Month guide · Lucerne · Switzerland
Lucerne in January
What January is really like in Lucerne: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: WES1947, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 3°C (37°F), lows of -2°C (28°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 8.9 hours of daylight. 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.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 3°C (37°F) / -2°C (28°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 8.9 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Lucerne: days average 3°C (37°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about -2°C (28°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with December (4°C (39°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 5°C (41°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:08
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:04
- Daylight
- About 8.9 hours
Winter (December–February). Christmas markets, Fasnacht and skiing on Titlis, with frequent low fog in town and sunshine above it.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Lucerne, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Lido
Swiss Museum of Transport
Arrive by lake steamer from the station piers to turn the journey into part of the outing.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
Religious site · Old Town
Jesuit Church
Built in the second half of the 17th century on the left bank of the Reuss, this was the first large Baroque church in Switzerland.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- History
Religious site · Hof
Church of St. Leodegar (Hofkirche)
It is a five-minute walk from the Lion Monument, so link the two on the way back to the lake.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Architecture · Station
KKL Luzern and Kunstmuseum Luzern
Jean Nouvel's culture and congress centre beside the station has a vast cantilevered roof reaching out over the lake and a concert hall famed for its acoustics.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
- After dark
What to pack
For highs near 3°C, lows near -2°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Lucerne?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Lucerne in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Lucerne?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. 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.
+How warm is Lucerne in January?
Average highs are around 3°C (37°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Lucerne in January?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.