Where to stay in Lucerne, Switzerland
The historic center is the best area to stay in Lucerne. Most of the places to see in Lucerne are located in the historic center. If you stay in this area, you can walk to all these places. In addition, the train station is also located in this area, therefore, if you are going any day trips, it will be a very good option. The big drawback of staying in the old town are the hotel prices.
If, on the other hand, you don’t mind being far from the city as you prefer to stay in a rural place, I recommend looking for a hotel in Littau. You will be located at the foot of several mountains and it will only take about fifteen minutes by bus to get to the center of Lucerne.
Other cheaper areas, but well connected to the center by public transportation, are Kriens and Horw.
🛏️ On my last trip (for work), I stayed at Continental Park, located in the historic center. It is a 4-star hotel, quite expensive, but if you can afford it, it is a very good option. The breakfast was great!
Affordable hotels in Lucerne
Finding affordable hotels in Lucerne, as in the rest of Switzerland, is quite a complicated task since prices in this country are quite high. Still, there are cheaper options that are pretty good.
The following hotels cost less than average and have good ratings. Some of them are located in the historic center of Lucerne. Others are a bit on the outskirts, however, they are well connected to the center by bus or on foot
ROESLI Guest House, affordable hotel in the center of Lucerne
If you are looking for cheap hotels in Lucerne, this is an excellent choice. This guest house offers peace in an oasis in the heart of Lucerne, very close to the Spreuer Bridge. From there, you can quickly reach various points of interest, such as the Franciscan Church and the Kapellbrücke.
The hotel offers free access to the swimming pool of a neighboring hotel and includes a relaxation area with hydromassage. It has rooms for up to eight people, so it is ideal if you are planning a trip with your family or a group of friends. The ten rooms in the hotel have a simple and relaxed decoration and have all the comforts to guarantee a good rest.
Bettstatt-Neustadt, located in the city center
This hotel is located just outside the historic center of Lucerne, a lively area with a variety of bars, restaurants and shops. You can choose to stay in a double room (there are large and small ones) with a shared bathroom or in an apartment for 4 people. In all cases, you will have a balcony.
This is one of the best affordable hotels in Lucerne and has an excellent location, being a few blocks away from the central train station and minutes from the bus stop. You will be able to move without problems! In addition, the hotel offers an exquisite breakfast buffet every day that will help you start the day full of energy.
Ibis Budget Hotel Luzern City, where to stay in Lucerne
This hotel is another option that should be taken into account by those looking to stay in Lucerne at an affordable price. The place is located close to the railway station and the old town. In addition, it is ideal for visiting Lake Lucerne.
It has 128 rooms with elegant decoration, equipped with everything necessary for optimal rest. You can choose between double, triple or family rooms, with a double bed and two singles.
The hotel offers a buffet breakfast in the bar and has some parking spaces for customers. If you plan to go skiing, a good fact is that this places is only 35 minutes from the best ski resorts.
Luzern Youth Hostel
This is another affordable hotel in Lucerne that you should know about. It is 2 km from the train station and the historic centre. To facilitate your transfers around the city, when you register, they’ll give you a transportation ticket to travel free of charge during your entire stay in the city.
The place has a common room to watch television, which also works as a reading room. If you love good books, you will surely enjoy its complete library. There is also a restaurant where you can try traditional local dishes and international cuisine. Every morning a full buffet breakfast is served.
You can choose between private or shared rooms. The same goes for the bathroom. This is ideal as it offers options for all budgets. You won’t be short of fun either. You’ll have access to a pool table, a ping pong table and a room for the little ones with blackboards for them to draw on. On the other hand, the staff can also help you with bicycle rental.
BASLERTOR Summer Pool Hotel, located in the Old Town
This hotel is also located right in the center of Lucerne. It is in a quiet area, which will allow you to perfectly combine staying in the city center with rest. In addition to very comfortable rooms, the hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool and a terrace with a solarium. If you visit during the warmer months, without a doubt, this hotel is a great option to stay in Lucerne.
The hotel offers currency exchange and a place to store your luggage if you need it. If you arrive in Lucerne by car, there is a free parking lot just a few meters away.
🏥 It is recommended to purchase travel insurance for Switzerland, since it is a very expensive destination and you never know what can happen. I always use and recommend Heymondo travel insurance, in which I can offer you your policy 5% cheaper.
Best hotels in Lucerne, Switzerland
Do you want to stay in one of the best hotels in Lucerne? All of the following hotels are located in the historic center, most of them are 4-star hotels and have a rating higher than 8.5/10 on Booking.
Hotel des Balances, in front of Reuss river
Would you like to stay in one of the best hotels in Lucerne? If your answer is yes, you should consider this option. The hotel, which occupies an old mansion, faces the Reuss River, in the heart of the historic center of the city. That guarantees you great views. In addition, the architecture and decoration of the place combine the best of the old and the modern.
This 4-star hotel has double rooms for single use, superior double rooms, suites, junior suites and even a romantic suite. If you stay here you can enjoy coffee and tea at any time in your room, personal care products from L’Occitane and a card to use public transportation at no extra charge.
The hotel also has a first class restaurant and a bar to delight you with dishes and cocktails. Every morning, a complete and delicious buffet breakfast is served.
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern, 5-star hotel in Lucerne
If you like the idea of staying in a 5-star hotel located by the lake, don’t miss this hotel. This exquisite establishment is very well located since it is located in the heart of the city and a very short time from the central train station.
There are 101 rooms here that are divided into doubles and suites and measure between 25m² and 65m². Comfort is guaranteed! In addition, they are all very beautiful, since each one of them is decorated taking inspiration from a famous person who stayed at the hotel. In any of them you will have an excellent view of the lake, the city center or the mountains.
The hotel has a wellness area that includes a fabulous spa overlooking the lake, where you can get massages and body treatments. If you don’t want to skip a training day, you will find state-of-the-art equipment there.
You also don’t want to miss the delicious dishes offered in its two à la carte restaurants: Pavillion and Gallerie. When the weather permits, you will have the pleasure of being able to dine on the terrace under palm and olive trees.
If you can afford it, be sure to live the experience of staying at this place, rated the best hotel in Lucerne by TripAdvisor users.
Hotel Schlüssel
This boutique hotel occupies an elegant 16th-century building. It was renovated in 2019 to become a 3-star hotel with comfortable and cozy rooms. The decoration combines exquisite old elements with the most modern comfort. In addition, the accommodation is in the historic center a few minutes from the train station.
This is the smallest hotel in the city but its owners are proud to say that it is “small but excellent”. In its two restaurants, dishes from the Alpine region are served throughout the week, prepared with local and organic ingredients.
Grand Hotel National Luzern, one of the best hotels in Lucerne
This hotel is one of the best in Lucerne, apart from being one of the most luxurious. It is located on the shores of the lake and a few minutes from the historic center.
Its more than 40 rooms and suites offer views of the lake or the city and have details that will make you lose your mind. Italian marble floors, hand-woven rugs and silk wallpaper on the walls are some of them.
The hotel was created in 1870 and since then it has stood out for the level of services it offers, also in terms of cuisine. It has 4 restaurants with terraces overlooking the lake where exquisite typical dishes from the region but also from other parts of the world are served. It also has a café and the emblematic national bar, where you can enjoy musical shows.
Hotel Rebstock, best hotels in Lucerne
We end this list with another of the best hotels to stay in Lucerne. This accommodation occupies a historic building from the 14th century, with all the picturesque details that that can mean. Its location is privileged, since it is located in the center. This will allow you to reach the main sites of interest on foot. However, upon registration you will receive a free ticket to move around Lucerne by public transport.
If you decide to stay here, you can do so in one of its 29 exquisitely decorated rooms, or in its family suite for 4 people. Some of them have a balcony so you can contemplate the city without leaving your room.
You can savor the delicious regional dishes that are prepared in the hotel kitchen and served in its various restaurants. When the weather allows it, you can do it outdoors, on the terrace or in the garden, accompanying them with a good drink prepared at the bar.
🚗 Need a car for your trip to Switzerland? To find the best deals, I recommend checking out Discover Cars and Auto Europe, highly-rated car rental search platforms.
Map of where to stay in Lucerne
In the following map of Lucerne I have marked the different attractions of the city and all the hotels that I have mentioned in this article, with their respective links to Booking.
💳 To get cash in the local currency at your destination or pay by card, I recommend getting the N26 card. With the free version you can withdraw cash from ATMs with a very low commission and pay in another currency with the best exchange rate and no commissions.
Do not miss my Switzerland travel guide to know all the information about the country.
I hope this article on where to stay in Lucerne has been very useful for you to organize your trip to this Swiss city. If you want to tell me about your experience or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me. Until next time travelers!
