Comparison · Lucerne vs Zurich · Switzerland
Lucerne vs Zurich
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, Lake Lucerne steamers and free sights; choose Zurich for Lake Zurich and Bahnhofstrasse. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 40 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 40 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Lucerne
- May–June and September
- Best time for Zurich
- May–September
Side by side
| Lucerne | Zurich | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland | Switzerland |
| Known for | Kapellbrücke, Lake Lucerne steamers and Mount Pilatus | Lake Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse and Old Town (Altstadt) |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | May–September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $250–$420 | $280–$450 |
| Cost level | Very expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 24°C (75°F) | July, 24°C (75°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | ZRH, BSL | ZRH |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Lucerne for…
Kapellbrücke, Lake Lucerne steamers and free sights. 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…
Choose Zurich for…
Lake Zurich and Bahnhofstrasse. Zurich wraps around the northern tip of Lake Zurich, where the Limmat river flows out through a compact medieval Old Town. The twin towers of the Grossmünster and the Chagall windows of the Fraumünster face each other across the river, Bahnhofstrasse runs…
Top sights compared
| # | Lucerne | Zurich |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) | Niederdorf and the right-bank Old Town |
| 2 | Lion Monument | Lindenhof hill |
| 3 | Swiss Museum of Transport | Grossmünster |
| 4 | Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip | Fraumünster |
| 5 | Lake Lucerne boat trip | Bahnhofstrasse |
Food compared
| Lucerne | Zurich |
|---|---|
| Lucerne vol-au-vent | Zurich-style veal |
| Alpine macaroni | Rösti |
| Lake perch and whitefish | Cheese fondue |
| Rösti | Veal sausage |
Which is cheaper?
Lucerne and Zurich cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $250–$420 in Lucerne and $280–$450 in Zurich (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Lucerne on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Lucerne and Zurich are about 40 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Lucerne and 3 in Zurich.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Lucerne or Zurich cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $250–$420 in Lucerne and $280–$450 in Zurich (estimates).
+Is Lucerne or Zurich better for a first trip?
Pick Lucerne for Kapellbrücke, Lake Lucerne steamers and free sights, or Zurich for Lake Zurich and Bahnhofstrasse.
+How far is Lucerne from Zurich?
About 40 km in a straight line.