Comparison · Lucerne vs Salzburg · Switzerland / Austria
Lucerne vs Salzburg
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Валерий Дед, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Lucerne for Kapellbrücke and Lake Lucerne steamers; choose Salzburg for Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress and lower day-to-day costs. Salzburg is generally less expensive, and the two are about 367 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 367 km
- Less expensive
- Salzburg
- Best time for Lucerne
- May–June and September
- Best time for Salzburg
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Lucerne | Salzburg | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland | Austria |
| Known for | Kapellbrücke, Lake Lucerne steamers and Mount Pilatus | Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress and Salzburg Festival |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $250–$420 | $180–$300 |
| Cost level | Very expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 24°C (75°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | ZRH, BSL | SZG, MUC |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Lucerne for…
Kapellbrücke and Lake Lucerne steamers. 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…
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Choose Salzburg for…
Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress and lower day-to-day costs. Salzburg's UNESCO-listed old town squeezes Baroque churches, archbishops' palaces and Mozart's birthplace between the Salzach river and the cliffs of the Mönchsberg, with Hohensalzburg Fortress on top. It is compact enough to see on foot in a day or two, and…
Top sights compared
| # | Lucerne | Salzburg |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) | Hohensalzburg Fortress |
| 2 | Lion Monument | Mozart's Birthplace |
| 3 | Swiss Museum of Transport | Mozart Residence |
| 4 | Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip | Mirabell Palace and Gardens |
| 5 | Lake Lucerne boat trip | Salzburg Cathedral |
Food compared
| Lucerne | Salzburg |
|---|---|
| Lucerne vol-au-vent | Salzburger Nockerl |
| Alpine macaroni | Mozartkugel |
| Lake perch and whitefish | Bosna |
| Rösti | Cheese dumplings |
Which is cheaper?
Salzburg is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $180–$300 per person there, against $250–$420 in Lucerne (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Salzburg on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Lucerne and Salzburg are about 367 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Lucerne and 3 in Salzburg.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Lucerne or Salzburg cheaper?
Salzburg is usually less expensive: about $180–$300 a day mid-range against $250–$420 (estimates).
+Is Lucerne or Salzburg better for a first trip?
Pick Lucerne for Kapellbrücke and Lake Lucerne steamers, or Salzburg for Mozart, Hohensalzburg Fortress and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Lucerne from Salzburg?
About 367 km in a straight line.