River Reuss leaves Lake Lucerne, with the 14th-century Kapellbrücke, a walled medieval old town and a waterfront of grand hotels all within a 15-minute walk of the railway station. Its real draw is the setting: paddle steamers cross…
Top sights compared
| # | Hallstatt | Lucerne |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salzwelten Hallstatt salt mine | Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) |
| 2 | Skywalk 'Welterbeblick' | Lion Monument |
| 3 | Beinhaus (Charnel House) | Swiss Museum of Transport |
| 4 | Catholic Parish Church of the Assumption | Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip |
| 5 | Protestant church and lakeshore | Lake Lucerne boat trip |
Food compared
| Hallstatt | Lucerne |
|---|---|
| Reinanke | Lucerne vol-au-vent |
| Saibling | Alpine macaroni |
| Steckerlfisch | Lake perch and whitefish |
| Kasnocken | Rösti |
Which is cheaper?
Hallstatt is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 per person there, against $250–$420 in Lucerne (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Hallstatt on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Hallstatt and Lucerne are about 407 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 2 days in Hallstatt and 3 in Lucerne.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hallstatt or Lucerne cheaper?
Hallstatt is usually less expensive: about $180–$320 a day mid-range against $250–$420 (estimates).
+Is Hallstatt or Lucerne better for a first trip?
Pick Hallstatt for Lakeside village views, Salt mine and lower day-to-day costs, or Lucerne for Kapellbrücke, Lake Lucerne steamers and nightlife.
+How far is Hallstatt from Lucerne?
About 407 km in a straight line.