Lucerne Day Trip from Zurich with Lake Cruise

FromCHF 92
8 hours
Zurich, Switzerland

About this activity

Experience Lucerne's Old Town and scenic Lake Lucerne on this guided day trip from Zurich, including a walking tour and boat cruise.

Highlights

  • Explore Lucerne's charming Old Town
  • Visit the iconic Chapel Bridge
  • Enjoy panoramic views from the Lion Monument
  • Cruise on the picturesque Lake Lucerne
  • Discover Swiss history and culture

Full description

Discover the enchanting city of Lucerne on this full-day excursion from Zurich. Begin with a comfortable round-trip journey to Lucerne, where you'll embark on a guided walking tour through the city's picturesque Old Town. Stroll along cobblestone streets, admire medieval architecture, and visit landmarks such as the Chapel Bridge and the Lion Monument. After the tour, enjoy a relaxing sightseeing cruise on Lake Lucerne, taking in stunning views of the surrounding mountains and villages. This day trip offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an unforgettable addition to your Swiss adventure.

Included / Excluded

  • Round-trip transportation from Zurich to Lucerne
  • Guided walking tour of Lucerne's Old Town
  • Lake Lucerne sightseeing cruise
  • Meals and beverages

Itinerary

1

Pass by: 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.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
2

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.

Duration: 5 hoursAdmission: NOT_APPLICABLE
3

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.

Duration: 1 hourAdmission: YES
4

Pass by: In the evening, meet again with your tour guide at the same location where you were dropped off for the return journey to Zurich.

Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE

Meeting point

Start Location

Best of Switzerland Tours AG, Sihlquai Bus Station, Limmatstrasse 2, 8005 Zürich, Switzerland

Important information

Know before you book

  • Tour operates rain or shine; dress accordingly
  • Cruise may be subject to weather conditions
  • Confirm departure time and meeting point upon booking

Know before you go

  • Wear comfortable walking shoes for the city tour
  • Bring a light jacket, as weather can change
  • Check the weather forecast before departure

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Accessibility

  • Stroller Accessible
  • Service Animals Allowed
  • Easy Public Transport
  • Infant Seats Available

Good to know

  • 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.

Traveler reviews

4.0
66 reviews
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7

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.

Ann LJun 30, 2026TRIPADVISOR

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).

Sightseer8748Jun 27, 2026TRIPADVISOR

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.

Bill_GJun 22, 2026VIATOR

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.

Jamak MJun 11, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Good Tour with Great Views of Lucerne

I recently joined a tour to Lucerne from Zurich and had a very pleasant experience overall. The trip was well coordinated and provided an excellent opportunity to discover one of Switzerland’s most beautiful and charming destinations. Lucerne is a remarkable city, offering stunning scenery, impressive architecture, rich history, and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and lake. The tour allowed ample time to explore the city’s main attractions, walk through its picturesque streets, and appreciate the unique character that makes Lucerne such a popular destination. The guide was professional, organized, and helpful throughout the journey, providing useful information about the region and ensuring that participants were well informed during each stage of the tour. Transportation was comfortable, and the itinerary was thoughtfully planned to maximize the experience within the available time. While there were a few areas that could be improved to make the experience even better, the tour was enjoyable and delivered good value. It is a solid option for travelers who wish to visit Lucerne and gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and culture of Switzerland without the stress of planning the trip independently. I would recommend this excursion to visitors looking for a convenient and enjoyable day trip from Zurich. It offers a wonderful introduction to Lucerne and the spectacular landscapes that make Switzerland such a memorable destination.

Adventure17207968333Jun 1, 2026TRIPADVISOR

Additional information

Audio guides during the yacht cruise available in: English / French / German / Italian / Spanish / Russian / Arabic / Hindi / Japanese / Chinese / Korean The tour is accompanied from Zurich to Lucerne and from Lucerne to Zurich. For the individual stay in Lucerne and the yacht cruise, tickets and a written itinerary are provided. Please note that some shops in Lucerne are closed on Sundays.