Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 67 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise worth booking?
Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise is a 10-hour experience in Zurich, Switzerland, from $116 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4/5 rating across 67 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (67)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $116 per person
Spend a day in the pretty city of Lucerne on a day trip from Zurich, enjoying a short introduction to the city, a cruise on Lake Lucerne, and plenty of free time. After traveling south through scenic landscapes, receive
What you get
About this experience
Spend a day in the pretty city of Lucerne on a day trip from Zurich, enjoying a short introduction to the city, a cruise on Lake Lucerne, and plenty of free time. After traveling south through scenic landscapes, receive a brief introduction to Lucerne while driving into the city. Then enjoy roughly six hours at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. The day trip includes a ticket for a one-hour panoramic cruise on Lake Lucerne, where you can take in the beautiful lakeside scenery from the water. In 2026, the cruise will be operated by an alternative motor vessel while the Saphir yacht is being converted to a sustainable hydrogen-powered system.
What's included
Included
- "Best of Lucerne" audio guide (available for download on your own device)
- 1-hour panorama cruise on Lake Lucerne
- Transportation by air-conditioned coach
- Partly guided tour by professional multilingual guide (English/Spanish)
- Carbon-balanced operations certified by myclimate
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Personal expenses
What you'll see and do
Zurich
Start your day with a pickup from Sihlquai Bus Station in the center of Zurich. Enjoy the coach ride through the gorgeous Swiss countryside, and along the shores of Lake Lucerne to Lucerne.
Pass by without stopping
Luzern Altstadt
Enjoy a brief orientation drive, where your guide points out the main attractions of this charming town like the famous Chapel Bridge, the Town Hall, the Jesuit Church and the Culture and Convention Centre (KKL). Explore this unique city on your own during the following six hours of leisure time.
300 minutes here
Lake Lucerne
Included in your tour rate is a one-hour panoramic boat cruise on beautiful Lake Lucerne. Enjoy the stunning views of the lake, the surrounding mountains, and the charming city of Lucerne from the water - a relaxing and unforgettable experience.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Zurich
In the evening, meet again with your tour guide at the same location where you were dropped off for the return journey to Zurich.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Zurich
The official departure point for all tours departing from Zurich is Sihlquai Bus Station, near Zurich’s main train station (Zürich HB). Please check in at least 15 minutes before departure at the “Best of Switzerland Tours” counter with your QR code on your voucher ready, printed or electronically.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The official departure point for all tours departing from Zurich is Sihlquai Bus Station, near Zurich’s main train station (Zürich HB). Please check in at least 15 minutes before departure at the “Best of Switzerland Tours” counter with your QR code on your voucher ready, printed or electronically.
Options you can book
Spanish
English
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Best of Switzerland Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- In 2026, the Saphir yacht is being converted to a sustainable hydrogen-powered system and another motor vessel will operate the cruise. No audio guide will be available.
- The tour includes accompaniment from Zurich to Lucerne and back. For the individual stay in Lucerne and the yacht cruise, tickets and a written itinerary are provided
- Please note that some shops in Lucerne may be closed on Sundays.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 67 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
10 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
5 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
67 verified traveler reviews for Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent day trip up Mount Pilatus with cable car and cogwheel railway and boat trip
The day was very well organised. Carola our guide was great and explained very well how the day would progress. She kept us all to time very well and each activity was very enjoyable. I would recommend the experience as a great way to enjoy the area.
via Tripadvisor
Mt Rigi and Lucerne. Was not a tour just a bus trip.
The views were absolutely spectacular both on the mountain and on the boat tour!! my disappointment was that I thought it was a guided tour and it wasn’t. It was just the bus trip. They provided us with a ticket for the train and the boat and a map and a schedule of what time the trains came and what time to be at the bus to go home. The guy that was on the bus spoke very low and I couldn’t hear anything he said, and almost everybody around me said the same thing. So any information he may have given I didn’t hear. I think if I would’ve known, I would’ve studied more what to do in Lucerne so I could’ve made the most of my visit there. Being alone, I was afraid of not being able to find our bus so I spent too much time looking for that.
via Tripadvisor
You want the Swiss experience - this is it.
The operator is very well organized from the meeting point with its own kiosk marked prominently so you can’t miss it. The tour guide Gonzalo is informative and friendly made our trip one to remember - we will return and make sure to go with The Best of Switzerland Tours in the future. We had a bad experience the day before with another tour operator with no presence LOCALLY - very important factor when travelling globally (we later found out it was in Estonia).
via Tripadvisor
Just Take an Uber and Go On Your Own.
Essentially, with this tour, you're basically paying for a bus ride. The bus takes you up, you spend WAY TOO LONG in Lucerne, go a boat ride, and then a bus ride home. When you're not on the boat you just kind of wander around a very picturesque, but far too touristy town for 5 hours. I mean, how many crowded stores can you go into selling the same Swiss Army knives, watches and t-shirts? The boat ride is pleasant, I guess, but if you've ever been on a boat before it's nothing different. Bottom line: Take an Uber there, spend an hour or two shopping, ride the boat if you want, then Uber back to your hotel. The one highlight of the trip was the helpful, knowledgeable, and pleasant guide that traveled along with us.
via Viator
Highly recommended for a family with kids
This was an excellent tour, very organized. Wonderful tour guide (Angela). We enjoyed every single part of the tour. Highly recommend it.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Zurich.
How much does Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise cost?
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Prices start at $116 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Zurich usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise take?
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Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Zurich is not rushed.
Is Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 67 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Zurich, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise?
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Around 23 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Zurich can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Zurich and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich Including Lake Lucerne Cruise start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Zurich within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Zurich?
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On Outty we rank every Zurich experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Zurich Food Tour with 10 Local Delicacies, Cheeses & Chocolates, Private, excellent guided tour of Zurich (from CHF 21/pers.), Zürich Historic District Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Zurich?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Zurich?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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