A Week in Switzerland: Zurich and Lucerne

About USD 5,516 for 2 travelers · 1 room · 7 days: hotels, food, activities, local transport and travel between places. Flights from your city not included.

Most major nationalities, including citizens from the US, UK, EU, Australia, and Canada, can enter Switzerland visa-free for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day period as part of the Schengen Area. Indian citizens, however, require a Schengen visa applied for in advance. It's crucial for all travelers to check the specific requirements for their nationality on the official Swiss government immigration website before planning their trip.

Switzerland is renowned for being one of the safest countries in the world, including for solo female travelers. Zurich and Lucerne have very low crime rates. Standard precautions against pickpockets in crowded tourist areas should be taken, but walking alone at night in well-lit city areas is generally safe. Public transport is reliable and well-monitored, even late in the evening.

The most efficient way is by train. Frequent S-Bahn (local train) and InterCity/InterRegio trains depart directly from the airport terminal to Zurich Hauptbahnhof (main station), taking about 10-15 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the airport's SBB ticket machines or counters. Taxis are also available but significantly more expensive.

The local currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF). While credit cards are widely accepted, especially Visa and Mastercard, it's advisable to carry some cash for smaller purchases, markets, or in smaller, independent shops. ATMs are widely available, and using a travel card like Revolut or Wise can help manage exchange rates and fees.

No, tipping is generally not customary or expected in Switzerland, as service charges are already included in prices by law across restaurants, hotels, and taxis. However, if you receive exceptional service, rounding up the bill to the nearest franc or leaving a small amount (e.g., 5-10%) is a kind gesture but entirely at your discretion.

Given the variable weather, especially near the mountains, pack in layers. Include comfortable walking shoes for city exploration, a rain jacket or compact umbrella for sudden showers, and a swimsuit for lake swimming or public baths. Sunglasses are useful for bright days, and a warm hat can be welcome during cooler evenings, even in summer. A reusable water bottle is excellent for the high-quality tap water.

Both cities have excellent public transport networks. In Zurich, trams and buses are efficient, while Lucerne relies on buses and boats on Lake Lucerne. The SBB Mobile app is indispensable for planning routes and buying tickets across trains, buses, trams, and boats throughout Switzerland. Consider purchasing a Zurich Card or Lucerne Visitor Card for unlimited local travel and attraction discounts.

For hiking, boating on the lakes, and accessing mountain peaks around Lucerne (like Pilatus or Rigi), the summer months from June to September offer the best weather, with most trails and cable cars fully operational. For winter sports and snowy landscapes, December to March is ideal, though some mountain access might be limited by heavy snow or closures.