By the Where to Stay in Switzerland editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay in the Old Town, on the north bank of the Reuss around the Chapel Bridge. The station, the KKL concert hall and the lake boats are a five-minute walk across the river, and the lanes are full of restaurants. Our pick is Hotel des Balances, with rooms over the river.
Stay on the lakefront promenade (Schweizerhofquai and Haldenstrasse) for the grand hotels and lake views, or by the station on the south bank if you plan a day trip by train most days. For a spa break rather than sightseeing, Bürgenstock is a resort on a cliff above the lake, a boat ride from town.
Lucerne's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | To the station | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town (north bank) | First visits, restaurants, the bridges | 5–10 min walk | Busy with day-trippers; few hotels with parking |
| Station and south bank | Day trips by train and boat | 0–5 min walk | Less charm, more traffic |
| Lakefront promenade | Lake views, grand hotels | 5–15 min walk | The priciest rooms in town |
| Bürgenstock | Spa days, peace and views | Boat and funicular | Every trip into town takes planning |
Map of Lucerne Hotels
The station is on the south bank where the Reuss leaves the lake; the Old Town and the lakefront promenade are across the bridges to the north.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Lucerne stays →Best Splurge Hotels
Two grand hotels on the lakefront and one resort high above it.
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
Schweizerhofquai, on the lakefront, Lucerne
A lakefront grand hotel from 1845, with rooms themed on famous past guests.
Best for: Lake views in the center
- Directly on Lake Lucerne
- Rooms from 25 to 65 m²
- Sauna and fitness room
More about this hotel
A lakefront grand hotel open since 1845, with 101 rooms and suites, each themed on a famous past guest such as Mark Twain or Richard Wagner. The Old Town is a short walk across the river.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern
Haldenstrasse, on the lakeside promenade, Lucerne
The 1906 Palace Hotel on the lakeside promenade, reopened in 2022.
Best for: Lakefront luxury
- Belle Époque palace from 1906
- On the lakeside promenade
- Reopened in 2022 after renovation
More about this hotel
The 1906 Palace Hotel on the lakeside promenade reopened in 2022 as a Mandarin Oriental, with 136 rooms and 45 suites. It is about a 15-minute walk east of the station along the lake.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: WES1947, CC BY-SA 3.0
Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa
Clifftop above Lake Lucerne, Bürgenstock
A clifftop spa resort above the lake, reached by boat and funicular.
Best for: A spa escape
- 10,000 m² Alpine Spa with five pools
- Seven restaurants and bars
- Boat and funicular from Lucerne
More about this hotel
Part of the Bürgenstock Resort on a clifftop high above the lake, with a 10,000 m² Alpine Spa and five pools. From Lucerne you take a boat to Kehrsiten-Bürgenstock and a four-minute funicular up, or drive.
Best Mid-Range Hotels
Historic hotels in the Old Town, one by the station and one quieter option on the lake.
Hotel des Balances
Weinmarkt, on the Reuss in the Old Town, Lucerne
Our top pick: a hotel since 1836 on the Reuss in the Old Town, five minutes' walk from the station.
Best for: First-time visitors
- On the river in the Old Town
- 5 minutes' walk to the station
- Restaurant, terrace and bar
More about this hotel
A hotel since 1836 with a painted facade on the Weinmarkt and rooms looking over the Reuss river or the Old Town. The station and the KKL concert hall are about five minutes away on foot.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Tilman2007, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hotel Wilden Mann
Bahnhofstrasse, Old Town (left bank), Lucerne
Seven old houses joined into one hotel, with breakfast included.
Best for: History lovers
- Breakfast included
- 5 minutes' walk from the station
- Romantik and Swiss Historic Hotels member
More about this hotel
First recorded in 1517, the Wilden Mann is seven connected old houses with 48 rooms, about five minutes' walk from the station along the Reuss. Breakfast is included in the room rate.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Maksym Kozlenko, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hotel Waldstätterhof
Zentralstrasse, next to the station, Lucerne
Renovated rooms right next to the station, for day trips by train.
Best for: Day trips by train
- Next to the station
- Rooms renovated in 2024
- Restaurant with terrace
More about this hotel
A 91-room hotel right next to Lucerne station, with rooms renovated in 2024 and a restaurant, Gleis 1, serving modern Swiss food. It is the easy choice for a short stay or day trips by train.
Hotel Beau Séjour Lucerne
Haldenstrasse, east of the center, Lucerne
A small, quieter hotel a lakeside walk east of the Old Town.
Best for: A quiet lakeside stay
- 27 individually designed rooms
- A hotel since 1875
- Café-bar with terrace
More about this hotel
A hotel since 1875 with 27 individually designed rooms, a walk along the lake east of the Old Town. It has a café-bar with a terrace, and a bus stop nearby.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Yair Haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0
Best Budget Base
Budget in Lucerne means a hostel; the city bus to the center is free with the Visitor Card.
Lucerne Youth Hostel
Sedelstrasse, by the Rotsee, Lucerne
The budget choice, by the Rotsee north of the center.
Best for: Budget travelers
- Guest card for free city buses and trains
- Next to the Rotsee nature reserve
- Terrace and games
More about this hotel
Swiss Youth Hostels' Lucerne hostel sits next to the Rotsee nature reserve north of the center, with large common rooms, a terrace and games. Your stay includes the Lucerne guest card, with free city buses and trains.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Barbara Steinemann, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lucerne Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Hotel des BalancesWeinmarkt, on the Reuss in the Old Town, Lucerne · Mid-rangeFirst-time visitorsCheck prices -
Hotel Schweizerhof LuzernSchweizerhofquai, on the lakefront, Lucerne · SplurgeLake views in the centerCheck prices -
Mandarin Oriental Palace, LuzernHaldenstrasse, on the lakeside promenade, Lucerne · SplurgeLakefront luxuryCheck prices -
Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine SpaClifftop above Lake Lucerne, Bürgenstock · SplurgeA spa escapeCheck prices -
Hotel Wilden MannBahnhofstrasse, Old Town (left bank), Lucerne · Mid-rangeHistory loversCheck prices -
Hotel WaldstätterhofZentralstrasse, next to the station, Lucerne · Mid-rangeDay trips by trainCheck prices -
Hotel Beau Séjour LucerneHaldenstrasse, east of the center, Lucerne · Mid-rangeA quiet lakeside stayCheck prices -
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Hotel des Balances
Historic riverside hotel
|
Weinmarkt, on the Reuss in the Old Town, Lucerne | Mid-range | First-time visitors | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern
Grand hotel
|
Schweizerhofquai, on the lakefront, Lucerne | Splurge | Lake views in the center | Check prices |
|
|
Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern
Grand hotel
|
Haldenstrasse, on the lakeside promenade, Lucerne | Splurge | Lakefront luxury | Check prices |
|
|
Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa
Resort and spa
|
Clifftop above Lake Lucerne, Bürgenstock | Splurge | A spa escape | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Wilden Mann
Historic hotel
|
Bahnhofstrasse, Old Town (left bank), Lucerne | Mid-range | History lovers | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Waldstätterhof
Station hotel
|
Zentralstrasse, next to the station, Lucerne | Mid-range | Day trips by train | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Beau Séjour Lucerne
Boutique hotel
|
Haldenstrasse, east of the center, Lucerne | Mid-range | A quiet lakeside stay | Check prices |
|
|
Lucerne Youth Hostel
Hostel
|
Sedelstrasse, by the Rotsee, Lucerne | Budget | Budget travelers | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Pilatus, Rigi and the Lake
- The Visitor Card is free. If you stay overnight and pay the local visitor tax, you get the Lucerne Visitor Card for up to 14 days: free 2nd-class buses and trains in the city zone, plus discounts on mountain railways and museums. Lake boats are not included.
- Rigi is included in the Swiss Travel Pass, and so is the Stanserhorn. Most other mountain trips, Pilatus among them, are discounted for pass holders rather than free.
- Check Pilatus before late fall. From 19 October to 27 November 2026, the Pilatus gondolas and cable car are closed for maintenance, and the only way up is the cogwheel railway from Alpnachstad.
- Take the boat at least once. Lake boats leave from the piers in front of the station, and many day trips (Rigi, Bürgenstock) start with a boat ride.
Getting to Lucerne
- From Zurich: about 45 minutes by train from Zurich HB, and about 1 hour from Zurich Airport.
- From Bern: about 1 hour by train. See our Bern guide.
- To Interlaken: about 1 hour 50 minutes on the Luzern–Interlaken Express over the Brünig Pass, one of the most scenic regular trains in the country. See where to stay in Interlaken.
- To Lugano: about 1 hour 40 minutes through the Gotthard Base Tunnel. See where to stay in Lugano.
- To Engelberg (for Mount Titlis): about 45 minutes by train.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.