Lucerne sightseeing + Rigi trip in 1 day Zurich
A traveler is planning their first day in Switzerland, arriving in Zurich and heading to Lucerne by around 11 AM. They want to explore Lucerne's famous sights but are unsure if they can fit in a visit to Mt. Rigi, asking for travel times and advice on the best route.
- Consider taking the round trip to Rigi via Vitznau, which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, plus an hour at the top for a relaxing experience.
- Check the boat and train schedules carefully to ensure you have enough time for your trip to Rigi, especially if you want to return in the evening.
- If you're feeling tired after your flight, it might be better to explore Lucerne’s nearby spots like the Lion Monument and Kapellbrücke instead of a longer trip.
AI-generated summary-
Hello helpful admins,
I am here to ask one more advice.
On our first day, we will arrive in Zurich and head over straight to our hotel in Lucerne reaching at approx. 1100 hrs.
I have planned that day only for sight seeing in the city – Kapellbrucke, Löwendenkmal and others.
I am unsure if an additional trip to Rigi will be feasible to do this day. Typically, how long does a round trip to Rigi from Lucerne take, considering we spend about an hour at the top?
And is the route via Vitznau the best option for visiting Rigi?
The next day, we have planned Titlis, which I guess should take the entire day. So haven’t planned anything else for that day. And the day after, we head over to Grindelwald.
So I’d really like to know if the first day can we club Rigi too?
Thanks
-
I am not sure where are you arriving from and how tired will you be when you reach Zurich and Lucerene hence not able to comment on if you will be able to do all.
You didn’t mention which hotel are you booked in,however if you are in the old town, you may end up crossing the Chappel Bridge on your way to station. There isn’t much to spend time on the bridge per say and you can walk through it anytime of the day during your stay there.
The Lion Monument is again something that you can visit and get done with it in max 30 mins ( or even earlier ). There is Glacier garden next to the Lion Monument next to Lion Monument which we visited and spent about 2 hours there.
Having said that, if it was me, I would do Mt Rigi than the city sightseeing but again you may have a different view.
It takes about 1 hrs 45 mins from from Lucerne Boat station to Mt Rigi via Vitznau. You can choose to do the “Majestic “Round trip i.e go via Vitznau and return via Arth Goldau or the “Classic” return trip i.e take the cable car down to weggis and take the boat back to Lucerne.
but If you are tired after your journey , you can choose to take it light and stroll along the lake and eat and drink at one of the places on the promenade in the backdrop of the Chappel Bridge 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions, Rohan.
Considering the travel (8 hrs flight to reach Zurich), I am more inclined to do Rigi than spending the entire day only sight seeing in the city. I reckon the latter will add on to the fatigue as we will need to walk more, as compared to a boat/cable car ride.
And I am staying at Ibis Styles which is quite in the vicinity of some of the spots in the city.
Appreciate your help!
Sure. Do check the boat and the train schedules to determine the actual time you will reach at the summit and back to hotel.
If I recall correctly the boat departs at hh:12.
Thanks
Rohan
Hi Enigma,
You should use the timetable to work out your travelling times… https://www.myswissalps.com/travel/public-transport/timetable/
I think a day on Rigi http://www.myswissalps.com/ri gi would also be my preferred choice over a day in the city http://www.myswissalps.com/lu cerne, but you can actually do both if you’re not too tired.
For boat trips, you can have a look here http://www.myswissalps.com/bo atlakelucerne
Have a wonderful trip!
Maria.
There isn’t really that much to see in Luzern in my opinion. Interestingly in my 59 years I’ve never actually stayed in Luzern itself (which could be a clue). The value of Luzern (and surrounding towns which are actually just as good places to stay) as a base is in its lakeside location and as the hub of lake steamer operations. The travel time to, across and from Rigi has been discussed in detail in another recent post on the forum.
I’m not a great fan of the commercialised Titlis either …
Hi Enigma-
1960man has offered his opinion of sightseeing at various locations. What is enjoyable for one person may not be for another, and vice versa. It is strictly personal.
I do think that your plan to visit the Rigi would be possible and relaxing. Keep an eye on the schedules…in detail. The last return trips by lake boat leave Vitznau at 1949, so you must leave Rigi-Kulm at 1900. That will give you plenty of time to make the trip, and walk around Luzern a bit if you wish. In theory, you could catch the boat from Luzern to Vitznau at 1712, arrive at Rigi Kulm at 1847, wait 7 minutes, and return departing at 1900. Of ourse, that would be a a very short time up top, so you could instead leave as late as 1612 and have an hour at the top.
In contrast to 1960man, I like to stay in expensive Luzern and enjoy a brief walk through the crowds of tourists around the old town. That part of Luzern is very small, as cities go.
My daughter and her young daughter ( age 8) enjoyed the Lion monument (which is about a 10 minute walk from the main station and also from the old town) and found the nearby Bourbaki Panorama fascinating.
http://www.bourbakipanorama.c h/en/
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Bourbaki-Panorama
I made a photobook about our trip, in 2009, and have attached two pages.
There is bus service:
map.search.ch/?pos=666521,211782&z=25 6&poi=haltestelle,zug
Mouse over a bus icon for route numbers. Click on icon for near term timetable. The bus stop that I have circled on the attached screen grab is called Luzern, Löwenplatz ( Lion Plaza or Lion Square). The map is supposed to accept markups, but they would not take for me, so I added a screen grab and marked it up….attached. Since the forum software does not allow removing attachments added by mistake, there are two screen grabs. One is marked up; one is not and can be ignored.
We always enjoy eating at restaurants along the river.
http://www.rathausbrauerei.ch /en/ and ,
http://www.luzern.com/en/thin gs-to-do/eating-drinking/restaurants/r estaurant-schiff/
And, the attached view (at dawn from the Hotel Schiff – now made into apartments) is a benefit on a sunny day. Similar views can be had from other hotels along the river. All are popular with tourists, and can be quite expensive if you get a room with a river view.
Slowpoke
Thanks Rohan, Maria, 1960man & Slowpoke for your sharing your suggestions and resources.
We shall most likely visit the famous city spots in the vicinity of our hotel and then make the Rigi trip starting late afternoon. An hour is what we intend to spend at the top. At least that’s what the plan is.
- The thread ‘Lucerne sightseeing + Rigi trip in 1 day Zurich’ is closed to new replies.
