Switzerland has always been high on our list with its charming alpine scenery, picturesque old towns and plenty of scenic mountain trails. It’s a true paradise for outdoor adventure lovers. When we spotted affordable flights from the UK to Zurich, we knew this was our chance to explore Lucerne for a weekend. We put together an affordable 2 day Lucerne itinerary so you can make the most of your time there without breaking the bank. Our itinerary covers free attractions in the city, along with affordable day trips to Lake Lungern and Mount Pilatus. 

We know Switzerland is considered to be one of most expensive countries in the world and the high prices can put people off visiting. However, we managed to explore this amazing country in an affordable way and have some suggestions of how to visit Switzerland on a budget. We also have a guide available on How to Travel on a Budget if you want to know some tips.

Jump to:

• Lucerne Budget Accommodation
• Cheap Eats in Lucerne 
• Affordable Attractions During 2 Day Lucerne Itinerary
• Visiting Mount Pilatus: Fräkmüntegg Toboggan Run and Hiking Down from Fräkmüntegg
• Lake Lungern Day Trip
• Final Throughs

Lucerne Budget Accommodation

Hotel prices in Switzerland can be very high! Accommodation was definitely our highest cost but we managed to find a room in Ibis Styles Lucerne for around £80 a night. We got a good deal through Agoda so it’s worth checking different booking providers for best prices. 

Backpackers Lucerne is another affordable option if you’re happy to stay in a hostel. It’s also a great option to connect with other travelers. We’d recommend booking directly for the best rates. 

If you fancy an outdoor adventure, there are campsites around Lucerne. You will stay further away from the city but it’s a great way to truly connect with nature. Camping International Lido Luzern is a great option offering campsite pitches as well as caravans for rent. Renting a caravan there costs around £100 per night but it gives you access to a kitchen to cook your own meals and save on eating out. 

Cheap Eats in Lucerne 

Prices of restaurants in Lucerne are very high – a lot of them are targeted for tourists. A meal in a standard restaurant would cost on average around £40 per person. That can quickly add up! 

We barely ate out during our 2 day Lucerne itinerary. Supermarkets such as Coop and Migros have a wide range of convenience food items such as ready made salads, sandwiches and  pastas. We grabbed breakfast and lunch from there. We were really happy with the variety of options that cater for different dietary requirements. Before our day trip to Mount Pilatus we went to Coop supermarket to grab a picnic that cost less than £10 for both of us.

Another great thing about supermarkets in Switzerland is that some of them have a restaurant on site. Coop Restaurant offers breakfast for as little as £6 per person and lunch for around £10-£13 per person. It’s a proper bargain compared to other restaurants.

Switzerland is also doing a great job at preventing food waste. In the center of Lucerne you can find a place called Ass-Bar that sells bakery products, salads and sandwiches from the day before at low prices. We also recommend downloading the Too Good To Go app that has some great options for affordable meals.

Affordable Attractions During 2 Day Lucerne Itinerary

The good news is that if you want to visit Lucerne on a budget there are plenty of free attractions that will fit perfectly into your 2 Day Lucerne itinerary. In addition, overnight visitors in Lucerne get a free Lucerne Visitor Card  that gives you access to free public transport around Lucerne and discounts to attractions including Mount Pilatus and local museums. Your hotel will be able to issue one for you 24 hours before check in. We stayed in Ibis Styles Lucerne and they had it printed for us when we arrived. 

Here are some recommendations of places that you can explore, mainly for free. You can also take advantage of your Lucerne Visitor Pass to get to all of them easily.

Walk the Chapel Bridge

This wooden bridge was built in 1333 and it’s considered Europe’s oldest covered bridge. It stretches diagonally across the river and it used to protect the city from attacks. We recommend coming early in the morning as it can get pretty busy with tourists. 

Enjoy the Panoramic Wiews from Gutsch Hotel Lucerne

A castle style, luxury hotel located on the hills above the city that offers panoramic views over Lake Lucerne and the town. There is a funicular to get there taking less than a minute to the top which is free with the Lucerne Visitor Card. 

Visit the grounds of Meggenhorn Castle

The grounds are free to enter offering amazing views of Lake Lucerne, beautiful walking trails and gardens. You can take bus number 24 to get there which is free with the Lucerne Visitor Card. 

See the Lion Monument

Carved directly into a cliff face to commemorate the Swiss Guards that passed during the French Revolution. 

Walk Down the Lakefront Promenade

You can truly take in the breathtaking views of Alpine peaks surrounding Lucerne. You can see Mount Pilatus and on a clear day you will be able to spot some snow-capped peaks. There are plenty of benches around making it a great spot to relax and enjoy the scenery. 

Enjoy Swimming or Drinks at Seebad Lido

When visiting Seebad Lido, you can enjoy a beer on an amazing terrace overlooking Lake Lucerne. They also have a great swimming area with a sundeck and access to the Lake. There is a swimming fee of £8 during the day and £4 after 6pm. 

Visiting Mount Pilatus: Fräkmüntegg Toboggan Run and Hiking Down from Fräkmüntegg

Mount Pilatus is easily accessible from Lucerne making it a great addition to your 2 day Lucerne itinerary. You can simply take bus number 1 to Kriens Zentrum Pilatus which is free with the Lucerne Visitor Card. From there, you can take a cable car right to the peak for £80 return per person. We decided to take a budget friendly alternative and ride up to the middle station at Fräkmüntegg and paid £20 per person for the ascent. The views from Fräkmüntegg are truly stunning overlooking Lake Lucerne and the surrounding peaks. 

Make sure you take advantage of the Fräkmüntegg Toboggan Run. It’s the longest summer alpine ride in Switzerland at almost 1,500 meters.  It costs around £8 per person which is a truly affordable price. Just note that it’s unlikely to run if it’s raining for safety reasons. We also recommend coming early in the morning as there can be long queues. Going down was really a fun experience with amazing views of the surrounding peaks, alpine meadows and Lake Lucerne. 

Once you’ve soaked up the views, you can hike down from Fräkmüntegg station. The hike will take around 2 hours, along a mostly well-marked path. You will pass through a forest and alpine meadows while enjoying great views. There are also picnic spots along the route. When you get half way down to Krienseregg station, you’ll find some restaurants also with excellent views. 

Lake Lungern Day Trip

Visiting the peaceful and scenic village of Lungern was one of the highlights of our 2 day Lucerne itinerary. It’s less than one hour away from Lucerne by train, making it a very easy and budget friendly day trip.

Nestled in the Swiss Alps, Lungern is a true hidden gem away from the crowds. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding alpine peaks, turquoise waters of Lake Lungern, and a stunning waterfall you can either hike to or see from across the lake. We have a full post of how you can plan your day trip to Lake Lungern.

Final Throughs

We hope this 2 Day Lucerne Itinerary has inspired you to explore this amazing town and its surroundings. We truly loved our time there, enjoying a perfect mix of exploring the charming old town and hikes filled with breathtaking views. Best of all, it’s absolutely possible to travel Switzerland on a budget and still fully enjoy what the country has to offer.