Month guide · Lucerne · Switzerland
Lucerne in March
What March is really like in Lucerne: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: JosefLehmkuhl, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. Changeable weather and some mountain lifts closed between seasons; the lakeshore starts to green up.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 10°C (50°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in March
March is the 8th-warmest month in Lucerne: days average 10°C (50°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with February (5°C (41°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 14°C (57°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 06:40
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 18:32
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
Spring (March–May). Blossom along the lake and fewer visitors, but changeable weather; some mountain railways reopen only in April or May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes March one of the better-value months to book.
Events in March
- Lucerne Fasnacht in years when Easter falls late (usually February or early March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Experience · Lake Lucerne
Lake Lucerne boat trip
Swiss Travel Pass and Half Fare Card holders travel free or at a discount on scheduled boats; check before buying a separate cruise ticket.
- Time needed
- 1–5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
- Outdoors
Neighbourhood · Old Town
Weinmarkt, Kornmarkt and the old town
Lucerne's medieval centre is a compact loop of painted façades around Weinmarkt, Hirschenplatz and Kornmarkt, where the Renaissance town hall stands by the river.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Historic site · Old Town
Musegg Wall and towers
Enter at the eastern end near the Wacht Tower and walk west, finishing near the Spreuer Bridge.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Active
- Kids
Landmark · Old Town
Spreuer Bridge
Lucerne's second covered wooden bridge crosses the Reuss downstream next to the needle dam that regulates the lake level.
- Time needed
- 15–20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Off the beaten path
What to pack
For highs near 10°C, lows near 1°C and 11 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 March a good time to visit Lucerne?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Lucerne in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Lucerne?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Changeable weather and some mountain lifts closed between seasons; the lakeshore starts to green up.
+How warm is Lucerne in March?
Average highs are around 10°C (50°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Lucerne in March?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.