Best time to visit · Lucerne · Switzerland
The best time to visit Lucerne
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrew Bossi, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
The best time to visit Lucerne is May to June or September, when the mountain railways are running, the lake is calm and crowds are lighter than in July and August. Summer is the busiest and highest-priced season but the best for swimming and long boat trips. Winter suits Christmas markets, Fasnacht and snow on Titlis, though the city is often under fog.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September
- Shoulder season
- April, July–August, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 24°C (75°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 3°C (37°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~13 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January, March and November
Seasons
Lucerne has a temperate climate with cold, often foggy winters, warm summers and plenty of rain year round, with summer the wettest season because of afternoon thunderstorms. Mountain summits are much colder than the lakeshore.
March–May
Spring
Blossom along the lake and fewer visitors, but changeable weather; some mountain railways reopen only in April or May.
June–August
Summer
Warm days, lake swimming and every boat and mountain route running, with peak crowds, afternoon thunderstorms and the highest hotel prices.
September–November
Autumn
Clear September days and the Lucerne Festival, then autumn colour in October; November is grey and quiet.
December–February
Winter
Christmas markets, Fasnacht and skiing on Titlis, with frequent low fog in town and sunshine above it.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | -2°C | 10 | 8.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 5°C | -2°C | 9 | 10.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| March | 10°C | 1°C | 11 | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 14°C | 4°C | 11 | 13.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 19°C | 9°C | 13 | 15 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 22°C | 12°C | 13 | 15.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 24°C | 14°C | 12 | 15.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 24°C | 14°C | 12 | 14.2 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| September | 19°C | 10°C | 10 | 12.5 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 14°C | 7°C | 10 | 10.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 8°C | 2°C | 10 | 9.3 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 4°C | -1°C | 11 | 8.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | Lucerne Fasnacht — carnival with Guggenmusik bands, starting on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday (February or early March) |
| March | Lucerne Fasnacht in years when Easter falls late (usually February or early March) |
| May | Rowing regattas on the Rotsee (late spring to early summer) |
| June | Rowing regattas on the Rotsee (late spring to early summer) |
| July | Blue Balls Festival — music by the lake (usually July) |
| August | Swiss National Day celebrations and fireworks (1 August); Lucerne Festival summer season at the KKL (usually mid-August to mid-September) |
| September | Lucerne Festival summer season (usually until mid-September) |
| October | SwissCityMarathon Lucerne (usually late October) |
| November | Lucerne Blues Festival (usually November) |
| December | Christmas markets on Franziskanerplatz and in the old town (usually late November to 24 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January, March and November, and the sights are quietest in January, March and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Lucerne?
The best time to visit Lucerne is May to June or September, when the mountain railways are running, the lake is calm and crowds are lighter than in July and August. Summer is the busiest and highest-priced season but the best for swimming and long boat trips. Winter suits Christmas markets, Fasnacht and snow on Titlis, though the city is often under fog.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Lucerne?
Usually in January, March and November. Cold and often grey under a layer of low fog, while the peaks above can be sunny; good for snow trips to Titlis and quiet museums.
+What is the rainiest month in Lucerne?
May, with about 13 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Lucerne get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 24°C (75°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).