5 days in Luzern in December – what to do
A traveler is planning a family trip to Switzerland from December 10-14. They have an itinerary starting with Zurich, traveling to Engelberg and Luzern, and need advice on activities, particularly concerning the availability of mountain transport and the Swiss Travel Pass.
- The cogwheel train to Pilatus is closed in December, so consider alternative activities like the Chapel Bridge and Lake Lucerne boat trips.
- The Classic Round Trip to Rigi is available and covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, making it a good option to include.
- Lauterbrunnen is worth a visit for stunning views, but allow a full day for the trip due to the travel time.
AI-generated summary-
Hi! I would like to find out if the itinerary I’ve planned is suitable for our stay in Switzerland from 10-14th Dec 2017. My family and I will be getting the Swiss pass. Seeking your advice and suggestions. Thank you in advance!
Day 1- Reach Zurich at 1.30pm. Take the train to Engelberg. Check in apartment.
Day 2- Explore Mount Titlis
Day 3- Take the train to Luzern. Begin Lake Lucerne day trip (boat, cogwheel train, cable car). Return to Engelberg.
Day 4- Take the train to Luzern. Explore Mt Riji (easy 1h trekking). Return to Engelberg.
Day 5- Check out from apartment and take the train back to return to Zurich.
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Hi cloudcatcher, and welcome to MySwissAlps!
Most of your plans look good!
>> Day 3- Take the train to Luzern. Begin Lake Lucerne day trip (boat, cogwheel train, cable car). Return to Engelberg.
I’m not sure what you mean: is ít a trip to Pilatus? (Boat to Alpnachstad, cogwheel train to Pilatus, cable car and gondola to Kriens, bus to Luzern? )
If you do mean Pilatus, it won’t be possible, as the cogwheel train will be closed for the winter. You can go up and back by cable car from Kriens though, if the weather is suitable.
You will probably also be able to find some time to see the Chapel Bridge and stroll through the lovely old town, as well as take a boat trip on the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne).
Boat timetables are here:
http://www.lakelucerne.ch/en/ timetable-fares/timetable/
At present, timetables are only valid up until 9 December, as a new timetable comes into operation for trains, buses, boats and cable cars on 10 December. The new timetable will be released in mid-October. In the meantime, the current December timetable up until 9 December will give you a good idea of how frequent the boat trips are at that time of year, and where they go.
It would be a good idea to plan some inclement weather options as well, as there is no point going up to mountain tops if they are in the clouds; and if the weather is too bad, cable cars will be shut down for safety reasons.
This page will give you some ideas for alternative activities:
http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne/activities
You might also enjoy a visit to the Christmas Markets:
1. Lozärner Wiehnachtsmärt
This one is at Franziskanerplatz in Luzern (near the river, on the same side as the railway station)
Opening hours: 11:00 – 20:00 (food stands until 21:00)
2. Lucerne Christkindlimarkt
Lower ground floor of Luzern railway station (quite a small market)
Opening hours: 10:00 – 21:00
Alpenrose
Thank you Alpenrose.
Oh I didn’t know that cogwheel rides are closed in Dec! Fyi, I saw this Classic Round trip below that is covered by Swiss Pass and I thought of putting it in our itinerary.
‘Classic Round Trip’
Take the boat from Lucerne to Vitznau. Change to the cogwheel train to Rigi Kulm. Then take the cogwheel train down to Rigi Kaltbad and change to the cable car down to Weggis. Walk over to the boat (15 minutes) to return to Lucerne.
I guess I will have to skip this activity then. 🙂
By the way, is it a good idea to make a trip down to Lauterbrunnen- just to take a walk at the lovely, quaint village and view the Staubbach falls from below? Is it worth the trip?
Hi Alpenrose,
Just to add- yes, you are right abt the Chapel Bridge. Perhaps, after our trekking at Mt. Rigi, I think we could fit that boat trip on the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne) and have the Chapel Bridge stroll through the town in the evening.
Hi Cloudcatcher,
If you have the time it is a nice trip to visit Lauterbrunnen and the nearby villages (Mürren or Wengen). It is a few hours from Luzern though so plan on making it a full day trip.
Lucas
Hello Lucas, thank you for your reply. Abt the trip to Lauterbrunnen, since it will happen between 10-14 Dec, are there any matters that I should be concern of with respect to safety, weather and accessiblity to view the waterfalls? I understand that there is a bus that can take us there from Lauterbrunnen station? That would be helpful for I am travelling with my parents and young kids. How long would the journey take?
Thank you in advance for your valuable input! 🙂
>> Oh I didn’t know that cogwheel rides are closed in Dec!
Closing dates for mountain transport vary. There are both seasonal closures (for the winter) and maintenance closures (for several weeks usually, between the winter-sport and hiking seasons). The Pilatus cogwheel will not be operating when you are there, as it closes for the winter. You didn’t say which cogwheel you meant, so I had to take a guess that it might be the one to Pilatus.
>> Fyi, I saw this Classic Round trip below that is covered by Swiss Pass and I thought of putting it in our itinerary.
You can do the Classic Round Trip to the Rigi – all sectors of that trip will be operating when you are there.
Alpenrose
Ah the Trummelbach Falls close in November unfortunately, so that won’t be an option for you.
Lucas
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