Month guide · Lucerne · Switzerland
Lucerne in October
What October is really like in Lucerne: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrew Bossi, CC BY-SA 2.5
Quick answer
October is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 14°C (57°F), lows of 7°C (45°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 10.8 hours of daylight. Autumn colours around the lake and fewer visitors; fog over the lake can give sunny 'above the clouds' days on Rigi and Pilatus.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 14°C (57°F) / 7°C (45°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 7th-warmest month in Lucerne: days average 14°C (57°F) against a yearly average high of 14°C (57°F), and nights fall to about 7°C (45°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with September (19°C (66°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 8°C (46°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:44
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:40
- Daylight
- About 10.8 hours
Autumn (September–November). Clear September days and the Lucerne Festival, then autumn colour in October; November is grey and quiet.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
- SwissCityMarathon Lucerne (usually late October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Nature · Pilatus
Mount Pilatus Golden Round Trip
The classic loop takes a boat from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, the cogwheel railway (with gradients of up to 48%) up to Pilatus Kulm at about 2,100 metres, then aerial cableways and gondolas down to Kriens and a city bus back.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
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
What to pack
For highs near 14°C, lows near 7°C and 10 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Lucerne?
A shoulder-season month, 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 October a good time to visit Lucerne?
It is a shoulder-season month. Autumn colours around the lake and fewer visitors; fog over the lake can give sunny 'above the clouds' days on Rigi and Pilatus.
+How warm is Lucerne in October?
Average highs are around 14°C (57°F) and lows around 7°C (45°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Lucerne in October?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.