72625 posts
Hi Jerniice and welcome to MySwissAlps!
Visiting either town would be fine – it really depends on what you want to do there.
Lauterbrunnen is a very small village that is close to a couple of large mountain attractions (Jungfraujoch and Schilthorn).
Lucerne is a larger city, with a city’s amenities, located next to a lake. Lauterbrunnen’s main attraction are the nearby mountain trips and hiking excursions. If you are planning on doing neither I would focus on Lucerne.
382 posts
Last October I was in both places. If you want to be in the mountains, do some hiking, take a train higher up into the high alps, Lauterbrennen is the place (although it is in a valley). It’s a very small town, so it’s easy to walk one end to the other. Mountains all around, and they seem within reach! Spectacular! Next trip, I’ll stay in Wengen, just up the mountain from Lauterbrennen.
if you prefer strolls along the river and lakeside where restaurants are aplenty, and there are trips to nearby mountains, then Lucerne won’t disappoint. Also there are boat excursions on the lake, and the shopping is all around. Walks around the old part of town are fun (as are the covered bridges). A very lively place. I wouldn’t miss it on my next trip.
it all depends on what you want to do and see.